Comments

1 Posted by Morgan Jindrich at 04/09/07 01:01 PM

Tell the FCC to stop broadband companies from charging early termination fees!

2 Posted by Bob F. at 04/09/07 01:14 PM

In addition to charging early termination fees, some ISPs require that you phone or write to cancel service. If you phone, then you're likely to be subjected to a pitch to stay. If you write, then you may have to send a certified letter. There should be a grace period during which no termination fee is required and it should be possible to stop service immediately, even by e-mail request or automated phone request. No one should have to be subjected to a sales pitch or have to trot off to the Post Office to send a certified letter to end a service they don't want any longer.

3 Posted by KathyB at 04/09/07 01:58 PM

I had to pay over 300.00 in earlier termination fees to SBC, because I lost my job and then had to move, and moved to a area that didnot have their service, so I had to pay, how wrong is this, I also had a large fee for my cell phone, because of the same reason, they had no service at mu new address, so it was pay the bill or the fee, for no service at all, how is this a fair deal for anyone, I could see if you change services, but in my case, it was not my fault at all, but they did not care, DOWN WITH SBC/ATT & NEXTEL SERVICES!!!!!

4 Posted by Triss at 04/09/07 03:21 PM

Verizon is a bunch of crooks!!! If you do cancel with them make sure you are cancelled. They like to say you are and then charge you without billing you for 6 months. Then when they have a collection company calling you asking about $1200.00 in debt......you are screwed. I have had this happen to me!!!!! I had another service provider and was very happy with them and then Verizon was pulling this behind my back!

5 Posted by Don at 04/09/07 03:34 PM

Time Warner DOES charge earlier termination fees. They do not tell you when signing up for the service. They inform you by letter after the service has already been established. They also restart the term of the contract every time you alter your service in any way.

6 Posted by Enrique at 04/09/07 04:04 PM

Come on people. Read the fine print. It is not like they try to hide the charges when you sign up for an ISP or wahtever service. If you sign a contract, commit. If you cannot commit don't sign up for the service!

7 Posted by Ed at 04/09/07 04:34 PM

I cancelled my SBC DSL service after 7 months because it was terrible -- having no connection was more common than having a connection. I was charged a $200 fee to cancel my SBC DSL after 7 months of a 12-month contract. The agent I spoke to on the phone did not inform me of the early termination fee, nor did I receive any notice from SBC that I had to pay. Had I not cancelled, I would have paid just $75, so I obviously would have taken the lower price had I known. The next letter I received was from a collection company requesting the $200 -- a collection that was on my credit report before I knew I had it. I tried to fight the charge, but what could I do? I had signed a contract that said I wouldn't cancel early. My argument: they had already broken that contract by not delivering the service I was paying for. This argument didn't fly. I paid the collection agency -- a mistake, because apparently that means I acknowledge that it is a proper charge. I don't know how long this will remain on my credit report but it has already cost me an apartment. I vowed never to do business with SBC again, but I had a Cingular phone, which merged with AT&T, which had merged with SBC. So I can't even avoid doing business with this company!

8 Posted by SS at 04/09/07 04:40 PM

This article is not necessarily providing the ENTIRE truth regarding early termination fees. What it fails to mention is that some ISP's are charged fees by those LEC's (The AT&T's, Verizon's, etc.) that actually own the lines. Those LEC's may charge the ISPs a fee to diconnect a customer when a customer cancels their service. The early termination fee includes this fee in order to cover the costs associated with churning a customer. So, the equipment and LEC termination fee are the primary sources of the fee charged to the customer. No more, no less. The LEC's that own the lines and also providing service to consumers are the ones who might be primarily using an early termination fee to reduce churn. Lumping all providers together is not providing readers with accurate information.

9 Posted by Triss at 04/09/07 05:16 PM

Oh really??? I had fulfilled my agreement and 5 months more and found a better deal! Still after I had called them and was put through all the ringers of trying to discontinue my service it just wasnt enough for them.......so the told me that I was disconnected and to have a nice day! Guess what? I wasnt and was still being charged after I had signed up for Time Warner. Just didnt know it until after 8 months when I had a collection rep calling my house!

10 Posted by Mark at 04/09/07 05:56 PM

It seems like only the phone companies require a contract agreement. Why is this?

