Say no to auto-pay!!

Yesterday, I checked my monthly visa bill and to my surprise I found out that my internet charge is $263 instead of $118 from previous months. I immediately called to investigate on the reason for this surcharge. I was notified by them that my promotional period has expired and they have renewed the internet service using regular prize. They stated that I was notified on this issue by email and mail, but I never received any mail nor have I checked my I-Cable email that I never use.

1. Why is a one way notification sufficient enough to renew my plan through auto-pay at a higher price? What if I don’t agree with such terms? I will have no way of finding out until I check my email or receive my Visa bill. Anybody with common sense would ask such questions, but no. I was told by HSBC card center that during the approval of such auto payment, HSBC will not know the auto-pay maximum amount or the expiry date of such auto-pay. In other words, if I-Cable feels like it they can debit as much money as they want and as long as they want. Isn't this rediculous.
   
2. I suggested to them to use personal telephone to notify such important information but they told me that they do not have such policy. How much effort is needed just to make a simple call? It seems that they have sufficient resources to cold call my personal mobile phone on other promotional products.


3. I then suggested to them to use an alternative email address to notify me on such important notices. I was told that this also can’t be done. I don’t understand how difficult it is to add an alternative address. If this is a system limitation, then I am certain I can change the email address of such notifications to an email address that I will check.


4. They renewed my service at a higher price in Nov 28 without my knowledge and agreement. I called on Dec 12 and would like to stop the regular package and immediately join the promotion package. They refused such request and insisted that I need to complete this months of regular payment before I can enjoy the promotion. No pro rata can be done.


5. To avoid further confusion in the future, I asked I-Cable if I can discontinue my auto-pay service and pay by cash every month. I was amazed that I was not allowed to do such arrangement only if I pay $1000 cash in advance. The funniest thing is that I can't even cut the auto-pay service when I contact HSBC. HSBC tells me that I need to have I-Cable's conscent to terminate the autopay. What the hell!! It's my money!! I then asked if I can cancel my card. And surprise again, they told me even if I cancel the card I-Cable can still debit my card and HSBC is dumb enough to pay them. And I will owe HSBC money. What is the world coming to?
   

But luckily I have Plan Z. Plan Z is to say that I have lost my credit card and the auto-pay will need to be renewed on the new card. Funny world!