An Australian psychology expert who has been studying emotions has found being grumpy makes us think more clearly.
In contrast to those annoying happy types, miserable people are better at decision-making and less gullible, his experiments showed.
While cheerfulness fosters creativity, gloominess breeds attentiveness and careful thinking, Professor Joe Forgas told Australian Science Magazine.
(For all wondering, the comments on this piece are related to this post.)
This is why when I switch cell phone carriers I don’t reup before the contract is fullfilled. I will be keeping my eye on this because my current contract with Verizon is up in Feb 2010.
The reason ETR’s exist is to offset the loss the company experiences when selling a phone at a 2yr contract price. This price is usually less than a third of what the handset costs wholesale. Be careful what you ask for, no contract means much more expensive equipment.
That said $350 is outrageous.
We need lawmakers to step in and make this practice illegal. They already limit early termination fees on things like insurance, they need to do the same for cell providers.
We don’t need more government oversight and laws… there are things you can do like let your contract expire and switch to a prepay service.
I totally agree with you. Mine has already expired, so I’d like to switch to a prepay service. But how do you do that?
So what if it takes the gov’t to make them treat us right. What’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong….And this is just wrong.
I agree. If cell phone carriers start to do this they can kiss my butt good bye. I might just go to the new wal-mart plan thing they have out for unlimited everything for $45 a month without a contract if they keep this up. I am with AT&T and I know if they do this I won’t sign another contract with them.
This is totally bogus….cell phone companies should come under the same scrutiny that credit companies come under. There should be consumer laws protecting us consumers. Is there? How can cell phone companies get away with this? Makes me want to go with a pay per use system of cell phone usage. I think I just might do that. Its probably cheaper and way more practical. Dont you think?
I just got verizon and have had issues with the billing, only good point it was better than t-mobile, still love kathryn though. they have us by the short hairs again.
I lived without it before, I can do so again.
FWIW, European carriers (and cable companies as well) are even worse – there is no early termination fee, because there’s no early termination. You’re stuck paying for the full term no matter what.
Not very smart. Especially when they are coming out with a competitor to Iphone made by Motorola called “Droid”.
I am with Sprint PCS, I have 3 lines, 1500 minutes, unlimited text and I pay 130 per month and as soon as the last of my 3 lines are up, I am going with MetroPCS, none of these stupid fees, everything you want done with these companies extends your contract. EVERYONE I know that has MetroPCS is completely happy and they say they will NEVER go back to these other companies. I just have a little more time to do before I’m free from these guys, imagine if you had to pay in order to change you home phone service, your gas company, your electric company, imagine that and these guys get away with this because WE ALLOW THEM TO, WE KEEP GIVING THEM OUR BUSINESS, I guess that’s why they keep doing it, because we are a bunch of idiots.
Same here, KI$$ MY @$$ verizon suckheads
If its not license fees, registration, insurance, then its cell phone bills, etc. Who has they time to tell these people to kiss off and stick them where it hurts.
If you don’t like ETF’s, then don’t sign a contract. Buy the phone at full retail and you can be on month to month.
If you want a discounted phone (because we all know that you want cool phones but are not willing to pay for them), be willing to sign a contract.
I guess you work for them!!
This falls in line with “Can’t afford it, don’t buy it” and “Don’t agree with it, don’t commit to it”. Too much self entitlement here.
Sean, ahhh can you really tell me their worth the 600.00 without contract? Please, re-think your advise and become more practical. By the way, how many collars you have popped? Doucebag!
Yeah big fees suck, but it’s called a contract for a reason. They plan their annual budgets based on their income from subscribers. They have to protect their company from everyone wanting to switch over every time someone comes out with a new hot item. If it’s that big of a deal to you, either do your research before you sign up and make sure you want to commit, or go for a prepay option.
congress needs to attach the cell limit fees to the healthcare bill pending legislation and approval
I certainly won’t even consider the Google phone that is with Verizon now that they have done this. When my contract with AT&T is up in Dec. I will buy the iPhone. Pay attention Google this will hurt you!!
Solution: Sign up for shortest contract available– even if this means paying more out-of-pocket for your phone! Then when the contract is up you pay month to month according to your contract terms but can get out anytime. Buy phone upgrades as needed from ebay or friends who upgrade regularly. Keep things on your own terms!! If more people did this, they would have to re-evaluate the lock-in plans and forced dataplans for select phones. Time for people to vote with their dollars.
Sean, aside from the ETF’s that are charged, the rates these guys charge are higher too, they are now dropping their rates because of companies like MetroPCS, even though they still have a way to go because their programs cannot compare, so it’s just not the ETF’s and you CAN buy one of these “fancy” phones without paying these big bucks, check the internet, do a little research and sure, you can buy a phone for $500 but with a little research you can find it for around $100.
Why is everyone pissing and moaning (and in some cases, with such atrocious grammar and spelling)? Everyone seems to think that having a cell phone is a RIGHT, not a PRIVILEGE. If you want the “convenience,” (as well as the cheap phone, they you either shop around, fine print and all, and find the best deal — or you pay for what you get. Having to “upgrade” your phone just because you want something newer, shinier, and flashier than what your friends have is YOUR CHOICE. So quit whining. If you want the bells and whistles…you pay for them. Or else you just don’t USE a cell phone.
Wah, Wah Wah. If you don’t like the ocntract, don’t sign it. Why does everyone cry for the government to save them from their own stupidity. Credit cards – pay on time and you have no issues or fees. Housing – don’t buy more than you can afford. Seems pretty simple, but people always want to be saved after they screw up.
Well, I am not sure what government has to do with this, but people are not mad because of the stupid contract they signed. They are mad because of the way this contract is being changed on them. When I signed, I signed on 175$ early terminatioin, not 350… Well I gues I signed also under some little fine print that says (… and we can change anything on this contracti without notifying you…) How is that fair? Could I also say “well, so can I, so from now on I don’t feel like I am paying you 90 a month, I am changing it to $15… But this won’t fly, would it? They will come immediately after you with their collection agencies etc… So don’t tell me people are stupid. I am glad to see the outrage…. And hopefully Verizon will be soon a subject of “early termination” – their technology is quite outdated anyway….
Verizon,At-t they just keep charging for anything and everthing alittle here and there and the service still sucks.the law makers seem to be on there side..it’s always the little guy that gets in the end and i mean the bottom end!!
Sean and John, you are both right, like I said, I have 3 lines, one for my 17 year son, one for my g/f (just switched her over from her plan to mine) both of their phones are fairly new, mine is 4 years old, just died due to battery and what I did was instead of getting a new phone at a discounted price but with a new contract, I used one of my son’s old phones and I will also be replacing the battery to my 4 year old phone and waala, good phone and NO NEW CONTRACT!!
Agreed — stop whining. Most people don’t realize how much the phones actually cost the carriers, and the smartphones these days are even more expensive for them. Would you sell something for $300 less than you paid for it with just the “hope” that you’d get paid back? Carriers need to run a business. If you don’t like the fee, buy the phone at full price.
v can kiss my ass
Don’t use those blood suckers at Verizon!
