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Jerseyphoneguy · 05-05-2004, 12:31 AM

Has anyone ever ended their contract early with a cell provider? I have been having a lot of problems with Verizon and I want to switch to AT&T GSM (which is the only provider that seems work great in my area). I have made about a dozen calls to Verizon complaining about the service. They even completed a maintenance ticket and determined that my home is in a weak signal area. But they made no mention of when it would be improved, and despite my many attempts, they made no offer for any type of credit or release from my contract. I have talked to many customer service reps and they just keep passing the buck saying they can't do anything.

Matt · 05-05-2004, 12:52 AM

People have ended contracts early, without paying the termination fee, but it is fairly rare, and takes a lot of work. Generally, no carrier guarantees coverage anywhere, and they use that as their stance to stick you with the contract unless you want to pay to leave early.

WirelessBeachBum · 05-05-2004, 3:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerseyphoneguy

Has anyone ever ended their contract early with a cell provider? I have been having a lot of problems with Verizon and I want to switch to AT&T GSM (which is the only provider that seems work great in my area). I have made about a dozen calls to Verizon complaining about the service. They even completed a maintenance ticket and determined that my home is in a weak signal area. But they made no mention of when it would be improved, and despite my many attempts, they made no offer for any type of credit or release from my contract. I have talked to many customer service reps and they just keep passing the buck saying they can't do anything.

Most carriers now offer a trial period that lets you try the service and disconnect within 15 days or so if it's not going to work for you with no contract penalty. Verizon offers this in their worry free guarantee...since it sounds like you are outside of this period you will most likely be obligated to the ETF. As for improving coverage at your house, depending on where you live and the population and network traffic, it may be cheaper for a wireless carrier to buy you a new house versus putting up a tower.

rich6880 · 05-05-2004, 9:43 AM

There are federal statutes that protect the consumer. Every purchase is under an implied warranty that it will be able to be used as intended. Little harsh,but you may want to threaten, then actually use, Small Claims Court.
I think that Verizon will cancel without the ETF. It would cost them much more to go to court. They will have to send one of their high priced lawyers, who make more than the ETF, every hour. Cost to you; a negligible filing fee.

NYCDru · 05-05-2004, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerseyphoneguy

Has anyone ever ended their contract early with a cell provider? I have been having a lot of problems with Verizon and I want to switch to AT&T GSM (which is the only provider that seems work great in my area). I have made about a dozen calls to Verizon complaining about the service. They even completed a maintenance ticket and determined that my home is in a weak signal area. But they made no mention of when it would be improved, and despite my many attempts, they made no offer for any type of credit or release from my contract. I have talked to many customer service reps and they just keep passing the buck saying they can't do anything.

Which phone do you have?

Has this always been the case or was service originaly good but then started going down hill?

crood · 05-05-2004, 12:58 PM

Another option would be to hve someone else take over your contract. If you know someone looking to switch to Verizon, you can transfer the remainder of your contract to them.

AnthroMatt · 05-05-2004, 3:51 PM

I thought you could not sue a wireless provider in small claims court because the language of the contract binds you to arbitration in any instance.

I paid the ETF with Verizon because I got so fed up with the problems I had. Other people are correct in stating that there is never any guarantee that you will be able to use your phone in places such as your house, and that contract language protects the carriers in this case. Simply being in a weak signal area is not really grounds for a fee waiver. You might get one at some point, but you may also have to decide whther repeated phne calls in trying to get a credit is actually worth it. You might just be better off sending them the $175 or dealing with the service until your contract expires. Speaking of, when does it expire?

Jerseyphoneguy · 05-05-2004, 8:25 PM

My contract doesn't expire until the end of this year. I talked to a service rep today and she was very nice. She said she agreed with me and put in a reccommendation for a contract termination. Now I just need to call back when I actually cancel the service and hope for the best. I have been having great luck with AT&T GSM so i think i'll stick with that.

Jerseyphoneguy · 05-05-2004, 8:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCDru

Which phone do you have?

Has this always been the case or was service originaly good but then started going down hill?

The phone is not the problem. I have tried several models and have the same problem with each. My friends come to visit and have the same problems.
Unfortunately i'm on the fringe of the local cell towers.

