How to Get Out of Your Current Cell Phone Plan
Wed Dec 20, 2006 11:41AM EST
See Comments (322)
Sick of your cell phone carrier's crappy service? Or maybe you've just received a brand-spanking-new smart phone as a gift, but it's from a rival cell phone carrier. Fortunately, getting out of a contract is easier than it used to be. If you signed a two-year contract recently, you might be in luck since carriers such as Cingular and Sprint offer 30-day trial periods in case you have second thoughts, and Verizon offers a pro-rated cancellation fee that increases the longer you have your phone.
But most of us are still screwed, which is where sites such as CellTradeUSA and Resellular.com come in handy. These sites let you put your cell phone and plan up "for sale" to any interested buyers. Charges are typically $15 to $20 to pass a contract on to someone else. Of course, you must have takers for it to work.
It also works the other way around, should you be looking for an inexpensive or temporary phone. All major carriers and time frames are offered (usually within the two-year contract window), and you can search by carrier, phone model, time frame, and the like.
So don't fret: Signing a two-year contract isn't what it used to be.
Related links:
Top 5 Posts
More About Cell Phones
Comments on How to Get Out of Your Current Cell Phone Plan
Post a Comment
Join in the discussion. Here you'll see the comments in the order they were posted.
-
7 Posted by burcham_kimberly23 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:15PM EDT Report Abuse
I've been having problems with Sprint.
-
8 Posted by juleswine on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:44PM EDT Report Abuse
Never had any issues with qwest wireless....
-
9 Posted by spoiled_bunny_2011 on Tue Dec 26, 2006 11:44PM EST Report Abuse
verizon never mentions its rate. but dont we make our own decisions on what we want?? duh.
-
10 Posted by blondie92_99 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:09PM EDT Report Abuse
With Sprint you get an upgrade discount if you are a current customer. That comes off the price of the new phone. Also with most new Sprint phones you get the power pack, which is normally $25 a month, free for one month, after that you have to cancel it.
-
11 Posted by hotrock11 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:20PM EDT Report Abuse
True story: I had Verizon until 4 days ago. Where I go to college, I can't use Verizon's services completely. So, I called Verizon, got a phone number to fax my complaint to, and was told that I would be eligble to leave my contract without a fee (the $175) So, I call again before I fax my memo with proof that I reside mainly in the area I claim. He verifies that's all I need. Ok, good. I switched my cell phone over to another company and sent the fax in. Christmas day I get a final statement from Verizon, almost totaling $300 dollars. Not only did they pro-rate my current billing cycle (which would be a few days later...) but they of course added the $175. Now, I must call to give someone the yelling of a lifetime. Don't get Verizon and think it's a piece of cake to leave....they truely don't care about their customers.
-
12 Posted by bluewrench on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:09PM EDT Report Abuse
Just a quick note about the early termination fee with verizon. If you have signed a contract on or after Nov 16, 2006 your early termination fee is prorated. You get $5 off of the $175 for every month you complete. Any contracts signed prior to that are subject to the standard $175 cancellation fee regardless of your length of service if you are still in contract
-
13 Posted by jsleno on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:43PM EDT Report Abuse
There's also another way that I have heard of. In a lot of contracts, there is wording to the effect that if the carrier company raises its rates during the contract period, you can opt-out of the contract within 30 days. Recently, Cingular raised their data rates, and a lot of people caught that and used it as a loophole to end their contracts with no termination fee, or anything. Word is you have to go to a Cingular store and strongly demand to be released from the contract, because they won't let you go willingly.
-
14 Posted by jasonbohling on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:29PM EDT Report Abuse
to post #3 shut up. To answer your question post #5 yes they can, it's in the terms and conditions. Also, in the state of Idaho verizon makes verbal contracts binding.
