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Senator Targeting Verizon's New ETF Policy

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Answer to end all of this

gjh1978

Nov 10, 2009, 3:17 PM
Just as I have thought for years. If people are going to complain and government is going to get involved...just eliminate contracts, and have customers pay full retail for phones...see where that goes...I GUARANTEE within 1 year that people will be begging for contracts, subsidies, and ETF's again....all I'm saying is....pick your poison people...
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crood

Nov 10, 2009, 3:18 PM
Just like Sprint has. They're not raising ETF's, they're laying off 2000 people.
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Slammer

Nov 10, 2009, 4:02 PM
The ETFs have nothing to do with their layoffs.
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eltoro210

Nov 10, 2009, 3:29 PM
they should of done that since day 1.....look at the European and asian countries, they do that and they have better phones than us. the iphone is crappy tech to them. if they really did that i think we would be on 6g by now because they could of used all of that money they spent on phones and crap to make us the customer come to them on the cellular coverage instead. we wouldnt have the "look at our map/apps" war we would have the "look at the real speed of our coverage that gives you HD live video on your phone" war. hell DSL would of been dial up a long time ago. soo much money spent on dumb crap like that. sounds like the housing market, lots of money spent on dumb loans that just F'ed our country.....
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gjh1978

Nov 10, 2009, 3:39 PM
Preach on...preach on.... 😁
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payurbill

Nov 10, 2009, 3:42 PM
😁 two thumbs up
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dave73

Nov 10, 2009, 3:55 PM
In the EU, carriers over there still offer subsidized phones. I've checked the Vodafone website as an example, where if you wanna get a subsidized phone, you get it at a lower price (like here), but unlike here where most contracts are 24 months, their contracts are for 18 months. It's anybody's guess as to how many are on contracts, and how many aren't. Here in the USA, it's almost mandatory to be in a contract to get a phone. I have yet to see Verizon Wireless offer no contract plans. I have heard AT&T offers no contract plans, though I haven't actually seen anything in writing. I don't even believe Sprint offers no contract plans. So far out of the big 4 that I'm aware of, only T-Mobile has no contract plans. I'm aware of MetroPCS...
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VZW_insider

Nov 10, 2009, 4:47 PM
Adding the phrase "that I'm aware of" does not free one of the responsibility of researching information before posting.

Verizon Wireless does infact offer a no contract option as long as you EITHER provide the phone or purchase a phone at full retail price.

I'm sure AT&T has some similar options.

I would say before the government goes about getting involved in private business matters such as this, they may want to take a pointer or two from successful operations such as Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and Apple. Perhaps if the right people focused on the right objectives we wouldn't be in the trouble we are in as a country.
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yedliw

Nov 10, 2009, 5:01 PM
the government already is in private business. they have run Amtrak for years.. they own GM & Chrysler.. and the banks.. and now they want to run the insurance companies.. why not try their hand at Wireless?

FUBO
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Azeron

Nov 10, 2009, 6:01 PM
Where have you been, because obviously you are not looking hard. Go to the Verizon website www.verizonwireless.com Click on phones and you will have 2 year pricing, 1 year pricing and Month-to-month. I hope this idiot Senator pushes us to the brink so that the ONLY option in the future will be Month-to Month. If one takes a cpe (customer provided equipment) to Verizon one can activate it on a Month-to-Month basis or buy a phone at full retail and go Month-to-Month.
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texaswireless

Nov 10, 2009, 6:37 PM
And they have for some time now.

They don't publish it because they would prefer to have customers under contract. Every price tag in a corporate store has it on there and every price tag in my stores have it as well.
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Azeron

Nov 10, 2009, 7:33 PM
Exactly! I get called a fan boy for being in favor of Unsubsidized, Unlocked handsets with No contracts. The carriers do NOT want this (well MAYBE T-Mobile does now. It's hard to tell). They LIKE having consumers locked in contracts. That is revenue that can be counted on somewhat as it is protected from churn more so than prepaid.
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Versed

Nov 10, 2009, 8:13 PM
Azeron,
Most of my phones are unlocked gsm phones. I use a Rogers HTC Magic on AT&T's network and works fine. Yeah cost me like $465 with shipping and unlock included. But also using regular and cheaper medianet instead of a PDA plan with it.

OK, I appologize for the fanboi comment.

Versed.
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Overmann

Nov 11, 2009, 11:02 AM
Well, you're not a member of the iCult, that is good.
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Versed

Nov 10, 2009, 8:18 PM
BTW, I spelled Apologize wrong, sorry, usually try to catch my typo's.

