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I seems like Sprint will now limit both 3G and 4G data plans with no grandfathering. I am wondering if this implies a change of contract? Has anyone contacted Sprint to cancel their service with no ETF?
The limiting is only for mobile broadband plans (mobile hotspot), not phone plans.
perlmeister11 said:
The limiting is only for mobile broadband plans (mobile hotspot), not phone plans.
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Sprint, "If you have a mobile broadband device such as a tablet, netbook, notebook, USB card, connection card or Mobile Hotspot device, effective beginning with your next bill following notification, your on-network monthly data allowance will no longer include unlimited 4G."
source ... http://support.sprint.com/support/a...25-20110927-142416/?ECID=vanity:servicechange
Exactly, mobile hotspot was in parenthesis as an example not limiting to.
Well don't that put a dent in my shiny new paper weight. Glad I cancelled Netflix.........
Bet they won't lower my monthly rate, though
I just called to see about this and whether I could cancel; the rep I spoke with said all signs point to my being grandfathered into unlimited data. My guess is they are just gonna use this to cut the cord with data hogs and grandfather in people like me who don't use all that much data anyways.
I use between 2-3 GB, but if I ever streamed a bunch extra, could bust through that so I definitely want the unlimited option.
Yeah, good luck on that grandfather thing. I bet they will rebate you for all the data bytes of advertising they mix in with web pages you look at too.... you know how fair and honest those mobile carriers are.
DigitalMD said:
Yeah, good luck on that grandfather thing. I bet they will rebate you for all the data bytes of advertising they mix in with web pages you look at too.... you know how fair and honest those mobile carriers are.
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Not too worried; tbh I'd almost rather they not grandfather me because I'm sure that would mean I could cancel with no ETF.
this might be a stupid question but if I cancel my contract does that mean I would lose my service all together?
Sent from my Evo View 4g
OK. On try number 1 I spoke with just a regular Sprint rep. She stated that the plan change did not constitute a material change. If this change is not material I don't know what is. I will try the next level.
Just spoke to retentions and account services and they let me out without a etf for a second time. It does work you just have to be fair and firm and state that you signed up for so many gb's of 3g and unlimited 4g and by them doing this is changing the contract.
Released from Contrack
On my second try I spoke to someone in Account services, it took a manager to approve but they let me out of my contract and let me continue month to month with no ETF. The only exception is that I am not eligible for a discounted upgraded until the end of my original contract period - which seemed fair to me. Overall I am happy with the service that Sprint provided me. I was polite to all that I spoke to and explained that the reason I went with Sprint was the unlimited 4G data and that by changing the plan and not offering grandfathering constituted a material change in the contract. Act quickly if you want to do this as you only have 30 days from being notified in your bill. Good luck.
Class Action Lawsuit
I wonder if all the people who signed a new contract when the View came out got together and sued Sprint for breach of contract and whatever laws regarding contracts that they broke by invoking this change how it would effect them. I spent a big chunk of change for this device with a 2 year contract for the plan I am on. Had I of known they were going to make this change this soon after I bought the Tablet, I would NOT have bought it, in fact I would have bought one from AT&T as they had an unlimited data plan at the time that they grandfathered in when they placed limits on their plans. I love my tablet but without 3g and 4g service it really is a useless device for me as I use it primarily as a means to communicate with the outside world when I am on the road.
Blu3Fr0g said:
I wonder if all the people who signed a new contract when the View came out got together and sued Sprint for breach of contract and whatever laws regarding contracts that they broke by invoking this change how it would effect them. I spent a big chunk of change for this device with a 2 year contract for the plan I am on. Had I of known they were going to make this change this soon after I bought the Tablet, I would NOT have bought it, in fact I would have bought one from AT&T as they had an unlimited data plan at the time that they grandfathered in when they placed limits on their plans. I love my tablet but without 3g and 4g service it really is a useless device for me as I use it primarily as a means to communicate with the outside world when I am on the road.
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Naw they aren't in breach as long as they let you out of your contract.
