UPDATE: Sept. 11, 2009 - T-mobile has withdrawn the $1.50 billing charge.  (if you have found otherwise please call us at 619-696-6966)

Throughout August T-Mobile has been sending notices to its customers that it will start charging $1.50 per month to send you your paper bill. When did sending a customer a bill become something that was not included in the plan?

This is for all paper bills, the "detailed bill" and the "summary bill", which means if you are receiving the "detailed bill" you will soon be paying $3.49 per month to receive it in the mail.

In my book if a company cannot afford to mail you your bill then it should just stop charging you for service, problem solve.

Realistically, though T-Mobile will continue to charge you for service so what are your options besides paying an extra $1.50 a month.

Option 1: Access your bill online. Some people prefer this option; many individuals were already receiving their bills online. It appears that if you receive your bill online you can still use all of the same payment methods including mailing in a check.

Option 2: Try to cancel your T-Mobile contract without an ETF. You should have 30 days from the date you receive the notice to cancel your contract without being charged an ETF. This charge should be considered materially adverse to you or at least an increase in your set monthly charges.

When you call be sure to mention your right to cancel under the terms and conditions. The relevant section states:

5. Our Rights to Make Changes. Your Service is subject to our business policies, practices, and procedures, which we can change without notice. UNLESS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED BY LAW, WE CAN CHANGE PRICES, CHARGES AND ANY TERMS IN THE AGREEMENT AT ANY TIME. IF WE MATERIALLY MODIFY THESE T&Cs IN A WAY THAT IS MATERIALLY ADVERSE TO YOU, OR IF A CHANGE INCREASES YOUR SET MONTHLY RECURRING CHARGE(S) (the set amount - which does not include overage, features, optional services, taxes and fees - you agreed to pay each month for at least a one-year Term), WE WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH AT LEAST 30 DAYS NOTICE AND YOU MAY TERMINATE YOUR SERVICE WITHOUT AN EARLY TERMINATION FEE (WHICH IS YOUR ONLY REMEDY) BY NOTIFYING US WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE THE NOTICE. IF YOU FAIL TO TERMINATE WITHIN THOSE 30 DAYS, YOU ACCEPT THE CHANGES.
http://www.t-mobile.com/Templates/Popup.aspx?WT.z_unav=ftr__TC&PAsset=Ft...

If you have any trouble cancelling and feel you are within your 30 days let us know by submitting an online complaint or calling the fraud squad.

Companies always seem to be looking for a new way to charge you. To quote Tom Petty "As we celebrate mediocrity, all the boys upstairs want to see how much you'll pay for what you use to get for free" 

But remember you are under a contract and you have rights under that contract and when a change is made you should have a right to at least leave that contract without charge. Also you should make T-Mobile aware that you are dissatisfied with this charge even if you intend to pay the charge to continue receiving the paper bill. Customer satisfaction should be important to them and T-Mobile needs to know when its customers are not satisfied. 

Lyric quote: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers; "The Last DJ"; Album: The Last DJ Label: Warner Bros. 2002