I was looking into switching to Verizon. I’m not going to now. Screw Verizon before they screw you. Take my business elsewhere.
To “THE DOC”, imagine, this, you walk into my store, you pick up a couple of items, you pay for them and now you wish to leave but I stop you, I tell you that on top of paying for the items that you purchased, I am also going to charge you a “leave the store” fee. How would you like this, does this make sense, of course not but this is exactly what is going on, what other business do this?? Main stream busiess, that is.
Luis C.
Did I sign a contract in advance that notified me that there would be a charge to leave your store? If so, I would happily pay it – that is what a contract is. You have the choice to go elsewhere and not use a provider with monthly contracts and the associated fees. You seem to be missing the point. Try to look up contract in the dictionary.
An oligopoly that conspires amongst themselves is not a choice. It’s a con game. Cable providers – government legalized monopolies.
I have had enough with Verizon Wireless. They screw you on the way in and on the way out. I spend over 300 per month with these clowns and when I have an issue they could care less. I will transition the 5 phones on my plan over the next 12 months. Of course they staggered them, duh!
–hello at&t–
The Doc, you are right, if one signs a contract, then one must and should live up to it but that does not mean that you have to keep living with it after your contract is done nor does it mean that one should feel good about it when one compares it to what is available, don’t forget that the no ETF’s companies are relatively new on the market, the norm were ETF’s conditions.
This is such BS and they also realize people are coming close to not needing a land line phone anymore. They are taking advantage of the consumer where is our protection. If you refuse to sign an extended contract, they are just going to make us pay $500 for a basic phone.
While the conversation has been interesting I must leave before I puke. There are plenty of basic phones for under $100 with pay as you go carriers. If you want phones and plans with all of the features, you pay for it. Just like everything else. If people would just start using their heads again, we could get America headed back in the right direction. The unions ‘protected’ workers from evil companies – that is why jobs go overseas – uneducated workers doing relatively basic jobs should not be pulling down $80K when you can get someone else to do it for $12K… Grow up everyone
this is stupid. what are the big bosses at verizon thinking? hmm.. maybe if we raise our prices on early termination we wont get any more customers. good idea my contract is ending next month with at&t and ill be going to tmobile both verizon and att are rip offs. I was a customer with verizon for two years but after standing in those two hour lines at customer service i will never go back to them. People check your options!! you can go to three wireless companies that i can think of right off the top of my head and get unlimited everything for like $50. And for anyone thinking of going to att, well DONT. they are just as bad as verizon and their coverage is horrible i went for the i phone and you cant even get a plan for under like 140 a month
STOP ALL THA BITCHING CAUSE THERE ISNT A THING ANYONE CAN DO ABOUT IT. AND ALSO ILL BET THAT OVER HALF OF U WILL “IF U HAVENT ALREADY BEEN WITH VERIZON” GO BACK TO THEM. ITS LIFE SO SUCK IT UP.
Here’s a simple concept: Don’t like the terms? Don’t agree to them! Very simple! Don’t like the price? Don’t agree to pay it! Can’t afford it? Do without! What’s the big deal? This applies to gas, food and all other goods and services!
Take care, Doc and hopefully you are not saying that here in America, we need to really watch out because companies have the right to stick to a customer for as much as they can get away with, hey, Doc, doesn’t this seem funny, you beat up on the “evil” employees but nothing on the “heavenly” companies? What gives? Must be the “Madoff Syndrome.”
Hey everyone. Why all the fuss. Just like in European countries, just pretend you can’t cancel. Pay the minimum monthly bill and then cancel at the end of the contract is the early termination fee is too much for you. Otherwise, dont get a cell phone to begin with. I like many have a cell phone because I use it everyday for years and years. Yes, the cell phoen company may be making alot of money off the ETF, but have you ever paid attention to how much you saved on that snazzy new phone with the contract deal. If you think they inflate the price of the phone in the store then just go try to buy one off Ebay and see how much they are. It is true that the cell phone companies may get too high on the EFT amount some day, but right now even a $300 EFT for a typical family with 2+ phones, unlimited messaging and internet access will pay that much in just 2 months. A pretty good deal to get out of the contract if need be and you are more than a month or two away from contract renewal.
Nearly the entire world is on its knees, coping with financial hardship, and these billon dollar companies want more? I will not sign another agreement with any of them. I’m done.
I have Boost Mobile – $50 a month. You pay the $50 you are paid for the upcoming month. You don’t have the money, buy a $20 card. No termination fee. No contract. It is insanity that anybody pays this. What is wrong with your mind people.
Come on people! Wake up! Did you get yourself into a contract without reading it? Shame on you. If you don’t like the terms of the contract, do something else. Lots of good alternatives already mentioned here. Money talks, BS walks. Want to make a difference? Hit them in the wallet. But please stop complaining and asking for the government to protect you from yourself! Geeeez
Let’s not forget that cell phone companies like Verizon have been strong-arming cell phone manufacturers for years to keep the manufacturers from selling “open” phones that have Wi-Fi/Wi-Max features that can be exploited by the softare industry. Ever wonder what happened to PDA’s? They were destroyed by Verizon, etc. AT&T is trying to do the same thing to the nascent Netbook market with lock-in contracts on buit-in cell tower hardware. Pretty soon, Netbooks will come with contracts. The cell phone industry’s worst nightmare is for people to start using PDA’s and Netbooks in place of traditional phones over networks not controlled by them, so they play unfairly. Everything about their actions say the same thing – “Anyone who attempts to allow consumers to communicate using a methhod not sold by us will be destroyed.”
let me guess vincent.you work for verizon?
I agree with Karl. Mine has expired, so I’d like to switch to a prepaid service. But how do you do that?
Taking inti consideration our “TAX” dollars paid for the satellites and to send them up there,yes, I believe the government should get involved with the pricing IMHO
That’s a good point, a lot of tax dollars go into expanding telecommunications.
I thought it was already illegal for cell phone companies to charge termination fees. What happen to all the talk Congress was doing about that? I thought it had passed.
Only in California where contracts don’t matter.
Verizon is a big company with a monopoly in a lot of places. They can pretty much do what they want since they have superior network coverage. Verizon “has a map for that” lol. I’m sure the other big three will follow if Verizon isn’t gunned down by regulators, maybe that would stop Sprint from bleeding out so many customers rofl.
Ladies and Gentlemen!
We’re over complicating this! We’ve forgotten that we can simply walk away from anything that we feel is priced unreasonably! Whether it’s gas, food or other services. For those asking “law makers” to step in to regulate something like this would be a mistake. We’ve given away far to many of our rights as free Americans because we do not want to take responsibility for our own actions or take action ourselves! Ask the governmant to take over and expect the government to pay themselves with your…OUR….money! If companies like Verizon want to price themselves like this, chose not to do business with them. If ALL carriers want to pursue this path, than do without a cell phone! That wasn’t such a foreign concept less than a decade ago! PLEASE! Make decisions for yourselves! Govern YOURSELVES and chose for YOURSELVES! Yes, freedom of choice is ours. But we also have the freedom to give it away!
