Japan's vending machines get addresses
By Gareth Edwards 
posted Oct 20th 2004 2:00PM
posted Oct 20th 2004 2:00PM
Anyone who's visited Japan will likely have been screwed up to a greater or lesser extent by the country's arbitrary and idiosyncratic address system. The Fukuoka fire brigade sympathise with your plight; they're getting a growing number of calls from cellphones (which they can't trace without carrier help) from people who can't describe accurately where they are (apart from "next to the flaming building", presumably). The solution they've hit on is to slap address labels on vending machines, so next time you run out of a burning building and don't know where you are, dash for the latest drink machine and phone it in. Cans of Calpis don't make a good fire extinguisher, though. Probably.
Just be careful as to which japanese vending machine you use for reference. The firefighters may not take you too seriously if you say you're next to a vending machine full of used panties.
I am interested in joining a class action lawsuit where Cingular has introduced new technology and charges parents of minors before they can retrieve information on the use of text messages. I am an attorney and father of a 14 year old. We received our first Cingular bill and discovered that he had ran over his 100 text messages considerably. However, by the time we were able to let him know similiar charges were within the second bill. I have refused to pay their excess bill - Specifically there was a charge for $2.99 for 100 messages. This same charge had been $2.99 for unlimited text messages only a few weeks before. The charges for my son was essentially for aol messager which is normally free on internet. However, the definition of a text message occurs each time one sends one "yes" message or more words overline - not each event of messaging. Other words if one runs over the 100 for $2.99 - then the cost for that yes and no message - would be $0.20. We upgraded to 750 messages for $9.99 a month and I paid that difference for the first month. Cingular has left me on hold for countless lengths and has stated that they have a flat policy that will allow them to waive only 50% of charges. Furthermore, they suspended my phone service one week prior to the time indicated on their phone bill. I refuse to pay them anything until this is cleared up. This is my second month with Cingular and they are attempting to collect $409.21 from me which I dispute as to total amount. I have excellent credit and will not pay an unfair (even if legal) charge. Cingular will lose its four (4) phones, its fees from our family, and must attempt to collect which I will fight until the end. They have just cut themselves out of a good customer on the front end. I would like to see a class action lawsuit on our behalf. I cannot wait for Cingular to be fair and will find it necessary to obtain other cell phone service at another company's profit. These charges were billed in Tennessee, however, I am leaving state next week.
Form Confirmation
Thank you for submitting the following information:
email: jcs5@georgetown.edu
name: Jim Savage
address: 54 Elm St
city: Worcester
state: MA
zip: 01609-2513
areacode: 508
my_telephone: 752-4006
my_extension:
best_contact: Phone
UCAN_member: N
Place_on_list: email
speak_w_co: Y
speak_w_rep: Y
Company: Cingular
complaint: cell phone messaging and also, cutoff
acct_numbr: 07156568-001-07
file4_a_biz: N
business_name:
dollars_disputed: approximately $150
documents: Y
dispute
Solution: Require Cingular to post the charges for its TEXT msgs and the number used so that parents can be aware of the charges by minors who probably unknowingly exceed the new technology of TEXT MSGing. Offer unlimited Text messaging for the first two-three months for a low basic fee, e.g., $2.99, so that new users can determine how to budget for their children who are learning how this new technology works. Require Cingular to erase total phone bill where they cut off service due to nonpayment prior to their published date and to place all disputed bills on the side and permit payment of undisputed amounts without cutoff of service. _________________________________ I am interested in joining a class action lawsuit where Cingular has introduced new technology and charges parents of minors before they can retrieve information on the use of text messages. I am an attorney and father of a 14 year old. We received our first Cingular bill and discovered that he had ran over his 100 text messages considerably. However, by the time we were able to let him know similiar charges were within the second bill. I have refused to pay their excess bill - Specifically there was a charge for $2.99 for 100 messages. This same charge had been $2.99 for unlimited text messages only a few weeks before. The charges for my son was essentially for aol messager which is normally free on internet. However, the definition of a text message occurs each time one sends one "yes" message or more words overline - not each event of messaging. Other words if one runs over the 100 for $2.99 - then the cost for that yes and no message - would be $0.20. We upgraded to 750 messages for $9.99 a month and I paid that difference for the first month. Cingular has left me on hold for countless lengths and has stated that they have a flat policy that will allow them to waive only 50% of charges. Furthermore, they suspended my phone service one week prior to the time indicated on their phone bill. I refuse to pay them anything until this is cleared up. This is my second month with Cingular and they are attempting to collect $409.21 from me which I dispute as to total amount. I have excellent credit and will not pay an unfair (even if legal) charge. Cingular will lose its four (4) phones, its fees from our family, and must attempt to collect which I will fight until the end. They have just cut themselves out of a good customer on the front end. I would like to see a class action lawsuit on our behalf. I cannot wait for Cingular to be fair and will find it necessary to obtain other cell phone service at another company's profit. These charges were billed in Tennessee, however, I am leaving state next week.
