Want new phone, can't get out of contract

[tmsjava]

Ok, so I had to switch to Verizon after the hurricane, because the other carrier just had too many problems. So I've had Verizon for about 6 months now and I'd really like a smartphone....either the Q or the Palm 700w, but I asked and they said I couldn't "change" my plan in the middle and sign up for a new 2-yr contract with the new phone. I had to either cancel my service and be charged the full cancellation fee and then sign up for a new 2-yr contract with the new phone...OR keep my existing contract for the rest of the 6 months, purchase a NEW 2-yr contract to get the deal on the new phone (therefore having TWO accounts at the same time), OR pay FULL price on the new phone and just add it to my existing plan.

I would have thought they would WANT me to purchase a two-yr contract and an expensive phone and waive the cancellation fee of my existing contract. I guess they don't want my money. Hmmm.....now I'll probably just have to wait it out..maybe there will be cheaper smartphones by then.

T.

[walkguru]

thats why i wish we could do away with contracts.

[fractured]

Originally Posted by tmsjava

OR pay FULL price on the new phone and just add it to my existing plan.

...well, this is your best options. It will not extend your contract, but the retail prices are relatively expensive.

[tmsjava]

But the problem with that, is that my current plan doesn't support the data (internet) for the smartphones.....I only have MobileWeb, which those smartphones don't have. You need the special $45 data plan, or however much it is. So that would also be rather useless to me. And I just can't spend $400 on a phone!!

[Quint101]

You cant just purchase the smartphone and skip the data charges? I think you can do the pay uer use data if you opt for a smartphone. If you dont use data, this option may be viable.

Just thinking... can you add a line for the PDA? You can still get promo pricing but the down side is that you have 2 lines

[fractured]

Originally Posted by Quint101

You cant just purchase the smartphone and skip the data charges?

Usually they don't allow you to, but perhaps things have changed.

[BEATNIKSHA]

I think you should call customer service and complain to them.

You have discovered that you need a Q phone for business, or whatever. You have talked to store managers and other customer service people and all have not been at all helpful, now you find you must follow through with the decision to go ahead and close the account and get a contract with a different company. You like the service but the customer service is horrible. You need the Q phone and you need them to come to a helpful compromise that does not include you getting another number that you don't need or paying a rediculous cancellation fee because they'd rather have the $175 than a long standing contract from a customer who can bring other customers in.

I know that the most discount they can give you if they have done you really wrong or your problem is really bad is 25% off of a retail price of a phone or $25 credit to your account.

I think if you threaten to close your account also stating that you don't want to and all you do want is a satisfactory solution they may be able to give you at least the 25% discount on the retail price of the phone. That might not sound like much, but it makes a difference if you were leaning that way anyway.

I know these solutions may not seem good, but they are the gangsters of the cellular industry and this, if anything may be the best you get. I hate that so much!!

I have a problem I complain to customer service and I do always tell them I'm on the verge of canceling my service and I really don't want to, but I feel that I have no choice. Plus I've been a customer for 6 years so they work with me. Also, if one dunderhead of a customer service rep doesn't help. Hang up and call back to get another one. The best thing to do is keep calm and speak nicely to them. No attitude, no blow ups, but definately let them know how frustrated and dissatisfied you are and you are leaving it up to them to make you a satisfied and confident customer.

I hope these tips will help you a little.

[tmsjava]

Thanks guys.....I think I will contact customer service and see what they can do for me. Always hard to keep calm on the phone, though....but I'll try.

T.

[vroberts]

Originally Posted by walkguru

thats why i wish we could do away with contracts.

We may be able to do that soon, but with that option phones are going to cost a lot more since the contarct helps to pay for the phone.

[lcwilson]

Originally Posted by tmsjava

But the problem with that, is that my current plan doesn't support the data (internet) for the smartphones.....I only have MobileWeb, which those smartphones don't have. You need the special $45 data plan, or however much it is. So that would also be rather useless to me. And I just can't spend $400 on a phone!!

Just buy the new phone at retail ( if your that dissatisfied with your current phone) and add the data plan. That can be added at any time without affecting your contract. Same as with Vcast, Messaging, Etc.

[VZW-LOVER]

Originally Posted by walkguru

thats why i wish we could do away with contracts.

Contracts add value to the company. But I agree with you!

[ZaphodB]

I don't understand. You signed a contract. Now you want out of the contract, but you don't want to abide by the terms in the contract.

If you want a fancy new phone, you'll either have to buy it at full retail price, or you'll need to wait until you're 11 months through your 12-month contract.

Of course they want your money. That's what companies do. They exist to make money. By cancelling your contract you would be giving them MORE money than the subsidy on your new fancy phone.

Remember that if you lose your temper on the phone, they mark you as "irate" and it will be that much harder to get what you want. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

[tmsjava]

Wow...someone's angry about something!!!!!

