So about a month ago I got a 3 page letter from an insurance company which stated upon extensive analysis and review of claims records they had determined that they had overpaid me $0.22 (yes 22 cents). Aside from the fact that they made me read three pages of nonsense to find out I owed them 22 cents I thought it a bit odd that they spent 49 cents to mail me a letter to tell me I owed them 22 cents and then wanted me to spend 49 cents and even more of my time to send them a check for 22 cents. So I ignored the letter assuming they would realize the stupidity of this. Then again we are dealing with an insurance company here so what are the odds of that happening.
Well believe it or not, today I got a "second notice" warning me that I still had not paid up. That's 98 cents plus manpower and materials to collect 22 cents (Your premium dollars at work). I have no doubt the next letter will contain some threats and strong arm tactics. I could have ignored the letter again but I like to have a bit of fun so I reached in my pocket and pulled out a quarter. I taped it to the letter after which I scrawled a quick note on the bottom stating that this was the smallest change I had and by the way would they please send me a check for the 3 cents they now owed me.
I'll probably never see that 3 cents again but I would love to see the face of the person who opens the letter.
That sort of thing happens, usually because the bills are sent out by computer. A couple of years ago I kept being billed by a doctor's office for six cents. I finally did pretty much what you did, but I didn't overpay. I taped six pennies to a sheet of paper and mailed it to them. I had a good secret laugh thinking they wouldn't know what to do with cash and that it might send them into a tailspin. I never found out but the billings stopped.
If your office bills by computer, you should check to see if this ever happens in your system. Computers aren't usualy programmed to decide if the billing is less than the postage. They just keep billing whatever hasn't been collected, no matter what the reason.
I agree that three-page letter is overkill.
Lois