Crastinate

I also made several calls with no luck. Spoke with a manager several times. They offered the credit which I turned down and said they will not waive the etf. They gave me the name and number of their legal department and said I would need to hire a lawyer if I wanted to go further.

I Love you ELY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh my gosh that was soooo easy. I used the very recent Admin Charges just published in my June bill to cancel. I did EXACTLY what you said & in less them 10 minutes I was done !!!!!!!!!!! Yahoo ! You deserve an award for your brilliant service. I have been trying to get out of the contract for awhile because we want to move to a new service. They did offer the credit but I refused it. Happy dance….I’m free at last.

Crap….I spoke too soon. They called me back & said they made a mistake & won’t do it….I am on hold right now. Will update later with success or failure.

I called Verizon earlier today with changes in my Administrative and FUSC fees. I was on the phone with a supervisor who simply would call out section titled “Taxes, Fees and Surcharges We Don’t Set” and said “we don’t have to notify you of the changes and as it is spelled out in the contract ‘We may not always give you advance notice of changes to these items” Talk about a pain. I was on the phone with them for nearly an hour and then had to ask her to send me to someone else. She noted that she cannot simply transfer but have someone call me. It’s been nearly 3 hours and no word back. I’m calling them again.

I just got off the call with Verizon again and their supervisor was very upfront with me that since Verizon has offered a $5 credit to cover any material adverse affects, that they are not responsible to not charge an ETF. When I pressed them even more, I was told to contact their legal department. At this point, the supervisor would not budge.

Same thing happened to me. They would not budge at all and sent me to the legal department.

This is what I am seeing on my bill…

“Notice of Administrative Charge Increase:
Beginning July 1, 2009, the monthly Verizon Wireless Administrative
Charge for voice and email plans will increase from $0.85 to $0.92 per
line. For Mobile Broadband plans, the charge will remain at $.06. For
information regarding this charge, call 1-888-684-1888. Please consult
your Customer Agreement for information about rate changes. ”

I am calling in the morning to get this ball rolling.

I am on hold as we speak to try this my self.

no joy.. I will be calling them back though.

Just got off the phone with Verizon. Escalated it up to a 2nd level supervisor after no luck with general rep and 1st level supervisor. Their line is that they are within legal bounds to offer a credit to the bill for the remainder of the contract as that eliminates the existence of a material adverse effect for me, thus allowing them to refuse to honor the ECF free cancellation. I pushed and pushed, insisting that nowhere in the contract did it state that they were permitted to offer a credit to negate the increase, etc etc, but she wouldn’t budge. Crap!

They did this to me as well — i pushed and pushed and push i have 5 lines with VZW and they will not go, i followed each step and argued for 5 hours with 3 different supervisors i’ve now submitted a complaint to the BBB. i moved up and got a higher level supervisor call me and leave me a message i missed her call cause i was on the phone with another supervisor i’m so very frustrated with this issue. they raised the FUSC and Admin charge. and they keep saying it isnt an adverse effect. although i state and read the difinition to them of an adverse effect. i don’t know where to go. i’m calling them again in hopes ot get yet another supervisor.
So far
STu-Matt-Connie-Todd are the supervisors i spoke with.

@David

I tried Ely’s tips to no avail today with Verizon. The rep quoted the line on the bill about the FUSC charge increase as of July 1. She asked what customer service agreement I was reading…told her 9/08/09. She said that the comments on the bill indicated the charges and cannot be let out of EFT because of it. I will try again.

Wow, I just tried this with the new FUSC (July 1,2009) charge, and…it took no more than 5 minutes!

Now I have a note on my acct saying that when I decide on canceling (& port my number), my ETF is waived.

Lovely!

@Mony

Mony– What exactly did you say? What was different that you were able to have the EFT waived? Thanks.

Just tried to get out of my contract using the Administrative Fee change. I spoke to 2 supervisors with no luck. I was offered a credit and that’s it.