Right because America’s economy doesn’t require gas and we don’t need food to live. Granted we don’t need cellphones.
Verizon can kiss my galded stanky!
That ladies and gentleman is why if prefer the “inconvenience” of the pre-paid.
I agree, lawmakers need to step in for consumers rights…..
I disagree. We keep asking the government to step in on things for us and then we wonder why they’re up our asses with a microscope. The last thing we need is a bigger government with even more power! Keep the government out and govern ourselves instead! We, the people can dictate what we will and will not tolerate.
The phone companies can jack their fees as high as they like. And we can just simply tell them “No” and they can do without our money and price themselves out of business!
Michelle
Its very simple to change to a pay as you go. Find a Boost Mobile or PCS store and have them activate your phone. You can pay over the phone with Boost or buy a $50 card at most pharmacies or grocery stores. Load the $50 on your phone and you are good for the entire month. Unlimited calls and text.
This is aweful, people having many changes in there life and should be able to terminate there service anytime. I don’t know why the communition allows them to make people sign a contract for a cell phone….What if somebody dies on your plan or you have a child whom miss uses the privledge. And there are many simular reasons to terminate service. We should have to sign a contract with the wireless companies.
this is just another way corporate america is passing off their mis-management of company finances to the consumer. of course we need to be smart consumers and pay attention to what we buy but when did we have to pay extra for being dissatisfied with our cell phone service? do we have to pay more for returning a movie we didn’t like or eating lousy meal at a restraunt?
thanks to our dependance on cell phones, companies have found another way to bleed the pockets of american consumers. way to go corporate america. i can’t wait to pay for more of your mistakes.
I was with Sprint until I got tired of the crappy customer service and always overcharging me. I canceled early for $250. I switch to AT&T but am not happy with being locked in to a contract. If I lost my job not only could I not afford the $120 a month service that comes with my IPhone but I would be stuck with a $200+ contract cancel fee. When my contract is up I am just gonna buy a nice phone, pay to have it unlocked, and go with a local company that only charges $50. a month for unlimted everything and no contracts. Thats what I call customer service. Giving the customer what they want!
Verizon is making us sacrificial lambs maybe they should put a post out there on that site http://www.thesacrificiallamb.com great site
Michelle
If you cant find a store, go on the internet and find Boost Mobile or PCS and ask them by email how you go about doing it in your area.
Thanks, Lois, but I guess it’s not as easy as I tought.
I opened an account with Verizon when they had the whole “try the network” BS going on. Thank god for that because I absolutely hated being with them. I got the moto Q which was new at the time. Phone broke 3 times in the 17 days I had it. Each time got it replaced. On the last time I went it, the guy asked what I was doing to break my phone. F THAT. I went right across the street and ported my number to tmobile. Found out a week later that the phone had a recall on it. Maybe it was just bad customer service that I had but I wasnt happy and didn’t think it was appropriate after only half a month into my contract. I think their phones arent that great so the only thing they have to go on is their “network”. Sorry, but I would rather have a dropped call or so then to be with them. I think the $350 dollar fee is BS. Maybe that is there way of saying they arent that great of a company? If consumers are happy then why would they want to terminate early?
Verizon’s phones are cheaply made with half the features disabled unless you hack them.
Yeah, where is that guy “can you hear me now,” because that rascal is apparently not in the same area as I am more than half the time. Let us boycott there a**es. What are they doing now with all the fees, You are right,if verizon clients were happy then why leave! My contract has ran out with them and my phone is crappy, so I just pay a fee an take it bending over like everyone else. We need a Youtube mascot to show bad publicity!
Pre-Paid is a good idea if it works where you want it to, but there are places, ie Cherokee, NC where Verizon is the only company that will work acceptably.
Ok guys, there are some very good points here. I worked for a cell phone retailer for 5 years and I can tell you a few things.
First, those phones cost the retailers a chunk of money. Without a contract, we only made $15 to $20 over the cost. With a contract, we lost money on the front, but made it back each month the customer kept the phone. Hence the ETF. If the customer doesn’t keep the phone long enough, then the company looses money. What I don’t agree with is that generally, the fee remains the same throughout the length of the contract. In all honesty, it should decrease in equal amounts per month until the last month when it becomes 0. Second, you can avoid these fees by paying the full price of the phone up front. It’s your choice! I have been with Alltel, now Verizon since they bought us out for 5 years now. I have bought all my phones upfront, haven’t had a contract, therefore no ETFs. I have a Blackberry and a Motorola with all the features. Keep in mind that if the govt steps in and does away with ETFs, the companies will start charging EVERYONE the full price of the phone. Do you really want that?
Third, some companies still want to extend your contract to change your rate plan or add features. You do not have to go along with that. There are enough companies out there that have stopped that practice after consumers got mad. Either negotiate with your company or pay your fee and move on if they won’t allow you to change without additional contract months.
So, there you go. Do your research and make an informed decision BEFORE you sign that contract. If you don’t want to worry about the $350 ETF, there are lots of ways around it that don’t include a stripped down prepaid phone plan.
They won’t charge the full price of the phone unless the market allows it. Ebay is a great way not to extend your contract though, and if you’re out of contract it’s a whole lot easier to bargain with cell phone companies.
How will ebay keep one from getting a contract extended? I’m slow, but I’m old!
because if you buy if from ebay, usually you’re not paying full price for the phone, and all you have to do (sometimes, i’ve never had to) is pay the activation fee. usually 15-20 bucks. of course, you either have to buy a phone from your specific network, or an unlocked phone.
My problem is this…..I was with AT & T, and suddenly I am told I will now be with Alltel, (not my choice – theirs), and next…..you will now be with Verizon (again, not my choice)……So why do we continually have to abide by THEIR rules when I am the one paying for the service……Some of my friends who started out with AT&T are still with them…..don’t understand that either……
Please clarify for me……
Hey, try letting your end device get broken. They will replace it with a referbisher one for your fifty dollar insurance deductable on top of that monthly price premium you are already paying. If your phone is terrible you still have to pay for that service that you are not getting.With no phone, you really can do with out the company’s phone too.
Have to agree with Eve.. buy the phone outright . but be careful ! The phone you buy might not be in the service contract for the calling service provider. As In USCelluar no longer provide service for Nokia cell phones.
Buying up front then picking the service is a good way to go.
No body owes you that way.
Are you serious? Yea let’s pay $500 for a propriatary phone?? I hope america is smarter than thy’re acting on this post???????????
OH heven forbid a company not make an ass load of money off of every person they sell a phone too. I guess they would have to quit paying their top people absurd amounts of money for doing little work.
Your phones only make you $10-$20 because your a low level retailer. Your selling a bad product and standing behind it, typical of someone at verizon. Have fun going bankrupt! You can work at my kiosk in the mall once this happens…Don’t buy Verizon!!!
Of course you should pay cash for your phone. America is in the mess it is in because too many people buy stuff on credit. Live within your means people and you will avoid all the evils of corporate America!
