I've been a Cox customer for 11 years and they've got their pluses and minuses; but today I discovered something about them that needs to be corrected immediately. They CHARGE you a $25 "returned payment fee" for a declined credit card!
I recently got a new credit card to replace a lost one. I never updated the cox automatic payment. Today they called (automated call) to tell me that I needed to get online or call in to make an immediate payment. I did so. In reviewing the bill I noticed the "returned payment fee" AND a late payment fee. It struck me as strange that I would be charged for a "returned payment" since I don't use checks, I have always had a credit card on file. So I called. They, of course, explained it was their policy.
I said that basically the policy sucks because, UNLIKE a bounced check charge, when the credit card doesn't go through it is just declined. While Cox may get charged by THEIR bank for a cancelled CHECK, when the credit card doesn't go through, it is just "declined." I told the agent that if you go to the store and swipe your card it either goes through or not. She then explained that there is no "swiping" at Cox as if that somehow makes a difference. I then told her the MY business accepts credit cards and I know how it works whether someone calls in or swipes a c ard. It either goes through or it doesn't, but Cox is not paying any "NSF" or "bounced check fees" when my card doesn't go through. That's just ridiculous. As I said, I've been a Cox customer for 11 years, but that is just absurd to charge me $25 because my credit card was declined!