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  1. #1
    paulisme
    Guest
    I called customer support yesterday to cancel my service with
    SprintPCS. The service I was receiving was not adequate in that I
    constantly experienced dropped calls and frequently was without
    service even in areas which were reasonably within the network. I was
    told that I had renewed my contract in March and that I could not
    cancel without paying a $150 early cancellation fee. I did not renew
    and would not have renewed my service in March because of the
    inadequate service I was getting. When I asked for detailed
    information about the renewal, the representative was not able to
    provide anything but the date. I talked to the representative's
    supervisor, and he was not able to give me any details either. He
    said that a representative would have called me and asked if I wanted
    to renew my contract, but he could not give me the name of the
    representative or even verify that the call even took place. The
    representative even said that I wasn't up for renewal until May, but
    that my contract was renewed in March. I ended up cancelling the
    service, but the representative said I'd have to pay the $150 fee.
    When I asked if there was anyone else there I could talk to about
    this, he told me there wasn't and that I would have to write a letter
    to dispute the charge. I'm certain that I never renewed this
    contract, yet they say I did. What should I do? Should I file a
    dispute with them first, or should I file a complaint with the FTC?

    Paul



    See More: Question about contract renewal and early cancellation fee




  2. #2
    Phillipe
    Guest

    Re: Question about contract renewal and early cancellation fee

    In article <[email protected]>,
    [email protected] (paulisme) wrote:

    > I called customer support yesterday to cancel my service with
    > SprintPCS. The service I was receiving was not adequate in that I
    > constantly experienced dropped calls and frequently was without
    > service even in areas which were reasonably within the network. I was
    > told that I had renewed my contract in March and that I could not
    > cancel without paying a $150 early cancellation fee. I did not renew
    > and would not have renewed my service in March because of the
    > inadequate service I was getting. When I asked for detailed
    > information about the renewal, the representative was not able to
    > provide anything but the date. I talked to the representative's
    > supervisor, and he was not able to give me any details either. He
    > said that a representative would have called me and asked if I wanted
    > to renew my contract, but he could not give me the name of the
    > representative or even verify that the call even took place. The
    > representative even said that I wasn't up for renewal until May, but
    > that my contract was renewed in March. I ended up cancelling the
    > service, but the representative said I'd have to pay the $150 fee.
    > When I asked if there was anyone else there I could talk to about
    > this, he told me there wasn't and that I would have to write a letter
    > to dispute the charge. I'm certain that I never renewed this
    > contract, yet they say I did. What should I do? Should I file a
    > dispute with them first, or should I file a complaint with the FTC?


    First make sure you had no contact with Sprint in March. It could be
    embarressing if they could produce a recording of your renewal.

    File with the BBB, your State's Attorney General, the FCC, and the FTC,
    with a certfied copy to Sprint. The LAST thing you should do is pay and
    hope for a refund later.

    Good Luck.



  3. #3
    letsgoflyers81
    Guest

    Re: Question about contract renewal and early cancellation fee


    paulisme wrote:
    > *I called customer support yesterday to cancel my service with
    > SprintPCS. The service I was receiving was not adequate in that I
    > constantly experienced dropped calls and frequently was without
    > service even in areas which were reasonably within the network. I
    > was
    > told that I had renewed my contract in March and that I could not
    > cancel without paying a $150 early cancellation fee. I did not
    > renew
    > and would not have renewed my service in March because of the
    > inadequate service I was getting. When I asked for detailed
    > information about the renewal, the representative was not able to
    > provide anything but the date. I talked to the representative's
    > supervisor, and he was not able to give me any details either. He
    > said that a representative would have called me and asked if I
    > wanted
    > to renew my contract, but he could not give me the name of the
    > representative or even verify that the call even took place. The
    > representative even said that I wasn't up for renewal until May, but
    > that my contract was renewed in March. I ended up cancelling the
    > service, but the representative said I'd have to pay the $150 fee.
    > When I asked if there was anyone else there I could talk to about
    > this, he told me there wasn't and that I would have to write a
    > letter
    > to dispute the charge. I'm certain that I never renewed this
    > contract, yet they say I did. What should I do? Should I file a
    > dispute with them first, or should I file a complaint with the FTC?
    >
    > Paul *


