California judge rules early cell phone termination fees illegal - GoFuckYourself.com

DateDoc · 07-31-2008, 01:52 PM

In one of the most significant legal rulings in the tech industry this year, a Superior Court judge in California has ruled that the practice of charging consumers a fee for ending their cell phone contract early is illegal and violates state law.

The preliminary, tentative judgment orders Sprint Nextel to pay customers $18.2 million in reimbursements and, more importantly, orders Sprint to stop trying to collect another $54.7 million from California customers (some 2 million customers total) who have canceled their contracts but refused or failed to pay the termination fee.

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/99655

Snake Doctor · 07-31-2008, 01:55 PM

Looks like everyone in California will have to start paying full price upfront for their phones from now on.

DateDoc · 07-31-2008, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snake Doctor

Looks like everyone in California will have to start paying full price upfront for their phones from now on.

Nah, the cell phone companies are hoping the FCC steps in but it will be likely that termination fees will lessen the longer through the contract you are.

BradM · 07-31-2008, 02:01 PM

If I call Verizon today to cancel will they know about this? Can I cancel with no fees?

PornNewz · 07-31-2008, 02:02 PM

Yeah, I posted about it on PornNewz dot com yesterday. It's about time someone called them on that scam!!

IllTestYourGirls · 07-31-2008, 02:06 PM

How is it a scam when you sign the contract? What makes it illegal to add that to a contract? Maybe they should just charge you the rest of your contract? You have a $50 a month contract, you cancel your contract 12 months early, you owe them $600 bucks.

CaveCreek_Russell · 07-31-2008, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IllTestYourGirls

How is it a scam when you sign the contract? What makes it illegal to add that to a contract? Maybe they should just charge you the rest of your contract? You have a $50 a month contract, you cancel your contract 12 months early, you owe them $600 bucks.

I'm curious about this too. If they apply it to cell phones shouldn't it be across the board for any type of contract with a cancellation fee? Like if I wanted end the lease on my apartment early I think I'd have to give up my deposit plus some other fee I can't remember.

woj · 07-31-2008, 03:20 PM

Doesn't really make sense, without the termination fees, some wise guys will just take the $600 phone they got for free, and cancel the account within a month... sounds like the judge fucked up on this one...

Fresh · 07-31-2008, 03:22 PM

wow, that is huge. i paid fuckin nextel/sprint $200 to switch to an iphone

Eriic · 07-31-2008, 03:26 PM

But that's how they make their billions, that's a bad judge, he needs a spanking.

tony286 · 07-31-2008, 03:30 PM

Well maybe phone will come to doable prices and your phone wont be attached to a phone company.

Sly · 07-31-2008, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaveCreek_Russell

I'm curious about this too. If they apply it to cell phones shouldn't it be across the board for any type of contract with a cancellation fee? Like if I wanted end the lease on my apartment early I think I'd have to give up my deposit plus some other fee I can't remember.

I'm thinking the same thing. And in your example, it's even more of an issue because it is a place of living, instead of just a luxury.

I don't know what the laws are, but this does not sound right. A contract is a contract. I wouldn't mind getting out of mine, but I made the deal and got a $400 phone for $100 in exchange.

96ukssob · 07-31-2008, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IllTestYourGirls

How is it a scam when you sign the contract? What makes it illegal to add that to a contract? Maybe they should just charge you the rest of your contract? You have a $50 a month contract, you cancel your contract 12 months early, you owe them $600 bucks.

no, its a scam when they automatically renew your contract for some BS reason.

Im stuck with tmobile for another year. my contract was supposed to be up in March 08 but in December I lost my phone. I went into tmobile and PAID FULL PRICE for a phone, but they extended my contract anyway for another 2 years. this is complete shit in my book. I purposely didnt take the discount on the phone so it would extend my contract, but after many letters later, i found out it is regardless if you take the discount or not.

SCORE Ralph · 07-31-2008, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bossku69

no, its a scam when they automatically renew your contract for some BS reason.

Im stuck with tmobile for another year. my contract was supposed to be up in March 08 but in December I lost my phone. I went into tmobile and PAID FULL PRICE for a phone, but they extended my contract anyway for another 2 years. this is complete shit in my book. I purposely didnt take the discount on the phone so it would extend my contract, but after many letters later, i found out it is regardless if you take the discount or not.

True story... same shit happened to me when my contract was up with Cingular (Now AT&T) and I already was with another contractor.

07-31-2008, 01:52 PM	#1
DateDoc Outside looking in. Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: To Hell You Ride Posts: 14,243	California judge rules early cell phone termination fees illegal In one of the most significant legal rulings in the tech industry this year, a Superior Court judge in California has ruled that the practice of charging consumers a fee for ending their cell phone contract early is illegal and violates state law. The preliminary, tentative judgment orders Sprint Nextel to pay customers $18.2 million in reimbursements and, more importantly, orders Sprint to stop trying to collect another $54.7 million from California customers (some 2 million customers total) who have canceled their contracts but refused or failed to pay the termination fee. http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/99655 __________________

07-31-2008, 01:55 PM	#2
Snake Doctor I'm Lenny2 Bitch Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: On top of my soapbox Posts: 13,449	Looks like everyone in California will have to start paying full price upfront for their phones from now on. __________________ sig too big

07-31-2008, 02:02 PM	#5
PornNewz Confirmed User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 851	Yeah, I posted about it on PornNewz dot com yesterday. It's about time someone called them on that scam!! __________________ Pornnewz.com PR Round up, No one is safe!

07-31-2008, 02:06 PM	#6
IllTestYourGirls Ah My Balls Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Under the gold leaf ICQ 388-454-421 Posts: 14,311	How is it a scam when you sign the contract? What makes it illegal to add that to a contract? Maybe they should just charge you the rest of your contract? You have a $50 a month contract, you cancel your contract 12 months early, you owe them $600 bucks. __________________

07-31-2008, 03:20 PM	#8
woj <&(©¿©)&> Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 47,882	Doesn't really make sense, without the termination fees, some wise guys will just take the $600 phone they got for free, and cancel the account within a month... sounds like the judge fucked up on this one... __________________ Custom Software Development, email: woj#at#wojfun#.#com to discuss details or skype: wojl2000 or gchat: wojfun or telegram: wojl2000 Affiliate program tools: Hosted Galleries Manager Banner Manager Video Manager Wordpress Affiliate Plugin Pic/Movie of the Day Fansign Generator Zip Manager

07-31-2008, 02:01 PM	#4
BradM Confirmed User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: 1123,6536,5231 Posts: 3,397	If I call Verizon today to cancel will they know about this? Can I cancel with no fees?

07-31-2008, 03:22 PM	#9
Fresh TubeClicks.com - First Tube Affiliate Program Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: LA Posts: 4,920	wow, that is huge. i paid fuckin nextel/sprint $200 to switch to an iphone __________________ Promote ONE Legal Tube Site, Collect Checks from 19 Sponsors Fresh Dave \| Email: [email protected] \| ICQ: 317160390

07-31-2008, 03:26 PM	#10
Eriic So Fucking Banned Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2,995	But that's how they make their billions, that's a bad judge, he needs a spanking.

07-31-2008, 03:30 PM	#11
tony286 lurker Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: atlanta Posts: 57,021	Well maybe phone will come to doable prices and your phone wont be attached to a phone company.