11 Posted by David at 04/09/07 06:24 PM

SS is a shill...work for a telecom company some?
These "LECs" recieve revenue from ANY and ALL broadband providers in peering fees. The price per megabyte for providers has STEADILY decreased over the years with no savings trickling down to the consumer which equals a brighter bottom line.
Not ot mention these "LECs" are government subsidized monoplolies..BS on early term fees

12 Posted by Jesse Harris at 04/09/07 06:32 PM

KathyB: It's not legal for ANY cell phone provider to charge a termination fee when you have moved to an area where they can no longer provide service. I would have fought that one tooth and nail had I been you.

As a side note, Qwest and Comcast have been aggressively pursuing contracts in areas of Utah getting UTOPIA service as a way of keeping subscription rates low and sabotaging competition. UTOPIA, for those that don't know, is a muni-fiber project where a quasi-governmental agency acts as a wholesaler of FTTH connections with multiple retailers actually selling the service. Their contracts are anti-competitive in the worst sense of the word.

13 Posted by Bob at 04/09/07 06:43 PM

This is Bob from www.hearusnow.org. I wrote the report.
In response to the posting by SS,I might suggest you go back and read what I actually wrote. I did not lump all ISP providers together, as you state. Quite the opposite. I pointed out that some providers don't charge the fees and some do. In addition, I went to great lengths to verify any specific information with the companies. No more, no less.
That said, I'm not sure why a broadband consumer would care about any of the points you raise. They are being dinged with an early termination fee by their Internet Service Provider. To the consumer, it really doesn't matter whether that fee originated with the owner of the lines or a middleman.
Best Regards,
Bob

14 Posted by Adrian at 04/10/07 04:49 AM

Bob - have u see cellswapper.com? It seems like the perfect solution to all this madness.

15 Posted by Bernie at 04/10/07 01:20 PM

Greed. Everybody does it!!! Why the surprise. What surprises me is that they haven't thought of this before!

16 Posted by laura at 04/10/07 01:58 PM

I have the same story re: ATT&SBC. They tried to charge me the $99 after I moved prior to a year being up on the "contract" duration. I moved to an area where ATT does not provide service. I then rec'd a collection letter for the "broken" contract amount of $99. I wrote a letter disputing it. Never heard from them again. Then I moved back into the service area and needed a phone. ATT wouldn't give me a phone unless I paid the $99. I said I didn't owe it. After talking to 4 people, they agreed to "waive" the charge because the disk they had originally sent me to load the software (and therefore the "contract") was corrupt and I never actually agreed to any length of service. In addition, the service was HORRIBLE. I could rarely get on-line, etc. I don't understand how these companies (Time Warner, ATT, SBC, Reliant Energy, CenterPoint Energy) can stay in business. They are absolutely the most despicable companies and they commit fraud on a daily basis. I mention the utility companies because they are also a nightmare. Thanks for listening.

17 Posted by Fred at 04/10/07 02:48 PM

RE Cablevision: I have such a "bundle" and have no contract and receive no discounts. Their billing is in a state of chaos, and their billing reps are, in general, deplorable. What else can one expect from a monopoly which pays franchise fees to local communities?

18 Posted by James at 04/10/07 04:26 PM

It is in my contract with Hughes satellite.

19 Posted by Nancy at 04/10/07 05:19 PM

It's not a free service or gift if Verizon tries to recoup the money. Those who cancel their service may have done so because of loss of job or transfer. This kind of robbery should not be tolerated. If they need the money so badly, they should charge more for their services.

20 Posted by Bill at 04/10/07 05:41 PM

Enrique raised a foolish issue of reading the fine print of any of their contracts. Foolish because they typically are written in legalese at a post-doctorate level, have limits and exceptions for the content and reliability of the document on their part, allow arbitrary changes in the contract without recourse, they are not responsible for non-service, poor service, failure to comply with the terms of the agreement and above all they are in a monopoly or oligopoly position.

A free and competitive market is what they preach but will not abide.

21 Posted by Luis R. at 04/10/07 06:53 PM

Dmax, the DSL provider from Puerto Rico Telephone Company (PRTC) has always charged termination fees. They have a one-year contract term and they tie the fee to "giving" you the DSL modem/router with the fee. After the contract term is over the router is yours to keep. They charge $50 for the modem/router or give it "free" depending on the particular model offered but if you cancel before the contract term you have to pay the termination fee AND return the modem.