    First thing first, if you didn't enter into a new agreement, don't pay.
    If they're going to charge you for breaking a contract, they need to
    prove that there's a contract. That's why you click a box online or
    they record you agreeing during a phone call when you agree to a new
    contract. If they can't show proof, then they can't make you pay.
    They're either lying about the whole thing, or some rep you talked to
    back in March signed you up without your consent or knowledge. Bottom
    line is that if you didn't agree to it, don't pay. You can try the
    FTC, but send a letter to corporate, the Better Business Bureau, FCC,
    and the Attorney General in your state and Sprint's headquarters'
    state. Threaten to sue for the $150 plus court costs and let them know
    you're sending the letter of your experience to the other outlets.
    They'll back off.

    --
    Posted at SprintUsers.com - Your place for everything Sprint PCS
    Free wireless access @ www.SprintUsers.com/wap




  4. #4
    Steven J Sobol
    Guest

    Re: Question about contract renewal and early cancellation fee

    paulisme <[email protected]> wrote:
    > to dispute the charge. I'm certain that I never renewed this
    > contract, yet they say I did. What should I do? Should I file a
    > dispute with them first, or should I file a complaint with the FTC?


    This really isn't within the purview of the FTC. If filing complaints,
    file with your state Public Utilities Commission (if they regulate wireless
    carriers; not all do) and your state Attorney General and the AG in
    Kansas, where Sprint is headquartered.

    --
    JustThe.net Internet & Multimedia Services
    22674 Motnocab Road * Apple Valley, CA 92307-1950
    Steve Sobol, Proprietor
    888.480.4NET (4638) * 248.724.4NET * [email protected]



  5. #5
    Eric
    Guest

    Re: Question about contract renewal and early cancellation fee

    <<I was told that I had renewed my contract in March and that I could
    not cancel without paying a $150 early cancellation fee. I did not renew
    and would not have renewed my service in March because of the inadequate
    service I was getting. When I asked for detailed information about the
    renewal, the representative was not able to provide anything but the
    date. I talked to the representative's supervisor, and he was not able
    to give me any details either. He said that a representative would have
    called me and asked if I wanted to renew my contract, but he could not
    give me the name of the representative or even verify that the call even
    took place. The representative even said that I wasn't up for renewal
    until May, but that my contract was renewed in March. I ended up
    cancelling the service, but the representative said I'd have to pay the
    $150 fee. When I asked if there was anyone else there I could talk to
    about this, he told me there wasn't and that I would have to write a
    letter to dispute the charge. I'm certain that I never renewed this
    contract, yet they say I did. >>

    Like Phillipe says, make sure you didn't renew by accident or anything.
    Did you change your service plan back in March? Make any kind of
    adjustments to your account? If so, Sprint usually renews one's
    contract when the customer changes a service plan or anything like that
    -- and sometimes they don't tell you so. Kind of shady. Most do, but
    some don't.

    If you changed plans or added a service or did an ESN swap, Sprint
    typically renews your contract on that date -- but it *is* their
    responsibility to tell you so.

    If you don't fall into that catergory, then writing a letter and filing
    a compaint with the BBB would be the way to go. It is their
    responsibility to provide you with information on how the contract was
    renewed and under what circumstances and who renewed it. Anytime a
    transaction or change is done on your account, the rep's ID should be on
    there. So them telling you they can't tell you who renewed it is not
    being truthful. You just have to be demanding and steadfast and Sprint
    will back down.

    Good luck.

