If you want out of your Verizon contract without a fee . . .

[lothar]

Again, not your call. The terms of the contract are changing without the customer's consent or consultation. Doesn't matter if its 1 cent or 200 dollars.

If Verizon looks at your account and decides "hmm...you have 16 months remaining on your contract. If this is 'materially adverse change of contract' really bothers you that much, we'll credit 3 cents to your bill monthly for the life of the current contract."

The terms of the contract aren't changing if Verizon is crediting them the 3 cents back for those who ask. Of course we know that 99+% of people aren't going to ask besides a few people on Slickdeals and such trying to get a free phone thinking they can dupe Verizon for it.

 

[pm]

A contract is a contract. They legally can't change the terms of the contract without the approval of the other party. It doesn't matter the amount, it's a change of the contract without the consent of the other party.

Small claims court is a major annoyance and is slow, but this is an easy case. The odds of a representative of Verizon showing up are slim and if they did, it wouldn't change the outcome.

Alternatively I would document the whole thing and send it to the FCC. If enough people complain that will have an effect too.

 

[Bateluer]

Of course we know that 99+% of people aren't going to ask besides a few people on Slickdeals and such trying to get a free phone thinking they can dupe Verizon for it.

People trying this aren't trying to get a free phone. They've decided they are fed up with the costs of the contract and want to go with something cheaper, or a better carrier for there area.

See pm's post above, this is an open and shut case if you wanted to take it to court over 3 cents.

 

[lothar]

As I predicted.
http://phandroid.com/2011/07/08/ver...rge-still-not-letting-you-off-without-an-etf/

 

[lothar]

A contract is a contract. They legally can't change the terms of the contract without the approval of the other party. It doesn't matter the amount, it's a change of the contract without the consent of the other party.

Small claims court is a major annoyance and is slow, but this is an easy case. The odds of a representative of Verizon showing up are slim and if they did, it wouldn't change the outcome.

Alternatively I would document the whole thing and send it to the FCC. If enough people complain that will have an effect too.

FCC won't waste their time over something as cheap as 3 cents. Especially since Verizon is already offering to credit customers that may be be materially affected(yeah, right) by this change 72 cents for the 24 months life of the contract.

Good luck.

 

[abaez]

You guys are looking at the cost at being only three cents. That doesn't matter. Whether it's three cents, 1 cent, or half a fucking penny it's an adverse effect and reason enough to get them to cancel the contract. It's also not on them to decide what is adverse or not.

 

[Cuda1447]

But it is on them to actually waive the ETF. You can argue till your blue in the face... and be completely right. But if they don't waive the ETF the only thing you can do is dispute it on your credit (pain in the ass) or take it to court (pain in the ass). I bet Verizon is betting that VERY few people are going to go all the way with this. Thus, they just say 'fuck you' and dont waive the etf for anyone, no matter what.

 

[lothar]

You guys are looking at the cost at being only three cents. That doesn't matter. Whether it's three cents, 1 cent, or half a fucking penny it's an adverse effect and reason enough to get them to cancel the contract. It's also not on them to decide what is adverse or not.

They waive the fee when you complain, so you can no longer claim it as an adverse effect(financially at least).
Do people plan to go to court and claim it's an adverse effect that affected them emotionally and sue for pain/suffering even though Verizon already waived the fee for them? really? :hmm:

 

[wirednuts]

i think ETF fees should be outlawed, or at least reduced to a maximum of say $50.

 

[Raduque]

As I predicted.
http://phandroid.com/2011/07/08/ver...rge-still-not-letting-you-off-without-an-etf/

Ha Ha! </nelson>

 

[shortylickens]

i think ETF fees should be outlawed, or at least reduced to a maximum of say $50.

OK but then they'd have to charge full price for the phone. Which would kill the high end phone market (because right now people dont know what they are actually worth) and that would set back smartphone progress by a decade or more.

The reason we've seen exponential growth in phone power over the past few years is because of subsidies. People are willing to buy much more than they used.

I grew up in the 80's. Believe me its weird to think that the average American walks around with a 600 toy in their pockets. The main reason for that is they dont initially cost 600 bucks and people dont consider the cost.

 

[alkemyst]

Most carriers only count you as a new customer if you have been gone six months or more (unless you paid their termination fee). YMMV.