22 Posted by Collin at 04/10/07 08:33 PM

Lots of companies do this, sure. But I just found out that at clearwire not only do they charge a cancelation fee, but it automatically renews. So if you have a 1 year term, and decide a year and two months later to cancel, you're still subject to their early cancelation fee as the contract is automatically renewed. I feel sorry for people who agreed to thier 2 year term to waive the 25 dollar signup fee.

23 Posted by kulardenu at 04/10/07 09:09 PM

With more & more Government Agencies requiring Internet access to correspond with them the Internet should be free to all.

All these snake oil net providers have become a new usage tax for everyone in the long run.

24 Posted by William at 04/10/07 09:24 PM

More bad news about AT&T: In addition to charging early termination fees, they also hurt animals: www.attcruelty.com

25 Posted by Robert Koch at 04/10/07 09:37 PM

More of the same, screw the little guy because you can.

26 Posted by J-Mac at 04/11/07 01:20 AM

The article claims that Comcast requires a contract for its bundled services, and that the bundle discount is lost if a customer cancels one or more of the services in the bundle. I never had a contract for this - it was defined as a 12 month promotion. Like any promotion that is tied to a time period, if I had canceled one of the services that was a part of the bundle, I would not expect to continue getting the bundled pricing. Actually, how would you propose that they alter the bundle price if you cancel part of it? Did anyone here have to sign a contract with Comcast for their 12 month promotional bundled price?

27 Posted by Peg S. at 04/11/07 04:53 AM

This same tactic is practiced by Hughesnet.com one of the growing number of satellite ISP providers. While we have not cancelled our service with them, we are aware of the early termination fee of $300. Just when we recommitted to another 12 months of service we discovered a new wireless ISP tower is being built in our rural area. If we could switch without the early termination fee we could save $50.00 per month on internet! That's approx $600.00 a year folks! Satellite ISP is EXPENSIVE!!! The total cost a month is $89.00 for a home business Pro plan. Generally, the connection speed is just "ok". Nothing to brag about. However, your connection can and usually is greatly effected by weather conditions, and if you download over 200 MB's in a few hours your are pushing their Fair Access Policy, another questionable policy, if your go over the limits, then Hughesnet slows your internet speeds down to anything under 56kbps. Recently, I downloaded a 500 MB file and after 30 minutes of starting the download, the internet speed slowed to between 2-5kpbs!!! Given a choice, we wouldn't have joined Hughesnet, but unfortunately here in the "sticks" there has been no other ISP until Wild Blue, and now the wireless that is still under construction.
Personally I don't think ISP providers or cellphone providers should be allowed to get away with early termination fees. They are making millions off their customers w/o that.
Not to mention, when you try to cancel and they don't disconnect you immedietely then charge you later, it is deceptive/illegal business practice - and any company doing this should eat the bill and be fined for punitive damages. Sprint is famous for this also.

28 Posted by Kevin at 04/11/07 05:43 AM

Why is anyone surprised that companies such as AT&T, Verizon, and Time Warner would resort to charging customers early term fees? These corporations are greedy, and a bunch of thieves if you ask me. I can't stand Verizon, AT&T, or TIme Warner! As for these companies not being responsible for poor service, come on now. It's their service, they should be repsponsible for the quality of it. This early term fee nonsense isn't limited to the big guys. I have service with a small ISP here in Maine (where I live), that charges a $95 term fee if internet service is canceled within the first 6 months. After the 6 months, the term fee no longer applies. If the service is canceled before the first year is up, the modem must be sent back (at customer's expense) or a $150 fee will be charged to the customer. There are no contracts to sign, just an agreement to stay with the service for at least 6 months, to avoid the term fee. I also worked for this company in their sales department, so I know how things work there. So, this certainly proves that these fees are not limited to the big guys. Early term fees should not be allowed.