Why deal with any company that is so comfortable with ripping you off. Why in the world would anyone pay to deal with a company you have to sidestep around?
B/c you have to sometimes. Well I guess you could get a satellite phone, but those are REAL CHEAP.
It really is a privilege isn’t it? lol I’m glad sprint has service in my area. All cell phone companies are cut throat but at least Sprint is desperate and doesn’t think they’re god.
NOT YET ANYWAY JJ . EVERYONE HERE IS MAKING SENSE. GOOD CONVERSTION. WE HAVE TO BE SMART ABOUT THESE CELL PHONE SITUATIONS BECAUSE THEY ARE A NECESSITY NOW. HOPEFULLY THERE WILL BE MANY MORE & BETTER COMPANIES WITH BETTER PLANS. THEY ONLY GOOD THING ABOUT BUYING A PHONE WITH THE PLAN IS THAT IF U LOSE IT U DONT HAVE TO PAY AND ARM AND A LEG FOR ANOTHER ONE..$4.OO FOR INS.
$7 for bb…Then you have to pay a $50 deductable, which Sprint raised to $100 this year only after they sold a ton of these phones and locked people in with two year contracts. I’m confident a years worth of premiums and the deductable exceeds the company’s wholesale price of a new one.
verizon…what a pain. I was going to cancel early until they told me about the FEE . Waited until contract was up , cancelled & haven’t used the phone for 3 months..no calls.They send me a bill for 3 mos. service & now they want to charge me the FEE again.Who has service for month’s & doesn’t make or rec. calls ? Apparently , they can just roll you right into another 2 year sentence.
What a SCAM !
Dave,
If you actually cancelled the contract with verizon, they cannot roll you into another contract. Instead of wasting time sitting on the phone arguing with their “supervisors” write a very detailed letter. If you have a copy of your cancellation letter, or you have the name of the customer service rep with whom you cancelled your service, and the date and time, include those. If they still insist that you rolled your contract into a new one, file a complaint with both the BBB and the Bureau of Consumer Protection at the Federal Trade Commission (https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/).
Lol all those steps so they uphold their end of the bargain! Hint: Stay away from verizon!! The droid is just a stupid g1 anyways!! Dont buy verizon!!!
I guess we’ll see how well Verizon does with this. Let’s see what they do when the unemployment rate goes even higher and people can’t pay. Oh, right, they’ll charge their remaning customers more for the privilege of their service.
Verizon is a joke! Even tho I ported my number, they still tried to charge me for the month of service AND an early termination fee. Took nearly 3 months to get it resolved including writing letters to the corporate office. Never had a problem in the 2 and half years of being with tmobile!
here’s another tip I learned from working in the cell phone industry: you can purchase a prepaid phone and use it on the monthly plans instead of on the prepaid plans, as long as it is with the same company.
Example: Purchase a Prepaid Cell phone from At&t and use it on the Monthly contract Plans. Make sure and purchase a monthly plan SIM card though. Sometimes there is STILL a contract asked of you. Prepaid phones are cheaper, which absolutely makes you wonder why the “expensive phone cost” excuse is even expected to fly without wings…
Actually Verizon are even bastards about that, the Verizon prepaid phones have something in their esn that won’t let them be registered as post paid.
Vincent has a point. If corporate America is keeping you down, don’t enable them to continue. We all choose to use cell phones with contracts, seeming to forget there ARE pay-as-you-go phones that work just as fine. If we could all get over ourselves and the need for having a flashy unnecessary expensive cell phone, and use pay-as-u-go cell phones instead, this would really stick it to Verizon and the others.
True, but I want a flashy phone all the other cool kids are doing it. Also have you seen the rates of some of the pre-paid compared to post paid. Boost-mobile doesn’t count they don’t have near the coverage Verizon does.
not so, I just got with Boost-mobile and is great, they do have a good coverage so fall for me.
and it doen’t cost me all that money that I spend with Verizon while I was with contract with them.
Hear Hear! I agree!
I do not have a contract with Verizon. I had one with Altell when they were around. I will terminate my service when I get good and ready. I signed a contract with Altell not Verizon. When Verizon can show me a contract I signed with Verizon, I may consider that they have a strangle hold on me for those ridiculous fees that they steal from people. I think the Government needs to step in and stop the rip offs. Of course the government has done nothing to the big companies that took us into the current economic prosperity but reward them with money for bonuses and lack of accountability.
On the plus side when Verizon bought Alltel they still have to sponsor Nascar without any advertisement b/c of the contact Alltel had with Nascar. Yay Verizon got screwed one time lol
Verizon is on my list of sleezy companys anyway! I cancelled service in 1998, verizon had a fee on there phone that came with the contract,$300. I cancelled for the lack of money, they wanted the $300, I could not pay it in one payment, so I made it in several payment. These Morans “VERISON” kept it on my credit report for 10 years. I called Verizon, disputed the credit bureau, (amount owed showed Zero)verizon would not remove the report. I BOYCOTT any thing that has Verizon attached to it, and when asked about my thoughts on verizon, just imagine what I might say.
Jeeze..
Everyone hating on Verizon.
I love Verizon. I’ve never had a reason not too. The customer service is great, and they have nice phone. The only problems I’ve had is with the false advertising of some features on the phone. But, it’s not a big deal. I like Verizon :)
NO LONG TERM CONTRACTS AND NO TERMINATION FEES. Try Consumer Cellular. They have NO TERMINATION FEES and they bill on a month to month basis with NO LONG TERM CONTRACTS. The rates are competitive. They are a reseller for AT&T which is sometimes a problem but coverage is pretty generally good all over the country. If you decide to change, please let me know at dons97520@yahoo.com because I get a $10 credit for every referral.
Verizon is counting on us needing them and that we will pay to prove it. We need to show them otherwise. While we believe we need cell phones, do we really? What did we do before cell phones, I mean besides live a less disruptive and more enjoyable life? I say we go back to wired home phones, without contracts, and put an end to cell phone companies, and their hit-and-miss services, running our lives and bleeding us dry.
Currently fed up with AT&T 2 year contract games that they play! I am shopping around right now.
I will NOT use Verizon based on “more game” playing.
Hey cell phone companies! Do you want loyalty? Then be fair! Act fair! Write fair & easy contracts! Charge lower rates for those extra minutes (AT&T)! Charge reasonable data rates (AT&T)! Are you a greedy bank or a real business that wants repeat customers?
I left Verizon after they bought out Alltel and I was with Alltel for 17 years. I would pay double to get away from Verizon! They should be ashamed.
If you don’t like this, simply stop doing business with Verizon. Company loses customers. Company fails. End of story.
