openbox9Premium
join:2004-01-26
japan
kudos:2 | reply to GeoStar
Re: Ridiculous Reporting said by GeoStar: which of the big three do you work for ? Why is that always the response when someone provides a splash of reality? If you don't like the terms of a contract, don't sign it. It really is that simple. Furthermore, why is it such a stretch to believe the costs are going to increase for subs when ETFs are squeezed? The carriers aren't going to eat the hardware costs and potential loss of revenue. |
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 jmn1207Premium
join:2000-07-19
Ashburn, VA
kudos:1 | I think the issue is that the ETF's are not fair and that they are way too high to justify the amount being used simply to recover costs.
The problem is that the consumer has no choice but to either accept the contract, or completely go without any acceptable service at all. When 99% of the customers either don't understand or are too apathetic to care about the contract details, the only real option for those of us that do care is to have some entity with some legitimate power step in and assist.
This is the rational response to not signing the contract. The consumers are responding in the best way that they can. If you think it is an easier task to remove ignorance and apathy from millions of people, you might be able to justify your solution of simply not signing the contract.
Those people that don't agree to the contracts, but see no viable alternative service, are trying to get help. If the ETF's are legitimate and necessary, then the carriers should be able to prove this, and the consumers will have to continue to agree to the current terms or do without the service completely. Having a smattering of savvy shoppers not sign a contract and go without service is not going to do a damn thing to correct the situation. |
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 elwoodbluesElwood BluesPremium
join:2006-08-30
HarperLand
 ·Cybersurf Intern..
| reply to openbox9
said by openbox9:said by GeoStar: which of the big three do you work for ? Why is that always the response when someone provides a splash of reality? If you don't like the terms of a contract, don't sign it. It really is that simple. Furthermore, why is it such a stretch to believe the costs are going to increase for subs when ETFs are squeezed? The carriers aren't going to eat the hardware costs and potential loss of revenue. The problem lies in the hardware costs. Is the cost of the hardware being properly valued? With an Iphone I can check the "retail price" against the wireless carrier, but not so much for other phones.
So what stops a carrier from saying that the Motorola XYZ Super Duper Smart phone is worth $3000 but we're going to sell it to you for $200 with a 3yr contract?
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No, I didn't. Honest... I ran out of gas. I... I had a flat tire. I didn't have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn't come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from out of town. Someone stole my car. There was an earthquake....... |
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openbox9Premium
join:2004-01-26
japan
kudos:2 | reply to jmn1207
said by jmn1207:I think the issue is that the ETF's are not fair and that they are way too high to justify the amount being used simply to recover costs. Is that true in Canada? It's not true with VZW (not sure about other US carriers). VZW charges a $350 fee for "advanced devices", prorated by $10/mth of contract fulfilled. Buy an iPhone for $199 on a 2-yr contract, then turn around and break the contract on day 15. Your total cost for a 16 GB iPhone 4S that retails at $649 is ~$539, excluding a month of service ($199 contract price + $350 ETF - $10 prorate). You're $110 ahead of buying the iPhone at retail. Buy the same iPhone and honor 23 months of a 24 month contract, and the iPhone 4S will cost you $319, excluding monthly service charges. Turn around and sell if for a couple hundred bucks and you aren't taking that much of a hit.
said by VZW Customer Agreement : 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 after November 14, 2009, your Early Termination Fee will be $350 minus $10 for each full month of your contract term that you complete. |
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openbox9Premium
join:2004-01-26
japan
kudos:2 | reply to elwoodblues
said by elwoodblues:The problem lies in the hardware costs. Is the cost of the hardware being properly valued? With an Iphone I can check the "retail price" against the wireless carrier, but not so much for other phones.
So what stops a carrier from saying that the Motorola XYZ Super Duper Smart phone is worth $3000 but we're going to sell it to you for $200 with a 3yr contract? A good place to begin I guess would be the MSRP. If the disparity between the carriers/retailers prices and the manufacturers' suggestions are large enough, then that should raise eyebrows. |
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