Adjust the Early Termination Fee, Sprint

The Sprint contract is very clear that the ETF is charged per line,
not per contract. They don't take into consideration that you have
not had any expensive upgrades as that would be a nightmare for them.
Who gets the reduction and who does not?

I guess my reaction is pretty simple, and it's a lesson to *everyone*
out there in the world: Read the fine print FIRST, follow the rules,
and when you don't, except to pay up the wazoo!

Being a GREAT customer for 8 years was great, however you left them
for their competitor. Not being a customer anymore after you left them
kind of takes away your leverage. Read the fine print first…

Let's start with the worst news: as you now know, your contract was
clear that this was PER LINE. So, they have you.

OK, but there's always room for negotiation, right?

Unfortunately, you've already canceled. That leaves you with very
little to offer them. You see, you're asking for them to refund some
of the money (which, by your own admission, they don't legally have to
give you), but you have nothing to offer them. You're not willing to
switch back. You're not willing to do anything for them.

The best time to negotiate is when you're about to leave. At least,
then, there's some hope of making a deal. But, since you've left and
have told them you are not coming back, why should they do anything
for you?

The fact that you've been a good customer in the past is great, but it
doesn't help them going forward.

As for the ETF lawsuit, it's actually a bad thing for you. The
lawsuit has caused Sprint to change its policy, but only for those
entering contracts after a certain date (I think it was last November,
but I could be wrong on that). And the refunds are only given to
those that canceled before that date.

The bad news is that because the lawsuit is done, Sprint has been
allowed (by the court) to keep the old ETF policy for those that
entered into contracts before the "cut-off date" and did not get
charged an ETF before that date. In other words, the court has ruled
that Sprint may charge you the full ETF, as they have. That's bad for
you, because Sprint has every incentive to enforce the policy on
people like you (and me, for that matter) to "offset" their loss for
other customer groups.

The fact that ETFs are unpopular is irrelevant to Sprint. I monitor
things at Sprint and I can tell you that their current policy is not
to worry so much about what's popular or not. They are looking to
rebuilt their business, but have made a deliberate decision to shed
customers that expect "favors." Their business model is changing.
Maybe it won't work, but for now, they aren't even willing to do small
"no cost" favors for customers that are STAYING, so why should they do
a favor for someone that's already left and isn't coming back?

As for the tricks to get out of ETF: they require that you contact
them BEFORE you cancel, but after.

OK, enough bad news. The good news is that Sprint reps really vary in
their knowledge and willingness to help. Given the amount of money,
you might want to call them, every day, and pester them to refund some
of the money, until you find a rep that's willing to do it for you.
Call enough people and, perhaps, at some point, someone will take pity
and give you the refund... or will make an error and give it to you.

Be aware, however, that there have been automated and manual audits.
People have found that, even after a rep credits an account, that the
fee is reapplied weeks or months later. Sprint is not shy about
retroactive changes, when a rep has made an error in the customer's
favor.

But, hey, it's worth a shot. All you to lose is the time spent on the
phone.

You say right up front you are legally responsible. Therefore I don't
see why they would meet you halfway - why not demand all of what you
are contractually obligated to pay?

Legally speaking, I am not sure if or how the class action suit
affects you. I believe you were part of the class based on when you
signed up for the service. There are multiple affected parties,
evidently - the claims were for one part were due May 11, but others
not until 2011.

It may be your best course of action is pay the tariff now (to keep
your credit clean), and go back and pursue a claim (if you can) as
part of the class action suit.

I wonder if and what they are planning to alter about their ETF
structure, base on the fact there was a class action suit settled. It
seems surprising they would continue to conduct business the exact
same way.

Legally I am responsible (I read the fine print too late).
Well you admit that you are responsible. They likely are not going to
do anything for you, as that was part of the contract.
However maybe they will be willing to waive a portion, however in
these times where many firms are struggling financially, companies are
less likely to give courtest refunds on fees.