29 Posted by Mr. Nishimura at 04/11/07 08:22 AM

I really don't mind the contracts as long as they are up front with the fine print. AND.. that they offer plans without contract, thereby you have a choice as to which way you want to go. What i would like to see.. company offering more deals to long paying customers. I mean if the service is good.. then the customers will stay. There should also be something similar to a lemon law where if the service or customer service sucks then you can get out without paying the termination fee's. We are paying for the service and we should get what we paid for. Why do we have to pay for bad service and then have to pay them more for wanting to go with another company. Does that make sense?

30 Posted by PLM at 04/11/07 08:51 AM

Sounds like a bunch of whiners to me. If one enters a contract, then understand the terms and expect to live with them or don't sign. Very simple concept. Every poster knows that these fees exist and will be charged. Every cancellation of service should be acknowledged with an email or by letter for you to prove it was done. Common sense.

Unfortunately most Americans do not understand that money drives the policies of all companies. Continuing to subscribe to companies who provide lousy service or excessive charges does nothing to correct their policies. Is it worth it to live with these policies in order to drive with a cell phone stuck in your ear or while shopping at the grocery?

31 Posted by John Albertini at 04/11/07 09:44 AM

While I understand the importance of this issue, I am much more deeply concerned with the fact that those of us in more rural areas have but 1 choice for broadband (satellite at the outrageous cost of $600 install & $80/month) & then only with if you have southern exposure.

This is an economic fairness issue of great import. Businesses will not locate if they can't get broadband. Also, services such as VoIP are unavailable to residents.

When will the FCC mandate universal broadband service? Why can Verizon & other providers get away with not offering this to everyone in their service area & at reasonable rates?

Try doing a Windows update, downloading software or media or transferring large files on dial-up! Help!!!
Thanks.

32 Posted by Wendell Morgan at 04/11/07 10:00 AM

How about this. If there is fine print, don't sign the contract until you have fully read and understand it. Otherwise, stop the crying. Did not a parent or someone ever tell not to sign anything without reading it! If you want out, pay the penalty and go somewhere else. If enough of us did this, with broadband and even our cell phones, maybe the industries would get the picture. Provide quality service or we as customers go somewhere else.

33 Posted by JBC at 04/11/07 11:32 AM

I don't know which is more painful. The shaft from big companies or hearing from the sanctimonious who think poor service and penalties are a thing of the past if only everyone, like them, read their contract before signing up for a service.

34 Posted by singular at 04/11/07 11:51 AM

I guess if they make it worthwhile, rather than forcing us to accept mediocre service and systems, it might be worth it. The reason most people want to change is because they are dissatified. My own service wants to talk, so as to try to convince me to stay. Better service and cooperation would do this better in my thinking.

35 Posted by TM at 04/11/07 12:09 PM

Fees are becoming the largest revenue stream for bundled communications providers of all flavors. Why? Fees generally fall outside the purview of government regulation and are, therefore, a rich source of cash over which the provider has complete control -- something that is not true for basic rate setting structures. Ultimately, though, the real question to ask is why do rates and fees keep going up so quickly and/or why are new fees appearing as fast as they are? Three guesses and the first two don't count.

36 Posted by Kidtamer at 04/11/07 12:39 PM

Sometimes people have to terminate their contracts for personal financial reasons. There all sorts of legitimate reasons for doing so. To compound their troubles with these outrageous fees is unthinkable. Only greed can motivate this sort of charge. Even being obliged to sign a contract is greedy. Many ISP's charge on a month to month basis and are doing just fine. I didn't have to sign a contract nor do I face charges if I terminate service. I certainly hope that it stays that way. I gladly signed your petition and have asked my friends to do so as well. Thank you for your concern and all you do for consumers.

37 Posted by Rand at 04/11/07 03:11 PM

Having bought a new machine, I recently "upgraded" my DSL with Qwest from 256kbps (31.99/mo.) to 1.5Mbps (31.99/mo., which mandated a (2) year committment, and includes an early cancellation penalty of $200.00. I inquired as what would happen if I were to relocate to another area? Reply: "as long as you continue with Qwest (providing Qwest offers service within the area you are relocating) there will be no penalty". If...you move to an area where Qwest doesn't provide service, the early cancellation penalty is waived. Fair enough! I don't like any cancellation penalty, but the increased speed, for the same dosh is great. I detest any form of manipulation by anyone, so I signed petition! Power to the people!

