On September 9th, Sprint will increase their administrative charge to $1.50 per line. You have every right to cancel your contract without paying the early termination fee. Here’s their terms and conditions:
Administrative Charge Increase &Terms & Conditions Changes for Consumers
Effective 9/9/11, the Administrative Charge will increase to $1.50 per line for customers that receive the charge. For details, visitsprint.com/taxesandfees. In addition, the Sprint consumer Terms (Ts&Cs) are changing. Please review them carefully at your local Sprint store or sprint.com/termsandconditions
You will have 30 days to cancel your lines at no charge. Just so you know, Sprint will be getting the iPhone 5 in mid October, so you might want to stay. However, you could also negotiate and get freebies such as service credit to offset this fee or full upgrade on your phones if you don’t want to cancel. The easiest way to take care of this is talk to Sprint Executive Office to cancel.
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- Call (866) 727-0665 and ask for Executive Office
- Tell them there is an Administrative Fee Increase and you want to cancel your lines without paying ETF.
If you want to negotiate, then call customer service and ask for Account Services(retention department).
When You Don’t Have To Pay An Early Termination Fee
You aren’t responsible for paying an Early Termination Fee when terminating Services: (a) provided on a month-to-month basis; (b) consistent with our published trial period return policy; or (c) in response to a materially adverse change we make to the Agreement as described directly below.Our Right To Change The Agreement & Your Related Rights
We may change any part of the Agreement at any time, including, but not limited to, rates, charges, how we calculate charges, or your terms of Service. We will provide you notice of material changes—and may provide you notice of non-material changes—in a manner consistent with this Agreement (see “Providing Notice To Each Other Under The Agreement” section). If a change we make to the Agreement is material and has a material adverse effect on Services under your Term Commitment, you may terminate each line of Service materially affected without incurring an Early Termination Fee only if you: (a) call us within 30 days after the effective date of the change; and (b) specifically advise us that you wish to cancel Services because of a material change to the Agreement that we have made. If you do not cancel Service within 30 days of the change, an Early Termination Fee will apply if you terminate Services before the end of any applicable Term Commitment.
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I agree. Plus, only a$$holes trying to fraud phones will want to do something like this.
Hey this is all old news. You can’t do this anymore. So everyone knows now, this thread was posted almost 2 years ago… An agreement that they made in 2011 is not going to hold up now. By this thread alone sprint is going to catch on and change it up til people can’t cheat them out. You should of done your research before you all got your contracts. Suck it up and stay with sprint, pay the fee, or don’t get into a 2 year contract.
Hi, I have a problem with Sprint. I’m in Canada right now and they charged me $637 in data charges that I was unaware of when I asked a rep if I’d pay anything other than roaming. They told me no and they claim the they can only reduce my bill $50 and that it’s my fault I didn’t call them, which I know for is a bunch of BS. How can I get them to reduce that price. I tried to threaten them and say I was leaving with our five phones but all they did was say sorry. HELP!
No the only way to get on a SERO plan is to be friends with a Sprint employee its their referral plans
what a dumb question
Does this still work? Thanks
You’ve got to stand up, and not back down.
Corporations like Sprint are out of control, and have become “too big to abide by their terms of their own contracts” because they know few people actually have the time or patience to read them thoroughly and understand them. What’s worse?
Even when you figure out all the fine print and what they are really trying to get away with …..what can 1 customer do about it?
Uhhh….Take Sprint to small claims court to prove it? Oh sure…..
I recently had a similar problem with them over the $35 restocking fee they charge you to exchange or return a new device.
I returned my new device within the first 3 days, and cancelled my acct as I had been month to month when I upgraded. I printed out their policy, from their website and took it to the store with me. I told them I’d be happy to pay the restocking fee, just as soon as they could point out where the policy stated I was responsible for it. The policy actually and specifically states in 3 places “in most exchange situations there is a $35 restocking fee” but not once did it say the fee applied to returns.
Needless to say, a huge argument ensued and the employee REFUSED TO ACCEPT MY RETURN until after I paid her another $35 fee.
They wouldn’t deduct it from the purchase I had already made, and credit me the remainder. So I had to give them an additional $35 first!!! Unbelieveable! I also feel this is a highly unethical business practice.