resolution
Talked to Cingular about 15 times to no avail. My Cingular agent who is the only one reasonable is still on medical leave and I have not spoken with her.
additional
I will be in TN for about a week more at 931-645-6045.
Wireless firm also told to reimburse customers
By Kathryn Balint
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
September 24, 2004
California's Public Utilities Commission yesterday fined Cingular Wireless a record $12 million for violating state law by failing to tell customers that its network was overburdened, then charging them huge fees to get out of their long-term contracts.
The PUC also ordered Cingular to reimburse customers who paid early-termination fees from January 2000 to April 2002.
Cingular's costs could total $40 million to $70 million, said Michael Shames, executive director of the Utility Consumers' Action Network in San Diego.
"The case is important in a number of ways," Shames said. "First, there is now hope that hundreds of thousands of customers will get refunds of between $150 and $450. Second, it sends a message to wireless companies – all of them, not just Cingular – that they won't get away with blatant lies to their customers."
In a written statement, Cingular said it was "extremely disappointed" with the PUC ruling.
"The decision is flawed," the statement said. "The claims about our business practices, network and customer service quality are completely unfounded."
The case was brought to the attention of regulators by UCAN.
Beginning in 2001, Shames said UCAN was bombarded with complaints from consumers who had signed long-term contracts for cell phone service with Cingular, only to find out that the service did not work at their homes or businesses.
Last year, after a two-year investigation, a PUC administrative law judge ruled that Cingular had violated state law by aggressively marketing its service without disclosing network problems to its prospective customers. At the same time, the law judge found that Cingular refused to allow customers out of their long-term contracts without paying hefty early-termination fees.
From 2000 to 2001, 37,000 Cingular customers canceled their contracts within the first two weeks, paying early-termination fees, according to PUC Commissioner Geoffrey Brown.
The PUC's decision against Cingular came in a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Susan Kennedy dissenting. She suggested lowering the proposed fine.
Commissioner Loretta Lynch said the $12.14 million fine is "fully justified."
"In fact, I think the decision could have gone farther in reparations," she said. "I think it would make sense to extend reparations to customers who complained about Cingular'
I think it's a great idea. Although all you really need is for the machine to have a serial number visible and a database with all the locations.
Is there anyone besides me bothered by the fact that a milky white drink has a name that sounds like cow-piss?
Is there anyone besides me bothered by the fact that a milky white drink has a name that sounds like cow-piss?
The guy above who posted that nastiness about Cingular has a good point--I hate companies who change policies in an attempt to milk people of money.
However... refusing to pay them simply because you failed to read the fine print on your previous bill is only likely to result in a lower credit rating and possible legal action, unless you can prove that they were intentionally deceiving people. Not a gamble I'd take for $400.
I am a student and am currently doing a project on Japan’s vending machine. I hope you can help me to answer a few of my questions.
Why does the Japan’s government implement the use of vending machines instead of shops? What is the main purpose of implementing vending machines? I have done some research and found that one of the reasons is that vending machines can help to conserve land in Japan. However, I couldn’t find reliable sources to prove my stand that vending machines can help to conserve land. Do you know of any policies or website of Japan’s government that mention the use of vending machines?Is it more profitable to use vending machines than operating shops? Why do Japanese companies want to use vending machines? How does a Japanese company convince the government that vending machines are better than shops? How does vending machines help contribute to the society beside providing convenience?