38 Posted by Marvin at 04/11/07 09:07 PM

Comcast told me I could extend their $99.00 fee for Cable, PC & phone to 2 years. What they did not tell me on the phone but in a confirmation letter was there would be a $150.00 early termination fee.

39 Posted by Tim at 04/11/07 09:47 PM

I've been with Charter for some time. These companies in the Broadband field have got you where they want. However, you agreed with their conditions (contracts). Make sure you understand their conditions by asking questions and don't let up until you're satisfied with what you're getting into. These companies warrent constant watching and they will take advantage of you..if you give them a chance...don't let them.

40 Posted by Albert at 04/12/07 05:17 AM

I'm just happy to finally have FIOS available! I don't mind their early termination fee. After all, they give you a free install which can take 4-6 hours. That must cost them a lot of $$$.

41 Posted by katosan at 04/12/07 11:44 AM

I have Charter internet service and DirecTV. A couple of months ago Charter started charging $10.00 a month more because I do not subscribe to their TV service. If this is not extortion I do not know what is.

42 Posted by Russell Cole at 04/12/07 01:04 PM

I think what is so profoundly misleading about this whole debate over the special priveleges that are given to these corporations is the fact that they are not even increasing our Internet's infrastructure at a pace that is comparable to other countries. In fact, American is quite behind in the construction of high speed optics that will facilitate a more robust economy.
russell cole

43 Posted by jay bee at 04/25/07 02:28 PM

I agree Russell, and on top of that,the internet should be open and accessable to all... rich or poor.

44 Posted by Truman Trekell at 04/26/07 01:12 PM

We agree on legislation making it illegal to charge early termination fees.

How about going after the mobile phone carrier
market and their early termination fees too.

While you're at it, why not attack the imperious
congressional approved marriage penalties in taxes and the income tax on social security income. Congress approved taxation of social security income about 20 years ago. This is unreasonable to be taxed on your income before
retirement and then under certain unreasonable circumstances to again tax income from social
security. HOW SECURE IS THAT ?

45 Posted by Mike at 04/26/07 03:00 PM

In Oklahoma we have Cox for cable, Internet and phone. We're saving big money with their service, and there are no contracts! HOORAY!

46 Posted by Chris at 04/26/07 03:33 PM

The above article states that Qwest rates are the same for month-to-month and two year contracts. Actually (at least in my case), monthly rates are $6 more expensive than the contract price.

47 Posted by jrm at 04/26/07 03:45 PM

$99 for At&t? Not bad! When they were SWB it was $149 bare minimum, I think it was as high as $249 at one time. Once I know the service is solid and the deal is good I am not going anywhere anyway. Plus, now they are auto renewing for the same or better rates on month to month basis! Nor more jumping through hoops just to keep a decent rate for DSL. It used to take two days or more of negotiating to keep the rate I had! If they offered a better rate locked in at a $99 cancel fee I would jump on it.

48 Posted by Pam in Sacto at 04/26/07 06:17 PM

Here is advice from an acquaintance who is also an attorney specializing in contract law - - Don't forget that in a contract, both parties have a responsibility toward that agreement. While the company might impose early termination penalties, they likewise are obligated to provide the services contracted for. If you're not receiving those services in the manner or quality that was promised (and now you're prompted to look for another company who will), the provider likewise has not held up their end of the contract and one might be able to get out of paying early termination fees based on lack of the provider meeting the service obligation. Keep a written record of dropped calls, poor customer service, etc. (dates, times, names), to protect yourself - it might help you get out of that contract.

49 Posted by Robert Lindsey at 04/27/07 06:17 AM

I have been using Sprint mobile broadband for almost two years now. The speed is superior, I get service almost anywhere and the customer support is great. I pay $60.00 per month for unlimited use.

50 Posted by JohnBoy at 04/27/07 07:19 AM

I am in a rural area and I give anything to have broadband. I have Direct TV and their rates are as high as their satellites. Communities are too quick to grant franchises to these outfits that allow them to have their own little monopolies. Oh, but for competition. I've had Bellsouth (AT&T) since 1971 since I've had no other choice so early termination wouldn't be a huge deal.

51 Posted by Kathy at 04/27/07 08:31 AM

This is the first I heard of early termination fees by internet service providers. I had no idea and it never, ever occurred to me that any provider would do this!

I think it is just another way for them to pack their pockets. It really makes me feel angry!

