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AT&T to Raise Early Termination Fee for iPhone and Other Smartphones to $325

dtboice said:
Thats how I got out of my Sprint contract a year early. They raised a fee by 50 cents mid contract.
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This was covered earlier in the thread. However, it doesn't make sense to raise ETF for those with contracts since then you get no ETF.

However, there are many cases where a fee is changed or a new fee as added which gives you a loophole
 
calderone said:
Your points, let's see.

1. Haven't had a dropped call since I have been with them
2. They don't fail to keep the promise until they say "We aren't going to do it." They didn't set a timeline as far as I know.
3. What additional fees?
4. As has been noted, Verizon increased their smart phone ETFs as swell.
5. No one forced you to be their customer or anyone else for that matter. If you felt you needed lube, maybe you should have gone with someone else, no?

But you just had to have that precious iPhone, which outweighs all of the negatives you knew about beforehand. So why whine about it?
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1. I'm glad for you that you haven't had a dropped call. When I got my original iPhone, I, too, did not experience dropped calls. I kept wondering why everyone I knew with AT&T complained about them. This continued through the 3G model. When I bought the 3GS, I started getting dropped calls. The rest of the family had the iPhone 3G and the original iPhone. They, too, started getting frequent dropped calls.
2. BS. There was tethering promised by the end of what year? I forget it's been so long. But AT&T did announce tethering and the time that they said we'd have it is long past.
3. How about the $30 iPhone data plan? Or do you get it for free for being a loyal AT&T customer?
4. Yes they did. Not a perfect world, is it?
5. Been there. T-mobile and Nextel were actually much better with their pricing and termination policy (at least at the time I had them).

And you're absolutely right that I had to have that precious iPhone. Original, 3G and 3GS. Undoubtably I let AT&T do me again when I get the 4G. And yes I knew most of the negatives ahead of time and I'll know then now as well. Why whine? Because I can and if enough people do complain, there's a tiny chance that AT&T might listen and make their service better for their customers.
 
CFreymarc said:
Called cutting your losses. Can't wait to see the consolidated Class Action Suit on this one. So what Bar Member on this forum is starting to collect affidavits?
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Class action suit for what? This doesn't effect you if your a current customer. Only new customers as of june 1st. Funny how no one seems to have a problem with Verizon's ETF which is 25 dollars more.

This biased and flawed logic on this board makes me laugh sometimes
 
Granted, I haven't read all 13 pages, but couldn't raising the ETF mean that the iPhone (as well as potentially other smartphones) could be subsidized heavier rather than just for greed?

By doing that, they want to make sure nobody just buys it and cancels the contract as soon as possible for a huge discount than the MSRP.
 
JediZenMaster said:
I'm backing up AT&T because it works for me. I haven't had many issues with my service. But then im realistic and expect to drop a call or so. Technology is not flawless.

But anyway AT&T works for me and sorry bro if it doesn't work for you. Find the door and use it :cool: But keep in mind since no one actually knows how an iPhone would work on VZW's network you could have a far worse experience.
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regardless what you have to say, your still defending a $325 fee which is outrageous. I want you to understand that. thats the discussion. i dont need all these trivial comments. we are not talking about a few dollars here we are talking about $325 dollars and you push it aside like its garbage. you dont think thats OFF?????????
 
wizard said:
  1. The new fee is for all smart phones moving forward. It is not targetted just at iPhones.
  2. No one is forced to sign the contract.
  3. While everyone is hyped about Verizon, their ETF is actually higher. Plus Verizon is much more of a nickel and dime company.
  4. If you terminate early AT&T will be out a considerable amount of money. There is no doubt here, smart phones are expensive.
  5. You can pay Apple something like $699 for a contract free iPhone if you want.
  6. If you are tired with these fees from AT&T and Verizon there is always Trac Phone. I'm not trying to be funny here because a Trac Phone and an iPad could be seen as bargains and a powerful combo. Very few people actually need all of iPhones features in their pocket.
  7. Other carriers will eventually come but the iPhone built for AT&T might not be compatible. It all depends upon the new iPhone supporting multiple protocols. It is doubtful AT&T is concerned about loosing cutomers. Rather it looks like they are more concerned about loosing money to the EBay resellers. It is a real problem for them.

