My Dispute With Sprint

I am in the midst of a dispute with Sprint, and am angry enough that I have decided to do something other than just cave in to what I consider to be their corporate arrogance.

I had been a customer for at least 8 years. Probably longer. It was Nextel when I first started, but Nextel was purchased by Sprint some time back. My old phone broke 23 months before the beginning of this dispute, and in order to maintain service, I had to go to my local Sprint store. I elected to upgrade my phone since the old one was so old. They said that I had to sign a new 2 year contract in order to do that. (This, after having been a customer for at least 6 years.)

Now, 23 months later, the antenna broke on my new phone, and I was unable to use the service. I attempted to get the phone repaired, but when I called Sprint, I discovered that they had closed the only Sprint store in my county, and it would be a long and very inconvenient drive to the nearest repair center. It was doubtful that I could even make it there, due to car usage issues with my spouse's work schedule.

So, 23 months after the new contract, I was sitting here with no service. I called Sprint, and they told me I had to take the phone to that repair center, in spite of the fact that I had no way to get there. It became apparent to me that they were unable to provide service to me, and I wasn't about to pay for service that I wasn't getting, so I went ahead and cancelled my account with them.

Now, they are demanding a $200 early cancellation fee from me- 23 months after the contract from the last phone replacement. This is in spite of the fact that I could not use their service at my location, and was paying for something that I wasn't getting. Not to mention the fact that I had been a loyal customer for 8 years - probably longer.

I notified Sprint that I would not agree to the $200 charge, but they refuse to remove it from my bill. I have called them twice, but they refuse to budge on this issue. They apparently think it is fine to charge someone for service that they are not getting. So, I am going to fight them on this, and would like some help from the web community, if possible.

There is no legitimate purpose for these 2 year contracts, in my opinion. If I want to purchase a loaf of bread from Kroger, do I have to sign a 2 year contract that I will remain their customer for 2 years? Of course not. Commerce should be free in this country, and it should not be coerced. I would like to force Sprint, and eventually all cell phone companies to abandon this 2 year contract nonsense.