Any lawyers that can help with Verizon’s new plan of attack of offering credit as a way to “fix” any material adverse issues?

i tried 3 times and each call was at least 30 minutes, all 3 times they offered a credit but; first time they referred me to the legal bored and said i could write a letter.

second time the manager was rude and said that the federal charge “RATE” did not change even though on my two bills there is an increase. he said if the “RATE” changes then he could waive it. but since it just went up .23 cents it is not a rate change. so im confused, do we have to get a letter stating there is a rate chanage? or is it when we notice the federal universal service charge goes up. i.e. june bill was 1.75 and july was 2.03 also the admininstrative and regulatory fees went up a lil.

supervisors are suppose to call me back, but they have not yet.

It seems as if the cat is out of the bag and Verizon is now “used” to these calls. I tried for a few hours, calling back numerous times.

I recently visited Canada and they tried to tell me my roaming charges affected the FUSC which I know they don’t, and that the amount of minutes I use, whether I go over my alottment or not effects them. So I added all them up each month to prove there was no coorrelation and then called the questions department, not the cancelation department. A very nice rep explained to me that I was correct and explained, as I suspected, that the gov raised its taxes on july 1st and that is why there was an increase. SHe also emailed me the graph which was nice of her.

However none of this helped because when I called back and spoke with two separate supervisors both denied my request, despite proving them wrong over and over. Their policy is to repeat their argument, despite the fact that you prove it false until their blue in the face. Both supervisors used two separate arguments. The first argued that the credit argument, which despite refusing, still did not work. The second argued that since it says ‘rates are subject to change” on my bill it means it is not included in the user agreement. BS

We’ve had problems with our fios and haven’t received our 150 cash back yet. Overall I am not impressed with the way Verizon goes back on their word. I understand this is a loophole and I don’t blame Verizon for doing everything in their power to prevent customers from getting out of their contracts early. Its bad for their buisness. But they should do it correctly. They should make ammendments to the user agreement to correct the wording and get rid of the loophole, to prevent future customers from being able to take advantage of it. But they should honor their agreement with their current customers.

Once out of contract I won’t be using Verizon again.

@Darrell
Darrell,
Did you get out

thank you so much! i just got off the phone with verizon and they cancelled my contract with no ETF!!!! the whole process took about 20 minutes. first i was on the phone with a regular tier 1 rep and then asked to speak to a manager. all done, thanks so much again!!!

@Mike
did u just get of the contract so i can get out of it 2

Anyone had any success with no ETF and porting phone #?

I’m debating to quit VZ and go to ATT and get an Iphone, is it worth all the hype?

I need others cell number that this worked for. trying to make the case that this is discrimination because other have had the ETF waived. Give me some numbers please.

@Mike
Mike, I need help, can you give me your verizon cell number so that I can prove to verizon that it is a fact that others have escaped!!

@Mony
I need help, can you give me your verizon cell number so that I can prove to verizon that it is a fact that others have escaped!!

@Casey
Casey,

will you share with me your cell number closed with verizon. they clain that ii can not do the same. I want to prove to them that others have done so too.

My boyfriend just tried canceling his contract, but no luck.

Once he gets home, I’m going to have to coach him on what to do and say.

He tried but his phone conversation ended with the supervisor telling him that they do not have the ability to cancel his contract, and he should try some other way.

@Mony
Mony, If this worked for you it should be as simple as him stating that it is discrimination. he should provide the cell number from the account that you were sucessful with. By the way will you shre that number with me so I can do the same? you can email it to scarroll@wpa.net so it is not public.

Thanks,

Scott

We just tried this with my boyfriend’s account, and they wouldn’t do it.

They continued giving us the go-around.

They say that the FUSC charge increase is not enough “reason” to cancel without paying the ETF.

We even argued how the FUSC is a Verizon charge, and how it’s stated under Charges And Fees We Set that “We set these charges. They aren’t taxes, aren’t required by law, are kept by us in whole or in part, and the amounts and what’s included are subject to change.”

