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Cellular forums Home > Archive > Verizon wireless > February 2006 > Bogus "Early Termination" Fees?
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| Author |
Bogus "Early Termination" Fees?
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| Hi!
When I dropped Verizon for Cingular, Verizon hit me with a $175 Early
Termination Fee. I haven't gotten a new phone from them in over two
years. Verizon claims a rate plan change last year clicked a new
1-year contract, but rate plan changes have never done that in the past.
I'm not even sure I did a rate plan change last year.
Any one else have this happen?
How can I contest this charge, other than by refusing to pay it (and
risking credit report damage)?
Thanks!
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| Mike T. 2006-02-15, 5:48 pm |
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<Steve> wrote in message news:11v74kgi9cng213
@corp.supernews.com...
> Hi!
>
> When I dropped Verizon for Cingular, Verizon hit me with a $175 Early
> Termination Fee. I haven't gotten a new phone from them in over two
> years. Verizon claims a rate plan change last year clicked a new 1-year
> contract, but rate plan changes have never done that in the past. I'm not
> even sure I did a rate plan change last year.
>
> Any one else have this happen?
>
> How can I contest this charge, other than by refusing to pay it (and
> risking credit report damage)?
>
> Thanks!
When I dumped Verizon for cingular (after more than 2 years with verizon),
Verizon tried to charge me a $175 per line early termination fee. I never
changed my rate plan while I was a Verizon customer. I raised holy hell,
and they agreed very reluctantly not to charge the ETF. How nice of them.
Bastards. -Dave
| |
| Special Ed 2006-02-15, 5:48 pm |
| <Steve> wrote in message news:11v74kgi9cng213
@corp.supernews.com...
> Hi!
>
> When I dropped Verizon for Cingular, Verizon hit me with a $175 Early
> Termination Fee. I haven't gotten a new phone from them in over two
> years. Verizon claims a rate plan change last year clicked a new 1-year
> contract, but rate plan changes have never done that in the past. I'm not
> even sure I did a rate plan change last year.
>
> Any one else have this happen?
>
> How can I contest this charge, other than by refusing to pay it (and
> risking credit report damage)?
>
> Thanks!
Ask them to show you a new/extended contract. If they can't, tell them to
stuff it (politely, of course).
Edw.
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| The Ghost of General Lee 2006-02-15, 5:48 pm |
| On Wed, 15 Feb 2006 12:43:58 -0800, Steve <Steve> wrote:
>Hi!
>
>When I dropped Verizon for Cingular, Verizon hit me with a $175 Early
>Termination Fee. I haven't gotten a new phone from them in over two
>years. Verizon claims a rate plan change last year clicked a new
>1-year contract, but rate plan changes have never done that in the past.
> I'm not even sure I did a rate plan change last year.
>
>Any one else have this happen?
>
>How can I contest this charge, other than by refusing to pay it (and
>risking credit report damage)?
>
>Thanks!
Have you inquired as to the details of this alleged "rate plan change
last year"?
| |
| Larry 2006-02-15, 11:48 pm |
| Steve <Steve> wrote in news:11v74kgi9cng213
@corp.supernews.com:
> How can I contest this charge, other than by refusing to pay it (and
> risking credit report damage)?
>
>
Did we __SIGN__ any kind of contract last year, or is this some computer
joke?
In order for you to have a CONTRACT....they've got to get your SIGNATURE on
an AGREEMENT. No signature, no agreement, no contract!....problem solved.
If you signed agreeing to pay...you pay.
Don't sign anything!...especially without reading it first, no matter how
much of a damned hurry the sales wienie is in....
Just clicking a few buttons on a Verizon computer DOESN'T make you a slave
or change your OTHER contract you signed....after which you can tell them
to kiss your XXX...(c;
I did...(c;
| |
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| Larry wrote:
> Steve <Steve> wrote in
> news:11v74kgi9cng213
@corp.supernews.com:
>
>
> Did we __SIGN__ any kind of contract last year, or is
> this some computer joke?
