AT&T lowered the ETF (Early-Termination-Fee) for low-end and messaging phones with new term commitments, and will increasde it for others.
Beginning June 1, 2010, AT&T will reduce the ETF
in new and upgrade two-year service agreements for all customers who
are buying basic and quick messaging phones. The ETF will decrease to $150 from $175, and be
reduced by $4 for each month that you remain with AT&T After the term
commitment is completed, the ETF will no longer apply.
For customers who enter into new two-year
service contract with the purchase of more
advanced, higher end devices, including netbooks and smartphones, the
ETF will increase to $325, and be reduced by $10 for each month that you
remain with us as a customer during the balance of your two-year
service agreement. After that, the ETF will no longer apply.
Smartphones will most likely include the new iPhone 4G, Android,
BlackBerry and Windows Phones. This change comes before the next iPhone
announcement. Previously black-marketers found that could sell a
high-end phone, apy the ETF and make money on the deal. Not any more.
Note, if you find that you don’t like the phone within a 30-day
trial period you can return the phone without an ETF.
Refunds for like-new equipment returned within 30 days will be
through the original payment method and may take up to two months.
- A $35 restocking fee applies to all devices purchased at an
AT&T-owned retail store, except where prohibited. - A $35
restocking fee applies to all netbook purchases, except where
prohibited. - A 10% restocking fee applies to all iPhone
purchases, except where
prohibited. The 10% restocking fee does not apply if the device was
purchased without AT&T service (device only sale) and returned
unopened.
Current AT&T wireless customers who are within their two-year
consumer service agreement or have an existing enterprise service
agreement will see no change to their current terms.