Actually contracts work both ways, saying they let me out of the contract ignores the cost of the view or the fact you cannot use it with another carrier. Contracts work two ways and just letting me out benefits them not me. No one sues so they continue this behavior.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
AT&T has introduced a new "Mobility Administrative Fee" to its postpaid contracts. The $0.61 monthly fee ($7.32 per year) is being categorized "below the line" alongside tax and fees as an administrative surcharge. The fee came into effect on May 1st, and applies to all consumer contracts as well as "IRU" business contracts (business accounts where the user pays the bill).
It's a small charge for the individual consumers, but given that AT&T's postpaid subscriber base stands at over 70 million, the move will net AT&T hundreds of millions of dollars — somewhere around half a billion dollars, in fact. That's a lot of extra revenue from one little charge.
AT&T tells us that the administrative fee will "help cover certain expenses, such as interconnection and cell site rents and maintenance." It also added that the charge is "consistent with similar fees charged by other carriers." While it's true that both Verizon and Sprint actually have higher administrative line charges — T-Mobile bundles any administrative fees in with regulatory charges, so it's difficult to tell — that's not likely to be much consolation for AT&T customers
http://www.theverge.com/2013/5/23/4358926/att-mobility-administrative-fee
CheesyNutz said:
AT&T has introduced a new "Mobility Administrative Fee" to its postpaid contracts. The $0.61 monthly fee ($7.32 per year) is being categorized "below the line" alongside tax and fees as an administrative surcharge. The fee came into effect on May 1st, and applies to all consumer contracts as well as "IRU" business contracts (business accounts where the user pays the bill).
It's a small charge for the individual consumers, but given that AT&T's postpaid subscriber base stands at over 70 million, the move will net AT&T hundreds of millions of dollars — somewhere around half a billion dollars, in fact. That's a lot of extra revenue from one little charge.
AT&T tells us that the administrative fee will "help cover certain expenses, such as interconnection and cell site rents and maintenance." It also added that the charge is "consistent with similar fees charged by other carriers." While it's true that both Verizon and Sprint actually have higher administrative line charges — T-Mobile bundles any administrative fees in with regulatory charges, so it's difficult to tell — that's not likely to be much consolation for AT&T customers
http://www.theverge.com/2013/5/23/4358926/att-mobility-administrative-fee
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can we use this to break a contract without paying ETF? I'm seeing yes and no answers on that question all over the internets
gunnyman said:
can we use this to break a contract without paying ETF? I'm seeing yes and no answers on that question all over the internets
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When I had VZW's service, they did something very similar. Technically, there's a clause in your wireless contract that says if the carrier makes changes to your contract that you don't agree with AND are materially adverse(this is a key phrase), you're able to break the contract with no penalty. If you don't challenge this change within a certain time farm... say 30 days, your silence is consent to the change. However, what VZW did to stop people from being able to use the material adverse clause to break the contract was to place a reoccurring discount on the account for the remaining duration of the contract thus bringing it back into compliance with the terms you originally signed. Likely, AT&T will do the same thing.
EDIT: Here's the section I'm talking about. Source, particularly section 1.3.
AT&T said:
We may change any terms, conditions, rates, fees, expenses, or charges regarding your Services at any time. We will provide you with notice of material changes (other than changes to governmental fees, proportional charges for governmental mandates, roaming rates or administrative charges) either in your monthly bill or separately. You understand and agree that State and Federal Universal Service Fees and other governmentally imposed fees, whether or not assessed directly upon you, may be increased based upon the government's or our calculations.
IF WE INCREASE THE PRICE OF ANY OF THE SERVICES TO WHICH YOU SUBSCRIBE, BEYOND THE LIMITS SET FORTH IN YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE SUMMARY, OR IF WE MATERIALLY DECREASE THE GEOGRAPHICAL AREA IN WHICH YOUR AIRTIME RATE APPLIES (OTHER THAN A TEMPORARY DECREASE FOR REPAIRS OR MAINTENANCE), WE’LL DISCLOSE THE CHANGE AT LEAST ONE BILLING CYCLE IN ADVANCE (EITHER THROUGH A NOTICE WITH YOUR BILL, A TEXT MESSAGE TO YOUR DEVICE, OR OTHERWISE), AND YOU MAY TERMINATE THIS AGREEMENT WITHOUT PAYING AN EARLY TERMINATION FEE OR RETURNING OR PAYING FOR ANY PROMOTIONAL ITEMS, PROVIDED YOUR NOTICE OF TERMINATION IS DELIVERED TO US WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE FIRST BILL REFLECTING THE CHANGE.
