The last of the big cellular carriers to pro-rate its early termination fees, Sprint is expected to catch up with its competitors on November 2.
It currently charges $200 to leave town before a 2-year contract expires. Once pro-rating begins, its fee will decline on a schedule spread over the life of the contract. It will only apply to new customers, according to reports. If you’re already with Sprint, you will not get out of the contract without paying the full fee.
That may seem oddly extortive. If so, you might be further surprised to find that Sprint’s already gotten into trouble for shafting its current customers: a California judge ordered it to reimburse $73m to customers earlier this year.
The reason for such bull-headedness seems obvious: it needs the cash. While Sprint has made efforts to fix its reputation for poor customer care, it’s still losing customers. So it’s happy to anger them, and even risk legal sanction, to pry $200 from each and every one.
Sprint to join rivals in cutting termination fees
[AP via The Consumerist]
“It will only apply to new customers, according to reports.”
I thought I’d read every report on this, as I’m desperate to get out of my contract, but I haven’t see this tidbit. Where has this been reported?