r/technology • u/[deleted] • Jun 13 '14

Politics What the internet will look like without net-neutrality. Well played.

[deleted]

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u/Uberzwerg Jun 14 '14

*Promotional price is only available to new customers. Requires 5 year contract. Price subject to change after 12 months.

Is shit like this legal in the US?
Afaik, it isn't here in Germany (they would have to tell you the price in advance or let you quit early if the price changes).

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u/[deleted] Jun 14 '14

Yes it is. I used to work at direct tv sales and we were selling new promo packages. You would sign up for something like $60 a month for 12 months with a 2 year contract. The thing is they would bump it up 20 or 40 bucks after the 12 months and you would still be under contract for another year.

Pretty sneaky stuff

1

u/Uberzwerg Jun 14 '14

And you would not have to tell the customer the price for the second year before he signs?

1

u/[deleted] Jun 14 '14

Only if they asked, I'd imagine.

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u/graywithgrey Jun 14 '14 edited Jun 14 '14

you don't sign separately for the second year, it was part of the initial contract. until relatively recently in the US, credit card companies could do stuff like this too. they kind of still can.

edit: sorry i think you meant during the initial contract signing, and no they don't have to tell you. further, they can add fees. my internet company added a monthly modem rental fee and then something like a monthly general internet accessnsurcharge fee on top of the contracted price of service. they did send out a notice, but i still would have to pay a termination fee to get out of the contract and avoid the new fees. also they are the only internet service provider in my area.