    Eric




  6. #6
    Justin
    Guest

    Re: Question about contract renewal and early cancellation fee


    "paulisme" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > I called customer support yesterday to cancel my service with
    > SprintPCS. The service I was receiving was not adequate in that I
    > constantly experienced dropped calls and frequently was without
    > service even in areas which were reasonably within the network. I was
    > told that I had renewed my contract in March and that I could not
    > cancel without paying a $150 early cancellation fee. I did not renew
    > and would not have renewed my service in March because of the
    > inadequate service I was getting. When I asked for detailed
    > information about the renewal, the representative was not able to
    > provide anything but the date. I talked to the representative's
    > supervisor, and he was not able to give me any details either. He
    > said that a representative would have called me and asked if I wanted
    > to renew my contract, but he could not give me the name of the
    > representative or even verify that the call even took place. The
    > representative even said that I wasn't up for renewal until May, but
    > that my contract was renewed in March. I ended up cancelling the
    > service, but the representative said I'd have to pay the $150 fee.
    > When I asked if there was anyone else there I could talk to about
    > this, he told me there wasn't and that I would have to write a letter
    > to dispute the charge. I'm certain that I never renewed this
    > contract, yet they say I did. What should I do? Should I file a
    > dispute with them first, or should I file a complaint with the FTC?
    >
    > Paul


    I had pretty much the same experience. Did you buy a new phone in March? I
    was told that if you activate a new phone and aren't charged an activation
    fee, it's because you are automatically signed up for another one or
    two-year contract. I had no idea, no one pointed this out to me. All I
    knew was that I went to cancel and they had me down for an additional two
    years at the end of the current contract I was under.

    If the service is really poor in your area, and you've contacted *2 about
    the problem, I'm sure they've had you take the phone in for updates and
    diagnostic testing. None of this will likely help, however, but it does
    show that you've made efforts to allow the company to resolve your issues.
    Also, if you do get in contact with someone at Sprint that says they'll
    waive the fee, call back and verify this. You'd be amazed at how they lie
    to get you off the phone.

    Next step is to write letters to the BBB in your state *and* in Kentucky and
    Missouri, where Sprint's corporate headquarters, CEO, and billing
    departments are located. Also, mail the same letter to the Attorney Generals
    of each state, and to the FCC. Make sure you write very professionally and
    unemotionally. State your case, the sequence of events or steps you took to
    resolve the issue, etc.

    It's sad that you'd have to go that far, but Sprint *will not* admit to
    having coverage problems in areas they advertise. They will always tell you
    that you are receiving service.

    Good luck.

    Justin





  7. #7
    Steven J Sobol
    Guest

    Re: Question about contract renewal and early cancellation fee

    Phillipe <[email protected]> wrote:

    > File with the BBB, your State's Attorney General, the FCC, and the FTC,
    > with a certfied copy to Sprint. The LAST thing you should do is pay and
    > hope for a refund later.


    Don't file with the BBB, the BBB is toothless.
    The FTC doesn't have a whole lot of say over the matter.

    Best bet is your state's PUC if they handle wireless (some don't),
    your state's AG, the Kansas AG, and the FCC if necessary.

    --
    JustThe.net Internet & Multimedia Services
    22674 Motnocab Road * Apple Valley, CA 92307-1950
    Steve Sobol, Proprietor
    888.480.4NET (4638) * 248.724.4NET * [email protected]