Sorry Sprint, but I’m not one to give up when I know that I’m right and you’re blatenly taking advantage of people.
I won’t tell you that it was easy, or quick, or even non-infuriating but I eventually got back my $35 fee. Here’s the kicker….
I just noticed tonight, that the “Satisfaction Guarantee Policy” posted on Sprints webpage has been edited oh so slightly attempting to sound like it applies to a return as well.
You would think they would have made sure to get it right this time, but they must have some really shitty contract attorneys because I still don’t think the terms are clear. It’s vague, and the terms stated conflict with the terms of the additional document you are taken to by following the embedded link within the policy itself. The link that says “for details on how to return or exchange your device” should probably say ” for conflicting information about returning or exchanging your device click here”.
I have serious doubt that any judge would enforce the terms of such amature dribble in any court of law or deem it to be legally binding or enforceable between parties.
Now I’m curious to know how often things like this are occuring. If you have experienced a problem like this I’d be interested in hearing from you. If you know of some irrate Sprint customer, mention this page as well. Anyone else who feels Sprint has attempted to breech the terms of their contract….
lets find out how ethical they really do business or if this is actually a rampant issue. I’ll be sure to keep you updated if I learn anything interesting or new. shelbyie@yahoo.com
I just saw this. Is it too late to cancel?
Brandon,
You signed your contract on 9/21/2010. I Signed mine in June 2010. Is it safe to say that my contract terms were similar to yours? (only .99 cent fee)
I reviewed the contract I signed on 11/9/2010 and it says they can charge up to 1.99 for an administrative charge…. I’ve been on the phone with them, bounced around from manager to manager and they’re not budging … : (
This worked for me…
I had to call about 20 times to get them to comply with the terms. the last time I called, the call was escalated to the management team almost immediately. I talked to the man very calmly and explained the situation with him. I told him that sprint had changed the terms of my contract several times, I had the original contract in which I signed dated 9/21/2010 and I was not going to accept the new terms with their material changes. He said that sprints attorneys had already looked at the changes to the “surcharges” paragraph and they were not an adverse material change due to the fact that sprint is just imposing limits which it had none before. So I went on to explain the adverse change to the arbitration agreement which impeded my ability to pursue any wrong doing and showed sprint favoritism. I told him of all the complaints I had been researching about JAMS arbitration showing the business favoritism. He asked me to hold a minute and came right back asking if I had considered the buy back program. I told him absolutely not I was not going to loose $250 on a phone less than a year old which they would only give $95 for and expect me to pay $110 for an ETF. He said unfortunately there is nothing I can do. I replied, I am following all the terms of the contract, I stated the Provisions for breaking the contract with no ETF (material change) and again told him this new arbitration agreement which I would be using to pursue the change to the “surcharge” paragraph adversely affects me. He asked me to hold he would transfer my call to the head of his call center because his hands were tied. About 20 minutes later he came back on the line and told me he had talked to the head of the call center and he was willing to mark my contract fulfilled as of last month and set my account to cancel at the end of the billing cycle so I could port my number if I wanted. I told him that was awesome and I appreciated them abiding by our contract even though it took multiple calls to get it completed.
1. Take notes. write down the names and employee ID of all the people you talk to.
2. Make sure you tell them you want to cancel due to the material change to the terms and conditions.
3. If you get a person that seems like they are put out by having to be at work right now tell them something came up and you will have to call back later and thank them for their time. then call right back and get someone who is having a better day.
4. Tell them you do not like the fees but the change to the arbitration agreement is the material change that you do not agree with, it is because they are impeding your ability to resolve any disputes with sprint due to the changes to the arbitration agreement so it adversely affects you.
5. Do not let the persuade you into the buyback program unless you know what the conditions are and you don’t mind loosing all the money you paid for your phone upfront, you will still have to pay the ETF and they don’t pay much for phones ($95 max for the Epic). You could sell your phone on craigslist for more than they offer and possibly enough to cover the ETF.
6. Always remain calm and collected speak slowly and plainly, be courteous mind you manners. Talk to the employee for a minute ask where he is located and how his day is going. Make sure you are improving their mood sympathize with them. Tell them you understand they have been told what to say and they have to follow orders but someone must be able to complete this and abide by the terms and conditions. Talk to them like their on your side (reverse psychology). If I can make them laugh over something I usually have their support when the call is escalated to the next department. It definitely makes a difference if the previous employee leaves a good comment and they side with you on the account and doesn’t say you are an ahole.
