So after I had posted about switching over to ATT, my man David Vo tells me that it only applies to NEW Customers from November 2, 2008! ARGH! So that means I still have to pay $200 for an Early Termination Fee, buy an iPhone and get charged with an activation fee with ATT. Miss Minh then tells me that AT&T also has this thing where when the Nights and Weekends starts for AT&T, and you're actually calling MOBILE TO MOBILE, instead of charging the minutes M to M, the minutes applies to N's and W's. How dumb is that?!? It's obviously tougher for long distance couples to deal with this dilemma because they do alot of talking during the Nights and Weekends.
So what should I do? Pull out some extra cash and pay for the new iPhone with activation, etc. Or should I just stick with sprint until next year when I can "possibly" get prorated on my ETF. *sigh*. I'm paying $99 bucks with sprint right now with unlimited everything. Minutes, Data, Texting, etc. Going to AT&T would probably cost about the same, but I then get an iPhone to play with. Do I need it that bad? Tough decision to make. What to do, what to do.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
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11 comments:
Wow, your post looks exactly like something I'd write. My Sprint contract is up next March. I've been waiting for ages for this ETF prorating, all to find out that it only applies to new customers. Way to go Sprint (again)! Just yesterday I finally decided "Screw it. Screw Sprint. I want my iPhone." I think I'm going to go switch this weekend.
If you're in California, a judge has struck down Sprints Early termination stuff as illegal and ordered them to pay back customers. ETF is going away soon. I've been a sprint (and nextel) before that since 2000. So when Sprint bought Nextel, to switch from a nextel phone to sprint phone I had to go for another 2 years! I was already a customer they just 'bought'. Also, anytime I made a change to my contract (more minutes, add internet), bam, another 2 years! I finally got fed up and cancelled and got my iphone. I'm refusing to pay the ETF and I don't care what 'scare tactics' they try. I'm not alone, Sprint is bleeding customers and this is one of the many reasons.
It sucks that I'm not in California. From what I've researched on, I would still be receiving a bill from Sprint in Texas since I am still under contract.
Setup a google alert for 'sprint early termination'. I think you'll find ways to get out. I've seen people get out because Sprint made changes to their contract. For example, Sprint changes phone rates all the time. Why do they get to make changes but when we want to change something, its another two years?
Alex, what do you mean when you say make a google alert for ETF? I'm planning to go today to sprint and see what's up with my contract. I've been with them for 13 years. I don't even know what I'm under contract for. What would the google alert do?
Google alerts (http://alerts.google.com) is how I came across this blog. I've had a Google alert set up for "sprint early termination prorate" for a while, because I knew a year ago they'd said they'd start prorating. In all the alerts I've received since the prorating finally started, I saw that the lawyer who won the California suit has opened up a federal level class action for the same. I personally doubt he'll win that one (the CA one is even still on appeal), and I'm not waiting for that to dump Sprint.
There are two "easy" ways to get out of your Sprint contract without an ETF:
1. They change the terms of your contract. (Been a long time since this happened, to me.)
2. You move out of their coverage area.
A lot of folks have done #2, by just calling in and saying they're moving to an area not covered as shown on Sprint's coverage maps (ie. even though they aren't). I decided I don't want to commit fraud, so I'm going to eat the $200.
I paid them $50 and I'm refusing to pay any more. I've been with Sprint/Nextel since 2000 so I don't feel like $200 is fair. Consequences be damned.
My personal belief is that Sprint will lose the case or settle. They can keep sending me bill notices all they want, I keep sending back letters disputing their case. In my opinion I think I can delay not paying until the cases are settled and I'll be vindicated.
The funny thing is I had no problems with the phone service, but the way they 'squeezed' me for money with unfair practices, they've earned the privilege of never getting my business again. They're so famous for this I even saw a comedian on TV mention he had to give up his first born child when he made a contract change on his Sprint service.
I laugh at how companies continue to make these mistakes by treating their customers bad. Yes you can get away with some short term $, but long term it never works, Sprint is in trouble. Like I said, they are bleeding customers. Look at the stock, a year ago it was in the low $20s, its $1.50 today.
Good luck on your fight.
Thanks for all the feedback guys (girl?) lol. I'm getting ready to go do the deed. I'll let you know how it goes!
Hey guys...
So I went to Sprint to ask about getting out of my contract because I was "moving out of the country (Asia)" for a job. The rep says we can't do anything here. You have to call customer care and talk to account management. So I drive to ATT store, sit in the car and then call customer care. I tell them my BS story and they said we can waive the fee if you provide us with some proof of residency/Drivers License/Name on utilities bill. I tell them that my company is paying for all of that and I want to get my paper work done now and not have to worry about it over there because I'll be too busy. They then said...we'll close your account and the fee will be waived when and if you can provide any type of documentation with contact information and address. They gave me a fax number and direct extension to their phone and told me to get back to them when possible. I went ahead and ported my phone number and bought the iPhone. I'm going to get that waived somehow. I can do alot with $200.
Looks like they've gotten wise to that trick. Good luck - let us know if you ever get it waived.
Well, you inspired me. I'm planning on going to the Apple store tonight, to do the deed.
Che, I'm surrounded by people with iPhones and I haven't heard may complaints if there are any. The only bad things IMO (in my opinion) are...
1. Expensive plans. (Go with family plan of 3 or more to get your money worth.)
- Approx $100 a month individually
2. depending on your age, not many people are on the ATT service. So you may need more Anytime minutes than usual. But I'm 29 now, many people around me are switching over to ATT now so there's more within network calling.
3. Accessories and apps get expensive without you realizing it!
Good luck and let me know how you like it. I love mine so far. But i've always been a techy type of guy. It helps that my fiancee is the same.
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