Things That Grind My Gears
- Paying a higher copay than Patient Joe. Why is my copay for the doctor's office $30? Why did some unsuspecting, lazy soul forget his receipt, leaving it conveniently on the floor, allowing me to learn that he pays a $15 copay instead? We're seeing the same doctor! $15 difference? I don't understand. Also, this doctor just looked at me and said "Let's run more tests." I paid $30 to hear that? Couldn't you have faxed me a test order or something? You asked me no questions.
- Paying a copay to hear test results. Well, now blogland will assume I'm dying - I assure you, I am not. I had some bloodwork done, and my doctor had me schedule an appointment to hear the test results. Seven minutes cost me $40. (Yes, $40. The specialist doctor then sent me to the general doctor, thus, the differences in copays. You read that correctly.) You couldn't just call me up and tell me? You still had to charge me the $40.
- Not being rewarded for loyalty. Listen up, DirecTV/Comcast/Cox/[insert cable company here], I have been a loyal customer to you for years. Why do you offer better rates to new customers and I get to pay a higher price for less service/packages? Don't you love me? Should I just switch cable providers every year to play their game?
- Again, not being rewarded for loyalty. Cable companies aside, why do I not have incentive programs? Starbucks gives me cheaper drinks and a free one every 15 drinks. Capital One gives me insane rewards points when I use their card. Hello, Wawa gasoline and KFC, I pick you guys over the competitors everytime. You're my go-to for gas or fast food. Can I get a rewards program please? Hook a sister up!
- Supermarket loyalty cards. I have four different grocery store loyalty cards. Most people have multiple cards. Safeway, Giant, Superfresh, Food Lion, can we just cut the crap and offer me the lowest price everytime? Why do I need a card to get it? That doesn't make me come back to your store. I choose the grocery store based on two questions: "Am I buying produce?" and "Which store is more convenient when I am running errands?" Usually, I end up just going the Safeway because it has less people in the grocery store to begin with.
Are there any things that really annoy you? Share them!
I'd love to know that I'm not the only person who is complaining about things beyond their control.
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OMG same thing happened to me. This one older lady was charged $340 for her crown and right after I left, I was charged $460. I didn't have time to argue it then and there so now I have to call them back and ask for a ledger. They don't even tell you anything..that's what I hate about going to the doctor. You think, okay cool, I don't have to pay right now...then BOOM, you get mailed a huge bill.
ReplyDeleteThats a huge difference! $120 difference!! I bet they blame it on your insurance. "Oh your insurance plan doesn't cover the same percentage for that procedure as hers did."
DeletePS I love family guy. I can rewatch all of the episodes over and over. This hashtag never gets old. #nowonderweareBFFs
DeleteYou just mentioned the word "Comcast" and my blood started boiling. I won't bore you with the details =)
ReplyDeleteIf Comcast went bankrupt, I would be beyond happy. In college, the internet and cable were out for 3 weeks because of a faulty cable line in our apartment building and they STILL had the nerve to charge us, despite numerous complaints and documentation of no service.
DeleteLol I love the theme of this post. The What Really Grinds My Gears episode was awesome. Family Guy is too funny.
ReplyDeleteThose doctor fees make me glad I'm Canadian. I just walk in and walk out without paying anything. Of course the monthly medical plan payments add up, but at least price isn't an issue when I need tests or whatever.
As for grocery loyalty cards, I do understand how they want to build all these customer profiles based on where I'm shopping/living. And then I feel like I'm saving something by seeing the higher prices that non-members pay.
Anyways, definitely keep this series going. There is so much stuff out there to bitch about.
I love Family Guy. Have you seen the movie Ted? The bear has the same voice as Peter Griffin. Also, I saw the movie for free (thanks, police offer pal of mine and local theater!), so I do not feel guilty at all for going to the movies.
DeleteOne time, I was shopping in San Diego. I obviously do not have their grocery loyalty cards. The lady at the checkout scanned her card without me even asking. It was nice, but it led to the thought I expressed in this post. What's the point of the card?!
We don't pay doctor's co-pays here, but everytime I go to the dentist they innocuously overcharge me, which raises my co-pay.
ReplyDeleteI used to never pay copays because I had military insurance. Copays are a shock and annoyance to me.
DeleteI wish dentists would list their prices for procedures on a board. I know what my insurance covers, so I know what I should be paying (I can do the math in my head), but they never tell you the full price here. Just the "after insurance" price.
Military insurance, I miss that. Don't miss being in the Army though...just the guys and comraderie.
DeleteWhat really grinds my gears is how my bank uses every %#*%@ interaction to market to me. I am a customer! I'm logging in to pay my bills. Please, please, please stop squeezing every opportunity to sell me something new. What if I walked into your bank and every teller asked me if I wanted fries ? I didn't wander in out of curiosity, I have business. Busy-ness. I am busy. Don't waste my time or degrade our business relationship with marketing nonsense. Who are these people willing to sacrifice the bank's professionalism for a .00001% chance of making a sale?
ReplyDeleteI agree 100%. Its so frustrating! Even if you decline whatever offer they have, they rotate the same 3-4 offers each time you log in. Didn't I just click "No thanks"?? Does that not register in your system?
DeleteThere are a whole lot of things that piss me off, haha. I have a solution for the copay situation - move to Canada! Lol. JK. I agree with Astro Gremlin up there. I called beccause my wallet was stolen and wanted to cancel my credit card and the person had the audacity to try to upsell my account.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, Daisy, I would've flipped. Its already a stressful time, upgrading your account will not make you feel better nor more secure! I feel as though companies forget how critically important customer service is these days.
DeleteYou get a free starbucks every 15 drinks? I need to sign up for this...I feel cheated. haha! I love loyalty programs and rewards. My CC are based off this and for shopping I prefer stores that offer something.
ReplyDeleteYes! Its the greatest thing ever. Our local supermarket has a Starbucks, and they used to offer a free drink every 7 drinks, but they cut that out. :(
DeleteI think the Starbucks in my VONS offers that...but then I'd have to shop there. I prefer the local farmers market and their fresh white chocolate macadammia cookies.
DeleteI absolutely think companies should reward loyalty and it ASTOUNDS me that they don't.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I'm not business or brand-loyal, so maybe I'm expecting too much?
Hmm...maybe you would be business or brand-loyal if they did reward your loyalty? I think those rewards definitely play a part in determining where I shop.
DeleteI really dislike paying ATM fees when I use a bank that is not my one. =( Shame on me for not carrying cash when I need it.
ReplyDeleteHaha, I agree about the grocery store loyalty cards! CAn't they just give me the lowest price?? Do I have to have one more piece of junk in my wallet?!
ReplyDelete