If you lose your eligibility for a particular rate plan, we may change your rate plan to one for which you qualify.
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gunnyman said:
can we use this to break a contract without paying ETF? I'm seeing yes and no answers on that question all over the internets
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this is how i got out of my sprint contract ..... but im not sure im reading the same thing
Break a contract for an additional $0.65 a month? I'm pretty sure AT&T won't let this happen.
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium
It's breaking a contract because they changed the terms without my consent. The amount is irrelevant.
gunnyman said:
It's breaking a contract because they changed the terms without my consent. The amount is irrelevant.
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Good luck
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium
I'm just looking for information here.
gunnyman said:
I'm just looking for information here.
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From what I gather this is not consider a rate change to your plan. It is an added tax which will not be considered a rate change so there for they won't let you out the contract.
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium
shook187 said:
From what I gather this is not consider a rate change to your plan. It is an added tax which will not be considered a rate change so there for they won't let you out the contract.
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium
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Att can't "tax" you. You mean it's a new service charge.
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium
shook187 said:
From what I gather this is not consider a rate change to your plan. It is an added tax which will not be considered a rate change so there for they won't let you out the contract.
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium
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its not a tax it's a FEE and YES you can get out of your contract this is EXACTLY how i got out of my contact with sprint 5 line's no ETF canceled since they was being sneaky and added a few extra fee's like this
CheesyNutz said:
its not a tax it's a FEE and YES you can get out of your contract this is EXACTLY how i got out of my contact with sprint 5 line's no ETF canceled since they was being sneaky and added a few extra fee's like this
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Same. I got out of my Sprint contact over what would have amounted to like $1.50 extra per year
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2
estxxas said:
Same. I got out of my Sprint contact over what would have amounted to like $1.50 extra per year
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2
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Same here...
This Messages Was Shot From A Galaxy S4!
Just spoke with ATT rep. When I asked to release me from the contract because of the fee increase, she responded with the following - since fee is not a service change, she cannot waive the ETF.
dk152 said:
Just spoke with ATT rep. When I asked to release me from the contract because of the fee increase, she responded with the following - since fee is not a service change, she cannot waive the ETF.
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Who said you needed a service change to void the contract? You signed a contract for x price. they've changed that price, which according to the others here, is enough to walk away.
And as far as ATT Reps are concerned, you can call 10 times and get 10 different answers.
@CheesyNutz What is the exact name of the additional fee? Is it the Mobility Administrative fee in the op, is that how it shows on the bill?
I just had a chat sessiom with them and they kept saying other carriers have a similar fee.
My response was that I was a sprint customer when they added this fee abd they allowed customer's to terminate they're contract and have their etf waived.
Then they kept saying att is a difference carrier
This Messages Was Shot From A Galaxy S4!
dk152 said:
Just spoke with ATT rep. When I asked to release me from the contract because of the fee increase, she responded with the following - since fee is not a service change, she cannot waive the ETF.
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Do the same thing in store, it's easy to tell someone no on the phone.. Totally different in person when you walk in holding a copy of the highlighted text on the contract.
Sent from my Tricked out HTC One
plmiller0905 said:
I just had a chat sessiom with them and they kept saying other carriers have a similar fee.
My response was that I was a sprint customer when they added this fee abd they allowed customer's to terminate they're contract and have their etf waived.
Then they kept saying att is a difference carrier
This Messages Was Shot From A Galaxy S4!
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I'd tell them that it doesn't matter what "other" carriers have. You dont have a contract with "other" carriers.. You didnt have the fee when i signed my contract. Then quote from the contract.