Like you've never wanted to get out of something you committed to before....everyone has. Besides...I was in a desparate situation, after the hurricane. I HAD to change services fast.....I wasn't getting any service with my previous provider. What would you have liked me to do???? Not have any communications at all??? Would have been rough trying to get through to friends and family to tell them I was ok, or whose couch I was going to next......

[TelcomJunkie]

Unfortunately your situation at the time and now won't help you with a new phone. I understand you were desperate but you signed a contract with certain stipulations on both ends. You pay for so long, they give you a "deal" after so many months. You agreed to that deal and they'll be more than happy to give you the $100 credit towards a new phone on your New Every Two plan. You're also not asking for a cheap phone either, you're asking for a $300-$400 phone. I'm not going to go down the path of wants and needs but if $400 is too much to spend on a phone then you should look at alternatives until you can afford that phone or a lower priced model comes out.

Also, you don't have to purchase it through them, you can purchase it on eBay and do an ESN swap which is free online.

[vroberts]

Originally Posted by tmsjava

Wow...someone's angry about something!!!!!

Like you've never wanted to get out of something you committed to before....everyone has. Besides...I was in a desparate situation, after the hurricane. I HAD to change services fast.....I wasn't getting any service with my previous provider. What would you have liked me to do???? Not have any communications at all??? Would have been rough trying to get through to friends and family to tell them I was ok, or whose couch I was going to next......

You were in a difficult situation, but I still don't agree with your solution. You could have purchsed a pre-paid cell phone until you figured out which company you wanted to stay with for the 1-year term. And I disagree that "everyone" enteres into agreements knowing that they will not fulfill the terms.

[Fathead]

Originally Posted by tmsjava

Wow...someone's angry about something!!!!!

Like you've never wanted to get out of something you committed to before....everyone has. Besides...I was in a desparate situation, after the hurricane. I HAD to change services fast.....I wasn't getting any service with my previous provider. What would you have liked me to do???? Not have any communications at all??? Would have been rough trying to get through to friends and family to tell them I was ok, or whose couch I was going to next......

You don't seem to understand that Verizon paid a lot of money to get you the phone you have, for the price you paid for it. The contract was there to be certain you stayed long enough to recoup that cost. They've fulfilled their end of the bargain, now you want them to do you another favor. I doubt it will happen. Pay full price for the phone or pay the ETF.


This forum gets threads like this every other week.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by Fathead

You don't seem to understand that Verizon paid a lot of money to get you the phone you have, for the price you paid for it. The contract was there to be certain you stayed long enough to recoup that cost. They've fulfilled their end of the bargain, now you want them to do you another favor. I doubt it will happen. Pay full price for the phone or pay the ETF.


This forum gets threads like this every other week.

I agree with this statement. Why would Verizon give you a discounted phone halfway through your contract? They have certain upgrade rules(which actually are quite good)- see if another company would even give you as good of an upgrade option after your contract runs out.

[Jsgetbusylgz]

Originally Posted by Andy84094

I agree with this statement. Why would Verizon give you a discounted phone halfway through your contract? They have certain upgrade rules(which actually are quite good)- see if another company would even give you as good of an upgrade option after your contract runs out.

Ya i can see where your coming from with that and i totally realize that. But ive been in a similiar situation where the phone i had was just not working and i got the same phone after phone until FINALLY one of them worked right. But when u want to opt out of your contract and get a new phone,you just need to lay down the law with them,or else theyre not gona do anything for you. Do what was said before,call customer service and tell them,im the customer,im the one whos not happy here with you,so you fix it and at least make things a little easier for me,the customer.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by Jsgetbusylgz

Ya i can see where your coming from with that and i totally realize that. But ive been in a similiar situation where the phone i had was just not working and i got the same phone after phone until FINALLY one of them worked right. But when u want to opt out of your contract and get a new phone,you just need to lay down the law with them,or else theyre not gona do anything for you. Do what was said before,call customer service and tell them,im the customer,im the one whos not happy here with you,so you fix it and at least make things a little easier for me,the customer.

With Verizon after 3 phone exchanges you can ask for a different phone, no problem.
Verizon does phone exchanges right there in-store with usually no questions asked(at least that's how it has been in my area) whereas with Cingular, for example, you need to send in your phone and wait for them to send you a new one back.

[RJB]

I know how to get out of a Verizon contract but I will never spill the beans. Just letting you know it can be done.

[TelcomJunkie]

Originally Posted by RyanB

I know how to get out of a Verizon contract but I will never spill the beans. Just letting you know it can be done.

Customer: "I need to cancel my contract"
CSR: "Why?"
Customer: "I died"

Give it a whirl...

[tmsjava]

Originally Posted by vroberts

You were in a difficult situation, but I still don't agree with your solution. You could have purchsed a pre-paid cell phone until you figured out which company you wanted to stay with for the 1-year term. And I disagree that "everyone" enteres into agreements knowing that they will not fulfill the terms.

I never said that "everyone enters into agreements knowing that they will not fulfill the terms".....definitely a misquote. Do you work for a newspaper???