Verizon Defends Doubling of Early Termination Fee

I Don't Believe in Imaginary Property writes "Verizon is defending its decision to double its Early Termination Fee from $175 to $350 after being called to account by the FCC. They claim it's because the higher fees allow them to offer more expensive phones with a lower up-front cost (PDF), and they also say that because they pro-rate the fee depending on how much of your contract is left, they still lose money. Apparently doing something about the Verizon customer service horror stories isn't as good a way to retain customers as telling them that they have to pay several hundred dollars to leave."

Comments

Careful, they're going to covertly sign you up

[Blappo]

Somehow, Verizon has done the impossible, it has developed a way to sign people up for onerous contracts without their realizing it.

THAT is why this is so serious, it used to be you could just say "No, I'll use a different carrier" and go on about your business. NO LONGER!

Ah, the good old days, when I was responsible for the contracts I signed and the agreements contained within...

GOD DAMN YOU VERIZON! WHY!!!

Their service, their terms

[John Nowak]

If you don't like their terms, don't sign their contract. They're not your slaves and have no moral obligation to offer your favorite price structure. Use another service. I do.

The FCC is completely out of line here.

Re:Their service, their terms

[John Nowak]

They should need no license to use the "public" airwaves. The airwaves should be privately owned and traded just like land. The immorality of the state owning the airwaves does not justify the state threatening to destroy a private business if they do not act in the public good as it is perceived by some bureaucrats.

Re:Here is a solution to cell phone madness

[baboo_jackal]

Then they should also reject the arrangements currently in place for fire fighting, public education and Medicare/Medicaid etc. In our movement, we do not compel anyone to join. What we do, is to offer choice.

Great idea! This year when I file my taxes, I'll just check the, "No thank you, I would not like to pay taxes for Medicare or Public Education!" boxes!

Actually, this is great argument to present to confused people who seem to think that taxes are some sort of donation that everyone should be happy to pay rather than a forcible confiscation of your hard-earned money. If you really *are* for "freedom" and "choice," then why don't we just allow people to voluntarily pay taxes only for the pieces of government that they actually support? That would include things like funding wars, etc.

Now *that* would be freedom.

Re:Don't pay the fee

[vvaduva]

I'm not in favor of regulation, so my answer is "never" - using a cell phone is not a constitutional right or a necessity, so I will not buy one or use their services.

Re:Here is a solution to cell phone madness

[bstender]

hey dumbass moderator. you are an ignorant fuck....you too anonymous cowtard