IF WE INCREASE THE PRICE OF ANY OF THE SERVICES TO WHICH YOU SUBSCRIBE, BEYOND THE LIMITS SET FORTH IN YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE SUMMARY, OR IF WE MATERIALLY DECREASE THE GEOGRAPHICAL AREA IN WHICH YOUR AIRTIME RATE APPLIES (OTHER THAN A TEMPORARY DECREASE FOR REPAIRS OR MAINTENANCE), WE’LL DISCLOSE THE CHANGE AT LEAST ONE BILLING CYCLE IN ADVANCE (EITHER THROUGH A NOTICE WITH YOUR BILL, A TEXT MESSAGE TO YOUR DEVICE, OR OTHERWISE), AND YOU MAY TERMINATE THIS AGREEMENT WITHOUT PAYING AN EARLY TERMINATION FEE OR RETURNING OR PAYING FOR ANY PROMOTIONAL ITEMS, PROVIDED YOUR NOTICE OF TERMINATION IS DELIVERED TO US WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE FIRST BILL REFLECTING THE CHANGE.
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nugzo said:
I'd tell them that it doesn't matter what "other" carriers have. You dont have a contract with "other" carriers.. You didnt have the fee when i signed my contract. Then quote from the contract.
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Yeah..but I assume the "service" theyre talking about is like data, text messaging, minutes..etc
This Messages Was Shot From A Galaxy S4!
What the fine print says is that they can increase the service fees without notice, but this is adding a service fee. I think one could get out of your contract without ETF. I'll try calling tomorrow.
So I've been with Sprint for years. Currently have a unlimited data family plan with 2 lines and like 1000 or 1500 minutes and also get a 25% discount as my girlfriend who has the other line used to work at a company that gave us the discount.
I upgraded my EVO 4G to an EVO LTE 2 years ago at Best Buy and had no problem keeping my same plan with the discount by signing a new 2 year contract.
Question is will I be able to do the same if I upgrade through Best Buy or maybe another place? I don't want to be transferred to their new plans, lose my discount, or pay monthly for a new phone. Would rather pay the $200 or whatever upfront. Please provide me with as many details regarding this as possibe and thanks in advance.
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app
Starzboy77 said:
So I've been with Sprint for years. Currently have a unlimited data family plan with 2 lines and like 1000 or 1500 minutes and also get a 25% discount as my girlfriend who has the other line used to work at a company that gave us the discount.
I upgraded my EVO 4G to an EVO LTE 2 years ago at Best Buy and had no problem keeping my same plan with the discount by signing a new 2 year contract.
Question is will I be able to do the same if I upgrade through Best Buy or maybe another place? I don't want to be transferred to their new plans, lose my discount, or pay monthly for a new phone. Would rather pay the $200 or whatever upfront. Please provide me with as many details regarding this as possibe and thanks in advance.
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app
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you can keep your same plans, however they will do a check to see if you are still eligible for the employer discount. They will request to send an email to the @domain.com of the place she worked, and then click on the link in the email sent, to re-verify for the discount. If she has a friend still working at the company she have the email sent to them, they can forward it to her and she can simply click on the link. There is no other association or follow up to verify for the discount. I have not worked for MSFT for years but still get my discount because I have a few friends with @Microsoft.com email addresses that I can have sprint send the work discount email confirmation to. They may talk up new plans to you, but you can politely refuse and tell them you want to stick with the same plan.
Thank you for the reply. She worked at a daycare and never had an email account so not sure how we can do that but do I have to go through Best Buy or could I go somewhere else? Even a Sprint store to keep my current plan and pay for the new phone upfront after the discount?
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app
Starzboy77 said:
Thank you for the reply. She worked at a daycare and never had an email account so not sure how we can do that but do I have to go through Best Buy or could I go somewhere else? Even a Sprint store to keep my current plan and pay for the new phone upfront after the discount?
