[NEWS] ARTICLE: Verizon raising early termination fees for high-end devices?

[phillynews215]

With highly subsidized offerings like Verizon's BlackBerry BOGO deal and Apple's iPhone (combined with a high eBay demand), the opportunity to activate a new line, sell the equipment, and pay the early termination fee (ETF) is lucrative. There have been plenty of times where I've tried a device and instead of returning it to the store (and dealing with countless customer service people in an attempt to cancel the line without penalty), I've sold it and paid the termination fee. At times, I have actually made money doing it that way. I find it to be much easier than returning the device, calling in, canceling the line, having them adjust the bill, and making sure they refunded the ETF properly.

Verizon Wireless appears to be seeking a halt to this type of behavior, as current rumors are pointing to a new termination fee pricing scheme, beginning on November 15th. While normal devices will be priced at the normal $175, "high-end" devices will be slapped with an early termination fee of $350, decreasing by $5 monthly. It's safe to say that "high-end" encompasses the BlackBerry Storm2, Tour, HTC Touch Pro2, and Motorola Droid - though no specific definition was mentioned in the rumor.

With a $350 ETF, Verizon is beginning to push the full retail price point, and my thought is that people might skip signing the contract and opt for paying full retail instead. What say you?

Via: BGR









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[roopull]

It only sounds fair to me, provided the contracts are clear on this point (which they probably won't be.)

I think the big backlash they'll get will be from people moving up to more advanced phones who aren't really capable of operating them (failing to realize they're simply small computers with a phone,) get frustrated with the situation, and then want to terminate the deal after realizing they can get a simple phone for free somewhere else.

[D/\SH]

since i signed a contract with them before this is implimented doesnt that scratch me from this by law sicne i signed by different terms? should i still be at the 200 dollar or 250 dollar one?

[roopull]

You're bound by the contract you signed.

I found out a few years ago, though, that most of us never really signed what we would consider a contract. We signed a little receipt saying that we agreed to the terms discussed with our representative. While what that rep says is supposed to be in their plans, it isn't always so. Afterall, how many of us have run into a sales rep at a cell phone company that knew how to tie his/her own shoes, much less decipher a cell phone contract?

Your contract is most likely whatever you remember it to be... lol. Of course, good luck convincing your carrier of that. It can be done, though... I managed to pull it off with Sprint.

[D/\SH]

Originally Posted by roopull

You're bound by the contract you signed.

I found out a few years ago, though, that most of us never really signed what we would consider a contract. We signed a little receipt saying that we agreed to the terms discussed with our representative. While what that rep says is supposed to be in their plans, it isn't always so. Afterall, how many of us have run into a sales rep at a cell phone company that knew how to tie his/her own shoes, much less decipher a cell phone contract?

Your contract is most likely whatever you remember it to be... lol. Of course, good luck convincing your carrier of that. It can be done, though... I managed to pull it off with Sprint.

hahah trust me i know all about sprint lmao

[ICEM/\N]

Originally Posted by D/\SH

since i signed a contract with them before this is implimented doesnt that scratch me from this by law sicne i signed by different terms? should i still be at the 200 dollar or 250 dollar one?

Dash...Verizons current termination fee is only $175 not 200 or 250...and for these rumors of 350 or more...they should be ashamed of themselves if they do this....people should just leave them all together and make verizon turn into sprint: a carrier that bends over backwards with all the great plans and prices!