more on Locked In a Cell: How Cell Phone Early Terminati on Fees Hurt Consumers

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Michael Bacarella <mbac () netgraft com>
Date: October 16, 2005 2:12:05 PM EDT
To: David Farber <dave () farber net>
Subject: Re: [IP] more on Locked In a Cell: How Cell Phone Early  
Terminati on Fees Hurt Consumers


On Sun, Oct 16, 2005 at 09:53:29AM -0400, David Farber wrote:
[...]

> Cell carriers argue the fees are necessary so they can recoup the
> costs of adding new customers to their networks in the event that
> customers leave before their contracts expire. They point, in
> particular, to their practice of greatly subsidizing the cost of the
> phones themselves (a tactic borrowed from the razor blade industry).
> Moreover, they argue, in a free and competitive market, states
> shouldn't be going around telling them what kinds of fees to charge.
> Customers should know the terms of the contract when they sign up -
> and shouldn't complain later if they don't like those terms.


> I'm all for this free-market thing: I'm a consumer, after all, and I
> want as many companies as possible beating each other's brains out to
> win me as a customer. But since when, in a free-market, does any
> company have a guaranteed right to recoup its costs - even when an
> unsatisfied customer wants to leave early because of shoddy service?
> If I buy a car and then return it because it doesn't work, should the
> dealer be able to charge me a fee for selling it to me?

*What?*  Are you seriously arguing that the carriers should be  
_required_
to give you service even if they fear they're going to lose money by
serving you?  Are you insane?

If a cell phone was a human right, you might have a point.  But it's
not.  Many people function without this luxury and some people are even
happier without one.  Willingly, voluntarily entering an agreement and
then complaining about the terms accepted on a luxury service strikes me
as immature.

Re: service changes in mid-contract or contracts entered when the
carrier has not subsidized the cost of your handset: these are all
legal bases to challenge the contract.  If the carriers won't
acknowledge this, why not take them to small claims court?



-------------------------------------
You are subscribed as lists-ip () insecure org
To manage your subscription, go to
 http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip

Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/