Had a weird experience with Earthlink DSL last month or two months back. I have their service since 1999, and went from dial up to DSL around mid-2000.

Recently, I called them to ask if they had any current promotions for which I can qualify. They said sure, and they applied a $10 credit for me every month starting the next billing cycle!

I was surprised how easy it was. No ‘extension’ of contract. No time-limited promotion. No conditions. Simple reduction of $10 off my bill.

Since it was weird and too-good-to-be-true, I asked them if they would have called me with the offer if I had not called them. They said no. Which means, they want people to just keep calling and asking for discounts? And fleece the ones that don’t bother about it? Maybe so. Welcome to corporate America, I said to myself and hung up.

Why is it that such policies are allowed to exist? Why, if they have a promotion for existing subscribers, don’t they let the existing subscribers know about it? Why make them call again and again?

I am the kind of guy who may call again and again, but there may be so many more who don’t. What about them? Keep charging them the higher fees?

That’s totally wrong.