Stupiud · 05-05-2004, 9:45 PM

wow. where are you in NJ? finding a weak spot with vzw in NJ is a surpise, seeing as you are in their backyard....

are you sure its not your house tha is causing signal problems? having a home made of brick or having alot of wireing and such can block reception, and if that's the case ATT wont fair much better for you...

you can see if its teh building by checking your reception outside in the area around your home. (note: dont just go outiside and check, walk a distance away from your home to give your phone a chance to get a signal then watch the signal bar as you walk toward and into your home...)

Jerseyphoneguy · 05-05-2004, 10:12 PM

The problem is (at least from what VZ has told me) is that there are a lot of towers around me, but none are quite close enough. Their engineers even determined it was a weak zone that they are planning on improving, but no idea when. ATT has a tower on top of a building 5 blocks away, so I get great reception. I'm on day 10 of my 30-day trial and I have not had 1 dropped call yet. With VZ just about every call drops, both inside and outside my home.

iGlenn · 05-05-2004, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerseyphoneguy

Has anyone ever ended their contract early with a cell provider? I have been having a lot of problems with Verizon and I want to switch to AT&T GSM (which is the only provider that seems work great in my area). I have made about a dozen calls to Verizon complaining about the service. They even completed a maintenance ticket and determined that my home is in a weak signal area. But they made no mention of when it would be improved, and despite my many attempts, they made no offer for any type of credit or release from my contract. I have talked to many customer service reps and they just keep passing the buck saying they can't do anything.

Your probably SOL as far as getting out of the ETF. And as far as small claims court I know the guy that attends the hearings on behalf of VZW. And yes they will pay someone several hundred an hour to make sure you pay your $175 etf if you decide to take the matter to court. You had 15 days to try it out, if it didn't work then why did you keep the service?

GoodmanR · 05-05-2004, 11:29 PM

The contract makes it clear that they don't guarantee coverage.

Jerseyphoneguy · 05-06-2004, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iGlenn

Your probably SOL as far as getting out of the ETF. And as far as small claims court I know the guy that attends the hearings on behalf of VZW. And yes they will pay someone several hundred an hour to make sure you pay your $175 etf if you decide to take the matter to court. You had 15 days to try it out, if it didn't work then why did you keep the service?

ha ha. Well I have no intention of taking anything to court. I would rather pay the $175 to dump something I can't use and get something that works. Like I said, I spoke with a VZ rep today and she told me they have let people out of their contract due to poor coverage, and the engineer's report is there to support it. I'll let you know what happens...

rich6880 · 05-06-2004, 5:22 AM

It appears that I have have given advice first and thought second. In any event, I wsh you the best of luck with your attempt to drop the service.

05-05-2004, 12:31 AM	#1
Jerseyphoneguy Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: The 732 Posts: 57 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ending contract early Has anyone ever ended their contract early with a cell provider? I have been having a lot of problems with Verizon and I want to switch to AT&T GSM (which is the only provider that seems work great in my area). I have made about a dozen calls to Verizon complaining about the service. They even completed a maintenance ticket and determined that my home is in a weak signal area. But they made no mention of when it would be improved, and despite my many attempts, they made no offer for any type of credit or release from my contract. I have talked to many customer service reps and they just keep passing the buck saying they can't do anything.

05-05-2004, 12:52 AM	#2
Matt Busy chasing my son Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Lititz, Pa. Posts: 4,876 Phone(s): Motorola Cliq, BlackBerry 8820 Provider(s): T-Mobile Thanks: 4 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts Images: 2	Re: Ending contract early People have ended contracts early, without paying the termination fee, but it is fairly rare, and takes a lot of work. Generally, no carrier guarantees coverage anywhere, and they use that as their stance to stick you with the contract unless you want to pay to leave early. __________________ Join the T-Mobile Group Forum (or any other!) ...a/k/a cheerioboy26 elsewhere on the net....

