California Gets Cellular Bill of Rights

[db]

"The California Public Utility Commission approved the first cellular customer Bill of Rights in the US, but the Governor disapproves.

"The Bill of Rights enables consumers to cancel their wireless contracts within 30 days of signing on. It also forces carriers to clearly state their rates as well as critical contract terms in normal size print on their websites (no more fine print). Companies will no longer be able to lump "recovery fees" in with taxes or other government fees on bills. Opponents say these new terms will create costly changes that the companies will have to pass on to the consumer. However many of the larger wireless operators already meet at least some of the requirements of the new law, though few meet them all or meet them fully. "

(etc, etc)

thefeature.com

 

[Actaeon]

Good.

I know plenty of people who signed on to a plan, has awesome reception everywhere but where they need it the most. Of course they can't cancel for another two years.

This will stop that from happening.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: Actaeon
Good.

I know plenty of people who signed on to a plan, has awesome reception everywhere but where they need it the most. Of course they can't cancel for another two years.

This will stop that from happening.

Anybody can cancel their service at any time. Part of the contract specifically says that.

 

[DaWhim]

I would like to join this class lawsuit!

fvcking AT&T Wireless!

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Litigant happy customers. How ignorant. If you don't like the coverage, move or get a new carrier. It's that simple.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Actaeon
Good.

I know plenty of people who signed on to a plan, has awesome reception everywhere but where they need it the most. Of course they can't cancel for another two years.

This will stop that from happening.

That's their own dumb fault. Most wireless companies give you at least 14 days to try the service and cancel with no penalties other then the airtime used in those 14 days. Plenty of time to see if you have reception where you need it.

 

[InverseOfNeo]

When will this go into effect?

 

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt

Originally posted by: Actaeon
Good.

I know plenty of people who signed on to a plan, has awesome reception everywhere but where they need it the most. Of course they can't cancel for another two years.

This will stop that from happening.

Anybody can cancel their service at any time. Part of the contract specifically says that.

For ~$250.

 

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt

Originally posted by: Actaeon
Good.

I know plenty of people who signed on to a plan, has awesome reception everywhere but where they need it the most. Of course they can't cancel for another two years.

This will stop that from happening.

Anybody can cancel their service at any time. Part of the contract specifically says that.

For ~$250.

Yeah, from what I understand, its for a fee. Different fees depend on the service provider.

Luckily for me I've had okay service everywhere I've needed it.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt

Originally posted by: Actaeon
Good.

I know plenty of people who signed on to a plan, has awesome reception everywhere but where they need it the most. Of course they can't cancel for another two years.

This will stop that from happening.

Anybody can cancel their service at any time. Part of the contract specifically says that.

For ~$250.

I repeat: "Anybody can cancel their service at any time. Part of the contract specifically says that." Nobody is bound to their contract without a way out. And if they didn't want to be bound to it, they shouldn't have signed their name.

 

[MichaelD]

Wow. California did something GOOD, that I AGREE with?

/looks down into hell

I think I see ice forming.

Wow, there may be hope for CA yet...I guess I won't nuke it next week like I was planning to.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Wow. California did something GOOD, that I AGREE with?

/looks down into hell

I think I see ice forming.

Wow, there may be hope for CA yet...I guess I won't nuke it next week like I was planning to.

I'll buy you beer for life if you nuke California.

 

[JoeKing]

If that's how you feel about CA then we'll just breakoff from the rest of the USA and hang out with Hawaii..... Alaska can come to.

 

[OutHouse]

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt

Originally posted by: Actaeon
Good.

I know plenty of people who signed on to a plan, has awesome reception everywhere but where they need it the most. Of course they can't cancel for another two years.

This will stop that from happening.

Anybody can cancel their service at any time. Part of the contract specifically says that.

For ~$250.

I repeat: "Anybody can cancel their service at any time. Part of the contract specifically says that." Nobody is bound to their contract without a way out. And if they didn't want to be bound to it, they shouldn't have signed their name.

