maartena
Super Grover
Premium
join:2002-05-10
Orange, CA
 ·RoadRunner Cable
| reply to pnh102
Re: Why Not Offer A Contract?
said by pnh102  :These kinds of situations would be ideal for cable companies offering contracts. Presuming that this is a private home, a contract could be offered that stipulates that Charter be compensated should the owner sell the house before the term of the contract expires. I think there is a legal loophole that prevents these kinds of contracts.... Although I am not sure, I believe that a contract can never have any penalties if the service cannot be offered.
It's the same with cell phone service, if you move to an address that is not serviced by a cell tower, you can legally and without penalty break the contract, even if it is 2 months old and you got the $300 phone for "free" with a 2 year signup.
Again, I am not entirely sure, but I think there is a law that prohibits companies from selling contracts for service that the enduser cannot get out of, IF the company cannot even supply the service.
In this case, if he would sell the house, move 50 miles into say TWC or Comcast territory, there is no legal way Charter can insist on a penalty. If he however would move into an area served by Charter, he could at least be kept to the contract - at least if there is a "so many years" contract.
Now I am sure there are many different types of contracts, but I am pretty positive the deciding factor is "can the service or product be offered". If yes, you can't get out. If no, you can cancel/get out without penalties. |