>
> In order for you to have a CONTRACT....they've got to get
> your SIGNATURE on an AGREEMENT. No signature, no
> agreement, no contract!....problem solved.
>
> If you signed agreeing to pay...you pay.
>
> Don't sign anything!...especially without reading it
> first, no matter how much of a damned hurry the sales
> wienie is in....
>
> Just clicking a few buttons on a Verizon computer DOESN'T
> make you a slave or change your OTHER contract you
> signed....after which you can tell them to kiss your
> XXX...(c;
>
> I did...(c;
Sure Larry. When you terminated your VZW service were
you under contract? Or did you wait until after your contract
end date like a good boy? You made a lot of noise previously
about how VZW had *never* forced anyone to pay an ETF
but I'll wager you didn't test the claim did you?
And there is such a thing as a verbal agreement. And
there are still some people who have some integrity.
-Quick
-Quick
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| "Quick" <quick7135-news@NOSPAMyahoo.com> wrote in news:FsTIf.57128
$PL5.29472@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com:
> And there is such a thing as a verbal agreement. And
> there are still some people who have some integrity.
>
>
Wow, this boy is QUICK! They pay you to stay online?
I never had a contract with VZW, but know many who did, and didn't pay
because their contract had E-X-P-I-R-E-D!....NO MATTER WHAT THE GODDAMNED
COMPUTER THOUGHT!
Verbal my XXX.....try that in front of the judge....
Noone needs the carrot/stick contract crap. I don't have it with Alltel,
either....or ever.
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| The Ghost of General Lee 2006-02-16, 5:48 pm |
| On Thu, 16 Feb 2006 00:55:20 -0500, Larry <noone@home.com> wrote:
>Noone needs the carrot/stick contract crap.
Would that be Peter Noone?
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| Elector 2006-02-16, 5:48 pm |
|
"The Ghost of General Lee" <ghost@general.lee> wrote in message
news:36r8v1p5efh6qfl
087og9qsucb3n4caomd@
4ax.com...
> On Thu, 16 Feb 2006 00:55:20 -0500, Larry <noone@home.com> wrote:
>
>
> Would that be Peter Noone?
>
That brings back memories, Herman's Hermits!
Elector
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| Steve 2006-02-16, 11:48 pm |
| On Thu, 16 Feb 2006 00:55:20 -0500, Larry <noone@home.com> wrote:
>"Quick" <quick7135-news@NOSPAMyahoo.com> wrote in news:FsTIf.57128
>$PL5.29472@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com:
>
>
>Wow, this boy is QUICK! They pay you to stay online?
>
>I never had a contract with VZW, but know many who did, and didn't pay
>because their contract had E-X-P-I-R-E-D!....NO MATTER WHAT THE GODDAMNED
>COMPUTER THOUGHT!
>
>Verbal my XXX.....try that in front of the judge....
>
>Noone needs the carrot/stick contract crap. I don't have it with Alltel,
>either....or ever.
Verbal contracts are legal...
• Offer: In order to be considered valid, a verbal contract must
contain three elements: offer, acceptance, and consideration. The
person making the offer in a verbal contract must communicate their
intent to enter into a contract. This offer does not extend
indefinitely, and a verbal contract is not considered valid if the
offeror cancels the offer, the offeree rejects the offer, or a
reasonable amount of time has passed. For instance, if a person offers
an item for sale at a set price, the neighbor can not hold him to a
verbal contract for the same item at the same price several years
later.
• Acceptance: A verbal contract is not valid until the offer is
accepted. The acceptance of a verbal contract occurs when the offeree
voluntarily indicates agreement to the terms and conditions of the
offer.
| |
| Bob the Printer 2006-02-17, 2:48 am |
|
"Steve" <noemail@verizon.invalid> wrote in message
news:h8cav19eapn6g0t
7jc36r3tijcaifhd7es@
4ax.com...
