bjohn
join:2002-09-02
Franklin Square, NY | reply to usa2k
Re: [Lingo] to charge Excise and Reg Tax
bastards.
I think I'll quit Lingo.
I urge everyone to email them and tell them this is BS. |
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laserjobs
Premium
join:2004-05-02
Las Vegas, NV
 ·Cox HSI
| I have already sent them two emails with no response. Please everyone who subscribes to Lingo send an email to let them know you are dissatisfied with this misrepresented rate hike.
Here are the emails I have for Lingo:
customercare@lingo.com
primuscare@primustel.com |
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tj008
join:2004-06-24
Cincinnati, OH
|  reply to bjohn
said by bjohn  :bastards. I think I'll quit Lingo. I urge everyone to email them and tell them this is BS. It is always good to voice ones opinion. Email them and let them know.
But before anyone jumps ship, lets look at what is waiting for you in the water....
By the looks of things (from this thread »ALL Providers - Monthly Bill including taxes, etc ), there is one frequently discussed provider NOT charging taxes or fees. That is Broadvox Direct. Is it only a matter of time?
Be happy where you are.
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laserjobs
Premium
join:2004-05-02
Las Vegas, NV
2 edits | Don't forget Sunrocket and their policy of including all taxes and fee in their pricing. Please take the time to email Lingo about this issue before we start paying the taxes and fees of POTS. |
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Sinclair42
join:2004-10-23
Florence, SC
| reply to Robbob90210
Re: [Lingo] is going to charge Excise and Reg Tax
We have all heard this from the Politician's and i see this as the same type of lies. "I will not raise taxes".Anything to get your business or vote.With the small amount of customers that Lingo or any other VoIP provider has compared to Landline,if the voices of the consumer's is heard loud enough, they may just listen and drop the $1.50 fee...
People don't like being lied to and VoIP is more of a hobby to me.I would just assume get rid of VoIP and not have to worry about rebooting, Rev.upgrades, etc. and go strictly landline.The last time this happened it was about charging us for calls to Hawaii.They quickly fixed that problem.If this is not mandated tax from the Government as of now then they have no right to lay the burden on the consumer and make up for some lost revenue.Hope they get the message.I like the service but not the lies.
Lets get those emails filling their boxes.... |
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Sinclair42
join:2004-10-23
Florence, SC | reply to Robbob90210
customercare@lingo.com
primuscare@primustel.com |
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Gericurlswrl
join:2003-05-02
Franklin, OH | How can they charge a "tax" that is not mandated by the government for VoIP, if indeed that is the case? Does anyone have proof that VoIP is completely unregulated in regards to taxation? Perhaps state attorney generals need to be notified? |
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vonsen
Just Because
Premium
join:2005-01-06
1 edit | reply to Robbob90210
Emailing customer service won't get you very far at lingo. If you are outraged by the gratutious 18% surcharge that lingo is imposing, try these email addresses instead:
Neil Hazard, COO: nhazard@primustel.com
Paul Singh, CEO: psingh@primustel.com
I am certain that these gentlemen would be interested in their customer's opinions. Happy customers usually mean rising share prices. The CEO, Paul Singh pulled down $3 Million last year, so he is well paid to listen to your concerns. Oh, the $3M is based on the current share price. Should Primus shares goes back up to $12, then his personal income would be closer to $15 million. If you prefer to call rather than email, the switchboard for the executive offices in MaClean, VA is (703) 902-2800. You might try asking for Neil or Paul's executive assistant.
edit: for typo |
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usa2k
Please PRAY for Rebekah
Premium,MVM
join:2003-01-26
Canton, MI
clubs:
 ·VOIPo
·WOW Internet and C..
·Broadvox Direct
|  reply to Gericurlswrl
Re: [Lingo] to charge Excise and Reg Tax
said by Gericurlswrl :How can they charge a "tax" that is not mandated by the government . . . just look at a POTS bill, or cell phone bill. Much of those add-on fees above the advertised rate are not government fees. The just have official sounding names.