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app
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in that case, they might need a form filled out or something - I was assuming a larger corporation, my bad.
you should be able to go anywhere - sprint store, best buy, amazon.com, etc. but you may need to talk to a real person to do the keep the same plan. I have never purchased a phone online from a place like wirefly or amazon yet. Perhaps someone else could chime in on how that works.
tommy_riley said:
in that case, they might need a form filled out or something - I was assuming a larger corporation, my bad.
you should be able to go anywhere - sprint store, best buy, amazon.com, etc. but you may need to talk to a real person to do the keep the same plan. I have never purchased a phone online from a place like wirefly or amazon yet. Perhaps someone else could chime in on how that works.
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I purchased my upgrade from Amazon and was never pressured to change my plan. I could have kept it if I wanted to. I did change to the new "my way" plan however because for my two lines, it was $20 cheaper than my old unlimited data plan which was similar to the OP's.
Sent from my EVO using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
@op I've been leaning on sprint and tmo the last few days, asking questions, as I'm thinking of finally switching to tmo. That said, if you go to a sprint store , they have the pay monthly plans they're being pushed to sell by corporate. I, too, would prefer to pay a few hundred up front and be done with it....screw increasing my monthly expenses. If you buy online, you don't pay monthly and you keep your plan. Rep told me that even if igo to best buy or target or something, they still have the normal upgrade with contract and without changing plans. They have N5 and HTC One each for only 100, no monthly payment and no plan change.
Sent from my EVO 4G LTE using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Sprint Discount Program
You can always go to this address and see you are available for a discount either through your own employer or your girlfriend's current employer.
http://mysprint.sprint.com/verify/?ECID=vanity:verify
Sprint offers a lot of discounts to a lot of companies, especially entities like public universities or state employees.
If you just want to see if your company or some association gets a discount, go here:
http://now.sprint.com/save/?ECID=vanity:save
SimianJones said:
You can always go to this address and see you are available for a discount either through your own employer or your girlfriend's current employer.
http://mysprint.sprint.com/verify/?ECID=vanity:verify
Sprint offers a lot of discounts to a lot of companies, especially entities like public universities or state employees.
If you just want to see if your company or some association gets a discount, go here:
http://now.sprint.com/save/?ECID=vanity:save
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The only issue with the discount is that if they approve it, part of the clause is another two year contract...as well as that with the new Framily Plan styled contract, the discount is only applied to the data costs of the phone, not the entire plan cost. *smh about that*
So with say a 20% discount and it only being applied to an unlimited plan, you'd save maybe $4-6 a month.
Yeah, but the OP was talking about upgrading and maintaining his current plan, not switching to Framily.
Framily plans may be marginally less expensive than a Family Share plan, but they don't subsidize the cost of upgrade hardware. For about the same cost of a Framily plan over 2 years you can have the standard family plan, discounts net about $20 off instead of 5, and phone upgrades are subsidized. I think he's on the right track.
MFOsaka said:
The only issue with the discount is that if they approve it, part of the clause is another two year contract...as well as that with the new Framily Plan styled contract, the discount is only applied to the data costs of the phone, not the entire plan cost. *smh about that*
So with say a 20% discount and it only being applied to an unlimited plan, you'd save maybe $4-6 a month.
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Have A Question Regarding etf. I recently had a line cancel out on my account. The etf is 350 but then I'm also getting charged an additional $65 in taxes for a total of $415. What the heck is that. When did taxes start applying in to the etf. I had an etf line a year ago and there was none of this. I even looked at the contract and online at sprint.com and it states upto $350 etf. No where does it say plus taxes. Can anyone clarify this? Any sprint employees
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
yaniel06 said:
Have A Question Regarding etf. I recently had a line cancel out on my account. The etf is 350 but then I'm also getting charged an additional $65 in taxes for a total of $415. What the heck is that. When did taxes start applying in to the etf. I had an etf line a year ago and there was none of this. I even looked at the contract and online at sprint.com and it states upto $350 etf. No where does it say plus taxes. Can anyone clarify this? Any sprint employees
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
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Yeah, based on a cursory search of their Terms and Conditions, I couldn't find anything relating to taxes on an ETF. You might want to call their billing department to see what's going on with that. Record your phone call (tell them that you're doing this, as some states require everyone to be aware of recordings), make them tell you exactly where in their Terms and Conditions this line is located. If they don't answer your questions to your satisfaction, talk to a supervisor and see what they can do for you.
