Frontier will send you a check - if you insist
A Coeur d’Alene reader recently had his sprinklers serviced. When he received the bill, he noticed a 6% charge for sales tax had been included. He called to question whether it was proper to be charged sales tax for a service call.
I’m not an accountant. But I do know Idaho law says services are generally not taxable. If you’re a plumber — or a writer — you aren’t obligated to collect sales tax. If the service provided includes creating or manufacturing a product, however, the provider might need to charge, collect and remit sales tax to the state.
Our reader called the service provider to question the charge and was informed that charging the tax was a software glitch. The sales tax was removed from the bill, and the reader’s money was refunded.
Bottom line: If you are paying for a service in Idaho, no sales tax should be charged or added to your bill.
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Frontier’s refund policy
A reader called to say she was due a refund of $19.82 from Frontier Communications after closing her account. Rather than receive a check as she was expecting, she was sent a wirecard instead. It’s a type of prepaid Mastercard that can be used anywhere Mastercard-branded debit cards are accepted.
But here’s the problem: The card carries a monthly service fee of $3. The reader no longer drives, so she doesn’t get out much. If it takes three months for her to use the card, it will be worth only $10.82. She called Frontier to see why she couldn’t get a check. The representative told her refunds were now issued via the cards.
I called Frontier to find out why it issues wirecards rather than checks. I heard the same reply, but I was a bit more insistent. I said the customer didn’t want a wirecard, she wanted a check and that requesting one was her right. Explaining all this took a while.
Here’s the short answer: If Frontier owes you a refund and sent a card in lieu of a check, call 800-921-8102 and ask to speak with a collections supervisor. The request for a check must be escalated above the service representatives who answer the phones.
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Catch it on Pluto
Live TV-streaming services like Sling TV, Hulu and YouTube help consumers cut their cable and satellite bills. Another option is Pluto TV, a free, live TV-streaming service that provides live programming for free.
If you’re looking for networks like ESPN, USA or HGTV, you won’t find them on Pluto. Instead, it licenses content from Hollywood studios, TV networks, news organizations and internet channels. You can find sports, news and lifestyle programming.
Pluto is owned by Viacom, so you’ll find content in its library from its other properties, like MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central. The programming is about 10 years old, but if you haven’t seen these shows they’ll be new to you.
Pluto makes money from advertisements, though there are fewer ads than broadcast TV. Another good thing: More content added daily.
Pluto is compatible with several devices for TVs, computers and smartphones like the Android mobile and tablet, Chrome Web App, Roku, Apple TV (4th generation) and Amazon Kindle/Fire Tablets.
If you use an antenna and don’t pay for TV, Pluto might be an option to consider.
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If you’ve encountered a consumer issue that you have questions about or think our readers should know about, please send me an email at terridickersonadvocate@gmail.com or call me at 208-274-4458.