Those considerations are off the top of my head. In any event people on this forum really have no idea why contracts are used here. If you really think this ETF covers AT&Ts expenses with respect to smart phones you need to go back to school and study some math.
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Sorry but I love your title

"Amayzed at the stupidity demonstrated in this thread. "

LOL I'm pretty "Amayzed" at how stupid people can be to!!

If I had to guess I would say that even if V gets an iphone it will be delayed. Thats good for AT&T bc all of the new customers will be locked in for 2 years. This is all about the Iphone!
 
Bye bye ATT

I'm off ATT this august whether iPhone moves or not...I used to defend ATT, but my service has been on steady decline for years, and I'm now dropping 65% of calls, and I've had it. I know it is location based, and others I'm sure get good enough service, but it isn't working out for me. I've stuck it out long enough, and I've been a customer since long before the iPhone was in town.

Bye bye ATT.

P.S. I'm taking my family with me.
 
can anyone tell me what would be the benefits of an early termination before they raise it, other than the obvious of avoiding the fee raise?
 
msb3079 said:
I apologize ahead of time, but...

Some of you are extremely immature and apparently have no idea how business works. That being said, no one is forcing you to sign a contract with AT&T or buy an iPhone.
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Uhm hello. What do you mean no one? EVERYONE has an iphone and peer pressure is making me get the new one. So don't say no one, because practically EVERYONE is!!
 
I really now think they have seriously F***** themselves over more than all the current unhappy customers to begin with. So much for considering about moving to an iphone at least for me. Currently they had it where for every month you kept service $5.00 was deducted from their etf fee. I was considering maybe going the route of an iphone in July..which at that point my etf would have been just $135.00 which was very dooable and acceptable..now this. EPIC FAIL!!!
 
kevinkt said:
regardless what you have to say, your still defending a $325 fee which is outrageous. I want you to understand that. thats the discussion. i dont need all these trivial comments. we are not talking about a few dollars here we are talking about $325 dollars and you push it aside like its garbage. you dont think thats OFF?????????
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Becuase people seem to be dismissing the fact that VERIZON ALREADY CHARGES 350 DOLLARS FOR AN ETF. So the logic is flawed in the fact that people say it's okay for Verizon but not AT&T to charge this.

And my service works fine so why would i be worryed about an ETF? Just because your service is not what YOU want it to be. Doesnt mean i should be unhappy with mine.

We are are not the collective borg and therefore don't have the same feelings about things alright kiddo? And obviously if 325 dollars is alot of money to you. Then the 350 that VERIZON charges for their ETF should be alot as well Eh?
 
Cinemagic said:
1. I'm glad for you that you haven't had a dropped call. When I got my original iPhone, I, too, did not experience dropped calls. I kept wondering why everyone I knew with AT&T complained about them. This continued through the 3G model. When I bought the 3GS, I started getting dropped calls. The rest of the family had the iPhone 3G and the original iPhone. They, too, started getting frequent dropped calls.
2. BS. There was tethering promised by the end of what year? I forget it's been so long. But AT&T did announce tethering and the time that they said we'd have it is long past.
3. How about the $30 iPhone data plan? Or do you get it for free for being a loyal AT&T customer?
4. Yes they did. Not a perfect world, is it?
5. Been there. T-mobile and Nextel were actually much better with their pricing and termination policy (at least at the time I had them).

And you're absolutely right that I had to have that precious iPhone. Original, 3G and 3GS. Undoubtably I let AT&T do me again when I get the 4G. And yes I knew most of the negatives ahead of time and I'll know then now as well. Why whine? Because I can and if enough people do complain, there's a tiny chance that AT&T might listen and make their service better for their customers.
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1. Which just goes to show that everyone has different experiences.

