Sprint details proposed $14 million ETF class action settlement
By Donald Melanson 
posted Aug 11th 2009 3:04PM
posted Aug 11th 2009 3:04PM
It's a far cry from the $1.2 billion number that was bandied about at one point, but it looks like Sprint could still be taking a fairly sizable hit over those pesky early termination fees, at least if a proposed class action settlement plays out as it seems likely too. As Sprint itself announced today, the company's reached a $14 million settlement in the case, which will be placed in a common fund to be distributed accordingly to all the parties involved, which is where you come in (assuming you're a current of former Sprint, Nextel, or Sprint Nextel customer, that is). The short of it is that you can either sign on to the class action suit or opt out of it by hitting up the site linked below, and then you'll have to wait for the final approval hearing now scheduled for October 21st, which should actually settle the settlement once and for all. Details on the exact payout amounts to customers are buried in the documents on the settlement website, but it looks like the majority of customers will be receiving between $25 and $90 depending on their contract, plus some free bonus minutes.Read - Sprint ETF Settlement website
Read - Sprint statement
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
can you only file a claim if you paid an etf, or does this apply to all sprint customers who signed between 1999 and dec 2008?
"and/or who were charged by or paid an Early Termination Fee to Sprint, Nextel and/or Sprint Nextel"
Sounds like you have to have paid, though it's hard to tell when you read that whole paragraph on the website. Legalspeak is ridiculous.
You can claim if you havent paid an ETF, even if you never cancelled, you must prove you stayed in because you were afraid of the ETF.
Does this mean that if I renew now, and leave before two years I do not have to pay an ETF?
"Sprint Nextel has agreed to not insert a flat-rate ETF provision into its consumer service agreement for personal
Wireless Service Accounts in the United States for 24 months."
How do I know if I am eligable to become part of the settlement?
I have been trying to terminate my service with Sprint but was told to call back within weeks of the contract's end to stop the contract from continuing after the term of the contract ended. I did not call during the window that they called for and they are continuing to bill me even though the phone was not used and the original contract ended. I called today to see about having those charges removed and
was treated very rudely by the two representatives I was able to speak with. The supervisor of the first one would not let me speak to his supervisor! I am interested in starting a CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT against Sprint for automatically continuing the length of the service contract (if you do not call within their narrow window of opportunity.) I would refuse to pay this bill, but the Sprint dunderheads set the account up in my daughter's name and I do not want to affect her credit rating. (I tried several times to get them to change it into my name, but the dunderheads found that too complex.) Please comment if you are interested in joinging me in a class action suit against the thugs at Sprint.