XPost: can.internet.highspeed, can.general   
   From: gwelsh@spamcop.net   
      
   When I first saw this question I rushed to tear open my monthly bill (which   
   had arrived but which I had not yet had the time to open) and was   
   heartbroken to find that there was no mention of any credit.  Since my POTS   
   line exists almost exclusively to carry my DSL service and for people   
   ringing me from the building's front door, I'm an incredible cheapskate and   
   have only the most basic service I could get; $67 would cover almost three   
   months.   
      
   However, this week I received the refund in the form of a cheque.  (I pay my   
   bills using online banking.)   
      
   Some Guy wrote:   
   > I believe the CRTC's order to bell was that this be in the form of a   
   > cheque.   
      
   If I recall correctly, Bell was offering customers discounts exceeding the   
   $67 towards other Bell services in lieu of the cheque, so I don't think that   
   the CRTC was all that specific - or all that insistent - on the form of the   
   refund.   
      
   > Yes, I'm sure we all realize that it's probably costing Bell a buck a   
   > cheque (in postage / stationary at least) and so far the majority of   
   > people reporting this rebate are reporting a cheque and not a   
   > line-item credit on their monthly statement / bill.   
      
   Ah, you forget the MO of regulated monopoly businesses: revenue growth comes   
   from embracing expenses you can document and justify.  When Bell goes back   
   to the CRTC for its next rate adjustment hearing, how can the CRTC deny that   
   paper, printing, postage, and banking fees are legitimate costs of doing   
   business?  (I'm sure that more than one person at Bell Canada thinks that   
   this refund is itself proof that Bell wasn't claiming enough expenses.)   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)