2. I found no such story. I found articles saying it could be 2009, but nothing definitive. Even so, until they say "We aren't going to bring tethering" what is the point of whining about it? All the pieces are there and there was even new evidence posted here recently.

3. You mean the data that you have buy for all smart phones? What is the point of a smart phone without data? That said, you can call AT&T and have them take the data plan off. I have done it.
4. Did not say it was, but whining about AT&T when Verizon has a higher ETF for smartphones is pretty silly. Especially considering all the fools declaring they will switch to Verizon over this.

5. Been there, yet you are now on AT&T. Whose fault is that?

I doubt AT&T is going to listen to you when others (Verizon) are doing the same things (increasing ETFs, etc). Quite honestly, you have admitted to "letting AT&T do it to you again," it is your fault alone that you have to deal with AT&T. No one held a gun to your head.

You have no right to complain when you know the situation beforehand, yet act regardless. How foolish to buy something and then complain for it to be changed.
 
I think this pretty much confirms Verizon is getting the iPhone...and maybe a different model?

AT & T are clearly threatened.

Also I believe this to be against the law. If you signed up with a specific early termination fee in your contract, it should not be raised during the length of your contract...
 
blindzero said:
Also I believe this to be against the law. If you signed up with a specific early termination fee in your contract, it should not be raised during the length of your contract...
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Once again :rolleyes: As it has been explained IF YOUR A CURRENT CUSTOMER THIS DOES NOT EFFECT YOU. I think that's a clear answer. But i guess there is a denseness in the air today :rolleyes:

Seems like people just want to rag on AT&T for nothing.
 
countrydweller said:
I could be gone in a year, this may convince me to take my $300 a month elsewhere. I suppose the others will follow suit though. I'll wait for a while, watching.
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You pay $300 a month? How?

The thing is, the legislation says it's prorated. So after a year, it would have to be half of what it was at the beginning of the 24-month contract. And there's no way it can be made to apply to existing contracts... could it?
 
JediZenMaster said:
Becuase people seem to be dismissing the fact that VERIZON ALREADY CHARGES 350 DOLLARS FOR AN ETF. So the logic is flawed in the fact that people say it's okay for Verizon but not AT&T to charge this.

And my service works fine so why would i be worryed about an ETF? Just because your service is not what YOU want it to be. Doesnt mean i should be unhappy with mine.

We are are not the collective borg and therefore don't have the same feelings about things alright kiddo? And obviously if 325 dollars is alot of money to you. Then the 350 that VERIZON charges for their ETF should be alot as well Eh?
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So, those "free" and "open" people are getting screwed too.
 
moynihan123 said:
I don't know what half witted elitist planet you com from but $175 is plenty expensive.
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$175 does not cover AT&T's subsidy costs on the hardware.
AT&T wanting to recoup their costs on the hardware if you decide to bail is fair.
That $325 goes down month to month as they recoup the cost of the subsidy, so it's not like you're gonna get hit with a $325 bill 1 year into your contract if you decide to leave.
 
blindzero said:
I think this pretty much confirms Verizon is getting the iPhone...and maybe a different model?

AT & T are clearly threatened.

Also I believe this to be against the law. If you signed up with a specific early termination fee in your contract, it should not be raised during the length of your contract...
Click to expand...

Read it carefully. The higher termination fee is for new contracts (people who get the new phone). The fee is not being raised on existing contracts.


Note - To get a subsidized new iPhone, you will need a new contract (i.e. if you buy the subsidized next gen iPhone when it comes out in June, you will need a new contract and will be subject to the termination fees if you end the contract early).
 
Am I the only one that thinks this more so indicates Verizon may get the iPhone next year?

Think about it, if Apple announces a Verizon iPhone this year, people who plan to switch simply can let their contract run out and get the Verizon one. By changing the ETF starting with the release of the upcoming phone, they can really retain a lot of customers if a Verizon phone comes out next year.
 
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