Verizon is a big corporation that is content to pick every last dollar from your pocket so that it can continue to pay its CEO Ivan Sidenberg $30 million plus stock per year
I’m bailing on AT&T and going with Cricket. 50 to 75 dollar phone and service at 40 dollars a month with unlimited text and internet – no contract. The big cell phone companies are going the way of the payphone and its their own damn fault…
We don’t have Cricket around here in Michigan anymore, I was with them years ago and LOVED their service, very reliable, very affordable, none of the early term fees or bs like that. I really wish they would come back to Michigan. I would switch back in a heartbeat. My phone went to verizon on Oct. 18th, so far no problems, my alltel contract is up in March 2010 so we shall see what happens then. That new every two sounds good, but I paid more than the 30-50 they offer to get the NEW phone.
volley ballllllllllll
It’s only a matter of time before these people want us to sign over our first born child rights. Who the hell do these people think they are charging that much money just to cancel service? If this is the case, EVERY SINGLE PHONE that Verizon sells should come with a $200 rebate and be free of charge.
BURRRRRGER KING!!!!!!!
screw VZW —
People try PAGE PLUS CELLULAR!!!
I offer and sell pageplus cellular in my store $39.95 ( tax free) unlimited talk and text!! on the vzw home network… yes bring your vzw phone for activation. no contract or credit check.
Verizon doubling early termination fees- Who the heck is watching our back on stuff like this. Where are the consumer groups. We are getting screwed now never mind when this comes in. Do you know US pays more than double the rest of the world for cell phone service . Where are our representives?
Jim The POS GUY,
Our representatives are happily bought and paid for by lobbyists from the Telecom industry. If people really want change then they need to write their representatives with the threat of not re-electing rather than a website. Then follow up with consistent action of thousands of constituents. Of course that might not work; politicians have become pretty arrogant and drunk on power and can afford to ignore thousands of constituents.
all early termination fees should be boycotted. i wish i knew how to get a law passed that would make them illegal.
what do you guys think of the republicans taking over in 2010. go elephants!!!!!!!!!!!
And they wonder why folks hack their phones to circumvent certain fees ?
I’ll continue to tether onto “big V’s” network =’s $20 a month loss revenue. It’s one thing to cripple a owners phone, jacking up ETF is just another excuse to seek yet more work arounds.
as i say to all my friends go getro or better known as metro $40.00 a month one lump sum. no minutes no contract. it may not be the best.. but i call from ca to colo with no hassles at all.
Yeah I suppose all will say greedy corp or government. As much as I hate it and think that “don’t buy it”. Verizon is a DOW 30 and they are in it for the money as there shareholders are……….Write a nasty letter to the CEO of Verizon and tell him where to go and then ” don’t buy it”
Go with Credo Mobile. They give a huge chunk of their profits to charity and social causes. Check out their site.
Well, we could all get mad or figure out what the rest of the world is doing and force domestic carriers to do the same; like selling customers a phone chip that they then carry from one carrier to another as they see fit with a minimum of a month’s service under contract. Sure, we’d have to pay for the phone, but that means 1.that we’d get the best phone our money could buy and 2.we could migrate from one service to another at will. This is the same as baggage and in-flight services surcharges that must be charged because the public thinks that $59 is a fair price for flying from Chicago to New York. There is no free lunch but that doesn’t mean that we have to drudge along in corporate default mode; we can shape the world we live in. Europeans have been doing this since WW2 (the big one).
I’ve been with verizon for many years because I have felt their service was the best. Now I see that their customer service includes ripping off the customer with a rediculous extra fee in addition to the already high cost of having a cell phone. Cell phone companies bleed us dry with fees for every little thing and charge unreasonable prices for their accessories if you buy then in their store. It would seem that would be enough without adding insult to injury. It’s so sad that customer service means getting the customer’s money instead of treating the customer right. Reminds me of banks.
I have been living with out a cellphone,and cable for 2 years, and i love every second of it. I only have a Mac mini, a 52 inchs TV and a magicjack it only cost me 0:00 dollar a month
Not that I’m a fan of government intervention into everything, but this is just the worst of all industries. Since they use collusion on these atrocious fees (moving in “lockstep”), there is no way out and that is when the government needs to step in. Otherwise, these pirates basically “own” you. Some legislator needs to make every cell user in America happy by slamming these companies with some stiff limitations. I can’t think of a better way to ensure being elected.
Verizon is charging this much because they are getting the much anticipated Droid phone in November and the Palm Pre in January. They want to make a buck off of those customers who would be switching or upgrading their phones. This is a rip off!! ATT & Sprint better not follow suit because I will be very pissed off!!
Just saw Eve’s post about cell companies making very little or even losing money on phones and needing the ETF.
I’m for fairness all around. Companies have to make money, too.
Making the ETF decrease with each month is a great idea. I’m sure the industry lobbyists will kill any thought of that for a couple of years to allow millions more to flow from our pockets to theirs.
What we need is tough-minded FCC/FTC oversight, that will punish cell companies for abusive practices.
It’s just the facts, first get them addicted and you control their lives. Second, once their in your control what you charge is your domain.
You wonder how this happens to people? Lobbyists and politicians are the perfect mix for fraud and corruption.
You want to communicate on your terms not theirs so call when and only when necessary, drop the stupid texting, leave the games to your computer or game pod.
Think 360 before you buy or commit.
We have given CorpGov permission to rule our lives, until we say NO it’s our own fault.
Hello George McGrath,
I don’t recall granting corporations and the government permission to rule my life. Those liberties were already eroded by the time I got here. Personally I don’t think it’s our fault. I think it’s the corporation’s fault for being greedy. The government’s fault in failing to regulate. The only fault the average citizen has is wanting a communication device without dancing terms and conditions that ask for your first born.
How do you punish cellphone companies?
Verizon is charging this much because they are arrogant and think that because they are popular people will overlook the ETF. Tell them “NO” and go somewhere else. I guarantee that will get their attention.
Stop crying if yoy use the cell phone the way it should be,(for Emergency only) if you want all the gadget and want to live above your means hay than you deserve it, ceck your pokets before you mouth off on it, they don’t have a knife to your troth wen you sign the contract if you want the service you have to pay for it!
Cell phones are not meant to be strictly emergency only. If you want an emergency only phone, get the Jitterbug or something. My cell phones are cheaper than a house phone and so much more convinient. If I am not at home and I get a call about an appointment or needing something for home, I’d rather know while I’m out so I can save gas. I spend more in gas a month than my cell phone bill..
C.A.C,
Amazing, truly amazing! Emergency use only? Please join the 21st century. Telecommunications for personal and business activities have advanced well beyond an emergency only use for quite some time. Oh and as for the knife at the neck I would argue that yes they do. All have high fees and usually require a long term contract of 2 years. Of course you could switch to Cricket, Boost Mobile, or some other limited or low coverage area network for a service plan without contracts and about $50.00 a month. However, I’ve heard the service and support for these companies is pretty bad (just Google it).
Walmart just announced 45.oo a month prepaid plans no contract and they use the Verizon network as their srvice. Also includes ulimitd text and internet. The service is called straight talk
Never tried with Verizon. have been with everybody from att to centinal. Found prepaid the way to go get way more for less if you dont go with prepaid from a major carrier such as att,alltel..ect boost isnt bad siganl seems to be better than att or sprint.
