Number 1 worst on my list of crappy, semi-monopolistic companies is, not surprisingly, a telephone company.

I had a major dispute with them over a mobile phone contract when I moved unexpectedly to New Zealand.

I understand that no company in Canadian history has had more complaints filed against them, including mine.

In June 2006 I called TELUS on behalf of my parents and had excellent service. I was about to revise my opinion.

Then I used a TELUS pay phone. Yes, public phones still exist. But in the Crowsnest Pass in rural Alberta, it will take you a while to find one.

TELUS charged me C$2.40 for a 1-minute call! (Does that sound like a reasonable price to you?) I was phoning the same area code — 403.

The pay phone was ancient. So old, in fact, that it did not take one dollar or two dollar coins. We scrambled to get enough dimes and quarters together.

Of my 1-minute time allotment, I got only about 20 seconds then was cut off without option to insert more coins.

I tell everyone I know — do not use TELUS. Use Bell, Shaw, Fido — anyone but TELUS.

I will complain, again, about TELUS to the CRTC.

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Hey, I got a quality reply from TELUS®: the future is friendly®

I appreciate the friendly tone and the information provided. And it only took a couple of days. Well done, TELUS.

Hello Rick, your email was forwarded to me for response as I manage the Sales & Customer Service associated with payphones at TELUS.

The cost of calling from payphones is governed by tariffs with the CRTC and reflects the costs associated with providing the service. In this case, the cost of processing and collecting coins from payphones is high so the calls have a surcharge of $2.00 attached to them plus the cost of the call itself. I recognize that this is not the most convenient way to make a call and there are a variety of alternatives. For someone that travels, using prepaid phone cards or rechargeable minutes would be far more cost effective. If you would be willing to provide me your address I can forward you a card as reimbursement for the inconveniences you’ve encountered in using our service.

I hope this answers your question but please feel free to contact me directly if you have any further questions or concerns. I can be reached at 1-800-XXX-XXXX or by email at xxxxxx@telus.com. Thank you for taking the time to forward your concerns and I apologize for any inconvenience you encountered.

Dave Fowler

Sales Director
TELUS Public Access