Consumer Blog
AT&T joins Verizon, lowers cell phone termination fees
Ah, those long-term wireless contracts and their big cancellation fees. One of the biggest consumer complaints we get when it comes to mobile phones. It's not unusual for contracts with the big companies to have a $175 fee for getting out of your contract early. Consumers are irate, Congress and FCC are thinking about regulation, and cell phone companies are starting to make some changes.
Verizon started prorating its termination fees in 2006, and now AT&T has followed suit. That means the less time you have on your contract, the less your fee will be. For example, AT&T will deduct $5 for every month you've paid on your contract. So if you're six months into your contract, they'll subtract $30 from that termination fee.
T-Mobile and Sprint say they'll start prorating by the end of the year.
Technorati Tags: cancellation fee, long term contract, mobile phone, shopping and spending, termination fee, wireless phone, cell phone, moagoconsumer, consumer protection
Posted by on May 29, 2008 3:18 pm :: Comments (3) :: Permalink
3 Responses to "AT&T joins Verizon, lowers cell phone termination fees"
says:
August 13, 2008 3:21 pm
To whom it may concern: I'm complaining about the cell phone charges, they are outrages. I feel we pay enough as it is and then to be charged a cancellation fee is a rip off and also all the late charges they also charge.Enough people use these services to where that they don't need to charge so much. I've been with the company since 2003 and I think they shouldn't charge all the fees that there charging .I really wish they would look further into this.especially with the way the economy is right now.Some of us are on unemployment and some with no jobs.And these phones are a necessity to get in touch with our children, etc.I really wish they would put this on the Governers desk. Sincere Thanks
says:
September 14, 2008 9:43 pm
I guess I am not the only one that feels that a cell phone cancellation fee is a rip off. A California judge ruled that the cell phone cancellation fee is illegal. Why would it be illegal in California and legal in Missouri? The cancellation fee should be illegal nation wide. Now, some of the cell phone companies are going to deduct $5.00 a month from the cancellation fee for each month the customer has been with them. Wow!!! That is sure big hearted of them. The Missouri Attorney General should get serious and put a stop to such nonsense.
says:
December 9, 2008 9:07 pm
Dear AG, I will have to agree with Ron!!! DO SOMETHING SOON!!Ron says: September 14, 2008 9:43 pm I guess I am not the only one that feels that a cell phone cancellation fee is a rip off. A California judge ruled that the cell phone cancellation fee is illegal. Why would it be illegal in California and legal in Missouri? The cancellation fee should be illegal nation wide. Now, some of the cell phone companies are going to deduct $5.00 a month from the cancellation fee for each month the customer has been with them. Wow!!! That is sure big hearted of them. The Missouri Attorney General should get serious and put a stop to such nonsense!
