When “Courtesy Notice” really means “You’re Screwed”
I’ve gotten a couple of communications from companies recently that they claimed were “courtesy notices”, implying that these companies…
I’ve gotten a couple of communications from companies recently that they claimed were “courtesy notices”, implying that these companies were doing one of their customers a real favor.
Xfinity sent me one that said: “This is a Courtesy Notice from Comcast to let you know that you have used 125% of your 1024 GB monthly data plan for your XFINITY Internet Service.” First, I didn’t know that Comcast capped the Xfinity service I am paying $289 for every month! (To be fair, a good part of that charge is for my TV services and voice service I don’t use but is bundled to make the other services cheaper.) Second, the notice doesn’t mention that the reason this is a courtesy is because Comcast is going to charge me $30 for the next 150GB I use. Funny how even Comcast thinks this is not something worth mentioning. Maybe they think it’s really bad news? So the real courtesy is not mentioning such a bad thing?
Virgin America sent me a “travel advisory” that warned me: “It looks like you’re set to fly with us on flight VX 202 to Chicago (ORD) on 2017–04–28. We are writing to let you know that both San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) are in the midst of runway construction. As a result, guests may experience flight delays and occasional flight cancellations, especially during peak travel periods and/or unfavorable weather conditions at SFO or LAX.” Why did Virgin America warn me about the runway in LAX when they know that my flight is leaving from SFO? (I’m actually on the flight now, which did not experience any delay and might arrive early.) Most particularly, why did the fabulous people at Virgin America Guest Services feel that it was necessary to mention that “guests may experience… occasional flight cancellations”! Isn’t air travel stressful enough that you don’t need to suggest the thing that is not likely to happen more than 36 hours before there’s any chance of knowing whether it will? I like Virgin America (and Alaska), but this is the first time I’ve ever seen this notice and think it is really cockeyed.
I’m just saying…