> On Thu, 16 Feb 2006 00:55:20 -0500, Larry <noone@home.com> wrote:
>
> Verbal contracts are legal...
Yup, it's as legal as the paper it's written on.....:-)
| |
| shrinking violet 2006-02-18, 2:48 am |
| Currently if you call for a priceplan change, you can expect a 1 y
renewal unless you renewed due to a price pln change withing the last
90 days. This started in February. Previously, you had a 1 year
renewal if the change took advantage of any new promotions or pricing.
What has not changed is that whenever a contract is extended due to a
plan change is that the appropriate paperwork detailing the change in
the plan and contract end date when applicable was mailed and you were
given 30 days from the receipt of that paperwork to change your mind
and go back to a grandfathered plan you must have had previously. Also,
for years Verizon has had a clear disclosure policy with a checklist
itemizing the differences between the plans, how the changes will show
on the bill, any prorations incurred, and any contract changes. You
can call Customer service and they can tell you exactly what plan
change extended the contract. If it extended longer than it should
have (2y instead of 1y or 1y instead of xxx months) that can be
documented and corrected. A 2year contract does require you be sent to
an automated line to accept a 2y contract or a signature. That's
usually for phone upgrades, plan changes are rarely a 2y extension.
| |
| CellGuy 2006-02-22, 11:48 pm |
| On Fri, 17 Feb 2006 02:13:22 GMT, Steve wrote:
> Verbal contracts are legal...
>
> • Offer: In order to be considered valid, a verbal contract must
> contain three elements: offer, acceptance, and consideration. The
> person making the offer in a verbal contract must communicate their
> intent to enter into a contract. This offer does not extend
> indefinitely, and a verbal contract is not considered valid if the
> offeror cancels the offer, the offeree rejects the offer, or a
> reasonable amount of time has passed. For instance, if a person offers
> an item for sale at a set price, the neighbor can not hold him to a
> verbal contract for the same item at the same price several years
> later.
>
> • Acceptance: A verbal contract is not valid until the offer is
> accepted. The acceptance of a verbal contract occurs when the offeree
> voluntarily indicates agreement to the terms and conditions of the
> offer.
How can they prove you verbally agreed to the terms?
Without solid evidence of your agreement no court would uphold a verbal
contract.
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| The Other Funk 2006-02-22, 11:48 pm |
|
"CellGuy" < cellguy@seemessagebo
dy.com> wrote in message
news:uzrvzor8h62k.1gk6dklcbaskr.dlg@40tude.net...
> On Fri, 17 Feb 2006 02:13:22 GMT, Steve wrote:
>
>
> How can they prove you verbally agreed to the terms?
> Without solid evidence of your agreement no court would uphold a verbal
> contract.
Ahhh but you did accept the new terms by continuing to use the service.
The offer is made with some fine print in your bill or other notice sent to
you with the option for you to back out of the offer. That fine print also
states that if you continue to use the service that you agree to the new
fees.
The basic rule to remember is that the large print gives and the smell print
takes away.
You should also keep in mind that Verizon has more lawyers getting paid more
money then you have.
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| Isaiah Beard 2006-02-22, 11:48 pm |
| CellGuy wrote:
>
> How can they prove you verbally agreed to the terms?
If you use the service, then you've basically agreed to the terms. Just
like if you move into a house and pay the owner rent, it's generally
assumed that you've agreed (at least on a month to month basis) to rent
out the place and agree to the landlord's terms.
--
E-mail fudged to thwart spammers.
Transpose the c's and a's in my e-mail address to reply.
| |
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| CellGuy < cellguy@seemessagebo
dy.com> wrote in
news:uzrvzor8h62k.1gk6dklcbaskr.dlg@40tude.net:
> How can they prove you verbally agreed to the terms?
> Without solid evidence of your agreement no court would uphold a verbal
> contract.
>
>
No, no. Cellphone people think they are omnipotent and not subject to
common sense or any rules of law. You are their victim and must do as they
say....
