The way i read that article says to me that T-Mobile will pay your ETF ...IF you decide to stay with them past the 14 day period.  If you do not, then you either pay Verizon the ETFs or, since the "win-back" dept still "exists" you could just go back to Verizon within, what is it, 30 days?  Still, it might be just the bump some people need to give it a try.  I guess too, a positive is that T-Mobile has no fee for trying and not buying since it said that they will refund any trial costs, along with any costs required for starting your service back up at Verizon.