Must the only two real service providers in America be completely out of it?
AT&T always hits its customer with dollar-here-and-there charges, when I had them I had to call in and get stuff taken off every month for them over billing me.
Verizon now has the highest fees of anyone.
The “local” providers are nothing more than resellers of the larger networks services. This is near monopoly and I have no doubt that these companies all collude.
The early termination fees are the very reason why I refuse to have a cell phone. I got stuck with the early termination fees when I realized that the cell phone I got was not such a good deal after all. I won’t have one, not until some drastic changes are made, such as not being locked in by early contract cancellation, or being hit with another 2 year contract every time you make a change to your existing contract
I agree with you sentiment Cathy. How I wish I could tell T-Mobile where to stick it. However, I require my cell phone for business, but soon I will not and bye bye cell phone!
That should be “your sentiment” not “you sentiment”. Apparently I decided that to completely abandon proper writing syntax today.
I think, judgeing from this series of posts, I might be one of the very few happy Verizon customers out there. I’ve been with them since the old “Air Touch” days. I can honestly say I have had no problems to report, any issue that I’ve had with billing, service etc. have always been corrected on the first call with one exception and then it was taken care of on the second and the compensated me for me inconvience. Everyone on of my contracts have been two years and there was nothing more than $175.00 ETF, but that was something that was not a problem for me. I’ve always in no matter whom I was doing business with made my stance and position clear and believe me it’s to the companies advantage to keep you happy. I’ve heard all the horror stories and have seen them played out with Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile and I wouldn’t change to any of those other companies. What I have seen is that a lot of people live vicariously with their cell phones attached to the sides of their heads,…….somethinggs’ bound to break after a bit of use, not to say that there aren’t devices on the market that aren’t faulty or without flaws, because there are, that’s unfortunatly a part of life. But, for me I will give them two chances to remedy the problem or I have always assured all business avenues whether its cell, internet, credit card etc, the problem will become there’s period.
Let’s face it we all need cell phone service, and are going to pay $50 – $100 per month for it…forever! So here is the question; are you going to continue to complain about it, or “begin to profit from it”?
A little known contract was signed one year ago that allows you to get paid residual income -every month- from the wireless industry!
Watch a 3 minute intro, then if interested, I can give you all the specific details.
Finally, get your piece of this monthly cash machine.
http://www.Residualcellincome.com
I had Alltel, Verizon took over and I now have a constant echo of each word I speak on any call placed to a landline phone. I have had three (3) Trouble Tickets established without any results what-so-ever. The phone signal is breaking up. My phone is out of contract but I am waiting until the other two (2) phones on the account end their contract. I will say good bye.
My Verizon phone crapped out. Six months left on my contract. They won’t replace the phone ansd won’t cancel my contract while waving the ETF. The phone is unuseable but I still have to pay on the contract for six more months. I have a solution, though. NET 10. Basic, simple phone for $25.00, $30.00 for 60 days of service and 300 minutes. No cotract, no fees. Works for me. Bye Verizon.
I’m so glad we don’t have monopolies in this country, isn’t everyone else?
o you mean like obummer care and obummer car company and soon to come obummer energy and dont forget obummer banking. ya we dont have monopolies,we have change!!!!
Was considering a move over to verizon, looks like they are going the way of the banks(fees) and ripping off the public. they say the economy is down, but its greed pure and simple.
no it’s redistrabution of wealth, in other words they want your money.
This country has been running on greed for the last 30 years. Did you expect them to change? Yea right!!
I’m currently with T-mobile and thinking of either Cricket, Boost Mobile, or simply nothing as a replacement. I have a friend who went with Cricket and had problems with billing clarity and said their customer service was rude. All that I’ve read about Boost Mobile is that their customer service is bad and that text messages are problematic. I’m currently paying about $60.00 a month for 1000 anytime minutes and 400 text messages, which is not much. I really do not want to commit to another 2 year contract for any reason; new phone or plan change.
email me after the 20th of nuvember,
New service will be available nationwide and many other country,
no contracts no fees multyplan, including unlimited everything and prepaid.
Guys, we should move to prepaid phones or metroPcs. I dream for that day when all phone companies with conract scheme will be wiped out of their greed business. !!
i agree..where can i find a decent pre pay plan?
try Virgin moble
Get mad and stay mad. Iencourage people to write/email the senators and crongress men about how strongly they feel about the matter and they are outraged by the fact that the federal government to control these fees.
It looks like the phone companies being nation are able to operate in an unregulated manner on fees like the nationwide banks (BOA, Citi, Goldman Sachs, etc.) have been able to charge userous rates and ever increasing fees for issues that cost the little or nothing.
We need a consumer protection agency that has the power control the fees the phone companies charge. They are interstate commerce and merit federal regulation.
I was a Verizon customer for about 8 years when I relocated from Pittsburgh to Cleveland. I moved right on the lake about 5 years ago and my service completely die out while I got up to my house. I visited a Verizon store and they insisted that it was because my phone was older. They suggested I get a newer phone. I wanted a nice phone and they offered $100 off to reset my policy so I went with that. It turned out I received no reception on the new phone either. I returned to the Verizon store and told them my story and their response was that I would have to pay the early termination fee to get out. After several minutes of trying to explain that I bought the new phone through the advise of their sales representative I eventually had to walk out of the store before I completely lost it. A year after I went to AT&T, Verizon added towers to my area to cover up next to the lake but I will use two empty bean cans and some string before I go back to Verizon. The so called “Customer service” that they say they have is non-existant when you need to get out of a plan regardless if it is due to their inability to provide adequate service.
Their customer service does suck. My wife and I combined accounts and we were told the only change would be in rates. They lied! When I went to change phones, I had was told that since the bill to party was my wife (they wouldn’t bill to both parties) I was told I had to have my wife’s permission to change and she had to come in person. I did lose it. I told them it would be a cold day in hell before I would say “mommy may I” to my wife. We wer told we were equal parties in the agreement and they were lying SOBs. Further, I said I was going to pursue the iasues of consumer with the authorities! I said it loud enough for everyone in a very crowded Verizon stor to hear. After that the manager decided it was time to resolve the problem even though he had refused to at first.
Yhe only reason aI’ve stayed with Verizon is the national coverage since my wife and I travel. I may however have to switch to AT&T to upgrade to the IPhone I want in spite of AT&T’s more limiyed coverage.
I have had Verizon for 15 yrs… but if i can find a better deal…Bye-Bye Verizon..
When I moved from Chicago to Michigan a few years ago, I had my number changed to a local MI number. For some reason this caused an irritating echo on my phone rendering it useless. After several handset changes and hours, literally HOURS spent on the phone with CS, I got to this point:
Me: When I signed the contract, you agreed to give me usable service for a monthly fee Correct?
HIM: Yes.
Me: You have failed to live up to the contract. I would simply like to be let out of the contract. Nevermind the money I’ve spent on peripherals for these phones, I just want out of my contract no ETF.
Him: *long pause* Sir, when you signed your contract, Verizon never said that you WOULDN’T have echo on your phone.
