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Technology Stocks : CheckFree Holdings Corp. (CKFR), the next Dell, Intel? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: BitWizrd who wrote (1047)	1/7/1999 1:13:00 PM
From: Charlie Smith	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 20297

Thanks Bit. So it's drive the direct customers to the intermediaries by pricing direct service prohibitively. Exact opposite of 99% of what is going on with the WEB today. We'll see if it works. Charlie

To: BitWizrd who wrote (1047)	1/7/1999 1:51:00 PM
From: g_m10	Respond to of 20297

The reason why CheckFree is increasing their rates to CheckFree Direct customers is because they want us to become customers of the Banks that offer branded CheckFree services. The banks have complained loudly and often that, by offering direct services to consumers like us, CheckFree is competing directly with its own Institutional customers (the banks). As an investor, I can understand the reasoning and wisdom behind this move. As a customer, I'm not so thrilled. To the CF defense I'd like to say that this is a standard practice for any wholesaler. You can buy a book directly from the publisher at SLP (Suggested List Price), not cheaper. Reseller may give you 30% discount off that price. A couple of weeks ago my wife was going to fly to see her relatives. The airline had a ticket for $1700. The agent sold us the same ticket for $1275. So it is normal practice. Still, I think CF could've done it differently. They should've advise of rates increase well in advance and tells to the customers that they can get the same service through their banks for much cheaper.

To: BitWizrd who wrote (1047)	1/7/1999 2:48:00 PM
From: micny	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 20297

You're right on Bit >>>...."The banks have complained loudly and often that, by offering direct services to consumers like us, CheckFree is competing directly with its own Institutional customers (the banks)." And their rationale is that CheckFree expects them to SPEND MONEY TO PROMOTE THEIR OFFERINGS"...in other words they are supposed to handle the marketing/sales and some of the servicing....and if they would, then it wouldn't be necessary for CheckFree to be spending on promotion to keep the company afloat. Net/net, CF should be saying, IF/WHEN you banks PROMOTE, then we'll make sure that the per account wholsale price to you plus your marketing expenditures per account will be the same as or less than we charge retail.

To: BitWizrd who wrote (1047)	1/7/1999 10:25:00 PM
From: Mr. Mo	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 20297

As to my gripe about Checkfree raising my monthly fee without notice, here is the response I received today from them: _______________________________ FROM: CHECKFREE CUSTOMER CARE Thank you for your inquiry. We apologize if you did not receive our E-mail notification of our price restructuring. The new price for our service is $12.95/month for 35 payments, with additional sets of 10 for $2.95. If you need additional assistance, please send us an E-Mail or contact our Customer Care department at (800) 297-3180, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. until midnight ET. ____________________________________ In my opinion, this form letter response is unsatisfactory. But if Checkfree's intent was, as you suggest, to drive me to the banks, then they have succeeded. Today I opened an account at BankOne, which offers online billpay for just $4.95. I had been thinking about doing this for some time and kept putting it off. $8 made the difference for me! I'm still a believer in the future of this company, but I'm less than pleased with this kind of lame customer service.