Also tried arguing how in the Our Rights To Make Changes paragraph says “WE CAN ALSO CHANGE PRICES AND ANY OTHER CONDITIONS IN THIS AGREEMENT AT ANY TIME BY SENDING YOU WRITTEN NOTICE PRIOR TO THE BILLING PERIOD IN WHICH THE CHANGES WOULD GO INTO EFFECT. IF YOU CHOOSE TO USE YOUR SERVICE AFTER THAT POINT, YOU’RE ACCEPTING THE CHANGES. IF THE CHANGES HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON YOU, HOWEVER, YOU CAN END THE AFFECTED SERVICE, WITHOUT ANY EARLY TERMINATION FEE, JUST BY CALLING US WITHIN 60 DAYS AFTER WE SEND NOTICE OF THE CHANGE” arguing that yes, they have the right to make changes on the fees they impose on customers, but also the customer has the right to cancel if they’re experiencing a material adverse affect by the change in prices.

Nothing worked!

So, I was given to get out of this, but he wasn’t.

So, it’s either take up with the FCC, or..lawsuit?

My wife and I have been at war for 3 days. Wasted countless hours. Phone tags with management all the way up to the executive level. VZ is not budging! They give credit RE the admin fee, and claim that the material adverse effect is removed since they issued the credit.
Alas to my dismay, I am a prisoner to Verizon until march of 2010. I suppose I can try a letter and CC BBB. Any advice is welcome.
arsou812@yahoo.com

Here’s my update. I called Verizon twice. 1st time I was offered a credit. The 2nd time I was told I had to show proof of being adversely affected. I filed a submission with the BBB. They contacted Verizon and I had an Executive Customer Experience rep (or whatever their title is) contact me. The rep said that the credit would fix any claims of being adversely affected. I told her that I did not want the credit, I wanted my contract terminated per the agreement and that I didn’t have to accept the credit. Also, the change is an amendment to my contract and I do not accept it. She told me there’s nothing more that Verizon could do. I told her I would escalate it. The next step that I the BBB has is arbitration. I really don’t want to have to take it that far.

The credit has shown up on my account.

@SkeeterSPC – did you get any names and numbers to show proof that others have been released from their contract?

No. I have not been sucessful. I think we just need one cell number of someone who was sucessfull so that we can claim that we have been discriminated against also.

@Mony
Help us out MONY, If you were sucessful in doing this please share your cell number with us so that we can prove to verizon that people have got out of the contract.

Thanks

Well I’ve read through this gathered all the info I need and will be calling them tomorrow at 8pm pst will update! and my UFSC just increased on July 1st. Wish me luck!

well the lady said under the “Charges and fees we set it says” : These include Federal Universal Service, Regulatory and Administrative Charges, and may also include other charges related to our governmental costs. We set these charges. They aren’t taxes, aren’t required by law, are kept by us in whole or in part, and the amounts and what’s included are SUBJECT TO CHANGE”

Subject to change is the important part here, anyone else get this excuse going to try again right now see what they say.

This is NOT easy, called again adn told they’d issue me a 5$ dollar credit, he said this wasn’t a materially adverse charge. Might try again later.

Had my husband try it. He’s an attorney so I thought it would be easy but they refused to let us out and said that they have a strong legal department should we choose to proceed with legal action. Bummed. I’m so mad at Verizon. Somehow, I keep canceling services and my bill keeps getting higher. They’ve also slipped third-party billing on my cell phone bill without even reporting it. Surely that’s grounds, right? Anyone know how to use that against them? I’d still be getting billed for it if I didn’t call and ask why my bills were going up. They were billing me for dumb services from third-party entities that I never signed up for.

