1 edit | Anti-Consumer There is not much more to say other than this is an incredibly anti-consumer move. My opinion is that all ETFs are so, but society has allowed that to happen. Under some circumstances I can understand the "need" for an ETF, but there are MANY more circumstance for NOT having them. This action is just a further extension of many injustices we endure today from 'papa corporation'.
Are there more important things going on in the world to complain about? Yes!
We should, however, not accept these small "defeats". Every year it's another little concession on the part of consumers. It just doesn't stop. Hooking up the service is simply a cost of doing business with the customer. If Verizon isn't willing to dig a trench and wire a house to get their basic fee, then they shouldn't offer service at all ( which is what they've done in many areas thus far. ). What this ETF is doing is adding insult to injury. What is our government regulators doing right now to protect the consumer? Certainly not keeping things like this from happening!
During the past decade this whole market segment has gone from being an affordable and life enhancing option for consumers to being an unaffordable yet increasingly necessary tool for us in our daily lives. If Verizon gets away with this, look for the other big boys to follow... |
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 jester121Premium
join:2003-08-09
Lake Zurich, IL | So don't sign up -- the ETF for non-customers is $0.  |
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| LOL. I won't... That's NOT the point. |
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XJakeX
join:2005-03-05
Coventry, RI | reply to jjeffeory
--increasingly necessary tool--
FIOS is an increasingly necessary tool? I'm sure that's not what you meant, although that's how it seemed to come out.
Maybe you meant that Internet service is an increasingly necessary tool. That argument could certainly be made. But the triple bundle certainly isnt, and TV in general certainly isn't. Paying for 300 channels when you watch at most 8 or 9 on a regular basis and maybe up to 16 total, defintately isn't.
All the rebroadcasting services are uncontrolled oligopolies, and in some cases and areas, monopolies. While EFTs are certainly justified for expensive installations (my neighbor's triple play bundle took 8 hours to install, and he never did get his free 19" TV), these companies need some serious regulation.
The FCC has abandoned the consumer, and I have simply chosen not to participate any longer. I get 26 channels, many of them in HD, for free over the air, with a 30 year old rooftop antenna, and have no intention of ever going back. |
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| Sorry it came across that way. Yes, I meant internet service is an increasingly necessary tool.
TV is not necessary, but everyone is pushing triple/quadruple play, so it's been lumped into my rant.
Look, Fios is a wonderful service. It's just a tad expensive these days. I really just have a problem with companies that treat their customers this way. It's very heavy handed and reeks of bad will. I've always had problems with ETFs, especially when they're really not about churn or any of the reasons stated... We've seen the problem with cell phones. You bring your own phone, yet still need to have an ETF in your plan because it's "standard" and they do not negotiate contracts on a case by case basis. I see the slippery slope coming down the pike. It's scary. |
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| reply to jester121
said by jester121:So don't sign up -- the ETF for non-customers is $0. You ever heard of something called `consumer rights`? |
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XJakeX
join:2005-03-05
Coventry, RI | reply to jjeffeory
I have no problem with EFTs for cell phones either. As long as theri terms are clearly spelled out up front.
When they give you a phone for practically nothing, and ask for a 2 year commitment to defray the cost of the phone, that's fine. If you leave early, you should pay a prorated eft based on the number of months left.
Once again, this practice should be regulated, and specified how it works for all carriers, with exceptions for certain circumstances.
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jester121Premium
join:2003-08-09
Lake Zurich, IL Reviews:
 ·voip.ms
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said by sonicmerlin:said by jester121:So don't sign up -- the ETF for non-customers is $0. You ever heard of something called `consumer rights`? I have; it's the right we still have to NOT become customers if we don't like the terms of the business relationship. It's how adults do things, until they becoming whining sniveling child-like brats who need the government to hold their hand and protect them from the big bad evil corporations. |
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1 edit | No, 'consumer rights' isn't a take it, don't take it proposition ( *lookup 'The Right to Choose Freely'). It something that is supposed to help protect the consumer from usury and uneven bargaining positions because they're not lawyers and don't have endless pockets of money to throw at issues like a corporation and their legal department does...
Look, I'm NOT anti-corporation, I'm simply interested in "fair" treatment for consumers & corporations. I think balance is the best option long term for a healthy mark for both sides to exist. We're currently in a cycle where business are going a bit too far and we need to stop it. Again, this is not about taking it or leaving it as you think. It's not that black and white. And thanks for insulting everyone who reads this forum and doesn't agree with you, Joker... 8-) I realize there's a bunch of crap going on right now, but adults are supposed to be mature enough to "play nice" and try to have intelligent discussions. |
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