Edit:
I just saw this line in Sprint's Return and Exchange Policy:
Please note that this policy may not reflect the additional return policies of our authorized third-party dealers or retailers. If you are returning a device leased through Apple Finance Services (AFS), call AFS at 1-800-216-4384.
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The taxes could be from a third-party dealer or retailer, but it doesn't sound like it. Just a heads up.
Just read it but this looks like it is due to a return within the 14 days they give you.
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
I find it funny that on the Framily plan Sprint advertises no contract no ETF's yet my plan still indicates I am locked into a contract and that I will have ETF's if I cancel.
MikeyLee said:
I find it funny that on the Framily plan Sprint advertises no contract no ETF's yet my plan still indicates I am locked into a contract and that I will have ETF's if I cancel.
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You don't have a contract, unless you we're already under a contract before you switched your plan. Then you would still have until your original contract date ends. Also if your enrolled in easy pay for a new phone where u would pay monthly for it, if you we're to decided to terminate your service you would be responsible for the remainder of the phones retail price!
Sent from my SM-N900P using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
MikeyLee said:
I find it funny that on the Framily plan Sprint advertises no contract no ETF's yet my plan still indicates I am locked into a contract and that I will have ETF's if I cancel.
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I believe this is due to the transition between Subsidized to Un-Subsidized phone plans... I'll try to explain this in a way that makes sense, since I had to ask a lot of questions in order to fully understand it myself. In order to understand why there's even an ETF, we have to understand how subsidized phones worked and why Sprint (and soon all other carriers) will move away from them.
Subsidized Phones and Early Termination Fees (ETFs)
When you buy a subsidized phone (let's say a Note III) for $200, that doesn't mean that Sprint got the phone for $200 and is now passing the savings off to you. It means that they have factored in the cost of the phone in their plan pricing. If the phone cost them $500 (at wholesale), that's $300 that they have to recoup from you over the course of two years. If you get your phone and decide to leave after 6 months, they're not going to recoup $240 (assuming they split it evenly over the 24 months, which I doubt). That's the philosophy behind the ETF. If you leave early, they aren't going to recoup from their subsidized phones, and they lost out on a decent amount of cash.
That's also why the ETF decreases as you get closer to that magic 2-year mark. They've already recouped most of their "investment" into you as a customer, so they can't charge you as much for an ETF.
Now, the Subsidized phone scheme has always been a means to entice new customers and to keep existing customers. If you can offer a $700 smart phone for $250, it's great marketing! But, I bet they are making less money when they have to subsidize a smart phone than when they offer a "dumb" flip-phone for free. When smartphones (I'm thinking back to the days of the Treo) were relegated back to the nerds and businessmen, they could afford to make less money on the subsidized plan and still make a ton on the subsidized flip phones.
Verizon must have loved my in-laws, because they had the same "dumb" flip-phones for about 5 years, but were paying the same price as the High School senior who had a subsidized iPhone. In my opinion, the in-laws were paying the subsidy price of the iPhone.
After the iPhone and the mass-market flooding of smart phones, more and more people started getting smart phones. When looking at phones, the consumer can easily argue an extra $50 to get a top-end smartphone over a medium-level phone. Which should work out fine, but it also means that Sprint (or Verizon or ATT or whoever) is not going to make as much money (due to the subsidized portion of the phone cost being higher). I've even heard that they started losing money on some of the top-end phones since the subsidized costs were higher than the recouping they were doing. (note: the previous sentence is hearsay and no credible source has been given to me).
At first, Sprint (and others) tried to recoup those losses by incurring a "smartphone" fee. I remember the first time I saw a $10 "Premium Data" fee, I knew it was bull**** (pardon the language), but I was also stuck in a contract. Despite much arguing with various supervisors, I still ended up paying it, but not before threatening to leave numerous times (even with the ETF). If it weren't for my 18% "employee" discount, I would've switched.