»Good Article on those extra "fees"
»Taxes will be the death of us
--
Jim -- USA2K
SEE: |DCWU |FAH |PICS |BVX REVIEW |
FWD, Vonage 01/03 to 12/04, & BVX 07/04 to now |
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caseydoug
join:2001-08-14
Seattle, WA
| reply to Robbob90210
Re: [Lingo] is going to charge Excise and Reg Tax
For the POTS line, these charges either represent real government taxes and fees, or they have been accepted by a state regulatory commission as a real cost of service.
In the case of the Federal Telecommunications Excise Tax (under section 4252 of the Internal Revenue Code), the Internal Revenue Service last July asked for public comment on whether these taxes should be extended to non-traditional telephone services. Comments were due this past fall. This was not even a notice of proposed rulemaking, and to my knowledge, proposed rules have not yet even been published.
I have not researched this thoroughly, so I could be wrong. But I would like to see some evidence for Lingo's statement that it is "required by Federal law" to collect this tax. |
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hkvalet
Specialist
join:2004-10-18
Las Vegas, NV
| Either VoIP Companies or Mobile Carriers.......
These companies just want to make more and more money from consumers.
Government taxes and fees are just some other ways and different names for them to take money out from your wallets.
--
RELAX, God is in Charge! |
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WilliamK23
@comcast.net
| reply to techRW
»hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/a···04A5.pdf
Long Distance Carriers owe taxes on the revenue that they collect and have to turn that over to the FCC (the FCC collects a regulatory tax to support the FCC).
The problem isn't native VoIP (Internet PC to Internet PC) but when it goes off the internet to a remote PSTN gateway that is owned by the same carrier in another state (That's when it becomes a long distance call); and rightfully so the FCC wants their share of the pie. |
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laserjobs
Premium
join:2004-05-02
Las Vegas, NV
·Cox HSI
| reply to vonsen
Thanks vonsen for the emails, I just sent another one off to them
Neil Hazard, COO: nhazard@primustel.com
Paul Singh, CEO: psingh@primustel.com
--
Email Lingo about the misrepresented rate hike: customercare@lingo.com primuscare@primustel.com nhazard@primustel.com psingh@primustel.com |
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bjohn
join:2002-09-02
Franklin Square, NY
1 edit | reply to hkvalet
I emailed all these people.
primuscare@primustel.com;
customercare@lingo.com;
nhazard@primustel.com;
psingh@primustel.com;
sales@lingo.com
It would be nice if someone who's good with "creative writing" make a template (letter) that we can all follow when emailing. |
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tj008
join:2004-06-24
Cincinnati, OH | reply to Robbob90210
ditto |
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laserjobs
Premium
join:2004-05-02
Las Vegas, NV
·Cox HSI
| reply to bjohn
I agree bjohn. If someone is good at writing letters could they post a template. It would make it much easier for all Lingo users to send a complaint.
--
Email Lingo about the misrepresented rate hike: customercare@lingo.com primuscare@primustel.com nhazard@primustel.com psingh@primustel.com |
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Robbob90210
@attbi.co | I vote for VONSEN to be the template writer. Based on his concise use of English and explaining the feeling of Lingo customers.
Robert |
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caseydoug
join:2001-08-14
Seattle, WA
4 edits | reply to Robbob90210
A template is fine for those who don't care to compose their own letter. Generally, however, individual unique communications are considered more effective. So if you feel up to writing it in your own words, that is what you should do.
Regarding the comment of WilliamK23, the FCC fees referred to are only around 0.2%, and have been around since before Lingo got started. Lingo should not be imposing a surcharge at this time, any more than it should impose a surcharge because it pays property tax on its headquarters building.
