Cell phones have become a necessity. But what happens when you're not happy with your current provider or have been offered a better deal by another company. We have the secrets to help you get out of your current contract for free.
Charles Gilmore became fed up with his cell phone provider especially after a disagreement over his bill.
"It was only supposed to be like seventy dollars. So they were telling me that the reason why the bill didn't remain the same was because I was logging onto the internet. I didn't have internet service," said Charles Gilmore.
After weeks of unsuccessfully negotiating with his cell phone provider Charles decided to end his contract. But it cost him a bundle.
“I had to pay an extra $130,” he said.
Many of the major cell phone providers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-mobile require a one to two year contract. And customers wanting to terminate those contracts early face hefty fees anywhere from $175 to $250. But there are ways you can ditch that cell phone contract without it emptying your wallet.
Your first option is to find someone to buy-out your contract.
CellTradeUSA.com is America’s online cellular exchange place. Registration is free and the process is simple. First, post your "get out" profile on the site, make sure you list the details of your contract. If members like what they see, they'll buy you out and you can just walk away.
Another option;
T-Mobile calls it the "change of responsibility" agreement. It’s when you can ask a family member or friend if you can transfer your contract into their name allowing them to take over the bill.
Some providers will also terminate your contract if you move to an area outside the plan's coverage area.
Something else to consider, complain that service isn't up to par. File complaints to the
Better Business Bureau or
Attorney's General office and send a copy of the complaint to the company.
And if you're a member of the armed forces it can be easy to get out of your cell phone contract.
The army transferred Susan Pusser's brother-in-law David MacAfee to Fairbanks Alaska miles away from his wife and child in Arkansas.
"When he got up there, he was roaming and he didn't want to pay the roaming fees," said Susan.
David called AT&T and explained his situation. "He simply told him he was in the army in Alaska and she's in Arkansas. And they just simply said for military status, we will let you go out of your contract," Susan said.
Whether you're unhappy with service or just want a cool new phone. There are ways to "hang-up" on your current provider.
A few friendly reminders to keep you from paying those termination fees; Beginning May 25th AT&T customers who enter into one or two-year service agreements will no longer be required to pay a single, flat early termination fee. Instead that fee which is $175 will be lowered by five dollars every month for the term of the contract.
Verizon began offering this service in November 2006. Sprint and Alltel will offer the service sometime this year.