05-05-2004, 9:43 AM	#4
rich6880 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Fairfield CT Posts: 682 Phone(s): Nokia 3589i, LG VX4400 (returned), Audiovox Z800 (backup), Motorola Talk About(dead) Provider(s): Verizon Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ending contract early There are federal statutes that protect the consumer. Every purchase is under an implied warranty that it will be able to be used as intended. Little harsh,but you may want to threaten, then actually use, Small Claims Court. I think that Verizon will cancel without the ETF. It would cost them much more to go to court. They will have to send one of their high priced lawyers, who make more than the ETF, every hour. Cost to you; a negligible filing fee. __________________ Richard

05-05-2004, 12:58 PM	#6
crood Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 286 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Ending contract early Another option would be to hve someone else take over your contract. If you know someone looking to switch to Verizon, you can transfer the remainder of your contract to them.

05-05-2004, 3:51 PM	#7
AnthroMatt Big Meanie Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 8,630 Phone(s): BlackBerry Tour, Sanyo 4920 Provider(s): Sprint + Airave Thanks: 11 Thanked 14 Times in 11 Posts Images: 1	Re: Ending contract early I thought you could not sue a wireless provider in small claims court because the language of the contract binds you to arbitration in any instance. I paid the ETF with Verizon because I got so fed up with the problems I had. Other people are correct in stating that there is never any guarantee that you will be able to use your phone in places such as your house, and that contract language protects the carriers in this case. Simply being in a weak signal area is not really grounds for a fee waiver. You might get one at some point, but you may also have to decide whther repeated phne calls in trying to get a credit is actually worth it. You might just be better off sending them the $175 or dealing with the service until your contract expires. Speaking of, when does it expire? __________________ Twitter

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05-05-2004, 8:25 PM	Original Poster #8
Jerseyphoneguy Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: The 732 Posts: 57 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ending contract early My contract doesn't expire until the end of this year. I talked to a service rep today and she was very nice. She said she agreed with me and put in a reccommendation for a contract termination. Now I just need to call back when I actually cancel the service and hope for the best. I have been having great luck with AT&T GSM so i think i'll stick with that.

05-05-2004, 9:45 PM	#10
Stupiud Yea, I can hear you now! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Now in the DC Metro area! Posts: 1,375 Phone(s): Samsung SCH-i910 Omnia, Samsung SCH-u740 Alias, Moto V710, LG vx6000 Provider(s): Verizon Wireless Devices: Mazda3. Thanks: 8 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Ending contract early wow. where are you in NJ? finding a weak spot with vzw in NJ is a surpise, seeing as you are in their backyard.... are you sure its not your house tha is causing signal problems? having a home made of brick or having alot of wireing and such can block reception, and if that's the case ATT wont fair much better for you... you can see if its teh building by checking your reception outside in the area around your home. (note: dont just go outiside and check, walk a distance away from your home to give your phone a chance to get a signal then watch the signal bar as you walk toward and into your home...) __________________ Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional? Check. WiFi? Check. Opera? Check. Music Player? Check. Five Point Oh Megapixel Camera? Check. Touch Screen? Check. Radio? Check. GPS?....CHECK AND DOUBLE CHECK FINALLY!.

05-05-2004, 10:12 PM	Original Poster #11
Jerseyphoneguy Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: The 732 Posts: 57 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ending contract early The problem is (at least from what VZ has told me) is that there are a lot of towers around me, but none are quite close enough. Their engineers even determined it was a weak zone that they are planning on improving, but no idea when. ATT has a tower on top of a building 5 blocks away, so I get great reception. I'm on day 10 of my 30-day trial and I have not had 1 dropped call yet. With VZ just about every call drops, both inside and outside my home.

05-05-2004, 11:29 PM	#13
GoodmanR Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 3,140 Phone(s): Moto v3 Razr, Blackberry 7230 Provider(s): Cingular (Voice) + T-Mobile (Blackberry) Devices: Crackberry Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ending contract early The contract makes it clear that they don't guarantee coverage.

05-06-2004, 5:22 AM	#15
rich6880 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Fairfield CT Posts: 682 Phone(s): Nokia 3589i, LG VX4400 (returned), Audiovox Z800 (backup), Motorola Talk About(dead) Provider(s): Verizon Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ending contract early It appears that I have have given advice first and thought second. In any event, I wsh you the best of luck with your attempt to drop the service. __________________ Richard Last edited by rich6880; 05-06-2004 at 5:23 AM. Reason: typo

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