Black + White invoice well laid out and easy to read.

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DataCraft

144 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 2

Topic # 28289 25-Nov-2008 14:28

It has always been a tactic of large communication companies to make their invoices confusing for the customer to read - Remember the famous line from Theresa Gattung where she said its used confusion (telecom) as it's chief marketing tool. However I have in front of me one of the best laid out invoices I have seen from a teleco. As I have a background in building software based billing engines I usually take notice more than most of how companies invoices are structured and displayed to the customer.

Here are a few things that they do really well

Most Frequently Called - top 10
Most Expensive - top 10
Most freq texted - top 10
Service summary

Nice clear layout which is really easy to read, it makes it easy for you to workout which plan would best work for you - best mates etc.

cisconz

cisconz
1161 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 76

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Reply # 180226 25-Nov-2008 15:53

Here is a copy of the itemisation from my bill.

Hmmmm

scottjpalmer

Minimalist
5387 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 359

Moderator

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Reply # 180229 25-Nov-2008 16:27

I agree totally. I was very impressed when I got my first bill and just got my 2nd one today, really well thought out.

ajobbins

Awesome
4766 posts

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Reply # 180232 25-Nov-2008 16:31

I got my 2nd one today also, despite the account being closed well before the first one was issued.

Has come call charges which relate to the billing period of the first bill, which is fine, but odd they were not included in the original bill.

Tahii

115 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 180234 25-Nov-2008 16:37

Got my 2nd one today, and I agree with everyone. In saying that, for someone like me, that hasn't made a lot of calls, and only used 70 text messages, a 7 page invoice is a little overkill. The trees will be thanking their lucky stars that email exists ;).

manhinli

2483 posts

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+1 received by user: 4

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Reply # 180236 25-Nov-2008 16:49

Tahii: Got my 2nd one today, and I agree with everyone. In saying that, for someone like me, that hasn't made a lot of calls, and only used 70 text messages, a 7 page invoice is a little overkill. The trees will be thanking their lucky stars that email exists ;).

Hopefully no one gets a massive 300 page bill!

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jjeele

16 posts

Geek

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Black + White

Reply # 184707 17-Dec-2008 09:05

Thanks for the feedback on the statement. This is something we are pretty passionate about and have worked really hard on.

Simon who has managed the billing work is pretty chuffed that anyone noticed. I am sure those of you who work in similar areas will know that it is rare for a statement to get any positive feedback.

That said we are open to constructive criticism too.

We agree that the incumbents do their best to make it as confusing as possible. What would happen if you could easily find out you could optimize your plan and save some money. Oh that’s right you would probably be in a contract until the end of time so might not be able to do anything about it without a massive penalty in any case.

Cheers Johnathan
Black + White

Johnathan Eele
Black + White
bw.co.nz

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