Paying the ETF is in the contract, and it's not a rip off. You can avoid paying for poor service by switching carrier. If I paid the full non commitment price of $550 without a contract and you paid $200 with a two year contract but with a $300 ETF, that's your choice. The ETF is unconditional but is waived sometimes, though not usually. I don't think I would be ripped off if I paid $350 more than the guy who chose the two year contract.