I tend to like gsm for that reason, the freedom to pick mostly what I want. I happen not to be a fan of VZW, but will say they have a great system. Easy enough for me to sim swap what I want.
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Ptp713

Nov 10, 2009, 4:00 PM
"I GUARANTEE within 1 year that people will be begging for contracts, subsidies, and ETF's again....all I'm saying is"

I understand the contracts and I agree with having them but pro-rated is teh best. Reason why


As the Value of the Phone goes down...So should teh contract that came with it......
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gjh1978

Nov 10, 2009, 4:05 PM
Or just have the customer buy the phone....use their service and shush....
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Menno

Nov 10, 2009, 4:36 PM
Verizon already prorates ETFs.
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Azeron

Nov 10, 2009, 6:03 PM
What is your point? All carriers have prorated ETFs now.
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Versed

Nov 10, 2009, 6:07 PM
exactly, and with this $350 etf, what will you owe after like 22 months? I bet like $150. or more. I hope VZW gets nailed on this.
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Azeron

Nov 10, 2009, 6:15 PM
The ETF is reduced by $10 per month with the $350 on advanced devices...so 350-220=130. It's a good thing the sun doesn't rise and set on you hopes and dreams.
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Versed

Nov 10, 2009, 6:17 PM
OK I'm off by $20, still and ass rape, fanboi. I hope they get whats coming to them.
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Overmann

Nov 11, 2009, 11:13 AM
It's less expensive to stay the course until the 2 years are up. EX: $69.98 for smartphone data and 450 minutes, comes up to $80/mo with taxes, roughly. Add the activation, your breakover point is 22 months. After 22 months, it's less expensive to keep service until the contract expires.

Also remember about worry free guarantee. If Verizon can't make the coverage reach you, they let you out of the contract without penalty.

Also, you have 30 days to test drive the service, so if you don't like it you return the phone and cancel, also no contract penalty.

High ETF on advanced devices is to protect their investment, not straight up greed. If it was greed, the ETF would be twice the phone's wholesale cost, not half the phone's wholesale...
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stephen5688

Nov 10, 2009, 4:19 PM
Carriers should provide SERVICE and not phones. That is what the manufacturer is for, i.e Nokia, Motorola... When the cable company provides my tv services they dont sell me a tv though.
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phantasus

Nov 10, 2009, 4:29 PM
If I buy my phone out right, then shouldnt I have a lower cell payment as compared to someone who didnt? we still pay the same monthly payment for cell service wether you buy it out right or sign a contract.
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tbacba

Nov 10, 2009, 4:32 PM
You beat me to it! 😁
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gjh1978

Nov 10, 2009, 4:54 PM
Thats why you wouldnt sign a contact...so YOU WOULD HAVE A CHOICE ON PLANS...pick what you want with whatever carrier... 🙄
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Azeron

Nov 10, 2009, 6:07 PM
No. If you buy your phone out right, you should not have a contract. Carriers do not make money off selling phones. They make money from selling the service. They would be better off if every customer purchased their handsets and dealt with warranty issues directly from the phone manufacturers.. Carriers LOSE money on phones especially when they are returned within the 30 day return period.
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tbacba

Nov 10, 2009, 4:32 PM
So of course if the phone is no longer subsidized and I stay with Verizon for 2 years, then I get a rebate? Or maybe they offer lower rates to make up the difference? Not likely. 🤣
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VZW_insider

Nov 10, 2009, 4:50 PM
Now there's a viable idea. If you want a phone at a subsidized contract price, you can basically spread it out over the length of your contract.

For Example.

I buy the droid for $199.99. I pay my monthly service fee plus $10/month for the phone. Cancel early, pay the remaining balance of the phone only.
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VZW_insider

Nov 10, 2009, 4:51 PM
Oops,

meant to put the balance of the full retail price of the phone, but you all get the point.
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Azeron

Nov 10, 2009, 6:08 PM
That sounds like T-Mobile's Even More Plus plan.
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Azeron

Nov 10, 2009, 5:55 PM
Absolutely! The only reason wireless carriers have contracts and early termination fees at all is because they subsidize handset cost which is the dumbest thing. ExxonMobile does not subsidize the cost of a Malibu to get consumers to buy gasoline exclusively from their company. Let's end the ridiculous policy of discounting handsets and then no one will have to worry about contracts or early termination fees. T-Mobile is on the right track. Consumers should be able to purchase their handset open and unlocked from the manufacturer, then take it to the carrier of their choice and activate it with no contract. They could pay full retail for a handset at T-Mobile or Verizon RIGHT NOW and not have to worry about an ETF. Who is this idiot, ...
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Versed

Nov 10, 2009, 6:10 PM
He is OK by me, btw who is this VZW Fanboi called Azeron?
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Azeron

Nov 10, 2009, 6:17 PM
If I could be called a fan of any carrier I would say it is Sprint. I am NOT a fan of Socialist politicians and greedy individuals (who shall remain nameless) however.
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Versed

Nov 10, 2009, 6:19 PM
Azeron said:
If I could be called a fan of any carrier I would say it is Sprint. I am NOT a fan of Socialist politicians and greedy individuals (who shall remain nameless) however.


Good, then I'm a socialist. Beats being a lying fascist, ANd btw, I also prefer Sprint to VZW.
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