  8. #8
    Thomas T. Veldhouse
    Guest

    Re: Question about contract renewal and early cancellation fee


    "Eric" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > <<I was told that I had renewed my contract in March and that I could
    > not cancel without paying a $150 early cancellation fee. I did not renew
    > and would not have renewed my service in March because of the inadequate
    > service I was getting. When I asked for detailed information about the
    > renewal, the representative was not able to provide anything but the
    > date. I talked to the representative's supervisor, and he was not able
    > to give me any details either. He said that a representative would have
    > called me and asked if I wanted to renew my contract, but he could not
    > give me the name of the representative or even verify that the call even
    > took place. The representative even said that I wasn't up for renewal
    > until May, but that my contract was renewed in March. I ended up
    > cancelling the service, but the representative said I'd have to pay the
    > $150 fee. When I asked if there was anyone else there I could talk to
    > about this, he told me there wasn't and that I would have to write a
    > letter to dispute the charge. I'm certain that I never renewed this
    > contract, yet they say I did. >>
    >
    > Like Phillipe says, make sure you didn't renew by accident or anything.
    > Did you change your service plan back in March? Make any kind of
    > adjustments to your account? If so, Sprint usually renews one's
    > contract when the customer changes a service plan or anything like that
    > -- and sometimes they don't tell you so. Kind of shady. Most do, but
    > some don't.
    >
    > If you changed plans or added a service or did an ESN swap, Sprint
    > typically renews your contract on that date -- but it *is* their
    > responsibility to tell you so.
    >
    > If you don't fall into that catergory, then writing a letter and filing
    > a compaint with the BBB would be the way to go. It is their
    > responsibility to provide you with information on how the contract was
    > renewed and under what circumstances and who renewed it. Anytime a
    > transaction or change is done on your account, the rep's ID should be on
    > there. So them telling you they can't tell you who renewed it is not
    > being truthful. You just have to be demanding and steadfast and Sprint
    > will back down.
    >
    > Good luck.
    >


    Sprint only renews your plan for a plan change, not an adding or subtracting
    plan services (i.e. $5 PCS-PCS, Roadside Assistance, etc). You can change
    plan services to your hearts content. To commit you to a new plan, they
    must either get a signature, a web based consent or a recorded voice consent
    for it to be valid. Otherwise, if they hit your credit and damage it, you
    have grounds to sue for damages and they better come up with the acceptance
    (signature, recording or web acceptance). A subpoena can do wonderful
    things for you (can get you out of lots of speeding tickets ... subpoena the
    radar calibration records .. chances are good that the radar was not
    calibrated in a timely manner according to the law).

    Tom Veldhouse





  9. #9
    Justin
    Guest

    Re: Question about contract renewal and early cancellation fee


    "Thomas T. Veldhouse" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    >
    > "Eric" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > > <<I was told that I had renewed my contract in March and that I could
    > > not cancel without paying a $150 early cancellation fee. I did not renew
    > > and would not have renewed my service in March because of the inadequate
    > > service I was getting. When I asked for detailed information about the
    > > renewal, the representative was not able to provide anything but the
    > > date. I talked to the representative's supervisor, and he was not able
    > > to give me any details either. He said that a representative would have
    > > called me and asked if I wanted to renew my contract, but he could not
    > > give me the name of the representative or even verify that the call even
    > > took place. The representative even said that I wasn't up for renewal
    > > until May, but that my contract was renewed in March. I ended up
    > > cancelling the service, but the representative said I'd have to pay the
    > > $150 fee. When I asked if there was anyone else there I could talk to
    > > about this, he told me there wasn't and that I would have to write a
    > > letter to dispute the charge. I'm certain that I never renewed this
    > > contract, yet they say I did. >>
    > >
    > > Like Phillipe says, make sure you didn't renew by accident or anything.
    > > Did you change your service plan back in March? Make any kind of
    > > adjustments to your account? If so, Sprint usually renews one's
    > > contract when the customer changes a service plan or anything like that
    > > -- and sometimes they don't tell you so. Kind of shady. Most do, but
    > > some don't.
    > >
    > > If you changed plans or added a service or did an ESN swap, Sprint
    > > typically renews your contract on that date -- but it *is* their
    > > responsibility to tell you so.
    > >
    > > If you don't fall into that catergory, then writing a letter and filing
    > > a compaint with the BBB would be the way to go. It is their
    > > responsibility to provide you with information on how the contract was
    > > renewed and under what circumstances and who renewed it. Anytime a
    > > transaction or change is done on your account, the rep's ID should be on
    > > there. So them telling you they can't tell you who renewed it is not
    > > being truthful. You just have to be demanding and steadfast and Sprint
    > > will back down.
    > >
    > > Good luck.
    > >

    >
    > Sprint only renews your plan for a plan change, not an adding or

    subtracting
    > plan services (i.e. $5 PCS-PCS, Roadside Assistance, etc).