I had earthlink and changed to verizon to save money. But I suppose I had used earthlink beyond the time limit for early termination fees.

Now that I learn that verizon does this I am very angry that they never mentioned it and weren't upfront about it. I don't remember signing any contract for DSL with verizon.

I think this is very wrong and decietful!

However, I am very grateful to be made aware of this information.

52 Posted by Peter Foster at 04/28/07 02:11 AM

When you don't have a chioce for internet service the early termination fees are really unfair. There is no chioce, if you want their service you sign the contrat no mater what it says. Bend over and take it America

53 Posted by Peggy at 05/02/07 01:57 PM

What if you are not happy with their DSL services or they just can't fix your problems with their services? I had been having problems with AT&T for more than a month. Do I still have to pay their early termination fee when and if I decide to switch companies?

54 Posted by William at 06/06/07 06:24 PM

Another issue is the constant "renual" of contracts. Want to switch from 1MBPS to 3MBPS... another 1 year contract... want to switch back? another 1 year contract. It costs them nothing and you are on the hook forever.

Verizon DSL... "can you HEAR me now?"

55 Posted by Luis at 08/31/07 04:22 PM

I think you should be able to buy the telephone of your choice and activate it with the company of your choice, and early termination fees should be ilegal.

56 Posted by GrayReb at 10/13/07 09:53 AM

Well, if we can just hang in there, perhaps things will change. California filed a federal lawsuit naming every major cable and satellite tv system as depriving consumers of choice. I'm in total agreement. Why should I pay for hundreds of tv channels I NEVER watch?

The lawsuit states that customers should have the option to pay only for those channels that they view.

As for bundled services, Comcast just sent me a letter requesting that I sign a 2-year contract for my phone, Internet and cable tv services. I don't want to sign...what can they do if I don't?

57 Posted by Juliana at 11/05/07 12:22 PM

I just opened an account with DirectTV last 10/25/07. I was told that I will get 3 months free with the Premier package that I subscribed. I asked them what the platinum package of comcast to their equivalent. And they said, premier. In short, cable was installed last tues. 10/30/07. Then I got received a billing statment last sat. 11/2/07 and was charged 85.36. NFL sunday ticket new customer offer 4 payments $69.99; Premier frist 4 months Ffree $0.00, Leased Receiver $4.99, Sales TAx $0.39. These things were not fully explained when I opened the account, all they said that my monthly bill will be 69.99. So, I called DirectTV today, 11/5/07 and asked them what would my monthly charges inclusive of leased receiver and taxes and said $115.75. So I'm not really saving any money at all plus the fact that I had been a customer of comcast for the last 18 years. And when I told them that I will terminate the service and go back to Comcast, they said that I have to pay $287.00 for early termination. For less than, 7 days, I can not even get out of this outfit!! Please advise what I can do. I guess theis is the dammest move I did in my life. I'd appreciate any input that you can share with me. Thanks

58 Posted by Pam at 11/16/07 04:08 PM

I just recently switched all three of my services back to Comcast. I did this mostly because I didn't realize that all FIOS meant was (Fiber Optic Network) and that Comcast's had the exact same thing for seven years, and their customer service is a hell of alot better. The marketers at Verizon are brilliant, getting people to switch from Comcast to, in essence, get the same thing they've had for years. I hate them for that. And, their bundle packages ACTUALLY include everything......Verizons don't.

59 Posted by fulwood at 12/01/07 06:52 PM

I do not want to bore any of you but i recently changed phone and internet service and went with Qwest. it has been the worst experience I have ever had with a company..they have continually billed me for services i did not order and every month i have had to spend countless hours on phone correcting their mistakes and each month receiving credits. i am even now on computer fixing this months' bill. it should be about $55 and they have billed me for $83. I am seriously thinking of getting rid of my landline, get pre-paid cell phone and going with another company for internet. my dialup was slow but never had billing problems..

60 Posted by Rachelle at 03/27/08 08:46 AM

I have been using Verizon DSL since Sept 2005 and terminated it last Feb 22nd, 2008 because i was moving to Asia. When i called to have my service terminated, i specifically asked the Verizon associate if i will be charged any penalties (even though i know that i should not be charged anymore since i have been with them for more than 1 year as the contract had stated). The person i talked to said that i will not be charged anything since i have gone beyond my initial 1 year contract and was moving to a place where they did not have any service.