So ummmm.... say a person like me who has 2 cell phones (one for work and the other personal) and the work AT&T phone works everywhere BUT my office at home. but my personal one does. Say that person didnt have two cell phones to know that and the one that doesnt work in their office is useless. True they can cancel but not without a fee.

 

[Kyle]

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt

Originally posted by: Actaeon
Good.

I know plenty of people who signed on to a plan, has awesome reception everywhere but where they need it the most. Of course they can't cancel for another two years.

This will stop that from happening.

Anybody can cancel their service at any time. Part of the contract specifically says that.

For ~$250.

Thats a bit steep i think.
I know verizon is 175, sprint is 150...who's is 250?

 

[pulse8]

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt

Originally posted by: Actaeon
Good.

I know plenty of people who signed on to a plan, has awesome reception everywhere but where they need it the most. Of course they can't cancel for another two years.

This will stop that from happening.

Anybody can cancel their service at any time. Part of the contract specifically says that.

For ~$250.

I repeat: "Anybody can cancel their service at any time. Part of the contract specifically says that." Nobody is bound to their contract without a way out. And if they didn't want to be bound to it, they shouldn't have signed their name.

Give me a break. The cancellation options that cell phone services have are ridiculous and you have to deal with it if you want to have a cell phone. It's just another way for these large corporations to take advantage of a situation in order to make more money.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: pulse8

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt

Originally posted by: Actaeon
Good.

I know plenty of people who signed on to a plan, has awesome reception everywhere but where they need it the most. Of course they can't cancel for another two years.

This will stop that from happening.

Anybody can cancel their service at any time. Part of the contract specifically says that.

For ~$250.

I repeat: "Anybody can cancel their service at any time. Part of the contract specifically says that." Nobody is bound to their contract without a way out. And if they didn't want to be bound to it, they shouldn't have signed their name.

Give me a break. The cancellation options that cell phone services have are ridiculous and you have to deal with it if you want to have a cell phone. It's just another way for these large corporations to take advantage of a situation in order to make more money.

Oh, you think you *DESERVE* to have the world handed to you on a silver platter for free? Open your eyes. The cancellation fees are IN YOUR CONTRACT. If you are stupid enough to sign something that SPECIFICALLY OUTLINES THE AMOUNT OF MONEY NEEDED TO CANCEL YOUR CONTRACT EARLY without actually reading it then acting surprised when they tell you to hold up your end of the agreement that YOU SIGNED, then you get what you deserve!

 

[jagec]

crap, even MORE cellphone users will be cutting me off in traffic and interrupting my movies now

 

[Amused]

Nifty. More nanny-state regulations that only help stupid people too irresponsible to take care of themselves.

Meanwhile, the ignorant cheer as they have no idea that the costs of regulations like these are simply passed on to the consumers in the form of higher prices and fees.

Pretty soon ALL contracts will be in 14 pt font picturebooks and/or presented in the form of a Barney video so every dullard can "understand" it.

 

[Thraxen]

Oh, you think you *DESERVE* to have the world handed to you on a silver platter for free? Open your eyes. The cancellation fees are IN YOUR CONTRACT. If you are stupid enough to sign something that SPECIFICALLY OUTLINES THE AMOUNT OF MONEY NEEDED TO CANCEL YOUR CONTRACT EARLY without actually reading it then acting surprised when they tell you to hold up your end of the agreement that YOU SIGNED, then you get what you deserve!

Spare me. If you signed up expecting it to work in specific areas because you were told by the ads/salesperson that is was "Nationwide" coverage then you should sure as hell be able to cancel without a fee when it doesn't. This bill allows cancelations within 30 days. WTF is wrong with that?