    They also renew plans if you buy a phone and have it activated. I did, and
    they didn't even bother to tell me about the choice to pay the activation
    fees or sign a two year contract.

    > You can change
    > plan services to your hearts content. To commit you to a new plan, they
    > must either get a signature, a web based consent or a recorded voice

    consent
    > for it to be valid.


    Again, not if you buy a phone.

    > Otherwise, if they hit your credit and damage it, you
    > have grounds to sue for damages and they better come up with the

    acceptance
    > (signature, recording or web acceptance). A subpoena can do wonderful
    > things for you (can get you out of lots of speeding tickets ... subpoena

    the
    > radar calibration records .. chances are good that the radar was not
    > calibrated in a timely manner according to the law).
    >
    > Tom Veldhouse
    >
    >






  10. #10
    Lawrence G. Mayka
    Guest

    Re: Question about contract renewal and early cancellation fee

    "Justin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > I had pretty much the same experience. Did you buy a new phone in March? I
    > was told that if you activate a new phone and aren't charged an activation
    > fee, it's because you are automatically signed up for another one or
    > two-year contract. I had no idea, no one pointed this out to me. All I


    Justin, do you simply mean an ESN swap--replacing an old phone with a new phone
    on the same plan and phone number? This cannot possibly sign you to a new
    contract "automatically" (though lying Sprint reps and "supervisors"--probably
    bluffers in the next cubicle--might claim it can). Once again I must point out
    that regardless of the lies that Sprint reps and "sups" may tell us, Sprint's
    policy is clearly on their Web site:

    http://activate.sprintpcs.com/explore/OLAHome.jsp

    "A non-refundable $36.00 activation fee* will be applied unless you are a
    current PCS customer and are replacing your existing phone with a new one."

    It is unfortunate that Sprint apparently believes that it can use lies and
    frauds on most customers, because only a few will actually contact the state's
    attorney general.





  11. #11
    Justin
    Guest

    Re: Question about contract renewal and early cancellation fee


    "Lawrence G. Mayka" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > "Justin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > > I had pretty much the same experience. Did you buy a new phone in

    March? I
    > > was told that if you activate a new phone and aren't charged an

    activation
    > > fee, it's because you are automatically signed up for another one or
    > > two-year contract. I had no idea, no one pointed this out to me. All I

    >
    > Justin, do you simply mean an ESN swap--replacing an old phone with a new

    phone
    > on the same plan and phone number? This cannot possibly sign you to a new
    > contract "automatically" (though lying Sprint reps and

    "supervisors"--probably
    > bluffers in the next cubicle--might claim it can). Once again I must

    point out
    > that regardless of the lies that Sprint reps and "sups" may tell us,

    Sprint's
    > policy is clearly on their Web site:


    Here's what happened. Due to the dropped calls/reception issues, I was
    becoming really frusterated with having no phones at home. *2 advised me
    that they would give me a discount on purchasing a new phone due to the
    trouble I had experienced. I went into the store, described my problems,
    and the store rep actually told me that a better phone would get a better
    signal. So I asked him which phones were better than the LG 1100s. He
    suggested, and I bought two Sanyo 8100s. He activated them there in the
    store, I paid for them, and wham, I was signed up for a 2 year contract. I
    didn't even find this out until a few days later when I called to cancel my
    service. The *2 rep asked if I wanted to cancel my current contract, or the
    two year contract I had just signed up for. Then I knew.

