Toymaster Premium Member join:2001-12-27 Flint, MI |
AT&T...? EFTI 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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| en102Canadian, eh? join:2001-01-26 Valencia, CA |
en102
Member
2008-Jun-27 6:33 pm
Re: AT&T...? EFTI'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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| dvd536as Mr. Pink as they come Premium Member join:2001-04-27 Phoenix, AZ |
to Toymaster
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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| | Toymaster Premium Member join:2001-12-27 Flint, MI |
Re: AT&T...? EFTThey probably will not pay it off no matter the circumstances...but I still think the drop off should be more vigorous. | |
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K3SGM- -... ...- - Premium Member join:2006-01-17 Columbia, PA |
K3SGM
Premium Member
2008-Jun-27 6:34 pm
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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pnh102Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty Premium Member join:2002-05-02 Mount Airy, MD |
pnh102
Premium Member
2008-Jun-27 7:28 pm
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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| Toymaster Premium Member join:2001-12-27 Flint, MI |
Re: Reminder Everyone!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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| | Tallion join:2002-09-04 Minneapolis, MN |
Tallion
Member
2008-Jun-27 10:54 pm
Re: Reminder Everyone!You said it all right there brother!
I just gotta spend more than I can afford! | |
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| | joebear29totesmcgoats join:2003-07-20 Alabaster, AL |
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 Member join:2001-12-27 Flint, MI |
Toymaster
Premium Member
2008-Jun-28 12:54 am
Re: Reminder Everyone!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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| | | | joebear29totesmcgoats join:2003-07-20 Alabaster, AL |
Re: Reminder Everyone!www.ebay.com
Can get a decent Verizon phone with charger for less than $40. | |
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| meister_sd Premium Member join:2006-01-29 La Mesa, CA |
to pnh102
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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| | pnh102Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty Premium Member join:2002-05-02 Mount Airy, MD |
pnh102
Premium Member
2008-Jun-29 9:23 am
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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| | EPS4 join:2008-02-13 Hingham, MA |
to meister_sd
Salespeople get larger commissions for contracts, so you may have to do some arguing before they let you on without one depending on who you get. | |
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RARPSL join:1999-12-08 Suffern, NY |
RARPSL
Member
2008-Jun-27 9:44 pm
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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dvd536as Mr. Pink as they come Premium Member join:2001-04-27 Phoenix, AZ |
dvd536
Premium Member
2008-Jun-28 1:35 am
A TRUEprorated ETF would be total divided by months remaining. | |
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RVAguy Premium Member join:2006-01-05 Richmond, VA |
RVAguy
Premium Member
2008-Jun-28 7:39 am
Why isn't Sprint Compared?Aren't they the #3 mobile carrier? | |
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Ben Premium Member join:2007-06-17 Fort Worth, TX |
Ben
Premium Member
2008-Jun-28 7:41 am
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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MineCoast Premium Member join:2004-10-06 Pensacola, FL |
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 Member join:2001-03-27 Bozeman, MT |
ttiiggy
Premium Member
2008-Jun-28 10:01 am
ETFWhy does their graph end up at $50? Isn't it $0 at 24 months? | |
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Re: ETFsaid 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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Jolene987
Anon
2008-Jun-29 2:56 am
$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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tc1uscg
Member
2008-Jun-29 12:10 pm
I've always felt the plans should cost the same but if you wanted a phone and not enter a contract. PAY FULL PRICE. Any moron can do the math. Don't mind being in a contract? Get a cheap or free phone and be stuck. Though I applaud the providers trying to keep the FCC out of it by coming up with their own ETF plans, this wouldn't be a issue of people who want a treo this month, to pay the 500.00 for the phone and 2 months later, want a different phone or want to jump ship to another provider. IT's pretty simple but as idiots we all are, we expect a free phone (as it's a god given right) and cheap to nothing cost for the service. And the first time some CSR doesn't bow down to lick our feet, we start a website telling people how bad they are, yada yada yada.. No one is going to admit it but thats pretty much the way it is. We are SO American. | |
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