Lilly Tomlin's "Ernestine" is spot on what telephone companies think of
you....(c;
| |
|
| "The Other Funk" <bobie@moondoggie.com> wrote in
news:oz6Lf.36901$dO2.14666@trnddc07:
> You should also keep in mind that Verizon has more lawyers getting
> paid more money then you have.
>
>
Tell that to the jurors. I have a friend who got sued by a huge
corporation. He demanded a trial, much to their dismay, and hired a
smalltime attorney to defend him in court. The big beast sent in 4 lawyers
all dressed up to rake him over the coals. My friend said that 10 minutes
after the initial lawyer attacks by the corp lawyers started, you could see
the looks on the little old ladies faces in the jury box start frowning at
them. Their hatred of big lawyers was more than enough to cause "jury
nullification", just like OJ got. After the fiasco ended, several days
later, my friend walked out of the courtroom and the corp got the bill from
his attorney for the whole time spent on it, awarded by the judge.
| |
| Justin 2006-02-23, 5:48 pm |
| The Other Funk wrote on [Wed, 22 Feb 2006 23:35:48 GMT]:
> You should also keep in mind that Verizon has more lawyers getting paid more
> money then you have.
THAN. It's THAN.
| |
|
| Larry wrote:
> CellGuy < cellguy@seemessagebo
dy.com> wrote in
> news:uzrvzor8h62k.1gk6dklcbaskr.dlg@40tude.net:
>
>
> No, no. Cellphone people think they are omnipotent and
> not subject to common sense or any rules of law. You are
> their victim and must do as they say....
Tin foil hat, Larry. There are a lot of people you'll never see
that *know* what you're thinking...
-Quick
| |
|
| Larry wrote:
>
> Tell that to the jurors. I have a friend who got sued by
> a huge corporation. He demanded a trial, much to their
> dismay, and hired a smalltime attorney to defend him in
> court. The big beast sent in 4 lawyers all dressed up to
> rake him over the coals. My friend said that 10 minutes
> after the initial lawyer attacks by the corp lawyers
> started, you could see the looks on the little old ladies
> faces in the jury box start frowning at them. Their
> hatred of big lawyers was more than enough to cause "jury
> nullification", just like OJ got. After the fiasco
> ended, several days later, my friend walked out of the
> courtroom and the corp got the bill from his attorney for
> the whole time spent on it, awarded by the judge.
Oh, how quaint. Everyone loves a David and Goliath story.
Please, please tell us the one about your ski-doo and the
evil dealer again.
-Quick
| |
| The Other Funk 2006-02-23, 11:48 pm |
|
"Larry" <noone@home.com> wrote in message
news:Xns97734874340F
Anoonehomecom@208.49.80.253...
> "The Other Funk" <bobie@moondoggie.com> wrote in
> news:oz6Lf.36901$dO2.14666@trnddc07:
>
>
> Tell that to the jurors. I have a friend who got sued by a huge
> corporation. He demanded a trial, much to their dismay, and hired a
> smalltime attorney to defend him in court. The big beast sent in 4
lawyers
> all dressed up to rake him over the coals. My friend said that 10 minutes
> after the initial lawyer attacks by the corp lawyers started, you could
see
> the looks on the little old ladies faces in the jury box start frowning at
> them. Their hatred of big lawyers was more than enough to cause "jury
> nullification", just like OJ got. After the fiasco ended, several days
> later, my friend walked out of the courtroom and the corp got the bill
from
> his attorney for the whole time spent on it, awarded by the judge.
>
I'll agree that if you get to trial, you've got a shot. The lawyers I was
referring to are the ones who wrote or reviewed the contract.
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| The Other Funk 2006-02-23, 11:48 pm |
|
"Justin" <nospam@insightbb.com> wrote in message
news:slrndvrkep.13b.nospam@debian.dns2go.com...
> The Other Funk wrote on [Wed, 22 Feb 2006 23:35:48 GMT]:
more[color=darkred]
>
> THAN. It's THAN.
oops.
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