My boyfriend called me yesterday to inform me that he received my Verizon bill and that i was being charged $79 for the early termination penalty.

I called verizon to ask them to reverse the charge and was informed that after each 1 year contract expires, another 1 year contract was enforced. They told me that they mailed a copy of the new contract every year according to FCC regulation. I asked them if they had any document like a signed delivery receipt or a registered mail to prove that they had indeed sent the contract because i never received the contract that they claim to send every year. The supervisor said that they didn't but that they also send a copy of the contract to my email address. i told them i will give them the password to my email account and let them check my whole account to see if i ever received their contract because i never saw a copy of that "new" contract. Apparently, they created a verizon.net email account that i was oblivious to and had never opened. She said that is where they send the contract i supposedly agreed to (how can i agree to something i know nothing about and have never seen?!). She further states that my lack of response to the email meant that i agreed to the contract. Duh?

the supervisor even implied that it was my fault. And that like phone plans, i should have known that the contract would be automatically renewed every year when it expired. She just wouldn't help me. I even offered to pay the additional money for the past 6 months that i used to get the no-contract rate (that i didn't know existed) but the supervisor said she couldn't retrovert my charges since the account was already closed.

to me it just seems ridiculous. it looks like a scam to squeeze as much money out of the consumer. I don't want pay the penalty because its just wrong. But i was informed by the verizon supervisor that it would go to collection agency which will eventually hurt my credit. But i am no longer living in the USA so how much could it hurt? Any advice?

Verizon customers and potential verizon customers beware.

61 Posted by ObeytheFist at 06/12/08 02:20 PM

You should add Clearwire to your list. After 18 months of inadequate service (upload speeds of 256k!!) I finally decided to pull the plug when it took me two hours to upload a tiny little 2 minute movie to YouTube.

This move is going to cost me $180.

62 Posted by Karen at 06/23/08 04:58 PM

I just got off the phone with Verizon- due to unemployment, I said I wanted to discontinue my DSL service that I have had for 3 years. The rep told me if I cancel, I will lose all of the info in my computer! Do they really think we are this stupid? I am considering contacting my state attorney general or consumer protection agency.

63 Posted by Roger at 12/15/08 01:33 PM

Here's another Verizon Story for you. I was a subscriber to Verizon FIOS bundle package (phone, cable, internet) for 18 months of a 24 month contract. I went to another local provider due to poor service and quality. I personally called and cancelled all services while requesting that they credit my account the 150.00 promotional gift card they promised but never delivered. I was told that the promotional gift was not part of the contract. I thought that's what promotional offers were for, to get you to sign the contract, how could it not be part of the contract? I will be recieving a bill for the 200.00 early termination fee. The "Supervisor" I spoke with did not have the authority to credit my account for this. They did give me the address for the Customer Relations office and said I could write to them with my complaint. We will see if I can come to a resolution with them. Until then, I will not be looking to Verizon for any further service of any kind, and will let every one I know that Verizon is not a company to have any type of relationship with. And they had the nerve to ask me why I was cancelling my account???

64 Posted by Roger at 01/13/09 12:20 PM

Verizon Update. I never recieved the final bill. They sent me another bill claiming I have not cancelled my account. I turned in the equipment (which they have a record of) but they have not cancelled my account.

65 Posted by Beacharoni at 01/15/09 12:53 AM

Well, my Verizon story may just be beginning. . . I moved three miles from my current location here in Hemet, California: still in the same town, still with the same phone number and well within Verizon's service area. I moved my phone and tried to move my DSL service as well. I had no complaints about my DSL. In fact, I rather liked it. All I wanted to do was CONTINUE with Verizon's broadband service. No, instead I'm told that while they could provide DSL service at my old address, they were not capable of providing it at my new abode. OK, so due to Verizon's limitations I am forced to go to an alternative, in this case, cable broadband internet access. Parting with Verizon is oh, such non-nutritional sorrow. Now they want to charge me a $79 early termination fee because I can no longer continue with a service they are unable to provide. And they think that is fair? I will give them the chance to waive the ETF or it's straight to the Public Utilities Commission, the FTC, my Congressman, and any class action lawyer looking to hit Verizon with yet another $21 million settlement (August 2007) for unfair ETFs. A little common sense would be in order here.