    >
    > http://activate.sprintpcs.com/explore/OLAHome.jsp
    >
    > "A non-refundable $36.00 activation fee* will be applied unless you are a
    > current PCS customer and are replacing your existing phone with a new

    one."
    >
    > It is unfortunate that Sprint apparently believes that it can use lies and
    > frauds on most customers, because only a few will actually contact the

    state's
    > attorney general.
    >
    >






  12. #12
    Justin
    Guest

    Re: Question about contract renewal and early cancellation fee


    "Justin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    >
    > "Lawrence G. Mayka" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > > "Justin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > > news:[email protected]...
    > > > I had pretty much the same experience. Did you buy a new phone in

    > March? I
    > > > was told that if you activate a new phone and aren't charged an

    > activation
    > > > fee, it's because you are automatically signed up for another one or
    > > > two-year contract. I had no idea, no one pointed this out to me. All

    I
    > >
    > > Justin, do you simply mean an ESN swap--replacing an old phone with a

    new
    > phone
    > > on the same plan and phone number? This cannot possibly sign you to a

    new
    > > contract "automatically" (though lying Sprint reps and

    > "supervisors"--probably
    > > bluffers in the next cubicle--might claim it can). Once again I must

    > point out
    > > that regardless of the lies that Sprint reps and "sups" may tell us,

    > Sprint's
    > > policy is clearly on their Web site:

    >
    > Here's what happened. Due to the dropped calls/reception issues, I was
    > becoming really frusterated with having no phones at home. *2 advised me
    > that they would give me a discount on purchasing a new phone due to the
    > trouble I had experienced. I went into the store, described my problems,
    > and the store rep actually told me that a better phone would get a better
    > signal. So I asked him which phones were better than the LG 1100s. He
    > suggested, and I bought two Sanyo 8100s. He activated them there in the
    > store, I paid for them, and wham, I was signed up for a 2 year contract.

    I
    > didn't even find this out until a few days later when I called to cancel

    my
    > service. The *2 rep asked if I wanted to cancel my current contract, or

    the
    > two year contract I had just signed up for. Then I knew.



    P.S. - I didn't fully answer your question. I retained the same numbers and
    plan. They just extended the contract 2 years.





  13. #13
    Eric
    Guest

    Re: Question about contract renewal and early cancellation fee

    <<Sprint only renews your plan for a plan change, not an adding or
    subtracting plan services (i.e. $5 PCS-PCS, Roadside Assistance, etc).
    You can change plan services to your hearts content.>>

    Thanks Tom, I was wrongfully under the assumption that Sprint could
    renew your contract with any type of changes to your account or plan.
    Thanks for clearing that up.

    Eric




  14. #14
    Lawrence G. Mayka
    Guest

    Re: Question about contract renewal and early cancellation fee

    "Justin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > P.S. - I didn't fully answer your question. I retained the same numbers and
    > plan. They just extended the contract 2 years.


    If you did not give your affirmative consent to a new agreement--by words,
    signature, clicking a box, etc.--Sprint's claim is just another fraudulent lie.
    Most likely, Sprint's official *policy* is not to offer a discount on a new
    phone unless the customer renews his agreement. The policy probably also states
    that the salesperson is supposed to explain the requirement and get consent.
    But salespeople probably often just avoid talking about any agreement (after
    all, it might kill the sale) and rely on after-the-fact blustering (fraudulent
    lying) from *2 to smooth out the dis-agreement.





  15. #15
    JRW
    Guest

    Re: Question about contract renewal and early cancellation fee

    Eric wrote:

    > If you changed plans or added a service or did an ESN swap, Sprint
    > typically renews your contract on that date -- but it *is* their
    > responsibility to tell you so.


    I temporarily did an ESN swap to my old Sanyo 6200 two weeks and
    later back to my 4900. On both times, the Sprint website was
    reverting to the iPlanet Web Server default page; so I had to
    call CS for the change. On both calls I explained the ESN Change
    website was down and asked if there would be a $35 charge. I was
    told no on both calls, the first CSR rep said there was a known
    issue at the time.

    Neither CSR said anything about extending my one year contract,
    I was very careful to listen for that, HOWEVER...I didn't ask.

    Much the same way I had a billing question and CSR offered me an
    8:00 PM starting time for evening minutes. After she added it I
    asked if it would extend my contract, she said it would, I
    refused the offer.

    Guess I better call and see when my contract expires.




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