Me: *long pause* There is also no guarantee that my head won’t burst into flames as I’m walking down the street, but I have a REASONABLE expectation that isn’t going to happen!!!
Him: Silence.
Needless to say, I left, paid the ETF and got more than 30 – 40 friends and co-workers to leave. Ironically, I am now in a capacity of purchasing and recommending mobile devices in my company. Again, needless to say, Verizon gets ZERO business from me.
GREAT!!!!!
Verizon is too big for their pants! They need some REAL competition. Whoever said they are getting greedy just like the banks hit the nail on the head. The public needs to find a way to rely less on cell phones. The cell phone monopoly has lock on the American public!
While I agree that Verizon is too big for their pants, it is an unspoke national policy to have land lines go the way of the Dodo bird.
Hence, the cell phone companies need to be regulated like the public utilities they have become.
Write your senators and congressman and let him/her know your feelings.
I do remember when Sprint had no contract/ I had their service as did my sons and mother. After experiencing some coverage problem over a couple of years I had to leave Sprint. They simply said they were sorry to lose me as acustomer but they understood my problem. At that time Sprint was a great company to do business to do business with and I recommended them highly. Sadly, today they have gone to a mandatory service agreement. I think its cost them many potential customers.
I’ve been with Verizon wireless for over 10 years. I was on the fence of whether to renew this year because I found out recently that they lowered the new every two from $100 to $50 and now this increase to $350 early termination fee. Well, that’s insane! Greed over customer service . . . I can see so many people jumping ship now. I can only hope that the other wireless companies can see how much this helps them by having a lower early termination fee rather than getting on the bandwagon.
Want a third-rate cell phone company? Sign up with Verizon. After I did I was told the reason I didn’t have good service was because I had too many trees in my yard. Echo, echo, echo, on the lines is ridiculous, embarrassing, too! Yet, Verizon does nothing. From their first failure of not holding to their free over-night shipping, to their awkward and unfounded limitations on their phones Verizon is the worst of the worst…and I’ve been with AT&T, Cingular, T-Mobile, and Sprint. Of course, when my contract expires, so will Verizon’s time as my cell provider…must be why they need to increase their lock on the consumer. Sucker you in, and then refuse to let you go. People, don’t be that stupid…don’t sign on the dotted line!
I’m glad I read this before I switched to Verizon, I want(ed) the Droid but now I will have to pass for now. I use AT&T which sucks (was so much better when it was Cingular)but I am out of contract and the problem with AT&T is the same greed, their switching all the phones to smart phones which means you pay the sick data plan prices and the phones are overpriced. Greed and racism will destroy America.
Verizon has started to nickel and dime the consumer. I was happy with them for years but am ready to walk. I can’t believe the government hasn’t stepped in to stop the insanity of consumers having to lock into cell phone contracts. Rip off artists….
I agree with you and urge you to write you senators and congressman and demand that congress act since the FCC won’t or can’t.
FIOS doesn’t tell you.. that if you cancel fios bundles even within the provided 15 days that you CANNOT GO BACK to DSL or any other carrier because they dis-abled you copper connection. The only option is to take on a fios product with-out any discounts. And if you don’t like those fees you are S.O.L. no phone, no i-net no service!
If you just get fios internet then they have to keep the copper or if you tell em to leave it, then get the rest turned on later. to be honest if a fiber line goes down youll lose phone, internet and video…best to keep em seperate anyways.
This is exactly why I dont and will never own a cell phone..every company is now totally trying to rip off its customers in one way or another…so much for loyalty. Wont keep em long that way
I agree with the comment re the government stepping in. With such high termination fees (indeed, with any ETFs), the collective effect is to restrict competition where it belongs…on phones, coverage and service and not on ‘contracts’ which border on building monopolies. I, for one, will write the Fair Trade Commission and Congressmen and see what might be done.
Yeah that is what we need is more government intervention. Before you know it the govt will own everything. I agree that Verizon should be stopped – use someone else. If they don’t have customers they don’t have a business.
The Fair Trade Commission deals with international commerces. However do write[email your senators and congressman know how you feel. Further you can let them know that their unaction can be a consideration in how you cast your vote next time.
If this goes into effect, I will be switching to TracFone.
my verizon phone died it will cost $150 to replace it
i went back to tracphone
Good move.
My wife’s phone broke and they told he she had exposed it to excess heat by keeping it in her bra when didn;t have her purse and also that she had voided the warranty because of abuse whas shown by the paint peeling off, It has really made me consider leaving Verizon when my contract is up. The doubling of the ETFs is an added incentive. Brring back the old days of Sprint when you didn’t have to sign a contract. They kept their customers with their service. Too bad its not true today. They too have gone to requiring a contract. What a shame, I’m sure its cost them customers. We now have a choice, between tweedle de and tweedle dum.
I’m shupping around.
For about 10 years ago I had problem with Sprint when I tried to terminate their service.
They are still bugging me now and then when they can find.
Since that I have only been using pay as go service.
Everybody of us should demand our owm terms when we sign up to something. I would not sign up to something I could not terminate in 6 months
Much shorter contracts are a great idea. No longer would be like slaves, locked into a company for an= very long time. They would keep customers by the quality of their service. Quality of service as reason for retaining customers is alien to the industry, hence the high ETFs and long term contracts.
Verizon does it again. Already the worst cell provider in terms of charging for EVERY application- rarely is anything included in their plans. I’ve been with Verizon since 2001, and I spend $205 per month with them. But, enough is enough!
All this about Verizon, it’s not just them. I was with AT&T (phones, satellite TV, DSL) for 20 years. Moved to a small town in east Texas and had no reception on one cell phone, limited on the other. I called and called, they even claimed to send out a crew to check the towers in the area. Heard the same thing from others with AT&T that had the same problem. Their coverage map even showed excellent coverage in this area, NOT at all for me! Yeah, they lock you in too. I was stuck with their service for another year! Luckily, I still had a house phone for the fax machine, had people call me on it. Why are we being so kind talking about cell phones at all? The monthly fees are ridiculus! I finally reached the end of my contract last month with AT&T. Before it happened, I went with Verizon. I talked to a lot of people and there were more happy with Verizon than any other. I actually already had an account with Verizon, had gone with them for internet connection a year before, all that was available where I lived was dial up. No, I am not out in the boonies, only 7 miles north of town! My internet connection with them has been great the whole time! And, now that I have a cell phone with them, I have great reception on phone calls, too. So, just because this article has Verizon in it’s headline, it’s not just about them, all the cell phone companies are doing it, get mad? Yeah, we need to, like someone already posted on “obummer”, good ol’ Obi is not doing anything for the country to make it better, along with his circus of clowns, that is who we need to GET MAD ABOUT!!!
WOW!
How did Obama got in here? How long have we had these problems? The guy come in and has hardly been in office for a year, and he is responsible for Verizon. I guess in the present economic climate, he should FOCUS his energies on phone service! INSANELY RIDICULOUS…And this comes generally comes from people who voted for the Bush-man…Twice!
