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Verizon Charged Marine's Widow an Early Termination Fee
In a decision that was reversed as soon as someone with half a brain in their PR department learned about it, Verizon charged a widow a $350 early termination fee. After the death of her marine husband, Michaela Brummund decided to move back to her home town to be with her family. Verizon doesn't offer any coverage in the small town so Michaela tried to cancel her contract, only to be hit with an early termination fee. From the article: "'I called them to cancel. I told them the situation with my husband. I even said I would provide a death certificate,' Michaela said."
That is all.
Cancelling the husband's cell phone: A-Ok. She wanted HER cell phone cancelled. How does the death of your husband entitle you to get no ETF? If you don't want to deal with ETF's, don't get the contract. Stop milking your dead husband for benefits.
If you were offended by anything I said... No, I'm not sorry. Please lighten up.
It seems to me, though, that you should have considered that when you moved. It would just be one of the many costs of moving. In my mind, it's not really any different than if, say, a WISP charged an early termination fee because you constructed a faraday cage around your home and canceled because the service no longer worked. Yes, they can no longer provide you service, but that is because you made a choice that you knew (or should have known, reasonably speaking) would have such a consequence.
I don't want to come across as in favor of exorbitant termination fees. They're really anti-consumer and allow companies to provide very poor service and get away with it. That said, if they're in the contract that you signed, I think they should be paid.
This story seems really sensationalist. ETF's are valid even if you move. The fact that she's a widow is very sad, but moving is not necessary, practically speaking. If it's necessary for reasons of emotional health, then practicality (including paying any fees associated with canceling services) is taking a back seat anyway.
All that said, charging it is clearly a PR nightmare the second it becomes a story. That doesn't mean it's some kind of morally bankrupt decision, it means that people who don't think things through will see it as such. Policies and prices should apply to people living good lives and people living bad lives equally, which is all that this comes down to.
The real story here is some woman is trying to use that his soldier husband died to get out of paying her contract. I find that fact disgusting.
My what a prick you are!
Try saying that to her husband's buddies when they're on leave. (I dare you).
OTOH, The U.S. Military ain't exactly angels. So which ones of us should Verizon be fucking?
Should we also honor mob hitmen?
Contrary to the popular belief, there indeed is no God.