Verizon Fee Free Termination

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Does anyone believe that text messages are suddenly becoming more expensive for wireless companies to transmit? If anything, technology is making this cheaper and cheaper. But Verizon is joining Cingular and Sprint in increasing its text message rates.

Verizon is sending its subscribers notices that it is increasing fees for text messages by 50%, to 15 cents per message. In doing so, Verizon is offering its subscribers a “Get out of Contract Free” card. If you already have a text message plan, you can’t use this loophole.

According to Verizon fine print:

WE CAN ALSO CHANGE PRICES AND ANY OTHER CONDITIONS IN THIS AGREEMENT AT ANY TIME…. IF YOU CHOOSE TO USE YOUR SERVICE AFTER THAT POINT, YOU’RE ACCEPTING THE CHANGES. IF THE CHANGES HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON YOU, HOWEVER, YOU CAN END THE AFFECTED SERVICE, WITHOUT ANY EARLY TERMINATION FEE, JUST BY CALLING US WITHIN 60 DAYS AFTER WE SEND NOTICE OF THE CHANGE.

To end the “affected service without any early termination fee:”

• Politely but firmly, read the customer service rep the terms of your contract, which promises that “just by calling us” you can avoid the ETF, since Verizon is no longer following your original agreement. Verizon is in no position to tell you what in your situation qualifies as a “material” adverse effect. The hike will cost you more; that’s adverse; that’s all they need to know.
• If you are unsuccessful after taking a few cracks at customer service, file official complaints with the FCC and your state Public Utilities Commission. A call from one of these sluggish but powerful regulatory beasts is often enough to spur the company into action.
• In order to port your current phone number, it’s better to get customer service to place a notation in your file that you can cancel without an Early Termination Fee than it is to cancel right away. Once you have the new carrier lined up, let the porting begin!

Howard Forums is a great discussion board for all things cell phone, with lively commentary including rants from disgruntled sacked wireless employees, tips on getting the best cell phone plan and free wireless Amber Alerts.

Death of a Fee: Prison phone monopoly scam update: New York has cut its prison phone rates by over half, curbing the shameful practice of Verizon Business (formerly MCI) enriching itself at the expense of inmates’ families. For many years, the company had exploited its monopoly power by billing 630% above market rates to its captive market; now the rates are still high, but less likely to cut prisoners off from their families. We hope other states take notice.

What is your Fee of the Week? E-mail us at the Hotline.