• sprint

    Escape Sprint ETF-Free Over Administrative Fee Increase

    Want to break your Sprint cellphone contract without paying an early termination fee? On January 1, 2009, Sprint will increase the Administrative fee to $.99 per line. Because this is what is known as a "materially adverse change of contract," and because of the basic contractual principle that you can't change someone's contract without their explicit permission (not the tacit, "opt-out" kind), you can use it to argue that the fee renders your contract void and you can end service without a termination fee. You do have to be willing to argue without giving up with a number of different Sprint employees first, like Matt did... More »

    2:12 PM on Mon Nov 17 2008
    By Ben Popken
    21,189 views, 63 comments

    Most discussed Davan: I hate when this happens... makes me wish I didnt like my Sprint service so I could cancel it :P more »

  • sprint

    Leaks: Details On Sprint's New Decreasing ETF

    More details have emerged about Sprint's new decreasing-monthly ETF, thanks to a page from the Sprint customer service manual that fell into NeoWin's hands. Basically the ETF on a 2-year contract is $200 after the first 30 days and until month 20, then it starts decreasing by $10 at month 19, until it gets to month 5 where it holds at $50. However, they say it's their policy to waive it if there's less than 30 days left. Once again, the decreasing-ETF will only apply to new contracts signed after November 2, 2008. Full scan of the internal document, inside... More »

    8:38 AM on Thu Oct 30 2008
    By Ben Popken
    2,695 views, 29 comments

    Most discussed es ay eL from en jae: if you don't want a contract, BUY THE PHONE AT FULL PRICE. Simple. No ETF's. No headaches. Leave when you more »

  • early termination fees

    Sprint To Start Discounting ETFs Monthly

    Sprint is expected to soon start making the early termination fee (ETF) decline every month, possibly as early as November 2nd. Previously, whether you canceled service 1 day into or one day before the end of your service contract, you would get a $200 fee. That fee is supposed to reimburse the company for the cost of providing you a cellphone at reduced cost. The change is expected to be only good for new subscribers and is not retroactive, so, sorry Charlie if you were hoping to go get an iPhone.

    Sprint to join rivals in cutting termination fees [AP]
    Sprint pro-rated ETF finally gets a date [neowin] (Thanks to Brandon!) (Photo: bryanbope)

    9:00 AM on Mon Oct 27 2008
    By Ben Popken
    1,585 views, 15 comments

    Most discussed VA_White: GAAAH!!! My freaking Sprint contract is up NOVEMBER SEVENTH!!! Dirty bastards. I've been waiting anxiously for them to pro-rate more »

  • early termination fees

    DirecTV Debits A $446.60 Cancellation Fee -- For Service You Canceled Within 24 Hours

    Meet Brandon. He canceled DirecTV after less than 24 hours (the agreed upon time limit to avoid a fee, apparently), only to see that DirecTV debited $446.60 from his checking account. More »

    1:19 PM on Wed Oct 1 2008
    By Meg Marco
    9,942 views, 43 comments

  • etf

    Verizon Announces Monthly Plans With No Early Termination Fees

    Facing increased pressure from consumers and lawmakers alike, Verizon has announced that they will begin offering monthly cellphone plans with no early termination fees. Consumers wishing to take advantage of the plans will be required to pay full price for a phone, or provide their own phone, as Verizon will not be subsidizing the cost of handsets. More »

    12:29 PM on Wed Sep 24 2008
    By Meg Marco
    6,504 views, 34 comments

    Most discussed Sir Winston Thriller: Interesting. Our family contract is up on 11/10/09, and we've been getting mailings from Verizon almost every other day for more »

  • verizon wireless

    Verizon Wireless Going Contract-Free Next Week?

    If the website Boy Genius Report is correct, next week Verizon Wireless will start offering contract-free, month-to-month service. Pretty much everyone will be eligible for it, but of course you'll have to pay full price for a phone or bring your own, there'll be an activation fee that can't be waived, and if you take advantage of any special offers that require a contract, you'll have to switch over to a contract agreement. It's supposed to start on September 21st. More »

    10:32 PM on Wed Sep 17 2008
    By Chris Walters
    4,916 views, 19 comments

    Most discussed icntdrv: This is supposed to be new? 8 years ago, way back when it was still Cingular Wireless, I brought more »

  • class actions

    Join The Verizon ETF Class Action

    Wanna get in on the Verizon Early Termination Fee class action settlement? I did and went to verizonETFsettlement.com just like the postcard told me. Basically, if you were a Verizon Wireless customer from July 23, 1999 to August 10, 2008, and you were either charged an ETF, whether you paid it or not, you could be eligible for a piece of a $21 million pie (after the attorneys get their fees first), just file a claim form by October 14. In typical fashion, I tried filing a claim but the site keeps timing out. Something to bookmark and check in on later and hope they fixed it. Even when you think you're giving Verizon its comeuppance, somehow you get screwed over. UPDATE: The website seems to be fixed now. By the way, at the end you will have to print out and mail in forms. They want you to attach documentation of your ETF. If you don't have documentation, you can still make a claim but you will get a lesser amount.

    VerizonETFSettlement [Official Site] (Photo: Ben Vershbow)

    11:34 AM on Fri Sep 12 2008
    By Ben Popken
    7,084 views, 51 comments

    Most discussed BrianDaBrain: The form seems to be fixed now. After filling it out, though, I was presented with the following two options more »

  • early termination fees

    Video Tutorial For Escaping Cellphone Without ETF

    Who needs a bunch of words to tell you how to get out of your cellphone contract without early termination fee when a nice boy will tell you how do to it? You just sit back, grab some popcorn, and watch Ely Rosentock's video tutorial. 9 minutes later, you'll know how to break your cellphone contract without ETF, or moving to California. Video inside... More »

    2:02 PM on Fri Aug 1 2008
    By Ben Popken
    13,128 views, 35 comments

    Latest by niccernicus: Looks like US Cellular has this covered. Here's an excerpt from my bill: * * * CHANGE TO FEDERAL USF more »

  • tactics

    Get 75% Off Your ATT ETF By Switching To Pay-As-You-Go

    If arguing for completely getting out of your AT&T early-termination-fee isn't your thing, you can try doing what Felix did and get 75% off it. More »

    1:20 PM on Fri Aug 1 2008
    By Ben Popken
    5,831 views, 19 comments