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Smart people don't shell out $700 on a new device or get tangled up in a 3-year contract that puts a $2100 dent in your budget over 36 months If you're going t

Smart people don't shell out $700 on a new device or get tangled up in a 3-year contract that puts a $2100 dent in your budget over 36 months If you're going to use your phone anyway, why wouldn't you get "tied" into a contract? Contracts aren't made to screw you over - they're made to retain customers over a certain amount of time. Considering the heavy regular by the FCC in the US and the CCTS in Canada, you can't really even get screwed over. This is completely aside from the point I'm trying to make, but you're never really tied into a contract if you're smart. Customer service reps at all the major phone companies are so poorly trained, that forcing a mistake is extremely easy. There are also other regulations in place, that makes escaping a contract without a fee, very possible.

wildmXranat 15y ago
Correct on many fronts, but the regulations you speak of are local to whichever market you're in. Here, in Canada, a person will be nicked $20 x number of months left plus I think $10 x number of months left on data plan. Altogether, it is capped at around $300 - $400 just to leave. That is insane when you compare it to what it actually gets you.
- markokocic 15y ago
  Then why sign such a contract in the first place?
- Shenglong 15y ago
  I'm in Canada, and I've filed CCTS complaints for both Rogers and Bell. Bell refunded me about $500, and cancelled my plan for free. Rogers had a different issue, but fixed all my problems as well. It's just that most people don't realize there are regulating bodies, and thus do not pursue injustices. In the US, Verizon's executive office called me with an apology, and fixed up the problems as well. Verizon took about 15 days to respond. Bell took about a month, and Rogers took about 5 months. In the end though, they compensate you as if they would've responded right away.
- glhaynes 15y ago
  So max $300-400 cost to me on the very unlikely (for me) chance that I have to change service in the next 2 years vs. an absolutely certain several hundred $s off the price of the device? Doesn't seem that insane unless I'm missing something.

wildmXranat 15y ago

Correct on many fronts, but the regulations you speak of are local to whichever market you're in. Here, in Canada, a person will be nicked $20 x number of months left plus I think $10 x number of months left on data plan. Altogether, it is capped at around $300 - $400 just to leave. That is insane when you compare it to what it actually gets you.

markokocic 15y ago
Then why sign such a contract in the first place?
Shenglong 15y ago
I'm in Canada, and I've filed CCTS complaints for both Rogers and Bell. Bell refunded me about $500, and cancelled my plan for free. Rogers had a different issue, but fixed all my problems as well. It's just that most people don't realize there are regulating bodies, and thus do not pursue injustices. In the US, Verizon's executive office called me with an apology, and fixed up the problems as well. Verizon took about 15 days to respond. Bell took about a month, and Rogers took about 5 months. In the end though, they compensate you as if they would've responded right away.
glhaynes 15y ago
So max $300-400 cost to me on the very unlikely (for me) chance that I have to change service in the next 2 years vs. an absolutely certain several hundred $s off the price of the device? Doesn't seem that insane unless I'm missing something.