Pants On Fire

Lying really has no place in the business world. Of course, it happens all the time, just about everywhere. But by no means is lying a recommended business practice. We take pride in our company and place a lot of emphasis on our integrity. This is why Synergy Merchant Services insists upon providing our clients with concise and accurate information.

We don’t entertain the concept of “beating around the bush” or hiding the facts. Our funding specialists provide each of their clients with specific information about the type of money available and the exact cost of each cash advance. This way, our clients are clear from the get-go about the details about our program, quelling any reservations.

After all, when a customer receives incorrect or misleading information, it creates a negative impression of the company that is next to impossible to reverse. Michael J Armstrong, who teaches quality management in the Faculty of Business at Brock University, attests to this in an article posted today on Moneyville.ca.

Canadian consumers, it seems, are growing increasingly frustrated with companies who advertise products and services at a certain price, only to add hidden surcharges to the total bill later. As Armstrong writes, airlines and telecommunications companies are notorious for advertising special deals without mentioning the additional costs.

He cites Air Canada as an example, stating that the airline’s website advertises Toronto-to-Ottawa flights for just $69. “But after clicking to the payment screen,” he writes, “the price jumped by $58.83 in added ‘taxes, fees, charges and surcharges’.” The real cost of the ticket, therefore, is actually $113.12.

Armstrong notes that Quebec’s Office of Consumer Protection is petitioning for a change in the way companies like Air Canada advertise. Quite simply, the full price of the product or service should be listed – including any and all taxes and surcharges. The Air Canada tickets, for instance, are actually 64 per cent more expensive than what they are advertised for.

Of course, Air Canada is not alone in this practice of advertising less than accurate costs. Bell’s website advertises a residential phone service for $14.95. This price, as you may have guessed, does not include other fees for touch tone and 911. (Why is there a 911 fee, by the way?).

The price of $14.95 is also only for the first six months IF you enroll in the Bell Bundle. We have absolutely nothing against either of the two companies that Armstrong points out, of course. We do, however, believe that being truthful with your customers is the way to keep them as customers for the long haul.