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Cable lobby and Republicans fight proposed ban on early termination fees / Customers should be allowed to cancel cable TV without penalty, Democrats say (arstechnica.com)

submitted 9 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Cable lobby and Republicans fight proposed ban on early termination fees / Customers should be allowed to cancel cable TV without penalty, Democrats say::Customers should be allowed to cancel cable TV without penalty, Democrats say.

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[–] [email protected] 23 points 9 months ago (2 children)

We're obviously talking about consumer contract law here, so the point of business relationships falling apart is moot.

If cable companies could prove to me that them pressing a button to cancel my service merits the exorbitant cancellation fees that they charge, then maybe I'd change my opinion.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

I mean that's why I said this

Rather, this is an issue of consumer protection, and consumer rights should generally be given preferential treatment over contracts for the same reasons unions exist - it levels the playing field between entities of far differing power and means.

"Early termination fees" do not solely apply to cable companies, and by and large are a good thing - this is how they shoved them past what should be common sense consumer protection legislation, which I also mention.

[–] [email protected] -3 points 9 months ago

They usually can. Installing the wiring to your home and paying the wages of the installers is not cheap. It takes time for that initial cost to be recouped by a company.