7. Do not let them persuade you into the buyback program unless you know what the conditions are and you don’t mind loosing all the money you paid for your phone upfront, you will still have to pay the ETF and they don’t pay much for phones ($95 max for the Epic). You could sell your phone on craigslist for more than they offer and possibly enough to cover the ETF.
8. If the employee does not agree the arbitration change is a material change. mention “In Cunningham vs. Fleetwood Homes of Georgia, reported at page 611 of the third Federal Reporter, volume 253, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that arbitration clauses are material terms to a contract.”
9. They may offer a discount of .50 each month to offset the surcharge or $10 a month for 3 months to continue service. If you take these offers your contract will still be in full effect and you will be stuck with the new terms.
10. Get a CONFIRMATION NUMBER and keep it safe. Do not loose it just in case the employee lied which has been known to happen from time to time. check your account online and click “see my contract details” it should show almost immediately the contract is complete. press print screen and save the image at least until your final bill has arrived and is correct. I have been burned by companies which lied in the past because it does not matter what they tell you on the phone its what is in writing that counts. If they lie and you have no proof 30 days after the change you are stuck in your contract.
With a bit of luck they should let you out of the contract depending on the representative. They have no legal grounds to make you stay. If they refuse try again be persistent. I overheard the employees talking in the back ground at one point about how many times I had called over this issue. one of them even said “he is one persistent a**hole”. Do not give up, if you don’t find yourself making headway after 25 calls file a complaint with the BBB, FTC, FCC, your state attorney general, local chamber of commerce and your state public utility commission.
Good Luck,
Brandon
I was on the phone with sprint today and talked to 5 different people for over an hour. They told me several lies. 1. $1.99 (this is a lie because it is in the new contract, NOT the contract that I signed) 2. They can charge up to 16% administrative fee, but only charge 3% (I dont know if this is a lie, but it is irrelevant because it is unreasonable and unconscionable for them to put in a cell phone contract that they have the right to charge 16% admin fee) 3. That it isn’t a materially adverse change (lie – yes it is, it changes the amount of money I have to pay per month) 4. the admin fee is a tax, not a sprint fee (lie – Sprint’s bill clearly designates the admin fee as a sprint fee and not a tax). I refuted every single lie, but was just given the run around.
I then told them that they changed the arbitration clause (she also said that this is not materially adverse)
I then told her that my phone doesn’t work well and that I don’t get good reception (yes, you guessed it, also not materially adverse)
She said that I can sue Sprint and that Sprint’s corporate legal team reviews everything (yawn), so it was ok with legal, since sprint is an ethical corporation.
She hung up on me, but said that I can port out my line, get charged the ETF fee, and then dispute the fee. I said no to that, rather, I said that Sprint can sue me for the ETF fee, but it is Sprint’s responsibility to take me to court for the ETF because all I am doing is exercising my rights under the contract.
Anyways, I have a feeling that they have strict orders from above not to waive any ETF fees resulting from the raise in the administrative fee.
Has anyone had any luck getting the ETF fee waived?
where and how do I complain to the BBB, and who ever else I can complain to? I am so over Sprint!!!!
I have been getting the run around since Sept. 9. They told me then that if I was actually impacted and I would be able to cancel with etf’s. However, this is not the case, when they called back (after the chat) I got passed around by four different reps. I have been told several stories on why they can’t do it. The newest one is the 1.99 increase per line clause. When they called me today they actually said that they can charge me up to 1.99 for each line for each month until my contract expires!!!! I was floored. They will not allow you to record the conversation either.
I did file a claim with the BBB, FCC and the TN State Attorney General’s Office today, I strongly suggest everyone do the same. This is a matter of principle!
They must accept their own Terms and Conditions. Do not allow any company to lie and mistreat you. Sprint does not allow us as consumers to file class action law suits but there’s power in numbers. Complain to everyone!
Tell ALL your friends, blog about it, and post on facebook. The more attention we bring to the issue the more impact we will have. I will also be contacting my local news channels.
