Is it reasonable to ask for terms and conditions before paying for a service?

[slugg]

Here in my county, curbside trash pickup is done by private companies, so you have a few to choose from. I called to sign up for a new service and before charging my Visa credit card, I asked for their terms and conditions before I agree to pay. They told me that all they can give me is a receipt after I pay, but nothing before I paid. I told them I am no longer interested in their business at this time.

Was I being unreasonable? I'm not a lawyer, or a banker, but I'm fairly certain that the merchant agreement with Visa forces them to give customers terms and conditions when asked.

 

[pete6032]

Here in my county, curbside trash pickup is done by private companies, so you have a few to choose from. I called to sign up for a new service and before charging my Visa credit card, I asked for their terms and conditions before I agree to pay. They told me that all they can give me is a receipt after I pay, but nothing before I paid. I told them I am no longer interested in their business at this time.

Was I being unreasonable? I'm not a lawyer, or a banker, but I'm fairly certain that the merchant agreement with Visa forces them to give customers terms and conditions when asked.

What do you mean by T&C for trash pickup? Like how big of a bin you get, when they pick up, how recyclables must be sorted etc?

 

[slugg]

What do you mean by T&C for trash pickup? Like how big of a bin you get, when they pick up, how recyclables must be sorted etc?

Yes. And billing details (amounts and frequencies, as well as service contracts), plus any other terms that may apply to me and my account. In other words, I'm trying to protect myself from getting screwed, similar to how DirectTV screws its customers after an introductory rate. But at least with DirecTV, you get it in writing, which you can read before paying.

 

[Ruptga]

I don't know if that's standard practice or not, but it it should be. Signing before reading is a terrible habit.

 

[boomerang]

I've had to pay for trash pickup since 1978. I've been with at least 10 different companies in that time frame and I have never asked for or received anything along the lines of a contract. It's all been verbal and they lived up to their agreement. I understand your concern, but it's been a non-issue for me. Now, these were locally owned companies in a semi-rural area. I think if I was dealing with a company as big as Waste Management I would want something in writing and my guess is that they would provide it as their normal course of business.

 

[pontifex]

Do they offer a "buy-a-bag" service? Here I buy special trash bags from 1 of several stores that sell them and put my trash in those bags and they just pick them up. No contract or billing hassles. Just gotta remember to buy bags!

 

[Paladin3]

Honestly, it sounds like failure to communicate. Asking for a copy of the contract you will be bound by before signing it is a very reasonable request. I can't imagine they refused to provide it.

I often have clients phrase their requests poorly in terms I can't comply with. When I explain what I *can* do for them it usually satisfies their needs 100%. Maybe this case was similar.

 

[slugg]

I often have clients phrase their requests poorly in terms I can't comply with. When I explain what I *can* do for them it usually satisfies their needs 100%. Maybe this case was similar.

I was dealing with a smaller company. The best they could do is give me a receipt/proof of payment. So basically, pay first and hope they've done their job to communicate all their terms verbally. No thanks.

I think if I was dealing with a company as big as Waste Management I would want something in writing and my guess is that they would provide it as their normal course of business.

Funny thing is that I just called Waste Management and asked for their terms, and voila, they emailed them to me. Their services were the same price as the other company. So now I'm with Waste Management.

 

[smackababy]

It sounds like the person you initially spoke with likely didn't understand your question (and it is likely not because you worded it in a hard to understand manner).

It would seem unreasonable that the services they provide for a set price isn't laid out in writing somewhere. That seems like a pretty easy thing to exploit if you wanna be a dick about it.

 

[lxskllr]

Do they offer a "buy-a-bag" service? Here I buy special trash bags from 1 of several stores that sell them and put my trash in those bags and they just pick them up. No contract or billing hassles. Just gotta remember to buy bags!

I used to do that when I lived in a different district. It's a great setup. You pay for what you discard, and it encourages recycling. I'm generally a fan of pay-as-you-go services anyway. It's most equitable, and reduces fraud/mistakes.

 

[MongGrel]

Yeah, that would be a contract I'd always thought.

You in unincorporated on the other side of the Bay here?

In Clearwater here the city does it, and even large pickup once a week and Recycling.

Part of the taxes, I guess.

That's a pretty big company down here, though not in my area directly, I'd think would be a pretty standard setup.

 

[Jimzz]

You should.

The trash pickup I have changed their rules to charge a "pickup" fee when you cancel. Many were not happy so not sure if its pushed if someone says no.

So even trash companies can add little things to their rules if you don't check.

 

[slugg]

Yeah, that would be a contract I'd always thought.

You in unincorporated on the other side of the Bay here?

In Clearwater here the city does it, and even large pickup once a week and Recycling.

Part of the taxes, I guess.

That's a pretty big company down here, though not in my area directly, I'd think would be a pretty standard setup.

Pasco County, where everything is back asswards. I lived in Hillsoborough my whole life, where the city takes care of the trash as part of the taxes. Honestly, I prefer it this way, since choice is always good.

Paying the water bill, however, is terrible. I have no choice but to deal with their incompetence.

 

[Gardener]

Here in my county, curbside trash pickup is done by private companies, so you have a few to choose from. I called to sign up for a new service and before charging my Visa credit card, I asked for their terms and conditions before I agree to pay. They told me that all they can give me is a receipt after I pay, but nothing before I paid. I told them I am no longer interested in their business at this time.

Was I being unreasonable? I'm not a lawyer, or a banker, but I'm fairly certain that the merchant agreement with Visa forces them to give customers terms and conditions when asked.

Try asking them for their rates for garbage and recycle. You are making this far too complicated.

Speak in terminology they are familiar with. How much is weekly pickup for a 32 gallon can? What day do you pickup? Should I sort the recycling...and how much for a bin for that?

And, most importantly: Is glass collected separately?

If you use a credit card, you have consumer protections (until 2016 at least) so quit worrying about it.

 

[Jadow]

mine is 30 bucks a month and there's only 2 companies that do it in my town, so not really worth getting into too much detail, I went with the one that was 2 bucks cheaper.

they've been awesome, got rid of a lot of construction material for me, and no matter what I pile out on the curb, they always take it all.