 

[MrScott81]

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt
Oh, you think you *DESERVE* to have the world handed to you on a silver platter for free? Open your eyes. The cancellation fees are IN YOUR CONTRACT. If you are stupid enough to sign something that SPECIFICALLY OUTLINES THE AMOUNT OF MONEY NEEDED TO CANCEL YOUR CONTRACT EARLY without actually reading it then acting surprised when they tell you to hold up your end of the agreement that YOU SIGNED, then you get what you deserve!

Do you work for a cell phone company, or did you just wake up on the wrong side of the bed? So take the case of a person buying a cell phone/plan, and then coming to find out that the phone doesn't work at their house, or at their office or somewhere else where it is really important to have coverage in....they were supposed to know when they signed their contract that it wouldn't work? :roll:

Now they're either stuck without a cellphone in places they need it, or out the ~$150-250 to cancel it and sign up for a new one....not counting the cost of the phone/activation, etc.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Thraxen

Oh, you think you *DESERVE* to have the world handed to you on a silver platter for free? Open your eyes. The cancellation fees are IN YOUR CONTRACT. If you are stupid enough to sign something that SPECIFICALLY OUTLINES THE AMOUNT OF MONEY NEEDED TO CANCEL YOUR CONTRACT EARLY without actually reading it then acting surprised when they tell you to hold up your end of the agreement that YOU SIGNED, then you get what you deserve!

Spare me. If you signed up expecting it to work in specific areas because you were told by the ads/salesperson that is was "Nationwide" coverage then you should sure as hell be able to cancel without a fee when it doesn't. This bill allows cancelations within 30 days. WTF is wrong with that?

Every carrier offers comprehensive coverage maps that fully detail the holes in their coverage.

If you're too lazy to read the fine print, why should everyone else be made to pay for it?

 

[Thraxen]

Every carrier offers comprehensive coverage maps that fully detail the holes in their coverage.

That's BS, plain and simple. There are hordes of holes that aren't mapped. My sister's cell phone used to go on roaming when she was at her house in the middle of town... a town that was not marked with any "holes". Have you ever even used a cell phone? If you have then you should know your statement is utterly wrong.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Thraxen

Every carrier offers comprehensive coverage maps that fully detail the holes in their coverage.

That's BS, plain and simple. There are hordes of holes that aren't mapped. My sister's cell phone used to go on roaming when she was at her house in the middle of town... a town that was not marked with any "holes". Have you ever even used a cell phone? If you have then you should know your statement is utterly wrong.

Why yes, I have. My phone has never gone on "roaming" when in the marked areas of the coverage map. If you sisters did, she should have taken that up with the company. Many 2 or 3 mode phones will do this if they are programed incorrectly.

 

[Ness]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: Thraxen

Oh, you think you *DESERVE* to have the world handed to you on a silver platter for free? Open your eyes. The cancellation fees are IN YOUR CONTRACT. If you are stupid enough to sign something that SPECIFICALLY OUTLINES THE AMOUNT OF MONEY NEEDED TO CANCEL YOUR CONTRACT EARLY without actually reading it then acting surprised when they tell you to hold up your end of the agreement that YOU SIGNED, then you get what you deserve!

Spare me. If you signed up expecting it to work in specific areas because you were told by the ads/salesperson that is was "Nationwide" coverage then you should sure as hell be able to cancel without a fee when it doesn't. This bill allows cancelations within 30 days. WTF is wrong with that?

Every carrier offers comprehensive coverage maps that fully detail the holes in their coverage.

If you're too lazy to read the fine print, why should everyone else be made to pay for it?

No, most carriers offer a brocure with a picture of the United states that is about 5x7 with some area colored that specifies coverage, another color for limited coverage, or a color for no coverage. They offer a similar picture with the state, sometimes (on local-only plans, usually)

I fail to see how a 5x7 or smaller picture is "comprehensive", and aside from that, there is the possibility that it is WRONG or that coverage can get weaker than it says in cities, hills/mountains or forests.

If this policy states you are still liable for all fees already used, such as activation and the month's fees for when you got the phone, then I see no problem with this bill.