Un-Subsidized Phones and the Future of Phone Buying (IMO)
I think the Framily Plan is interesting. They are basically taking the subsidy cost out of the phone plan and having the customer pay for what they actually get. In my opinion, this is much better.
Yes, I get a gut reaction when I have to pay full-price for my latest-and-greatest phone (since I'm so used to my subsidized price). But for those customers who are OK with keeping their technology a bit longer or buying second-hand phones, they can make some pretty significant savings. It also means that you don't have to buy your phone from Sprint or Verizon. The customer has more options when it comes to buying their phone.
So, all-in-all, I think it's a good move and I can see all carriers moving towards this model in the future.
Transition between Subsidized and Un-Subsidized Plans
This is where I believe you, MikeyLee, are stuck. Sprint can't recoup their losses from your subsidized phone because you're now paying $25/month on the Framily plan. This is why they initially had the whole "existing members can't join the Framily" crap. They loosened that to some members being "merge eligible," meaning they were allowed to switch to the Framily Plan. I believe the only check for "merge eligibility" was whether or not Sprint had recouped enough of their subsidy.
For those of us who were merge eligible but who still had time before their old two-year contract was up, Sprint also has an ETF to cover the remainder of the original two-year agreement (and recoup their losses from you leaving and not ponying up for your subsidized phone).
In Closing
I personally like the Un-Subsidized plan. For me, I went from paying $150/month down to $75/month (2 lines, one with unlimited, not counting phone monthly payments). Even when I factor in the cost of two new top-tier smart phone every 2 years, I still save $700 over the two years.
It also makes more sense for people like my in-laws, who don't need (or want) the latest-and-greatest and would rather keep their phones for decades if they could.
But yes, the transition between the two is inherently going to be messy. Hold out to see the real value of un-subsidized plans!
Anyone heard or have any input for this website? Cellbreaker.com. It claims to break your cellphone contract without paying ETF's. I've seen it on the news, but still not too sure since per line its 77 bucks. Anyone use this and have experience to share?
Thanks
Ummmm, yeah...
ppat324wi said:
Anyone heard or have any input for this website? Cellbreaker.com. It claims to break your cellphone contract without paying ETF's. I've seen it on the news, but still not too sure since per line its 77 bucks. Anyone use this and have experience to share?
Thanks
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I never heard of it until now, so I went to the site. First they want to charge you $10 to do an analysis. Then, IF they find breach of contract, you pay another $77 to them to get you out of it. So, that's $87.00.
Most carrier ETF's are $250, pro-rated for 24 months. This means that every month you have the phone, you deduct $10.42 from that $250.00. Once you've had your phone for 16 months, the price cellbreaker wants to charge you is MORE than your ETF would be.
Further, from what I'm reading on their website, the breaches they look for are price increases, terms changes, and "performance deficiency." Performance deficiency is very subjective. If you only have service 4 days out of 7, and can document it, sure, there's a breach of contract. But I don't think I've been anywhere where I have not had service for more than a couple of minutes. I've been with Verizon for 14 years and they have never once raised the price, altered my terms or done anything even remotely close to breaching their end of the bargain during any two year period.
In other words: try it if you want, but I honestly don't think it will do you any good. Even though it's "GUARANTEED" to get you out of your contract. Here's that "guarantee," by the way: Terms of Use TBD...
Good luck!!!
So Verizon's etf is 250 if you just got the phone, and since I have had my phone (S4) for about a year, my phone 's etf would be around 120 dollars?
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Yep. That sounds about right. Plus you would be responsible for your final bill, so it's important that you cancel prior to the end of your billing cycle.
