Yet another example of incompetence by Netpliance. The stickers were probably put on all I/O's when they shipped and were intended to be used with the TOS. Indeed, at least one poster reported one Circuit City store would not sell the I/O without the TOS. Could be that in the TOS / no-TOS hassels between pre-order customers, Circuit City and Netpliance that they never got their signals straight and that most CC stores sell to anyone without requiring a TOS. They probably intended to fill existing orders w/o a TOS but to require one on new sales. Or maybe they are just dumping the current batch of I/O's?
Others have pointed out that without a TOS, (or some other document in writing signed by the customer at the time of sale) the stickers probably mean nothing. You can even read the sticker to say that IF you open an account you will be stuck for 3 months service. This is supported by the information on the CC web page which describes internet service as an "option" and discloses a three month commitment requirement BUT NOT AS A CONDITION OF THE SALE FROM CIRCUIT CITY.
One poster reported calling Netpliance and was told that it is up to the purchaser to sign up and that Circuit does not disclose purchaser info to them. Even if they were to pass along the customer's name and address as per the sticker, nothing is said about credit card information. So, how does Netpliance charge the customer for the service?
Others have pointed out that by its own terms, the sticker requirements only come into effect when the seal is broken. How is Netpliance to know when or if this happens (unless you let the I/O call home)? What about people who figured at $99 it might make a good collectable and intend not to open it in hopes that it will be worth something a few years from now? What about those who don't open before Circuit City's return time runs? What about people who decided that it would make a nice Christmas gift for someone and plan to give it to the recipient with the seal intact. Is the recipient now bound by the terms of the sticker? I doubt it unless they sign up for service.
In short, Netpliance is SOL except for customers who let the I/O call home and who sign up for service. Again they could have avoided this if they had done some planning.