Don’t take this lying down, if you do, you deserve what you get!
I read the contracts(old and new). Apparently, you are reading the new one. Obviously, they put up the new one, but that is not the one you signed if you are a current customer.
Not sure why you keep bringing up this $1.99 fee. THIS IS IN THE NEW CONTRACT!
You can read this slickdeals thread with thousands and thousands of people getting out of Sprint Contract.
http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=3212758
They also posted the new and old contract for you to compare. This is your right. Again, the up to $1.99 is the NEW CONTRACT, hence a change in terms and conditions, hence you can get out of your current contract.
If you would read the actual contract; it states that the administration fee can be up to $1.99 (this is why I’m writing $1.99 fee). So as you stated, with the fee being increased from .99 to $1.50, that is still less than the $1.99 amount that has to be surpassed for the ETF to be cancelled. It’s good that you were able to get your fees waved and if anyone else can then more power to them as well. But, if someone goes as far as threatening legal action, or getting the legal departments number, etc., that is not going to change this information.
B.S. Just so we are clear: Administrative charge is currently $0.99/line and it will be increased to $1.50/line. Not sure why you are writing this $1.99 fee. Old contract is $.99, and they are increasing the fee, hence a change in contract, hence you can get out of the current contract. I did this a few days ago, and so can you.
I work for the State Dept (Wisconsin) and I just spoke with Sprint’s legal department and this change does not qualify for the ETF being cancelled for free. As some of the other people have noted, the fee change would have to exceed $1.99 which it hasn’t. Furthermore, the change in price for the early termination fee is only applied for contracts that are signed after September 9th. This also doesn’t qualify as a reason for current customers to be able to cancel without the fee because this change doesn’t even effect current customers at all. Sprint (and other carriers) are very careful about how they word the contracts so that they don’t run the risk of customers being able to cancel their contract without an ETF. Of course at times it happens, but this is not one of them.
They are also changing the ETF to $350, hence another change in your contract. I was successful in getting out. Not too late.
Service Agreement does state up to $1.99 per line… I am on the phone still fighting… This verbiage is not in the contract itself.
Keep calling until you find a CSR willing to do it for you. You have the right to cancel your contract and they know it.
Not over tammo! I just cancelled 4 lines…simply tell them “I was told to call back after the 9th to cancel due to the increase in Adm. Fee”
This was an easy 10 minutes phone call.
ha ha ha ha ha! jump on the chance to use this an an excuse to escape the contract and it backfires. By the way take time to read your contract and actually notice that it says “admin fee can be up to $1.99/line” so there is no contract change. Also ETFs going up is not a contract change until you sign for the new phone. exec services is not going to violate their own policies just to keep you from complaining. Those days are over.
I tried and they said they wouldn’t do it. I talked to executive office and they gave me a cAse number and will review my request and get back to me on Monday. I don’t know where someone got the idea they could get etf waived because they just won’t budge. And when I asked for number to legal they said they didn’t have that number. I have been filled with false hope think
CSR’s are well informed and wont budge with ETF credits. But they will offer to credit an account for the increase till the end of contract.
Keep calling until you find a CSR that will do it for you. Know your rights since they are hanging not only the administrative fee, but the early termination fee to $350. Ask for a supervisor, and ask for legal department number. You have to stand your ground and read them the terms and conditions.
Called Sprint retention and the first CSR stonewalled. She said that the Terms haven’t changed, and the increased fees do not qualify me for waiving the early termination fee. What should I say the next time I call back in?
Hi Sean,
The only way to get on the SERO plan is by Transfer of Liability(TOL) from another user who has SERO and doesn’t want it anymore. You might find someone who sell it on eBay or Craigslist and then do a three-way call with Sprint to get it done. GL!
Awesome post Hustler. Thanks so much for the exit strategy and step by step procedure to accomplish the necessary feat that some individuals can’t seem to understand and follow lol. I have only one question. I currently have the unlimited data family plan with 2 lines that used to be $69.99/mo but recently “magically changed” to the present $79.99/mo. I definitely want to get out of this bs contract and I will use your intel, BUT is there any possibility of still getting that SERO plan!? Please let me know. Much appreciated…
ok so how does this work…Do i call sprint first and then call that number…???