Well, I called Verizon, and they told me that it would be 250 per line for the etf, bringing me 250+250+230=730 dollars for etf. Ouch
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ppat324wi said:
Well, I called Verizon, and they told me that it would be 250 per line for the etf, bringing me 250+250+230=730 dollars for etf. Ouch
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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OUCH! That's strange to me. I was going to dump them a year or so ago because I could have received a better price through my job. But they're on ATT and I don't like ATT. Well, at least I like them less than Verizon. But big red told me the fees were prorated. I wonder if that has changed...
ammjr71 said:
OUCH! That's strange to me. I was going to dump them a year or so ago because I could have received a better price through my job. But they're on ATT and I don't like ATT. Well, at least I like them less than Verizon. But big red told me the fees were prorated. I wonder if that has changed...
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They got rid of prorated fees about two years ago. Now it's straight up 250 per line through out the contract.
skeezer308 said:
They got rid of prorated fees about two years ago. Now it's straight up 250 per line through out the contract.
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According to http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/support/customer-agreement that's not true.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY POSTPAY SERVICE IS CANCELED BEFORE THE END OF MY CONTRACT TERM?
If you're signing up for Postpay Service, you're agreeing to subscribe to a line of Service either on a month–to–month basis or for a minimum contract term, as shown on your receipt or order confirmation. (If your Service is suspended without billing, that time doesn't count toward completing your contract term.) Once you've completed your contract term, you'll automatically become a customer on a month–to–month basis for that line of Service. If you cancel a line of Service, or if we cancel it for good cause, during its contract term, you'll have to pay an early termination fee. If your contract term results from your purchase of an advanced device, your early termination fee will be $350 minus $10 for each full month of your contract term that you complete. Otherwise, your early termination fee will be $175 minus $5 for each full month of your contract term that you complete. Cancellations will become effective on the last day of that month's billing cycle, and you are responsible for all charges incurred until then. Also, if you bought your wireless device from an authorized agent or third–party vendor, you should check whether they charge a separate termination fee.
ppat324wi said:
Anyone heard or have any input for this website? Cellbreaker.com. It claims to break your cellphone contract without paying ETF's. I've seen it on the news, but still not too sure since per line its 77 bucks. Anyone use this and have experience to share?
Thanks
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Based on what their site states they will analyze your contract for Carrier's breach and if they find one for $77 they send the communication to the carrier on your behalf to cancel your contract due to breach.
It seems highly probable being that your average customer would not be able to look at all possible breaches, as far as reputation well they claim they give you a 100% guarantee so that should cover you.
Did you pay the $10 for the analysis and did the analysis return a positive breach finding?
Well, I used a promo code that got me the analysis for free, and it did return with a breakable contract. I might just try it with one of my lines first, then see it it actually is true,then I will do the extra two lines.
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From the Moderator
To all --the term Caveat Emptor comes to mind.... Though this could be a benefit to some...... with the term contracts going away with each passing day..maybe yes...maybe no..... do your research before letting go of your money and or your privacy (which appears that this is necessary for this company to do what they do)...
~~~ oka1
I would choose cellbreaker again and again!
I was with my cell phone company for years before I decided that I was unhappy with everything. I am a long termer. I had been their loyal customer for upwards of 10 years and beyond. I enjoyed everything about my cell phone company until they decided to hike up my cell phone bill. I felt betrayed. I wanted out of my cell phone carriers company, when I noticed that my friends and family were receiving better pricing and coverage. Did I mention coverage? Coverage was awful! Well CellBreaker was there to help. I discovered them on the internet. When I called them, they told me about their process and about their guarantee that it would only take 7 days to switch my contracts. Well it took them a little longer, about 2 more days. I am still pleased with the results. The new contract that they placed me in was cross checked, by them, to guarantee that I wouldn’t experience the price hikes that I experienced with my old contract. I hope that this review will help you determine whether or not you would like to work with CellBreaker. I am happy I worked with them!
ppat324wi said:
Anyone heard or have any input for this website? Cellbreaker.com. It claims to break your cellphone contract without paying ETF's. I've seen it on the news, but still not too sure since per line its 77 bucks. Anyone use this and have experience to share?
Thanks
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Out of curiosity what are you going to do when you leave your contract? If you go to T-Mobile they pay your ETF, if you go to Sprint they buy out your contract and cut your bill in half. So unless you are going to AT&T (why?) you could save yourself the $$.