they are going to have a field day with this one. What right does google have to charge an ETF? The price of the phone is subsidized via the carrier, not the OEM. Unless there is some weird deal going on between tmo and google here, this isnt right. Still, the combined ETF being more than the phone itself is outrageous!
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First, google's is only for the first 120 days. So after 4 months, it drops to whatever T-mobille charges ($200). Unlike Verizon's which on decreases at $10 per month.
Cost to break N1 contract After 121 days:
$200
Cost to break Droid contract After 121 days:
$310
And googles gets the $350, because they are getting screwed out of the original non contract price amount. My guess is that Tmob doesnt have to give google their cut for 120 days.
You can thank people that like to manipulate the system for all of these new ETF rules. If people would just play fair, we wouldnt have all of these issues.
Its a fair contract, phonescoop made it seem waaaaaaaay worse than it actually is.
chris
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ok but up to 120 days its
$550 to break N1 contract
$310 to break Droid contract
and at 365 days (One year)
$200 to break N1 contract
$230 to break Droid contract
at 545 (days year and a half)
$200 to break N1 contract
$170 to break Droid contract
also don't forget T-Mobile chargers a $45 restock fee, Other than the first few months they look about the same to me
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verizon charges a restocking fee as well.
Bottom line, I'll take T-mob's deal for sure.
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Verizon does not charge it for returns, only fo you want to go to a different model
I live in Minnesota and need the coverage, T mobiles 3g is very small here so for me its a droid
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Yeah but does Vzn charge a whopping $45 for a stocking fee, like Tmo does? Gosh that's a lot!
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MennoJan 6, 2010, 1:16 PM
I was pretty sure that Tmobile pro-rated the ETF, did they not?
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Gosh $45 for a restock fee, that's frinkin outrageous! ! !
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skaiiJan 7, 2010, 3:38 PM
You are forgetting that T-Mobile prorates the ETF.
So three to six months left on the contract, your ETF goes down to $100. Less than three months, it's $50.
So, by your year and a half calculation, it's $100 to break N1 contract, $170 for Droid.
A $70 difference sounds really loud and clear to me.
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It's actually worse than Verizon's ETF! ! ! Because not only does someone have to pay an ETF to the carrier but also Google! That's just wierd!
When people buy a phone from Amazon is there a contract reguired with Amazon?
It is evil because there are
!!TWO!! ETF's! ! !
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Its only that way because of the distribution model.
And who breaks a contract in 4 months? If you have a legit, service related issue for leaving, im sure they would take care of you. Tmob is solid company when it comes to customer service.
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Exactly! Bottom line: This will NOT be an Ebay money maker for scam artists. I think that is a good thing.
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croodJan 6, 2010, 12:47 PM
Actually, Google is acting as a reseller in this instance. It's common for a reseller to have their own ETF on top of a provider's.
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T-Mobile is not subsidizing the cost of these phones. Google is therefore they're charging their own ETF to make up for the loss if the contract is broken. T-Mobile's contract is separate.
You can tell this is true because, at least for now, you have to buy the phone from Google and all troubleshooting/warranty servicing is being done through Google rather than through T-Mobile.
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This is the same thing as a third party tmobile dealer. They make you sign a third party 121 day agreement form. If you cancel within that 121 days and do not return equipment you are then charged a $200 etf on top of what tmobile charges to make up for the amount of the discount given. Third party dealers get kicked back on the back end to make up for cost on a phone.
In other words, this isn't new.. They dont want you to open up 5 lines and get 5 Nexus one's for $180 - turn around and sell each one for $400 and call it a day. CYA
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Based on how you describe this then maybe there shouldn't be any contract with Tmo, your saying that Google is the one subsidizing the phone. . .not Tmo.
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I think maybe because of this "distribution model" that maybe it is best to just pay the retail price!
Screw this !!TWO!! contract BS!
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Dont break a contract in four months and you're back to the regular ETF. Why are people freakin about this? If you have a LEGIT reason for wanting to leave, Im sure Tmob would work with you.
Get over yourselves people. You should NOT be able to break a contract and recieve no punishment.
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It's a fkn BUSINESS not a woman, I haTe contracts with a BUSSINESS, customers should be EARNED -NOT- BINDED! ! !
WHY are you soo pro-corporation?!!!?
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It is not anti-consumer to want people to honor the contracts which they sign. Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile offer no contract options.
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Yeah, I've been month-to-month since like October of 05, I've owned 2 unlocked/unbranbded handsets in a row.
But that might end soon because I can't afford to throw down the money for an unlocked handset. And I am very seriously considering an Android handset, one of the HTCs that ATT picks up. I really hope HTC starts using OLED screens.
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I have no problem with the Manufacturer an Cellular Carrier having early termination fees. They might be huge companies but you cant blame them for trying to watch there backs an not wanting to take a big hit on a cell phone, because somebody wanted to cancel before they're term was up.
Plain an simple, if you can't afford it, then DON'T GET IT..
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Thank you!! Or buy it unlocked. Or stick it out for four measly months.
This is only an issue for scammers.
Relax folks.
Chris
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I am all for an ETF if the carrier subsidizes the handset. T-Mobile does not appear to be subsidizing the Nexus One, however.
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