-
15 Posted by talktoabrotha on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:54PM EDT Report Abuse
POst number 3 needs to get a life OMG it's not that serious people will do and buy whatt they want
-
16 Posted by wvukid21 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:51PM EDT Report Abuse
Seriously guys, I've done this twice and it works every time. Just figure out where your cell service doesn't cover, call up customer service, tell them you are moving there, and ask what to do. They will ask you to try to keep using your service there, but you tell them that you have already been in your new house and you don't get service anywhere within a few miles of it. Compound this statement by saying that your friend has 'Provider Y' and has full bars. Then just kind of go with the flow through whatever they say. They will never/rarely offer to let your out of your contract, so you will have to bring it up. Something to the effect of, "In light of my current situation, I don't think that your company can provide my service any longer, I would like to be released from my contract without fee." Once that is said, things go pretty fast and you pay no contract cancel fee! Just to start you off... if you are with Sprint, say that you are moving to Danville or Madison, West Virginia. YEEEEHAAAWW!
-
17 Posted by lax55 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:57PM EDT Report Abuse
Sunofstar- I'm pretty sure they can do that... IF they tell you they're doing that & you agree to it. This happened someone in my family, too. I'm pretty sure if you call & complain (ask to speak to a manager if the person you get first is not helpful) & tell them the situation. Explain that the person you talked to never told you that you would be renewing your contract with the change to the plan. It's worth a shot!
-
18 Posted by cristinacss1280 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:31PM EDT Report Abuse
The article also forgets to mention that you are responsible for that bill if the party who purchased your plan doesnt pay and defaults
-
19 Posted by landonjt01 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:56PM EDT Report Abuse
I got the shaft from verizon. I drive over the road and was having problems w/ cngular phone and air card. i got verizon`and was told they had 30 day trial by sells rep. put phones side by side verizon dropped signal much more than cing. had to pay appox.total of 250.00 to get out of veri. contract. went to cing. store got new sim cards and all was fixed was i stupd or what. now i have signal in all 48 states and in major markets download at t-1+ speed. love my CINGULAR
-
20 Posted by dlduggins on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:45PM EDT Report Abuse
To Post #3. Some of us have cell phones instead of land lines. Ever heard of conserving $$, also known as saving money? True, some people are inconsiderate with their cell phones, but to stereotype all into one group shows that you have tunnel vision. Live and let live man. Oh, and learn some email etiquette. All caps means you are screaming.
-
21 Posted by jscallen2001 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:42PM EDT Report Abuse
I don't think you can go bad with a Prepay Plan - I use Beyond Wireless - they offer numerous phones and plans to suit everyones needs and there is no $1 per day charge as with other Prepaid Plans. Check out their Web Page!!!
-
22 Posted by lack_tina on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:55PM EDT Report Abuse
Beware we ended our Verizon contract early and it cost us $175 per line although the rep quoted us a onetime $175 charge. Tina Lack Riverview, FL
-
23 Posted by auror_granger1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:59PM EDT Report Abuse
Is that the only way to get out of a contract?
-
24 Posted by hellkamptj on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:18PM EDT Report Abuse
When you trans the plan to another person, you have to resign for two more years. So you might as well just go to the store and get a brand new phone.
-
25 Posted by flikchik31 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:00PM EDT Report Abuse
I work for a major cell phone company, make sure to read any contract before you sign it. A new phone at a discounted price requires a new two year contract, and if you change your price plan with most companies it will also extend your contract. This is because of that contract you sign into, you agree to accept a discounted phone and a certain price plan that you agree to pay for either one yr or two yrs. The only real way to get out of a contract without the ETF (early term fee) is if the acct holder dies. My company I work for only extends contract with price plan change for 11 months. BUt any new phone will generate a two year, each phone has its own contract, if you have four lines on one acct, each phone has contract, not just the acct.
Sponsored Links
My Tech
Please enable your browser's cookies to activate the My Tech column.
Also on Yahoo! Tech
| Computers | Home Office | Wi-Fi & Networking | Phones & PDAs | Cameras & Camcorders | TV & Home Theater | Portable Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 Posted by angelcharliesasha on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:54PM EDT Report Abuse
My son us up for sprint because they claimed to be giving him a deal since he had been a claint for the past two yrs. They said he would get a $75.00 credit and the bill would be around $45.00 plus, Well we haven't recieved the credit and our bill has been more than double the $45.00plus taxes. In may estmation should be no more than $7 to 10 dollars. Now there telling us if we don't have credit on our next bill they'l investigate. Whats up w/that? We want our credit or can we break the contract sence they can't keep there word???