The tax cited in Lingo's letter to its subscribers is a 3% Federal Telecommunications Excise Tax which certain telecommunications providers are required to COLLECT from subscribers. It is governed by the Internal Revenue Code and administered by the IRS. Last July, the IRS published a notice asking for comment as to whether this tax should be extended to subscribers of non-traditional telecommunications service (69 Fed. Reg. 40345). No decision has been made yet, but Lingo told its subscribers it is required to collect this tax. |
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Sinclair42
join:2004-10-23
Florence, SC
1 edit | reply to Robbob90210
Doug
You are correct about individual letters having more merit, but there are those that probable would feel more comfortable using a template type of letter stating that the tax that is being implemented into the pricing structure is in no way a Government regulation as of yet.You maybe could do some checking to see if they have a leg to stand on when you get back to your office.Even though i have already written to the above email address there are those that would feel better sending a letter with accurate statements.I guess the more letters to the designated addressees would be a plus to all that are concerned in trying to get Lingo's attention.If a thousand people threatened to unsubscribe because of the letter that was sent out, which is very possible as i see almost that many according to the hits that this post has been read, then i think they would surely have to do something to keep their service going forward because they are one of the best if not the best VoIP contenders out there.Would be a shame to lose a big chunk of their base over the issue that will pick up speed as word of mouth gets the word out.I guess they think no one would care??????? I think they better think twice............. |
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Network Guy
join:2000-08-25
New York
·PHONE POWER
·Broadvox Direct
 ·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to Robbob90210
Ok, you wanna see what you whiny bishes aren't contending with doing VoIP even with this controversial $1.50 fee? Please take a look at my telco bill below..
As you'll realize, my actual monthly plan and usage fees are nearly doubled with all fees and taxes.
And you fools are complaining about $1.50?
Me
NY
Account Summary
Account Number
Invoice Number 52675969
Billing Period Ending 1/3/2005
Total Amount $37.83
Invoice Summary
Previous Bill $38.17
Payments and Credits $38.17 CR
Balance $0.00
Current New Charges $37.83
Current Balance Due By 1/29/2005 $37.83
Pay My Bill
Summary Of Services Total
Trinsic
NY Trinsic Basic $0.00
Local Primary Line
NY Trinsic Basic Line without Features $19.99
Directory Listing Pricing Plan - Free $0.00
Regulatory and Other Fees $10.72
Member to Member $0.00
Long Distance
Long Distance $0.00
Long Distance Intl $0.00
Long Distance Int - Cell $0.00
Voice Mail $0.00
Travel Card
Trinsic Access Card $0.00
Trinsic Access Card Intl $0.00
Conferencing $0.00
TeleMail Messaging $0.00
Directory Assistance and Call Completion $0.00
PVA Direct. Assist. & Call Comp. $0.00
Other Charges Summary $0.00
Special Billed Calls $0.00
InfoStream - Information Services $0.00
Account Charges $0.57
Government Fees and Taxes $6.55
Current New Charges $37.83
Special Notes
Answers and Information
Billing Inquiries (800) 511-4572
Customer Service (800) 511-4572
Payments and Credits Amount
Payment by Direct - 1/3/2005 $38.17 CR
Total Payments and Credits $38.17 CR
New Charges Detail
Local Monthly Service Quantity Amount
Trinsic 1
(718) xxx-xxxx NY Trinsic Basic Line without Features 1/4/2005 - 2/3/2005 $19.99
(718) xxx-xxxx Service Number Portability 1/4/2005 - 2/3/2005 $0.23
(718) xxx-xxxx Subscriber Line Charge (Res) 1/4/2005 - 2/3/2005 $6.50
(718) xxx-xxxx Interstate Recovery Fee 1/4/2005 - 2/3/2005 $1.24
(718) xxx-xxxx Federal Regulatory Compliance Fee 1/4/2005 - 2/3/2005 $1.94
Fed Universal Service Fund $0.81
$30.71
Total Monthly Service $30.71
Account Charges Quantity Amount
Finance Charge - 1/4/2005 1 $0.57
Total Charges $0.57
Government Fees and Taxes
Sales Tax $2.74
Excise Tax $0.77
Federal Excise Tax $0.98
E911 Tax $1.00
NY MCTD 186c $0.18
NY MCTD 184a $0.04
Franchise Tax $0.72
NY Franchise 184 $0.12
Total Government Fees and Taxes $6.55
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