Toymaster
Premium
join:2001-12-27
Flint, MI
clubs:
 ·AT&T Midwest
| AT&T...? EFT
I saw an flier this afternoon where AT&T will "Pay half of your early termination fee" when you sign up with them and switch. Now I wonder if they would have done this if the pro-rated was not active? I just worry about the ppl falling for this.
And should not the EFT reduction be more vigorous? I think 5USD a month is pathetic.
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Join SETI Now! |
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en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA | I'm sure there's some fine print as well...
It might be 'pay half of your ETF*'
Based on ETF being at already 1/2 of original ETF, and signing up for a specific data/plan + phone.
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Canada = Hollywood North |
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KA3SGM
- -... ...- -
Premium
join:2006-01-17
West Chester, PA
clubs: | And After 2 Years....
Even if you are no longer under a T-MO contract, you pay the Subsidized Fee for a New Phone, PLUS their new $18 "Upgrade Fee".
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"Lithium is no longer available on credit" |
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pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD
 ·Comcast
|  Reminder Everyone!
Don't forget that it is also possible to get cellular service without any ETF whatsoever. Simply paying full price for a phone or going prepaid are 2 of the most common avenues for escaping contracts and ETFs.
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This isn't fair! I was only supposed to hate just ONE presidential candidate! |
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Toymaster
Premium
join:2001-12-27
Flint, MI
clubs:
·AT&T Midwest
| True, but who has the money to pay say 300+ dollars for a brand new shiny phone? With the way the US economy is tanking, I doubt very many of the middle class or lower has that kind of funds just waiting to be used.
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RARPSL
join:1999-12-08
Suffern, NY
| What is the Supposed Function of EFT?
It is my impression that it is supposed to be a reimbursement to the Cell Company for the amount that they subsidize the phone (ie: The difference between the cost to the customer for the phone under a contract and if they buy the phone outright). Thus if it costs me $240 more to buy the phone than go with a 2 year contract, the EFT should be $240 and the reduction should be $10 per month (ie: I should only owe $10 if I cancel after 23 months).
If they want to treat the EFT as a loan against the non-purchase subsidy, then amortize the subsidy and compute it that way with the EFT reductions paying off 1 months interest with the remainder paying down the Premium Amount (ie: Original Subsidy).
This owning a significant amount just prior to the end of the contract is what in the Loan Field is known as a Balloon Payment and is IMO a ripoff - Especially when it is falsely claimed to be a prorated (ie: Full Pay Out) discount. |
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Tallion
join:2002-09-04
Minneapolis, MN | reply to Toymaster
Re: Reminder Everyone!
You said it all right there brother!
I just gotta spend more than I can afford! |
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joebear29
join:2003-07-20
Alabaster, AL | reply to Toymaster
Why do you need a $300 phone? I just bought one from a coworker for $25 that will work great. |
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Toymaster
Premium
join:2001-12-27
Flint, MI
clubs:
·AT&T Midwest
| And I inherit phones from my sister. I am trying to get her S1 now got here PM325 earlier. Not everyone can get hand me down phones. Or have co-workers to get phones from.
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Join SETI Now! |
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dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ
| reply to Toymaster
Re: AT&T...? EFT
said by Toymaster  :I saw an flier this afternoon where AT&T will "Pay half of your early termination fee" when you sign up with them and switch. Now I wonder if they would have done this if the pro-rated was not active? I just worry about the ppl falling for this. And should not the EFT reduction be more vigorous? I think 5USD a month is pathetic. A T & T you want subs that bad? how about paying off the WHOLE ETF!
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When I gez aju zavateh na nalechoo more new yonooz tonigh molinigh - Ken Lee |
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dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ | A TRUE
prorated ETF would be total divided by months remaining. |
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Tarheels Fan
Premium
join:2006-01-05 | Why isn't Sprint Compared?
Aren't they the #3 mobile carrier? |
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benc
Premium
join:2007-06-17
Glen Carbon, IL
·Charter Pipeline
 ·Future Nine Corpor..
·Callcentric
·AT&T Midwest
| One Year Contracts?
How does it work for a one year contract?
Is it still only $5/mo. off for each month you're in the contract, or would it be larger?
I've wondered about this. I have a two-year contract expiring in August. When it does, I'm canceling and I don't think I'll get another mobile right away.
If I feel that I need another one, I refuse to do anything longer than one-year.
The longer the contract, the lessor my ability to give the finger and tell them to go to hell if they tick me off. This is probably why they have the contracts in the first place. |
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joebear29
join:2003-07-20
Alabaster, AL | reply to Toymaster
Re: Reminder Everyone!
www.ebay.com
Can get a decent Verizon phone with charger for less than $40. |
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MJimLay
aka FlexBaud
Premium
join:2004-10-06
Beach Haven
clubs:
·Cox HSI
| ETF? Blah!
I canceled my T-Mobile account about a month ago and I still had over a year left on my contract. I had them for 5 years and told the person that it doesn't work decent in my new home (which I had moved in about a year ago)
He asked for the address, and said he would waive the ETF if I fax them a copy of a utility bill. So I sent them my water bill and boom.... done 
T-Mobile is alright, but it's useless for me if it doesn't work decent at home. HotSpot@Home is a no go as I need a Windows Mobile Device. |
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ttiiggy
Premium
join:2001-03-27 | ETF
Why does their graph end up at $50?
Isn't it $0 at 24 months? |
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meister_sd
Premium
join:2006-01-29
La Mesa, CA
| reply to pnh102
Re: Reminder Everyone!
said by pnh102 : Simply paying full price for a phone or .... I tried this with T-Mobile. I have a Treo 650 unlocked and asked them, do I still need a 1 or 2 year contract if I already have a phone. She said yes and the lowest contract they had was 1 year.
I used to be a sub agent a long time ago and I've never seen a new signup that didn't require at least one year commitment. The one thing I kept telling them is, if I like your service - I'll stay with you. I originally signed up with Cingular and had some problems but not many. Ever since ATT got ahold of them, my reception has gone downhill - and that makes no sense. Been with them 5 years and I think it's time to go. The bad thing is I want to go to T-Mobile, but since they don't want to play like the other kids, I don't think I will.
Pre-paid is another way and another conversation. |
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Jolene987
@comcast.net | ETF
$5.00 a month isn't a lot but it's something. If you decide to cancel 18 months into your contract your looking at saving $90.00 if you don't like it then when you cancel pay the entire etf. |
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pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD
·Comcast
| reply to meister_sd
Re: Reminder Everyone!
said by meister_sd :I tried this with T-Mobile. I have a Treo 650 unlocked and asked them, do I still need a 1 or 2 year contract if I already have a phone. She said yes and the lowest contract they had was 1 year. Shrug. AT&T offers "no commitment" pricing for its phones. But as for T-Mobile, just buy an unlocked phone off ebay put your SIM in it.
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This isn't fair! I was only supposed to hate just ONE presidential candidate! |
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Mr Matt
join:2008-01-29
Eustis, FL
·Comcast
·Embarq
| reply to ttiiggy
Re: ETF
said by ttiiggy :Why does their graph end up at $50? Isn't it $0 at 24 months? I asked myself the same question. I believe the reason is that they have the customer by the calls. The customer should not have to pay a $50.00 ETF if they disconnect their service one day before their contract expires. I also ask myself why the wireless carrier locks the phone and claims that it belongs to them. When the phone stops working the wireless carrier claims it is yours and that it is your responsibility to pay the cost to repair it. |
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