Early termination fees coming to an end?

[itvnetop]

CA ruling on cell phone termination fees

I know the carriers will appeal... and this is a state ruling, causing all types of issues with national plans. Still... a move in the right direction? It would mean higher phone costs up front, but you could get out from the contract at any point.

[saden1]

The early termination fee is a device designed to lock you up and take away a consumers ability to walk away from poor service. I think doing away with it would be good for competition and I would assume companies would compete for customers more aggressively since consumers will be able to move at will...as is the pool of customers one can attract is limited at any given time but if you do away with early termination fees you're looking at a pool of 100% of your competition's customer base.

As for their argument that hardware prices will increase, so what? These guys have done the math and I guarantee you that the two year contract is more profitable for them than a full priced phone.

[Daseal]

I'd rather keep cheaper phones. It's the days of the internet, do what I do and research things before you go and buy. There are a ton of reviews for everything out there.

[mheisig]

Originally Posted by Daseal

I'd rather keep cheaper phones. It's the days of the internet, do what I do and research things before you go and buy. There are a ton of reviews for everything out there.

Except that things change quite a bit over the course of a 2-year contract.

I've had sprint for just over a year now and they have gone downhill VERY fast - I can't imagine what things will be like toward the end of my 2-year contract if they keep going the way they are.

Research is great, but it can't predict how your carrier is going to operate 18-months from now.

I'd gladly take higher phone prices over no ETFs.

[Daseal]

Well mheisig, from what I understand you may get out of that contract via bankruptcy soon =p

[mheisig]

Originally Posted by Daseal

Well mheisig, from what I understand you may get out of that contract via bankruptcy soon =p

Believe me, every day I wake up and check the financial news hoping to see a massive, horrific implosion at Sprint.

No dice so far.

[firstdown]

I like how the goverment has to stick its nose into everyting going on now days. If you don't want a contract pay full price for a phone and then sign up for service. If you want a cheap or free phone sign up for a 1 or 2 year deal. So does this mean they will follow this by going after co's like direct Tv who give you the system if you sign a 1 or 2 year contract. We have choices now but if they change the law will we still have choices or just have to pay for the phones up front. Maybe if goverment worried about their own problems they may actual get things done.

[BDBohnzie]

I've been with Verizon Wireless for over 8 years (Was Bell Atlantic Mobile when I signed my 1st 2 year contract), and I'm not going anywhere. Customer Service is fine when I need to use it (maybe 3 times in 8 years total), and I have a great salesperson. ETFs don't really affect me...

I could see a multi-tiered approach going forward, with those who sign contracts and those who don't.

[jdlea]

Originally Posted by BDBohnzie

I've been with Verizon Wireless for over 8 years (Was Bell Atlantic Mobile when I signed my 1st 2 year contract), and I'm not going anywhere. Customer Service is fine when I need to use it (maybe 3 times in 8 years total), and I have a great salesperson. ETFs don't really affect me...

I could see a multi-tiered approach going forward, with those who sign contracts and those who don't.

That's what I was thinking, why not just give breaks on phones to people who do want to sign contracts and make the others pay full price for not signing a contract. That doesn't seem to difficult to me.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by jdlea

That's what I was thinking, why not just give breaks on phones to people who do want to sign contracts and make the others pay full price for not signing a contract. That doesn't seem to difficult to me.

They allready offer that its just people opt for the free phone and a contract instead of paying for the phone and not having to sign a long term contract. It just sounds better when congress gets involved. Its like when they wanted to stop banks from charging non customers for using their ATM's. I guess people just think those machines are free and they should be able to use any banks ATM for free.