66 Posted by Heather at 01/27/09 06:52 PM

BEACHARONI this is exactly what I am going through. I signed up for the 6 months free internet, and now 3 months later, I have to move. They cannot offer me my DSL at my new house that is maybe 5 miles from where I am currently because the internet in the area "has reached capacity." WTF? Now they want me to pay $79 for FREE internet they cannot offer me? How is this my fault? It's not as if I'm cancelling service that is available, they're failing to provide service at my new address, so I need to cancel. Did you have any luck contesting the charge?

67 Posted by Be Pras at 02/17/09 05:12 PM

Early termination fees(especially inflated ones) should not be imposed on the dead, injured and unemployed as Verizon does. I will definitely stay away from companies like this.

68 Posted by Kim at 05/07/09 01:50 PM

My uncle recently passed away and when I just called to discontinue the service's they told me they will be charging the full amount of termination fee. Can not believe this company can get away with this stuff
I was actually thinking of switching but not I'm not at all It is not like we just did not want it the man died.

69 Posted by Gary at 06/24/09 03:39 PM

I started with Verizon Fios Triple Play on 6/3/2009. In the 1st 2 weeks of service I had to call Verizon 3 times to reset the boxes because the boxes lost their programing guide. The 1st two times I called, the boxes were reset and were again working properly. The 3rd time that I had the same problem, Verizon was not able to get the guides to work on 2 of the boxes. I asked Verizon to have a Tech come to the house to fix the problem. Verizon said that I would be charged for a house visit. (Keep in mind that at that time I had only had the Fios service for 13 days.) That person suggested that I call the next day to see if the service fee could be waived.

Eary the next morning (4am), the guide was still not working. I called Verizon at about 8am to see if they would waive the tech fee to fix the system. (At this point I had the Verizon Fios service for exactly 2 weeks.) The Verizon Rep agreed that there would not be any fee to fix the system. While on the phone, Rep wanted me to turn on the TV so that I could get some information for her. The programing guide was working fine!

Due to the many problems that I had experienced during the 1st two weeks of service, I considered canceling the service. I asked the Verizon Rep how long that I had to cancel before the Early Termination Fees (ETF) took place; she stated that I had 30 days to cancel. (That meant that I had another 2 weeks to evaluate the service.)

One week later, I called to Verizon to confirm that I still had a week before the ETF took place; I was then told that the no fee cancellation period was 15 days, not 30 days! I complained to that Rep that I had been told that the cancellation period was 30 days, just a week before. That Rep told me that there was nothing that he could do to waive the fee. I excalated the problem to 2 more levels and received the same result; there was nothing that they could do to waive the fee!

Up until now I was a very loyal Verizon Customer but now have a very sour taste from this experience.

70 Posted by adg at 08/06/09 06:56 PM

To avoid paying the fee tell them that you are moving out of the state(verify an address that is not in their service area)then call tell them where you are moving they will look and confirm that it is a real address but will see that they cannot service it. Then they will offer other services(decline). They do not require any proof that you are moving there. The agent won't even try and confirm. They will prorate your bill and waive any early termination fee. I just received confirmation on my statement.

71 Posted by Steve Gearhart at 01/12/10 01:31 PM

ADG: WRONG! I bought into Verizon DSL at my previous home, It was a very rural community and I was impressed they had service there. Then 6 months in I moved to a new subdivision of a very urban area 12 miles from my previous home. I was originally told I could transfer my services there, but once I moved, we later found out they could only offer dial-up phone service there, not DSL, and I would have to cancel my account, and suffer the early termination fees. I fought tooth and nail on the phone with several supervisors, at first they agreed with me, then later back peddled and said I still owed the ETF. I was furious, so I quickly blocked their ETF payments from debiting my account for the fees. I have refused to pay them because they are not fair when I tried to remain a loyal customer, and they can't provide the service 12 miles away, I get penalized?? So now they sent me to collection agency. I still refuse to pay and am sending my dispute to the collection agency. I won't go down without a fight, i just hope i'm not jepordizing my future credit to much over a 79.00 ETF, it's just the Pricipal, not the money I'm fighting about!

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