My husband and I have been trying for 3 days — to no avail. Have contacted BBB and will contact FCC and states attorney. I have also contacted the local news companies in hopes that they will pick up the story. I portrayed it to the news companies this way — at 7c/mo/line they are making between 70 & 100 million dollars extra each year (they tout 61 million customers) by ripping off their customers a few pennies at a time. I am contacting as many people as I can (even those happy with Verizon) to get them to call and request the credit — hopefully I will stir up enough trouble for them that they will be sorry they didn’t just wave my fee. I have a contact who is a corporate attorney and I will be involving that person in the next couple of days. A public stink will hopefully work better than these individual fights. Everyone with this problem should complain to BBB, FCC and states attorney and spread the word as much as possible.

has anyone actually had any luck over the past couple of weeks. The wont cave in and one rep. even credited my when I said I wouldn’t accept it, he even refused to give me his ID number. Remember when you call ask for ID numbers before hand. 3 times no luck, starting to think I’ll have to wait until they increase something else. One rep told me that when they increase the txting fee’s or mb charges I’m more than welcome to cancel but not for a “surcharge”

We’ve had two reps refuse to get their ID number, had one refuse to give my husband a supervisor. I talked to a second level manager and as someone previously put it — I got the same arguments repeated at me even after I proved them wrong.
I am trying to decide if we should just get out and pay the charge — If I do it will be $350 — if I wait the life of the contract I pay this corrupt company another $1000+.

update for all. I called today. must have got the right guy. stick with the FUSC charge. Read the contact about charges they set, then read your rights to terminate. Then also stat that others have been let out of contracts due to FUSC charge change. stick to these points only. be firm about the fact that you have the right as others did and that it is discrimination otherwise. Good Luck and Keep Trying!!!!!

@skeeterSPC did you call and verify it was notated on your account? I’ll keep trying all day tomorrow thanks for the tips.

TIP!! Whatever you do DO NOT tell them the real reason you want to cancel. I almost got out of it but they asked me why and I was stupid and said because my phone broke and you don’t want to honor a manufactur warranty adn they give you the go around. ALWAYS SAY reception and bad service, don’t give details and just keep trying.

@SkeeterSPC

SkeetersSPC, did you get positive confirmation that the ETF is waived?

I have 3 lines on my account want them all cancelled. The tricky part is I need to port my #’s for my future wireless provider.

Also for those of you who successfully got out of ETF. Can you email me your # so I can reference when I call AGAIN!!!

arsou812@yahoo.com

Update on BBB claim: I might be going to arbitration. Verizon just credited my account and said the case was closed. Next step is arbitration. If anyone is interested in providing their number so I can prove that others have gotten out, please e-mail me at essence5_2@yahoo.com. I would really appreciate any assistance that I can get.

@CR Good Luck. I’ve read ppl have been told they were waiving their ETF but after they cancel they get charged and have to fight to get the ETF removed that’s one of my fears at this point, but I’ll keep trying.

after 3 hours of fights I got nothing.
1st rep said you’ve agreed to this it’s been more than 60 days , since you’ve signed your contract the fees have increased and she was screaming at me. I REPORTED her rude CS with a supervisor.
2nd rep- didn’t know what to say, he knew I was right, hung up on me.
3rd rep- said I needed proof asked for her sup got her
Supervisor- said legal team said I can’t cancel for this

Guys, I think we need to come to terms that we’ll have to wait out the contract, persue BBB/arbitration as per CR…. or pay the ETF.

I’ve simply run out of energy. I will continue to monitor my bill for any fees or changes. I might wright a letter to VZ cc BBB and FCC.

feel free to email me arsou812@yahoo.com.

Keep at it. Fusc changed as of July 1 so you are within 60 days. I did not need proof. Just stated that I know the contract and that others have been let out. If you get the right csr you will get out.

3 calls, 1 store visit and 1 request for a copy of my contract later i got them to cancel my contract with the fee waived.

Thats what they told me anyway.

I just got off the phone with them about it. so we will see. if my phone still works at the end of the day im gonna be mad