Praised the IRAQ war, the destruction of the middle class, while favoring corporate profits. Dave and company, get over it:the guy won and is tackling an oodle of problems created before he came in…Is he supposed to wave a magic wand and all will be fine? Let me stop here before I explode!
Yeah Bush may have messed up the middle class but Obama is not only messing up the middle class more but he is extending it to our children’s future and there children’s future as well. All Obama wants is to control everything so he can pay his buddies who helped put him where he is now.
Amazing. They never tire of their rhetoric. Provide a concrete example, or go back to your tea party.
Didn’t think so.
Right on!
Write your senators and congrssman and tell them how you feel about the abusive fees (much like the banks) and the ridiculous long term contracts. If their product is good customers will stay, contract or no contract.
I was with Alltel, there service was ok, but then the take over with Verizon. I can not get out of my contract, even though I hated Verizon. I did not go with them when I took out my contract and now I am stuck it to them for another year…I hate this company..
Take them to small claims cour since they have changed the terms of your agreement.
Don’t ask for damages, just ask for a court orderrequiring Verizon to release you from your contract.
You don’t need an attorney in small claims court in most states.
As an aside, my cousin had Alltell and its service was horrible. She switched to AT&T and got an IPhone. She loves her phone and the service is outstanding.
Ok guys, quit blaming the president we’ve had for only 11 months, and start looking back aways, not all of you are old enough, but it all started in the Reaganomics era, when the big companies were given free reign to monopolize! Free from government intervention! The mantra of the right!
Yeah and the U.S. had some of the most prosperous years ever.
Agree Cindy, everybody seems to have forgotten Reagan’s slogan-tricke down affect…….Well guess what Government is broke, banks went broke, wallstreet is broke, GM and Chrylser are broke and now I am as we.. It trickled down perfectly.
You’re right. Its not President Obama’s doing. The era of not regulating goes way back. Further they got additional leeway from Bush for the spying services they provided him.
If the long term goal of getting rid of land lines nationally is to succeed, then the industry must be brought under control.
I think it is time that consumers take matters into their own hands and boycott these money hungry companies. Verizon doubling the early contract cancellation fee is extortion, pure and simple. Verizon should be boycotted by all consumers. There are plenty of other cell phone companies around to make deals with. Congress and the Obama Administration are complicitous if they allow this practice to continue, simply because someone signs a contract. My suggestion for all you Verizon customers who are dissatisfied with the service that Verizon provides is to simply sign up with a new more reasonable cell provider, cancel your contract with Verizon and do not pay the charges. Make sure you cancel the charge card or bank account that you have attached to the account, then they cannot get their money. What are they going to do, spend 10 times as much in court fee’s. The consumer has to stop this type of UNFAIR trade practice. Remember the Boston Tea Party.
I am already mad!! Where’s our justice system when cell phone companies pull this crap?? I have a prepaid plan with Verizon and they want MORE money after 30 days, even if I haven’t USED all my minutes (and that’s what I paid for, hello!, not 30 DAYS), and they won’t give me a refund if I don’t use my prepaid minutes!!!
911 calls are free…no charge, no plans…what else does one need? Do the same thing we did before cell towers. An added benefit – drivers will live longer.
I see lines, long lines signing up for verizon-lines at mal wart also, even though one third have diabetes, they still shop at mal wart. conclusion. the human race is to blame for everything. sure verizion wire tapped all of us with out warrants, but we were scammed into voteing for the uniter not a diveder. in europe they can teach us a few things about life. we are not educated in school-cant balance a checkbook, much less choose a cell phone company.. consumer reports, said att had the worst service of all. but today some one watching TV will sign up …..verizon wants all your money, can you say one thousand dollars for a early out fee, its coming soon to a store near you.
here in arizona, fifty percent do not have a drivers license, but every one owns a cell phone, even the illegals.
I agree with Anita!!! I was on the fence of whether to renew this year because I found out recently that they lowered the new every two from $100 to $50 and now this increase to $350 early termination fee. Well, that’s insane! Greed over customer service . . . I can see so many people jumping ship now. I can only hope that the other wireless companies can see how much this helps them by having a lower early termination fee rather than getting on the bandwagon.
You’re absolutely right. If acompetitor was smart it would reduce the term of its contracts and have little or no ETF. Their ads could be based on the agrument their their service is good and they don’t need to lock in customers and charge the exhorbitant fees to leave a company. Let customer satisfaction rule, It does in the auto industry and the result has been a much better product. The best wins out and worst loses like Chrysler and GM.
Yeah nobody is to blame but ‘US’ the American people for giving in and not standing up for anything. As long as these big companies see that we’ll take the abuse they’ll keep punching. Its all greed and nothing will change until we change it. You can’t blame presidents they are one person we are billions, a person only has the power that you give them…it makes me cringe to think about this though its a recession and people are getting poorer and poorer but these companies are alienating people even more. Its a domino effect…If we have no money to give then they can’t get any money but the greed for paper has made them stupid and unable to access their common sense. America is tearing itself down instead of building up. Raising prices and cutting jobs instead of lowering prices and adding jobs to keep money flowing. We’re just so deep in this mess its gonna take forever to get out if we ever do….sad
I bought a T-Mobile phone while on vacation. The tech people assured me it would work in my home town and even set me up with a local area code number. When I got within 30 miles of home I lost the signal and couldn’t use the phone! T-Mobile customer service eventually let me out of the 2 year service contract woithout an ETF, but now are pursuing me with a collection agency that wants over $400 in collections fees!! As a result I’m dropping all wireless and internet services and praying for solar flares!
If they let you out of the contract, tell the collection ageny to take a fkying leap and if they don’t tell them you’r going to take legal action. Then, go ahad and file a complaint with your state attorney geberal’s office and with the FCC. What have you got to lose?
i have a net-10 phone . when i brought it i har 300 minutes use them now i have three 300 minutes ,but the company can not get them hooked up i have 6 hr in phone time house unit but they do not seme to have anyone to hook it up of course they are sitting on my money but these 2.00 dollar a hour employes realy have any idea or abilities to fix it thank you i am going to call FCC
The problem isn’t that they are a “monopoly.” The problem is people don’t feel the cost of the phone outweighs the benefit. So the government has no reason to step in (mostly cause they’re getting buku taxes).
I do find it amazing, if the customer choose to leave early, we have to pay them. But they (Verizon) choose not to give us rollover minutes, so why don’t they pay us back for those unused minutes?
Chris thats a good question, Why shouldn’t they either reduce our bill proportionately by the number of unused minutes or give rollover minutes. As we as a nation become totally dependent on cell phones as our sole form of voice communication and internet access, things will have to change dramatically.
Watch out. Verizon is zeroing out prepaid balances. I had over $250 balance in mid-September. I am on autopay and on Sept 17th, all of a sudden my balance was $30. After wading through to a real person at customer service, I was told they have no record of it and my records are not acceptable. This was simply stealing.
Very sloppy. Alway get receipts and save your cancelled checks. Don’t ever truct their recordkeeping.