Learn effective ways to cancel your cell phone contract without paying massive termination fees, from leveraging customer service and complaining across multiple channels to selling your plan or finding policy loopholes.
Have you ever signed up for a cell phone contract only to realize later that it just wasn't going to work for you? It is a pretty common scenario that usually ends with the customer paying a huge fee for the privilege of breaking the agreement. However, there are ways to get out of your contract without losing a pile of money! It may take a little work, but you can usually successfully get out of your cell phone contract.
Here is how to get out of a cell phone contract:
- Have a reason. Why do you want to get out of the contract? Hopefully, you have a good reason and initially thought you would be able to honor the agreement. If not, maybe this will serve as a reminder that contracts are binding! Either way, find a reason—real or imagined—and stick to it.
- Complain. Repeatedly. Take whatever your reason is for wanting out of the contract—poor customer service, no coverage at your home, or anything else—and bring it to the provider's attention. If the customer service representative says that he or she cannot do anything, ask for a supervisor. Then keep asking. You may eventually reach someone who has the authority to let you out of your contract and who is also tired of your complaints!
- Complain using different media. Don't stick to complaining only on the phone. If you really want to get out of your cell phone contract, send emails, make phone calls, and write letters. Letter writing can be particularly effective if you send a copy to the Better Business Bureau or the Federal Trade Commission.
- Remain polite. Yelling doesn't usually work,
and threatening letters can get you into trouble. Instead, ask politely but firmly to be released from your contract. Back up your request with legitimate reasons, but do not resort to being mean or irrational. - Sell your contract. There are websites like Get Out Of Your Plan! and Celltrade that are set up for exactly this purpose. People who are unsatisfied with their cell phone contracts can sell or trade them in order to find something that works better.
- Check your Terms of Service. If a cell phone provider has changed its Terms of Service, you are generally allowed to cancel your contract with no penalty. You will have to read all the fine print that comes with your bill, but if you find any changes, even minor ones, you can leverage them to exit your phone contract!
- Ask for a copy of the signed contract. If you call and ask for a copy of the contract—letting them know you never received it—the cell phone provider is required to produce a copy. If they cannot provide one, they cannot hold you to a contract lasting longer than a year.
- Change your plan. If you don't have too much time left on your cell phone contract, it may be cheaper to pay for a few months of really basic service rather than paying the termination fee. Get rid of absolutely everything except for the most basic tier and stick it out for the final few months.
- Pay the fee. Of course, you can always just pay the termination fee and be done with the whole process!
- Look for loopholes. Joining the military usually allows you to exit your cell phone contract penalty-free! Additionally, if your cell phone contract is in the name of a minor or someone who has passed away, the company is legally obligated to release you from the contract.
As with many things in life, persistence is the key to getting out of your cell phone contract. Try the methods listed above, and remember to think very carefully before you sign another cell phone agreement!
How to Get Out of a Cell Phone Contract
Learn effective ways to cancel your cell phone contract without paying massive termination fees, from leveraging customer service and complaining across multiple channels to selling your plan or finding policy loopholes.
Have you ever signed up for a cell phone contract only to realize later that it just wasn't going to work for you? It is a pretty common scenario that usually ends with the customer paying a huge fee for the privilege of breaking the agreement. However, there are ways to get out of your contract without losing a pile of money! It may take a little work, but you can usually successfully get out of your cell phone contract.
Here is how to get out of a cell phone contract:
- Have a reason. Why do you want to get out of the contract? Hopefully, you have a good reason and initially thought you would be able to honor the agreement. If not, maybe this will serve as a reminder that contracts are binding! Either way, find a reason—real or imagined—and stick to it.
- Complain. Repeatedly. Take whatever your reason is for wanting out of the contract—poor customer service, no coverage at your home, or anything else—and bring it to the provider's attention. If the customer service representative says that he or she cannot do anything, ask for a supervisor. Then keep asking. You may eventually reach someone who has the authority to let you out of your contract and who is also tired of your complaints!
- Complain using different media. Don't stick to complaining only on the phone. If you really want to get out of your cell phone contract, send emails, make phone calls, and write letters. Letter writing can be particularly effective if you send a copy to the Better Business Bureau or the Federal Trade Commission.
- Remain polite. Yelling doesn't usually work, and threatening letters can get you into trouble. Instead, ask politely but firmly to be released from your contract. Back up your request with legitimate reasons, but do not resort to being mean or irrational.
- Sell your contract. There are websites like Get Out Of Your Plan! and Celltrade that are set up for exactly this purpose. People who are unsatisfied with their cell phone contracts can sell or trade them in order to find something that works better.
- Check your Terms of Service. If a cell phone provider has changed its Terms of Service, you are generally allowed to cancel your contract with no penalty. You will have to read all the fine print that comes with your bill, but if you find any changes, even minor ones, you can leverage them to exit your phone contract!
- Ask for a copy of the signed contract. If you call and ask for a copy of the contract—letting them know you never received it—the cell phone provider is required to produce a copy. If they cannot provide one, they cannot hold you to a contract lasting longer than a year.
- Change your plan. If you don't have too much time left on your cell phone contract, it may be cheaper to pay for a few months of really basic service rather than paying the termination fee. Get rid of absolutely everything except for the most basic tier and stick it out for the final few months.
- Pay the fee. Of course, you can always just pay the termination fee and be done with the whole process!
- Look for loopholes. Joining the military usually allows you to exit your cell phone contract penalty-free! Additionally, if your cell phone contract is in the name of a minor or someone who has passed away, the company is legally obligated to release you from the contract.
As with many things in life, persistence is the key to getting out of your cell phone contract. Try the methods listed above, and remember to think very carefully before you sign another cell phone agreement!
How to Get Out of a Cell Phone Contract
By Howtodotips
Learn effective ways to cancel your cell phone contract without paying massive termination fees, from leveraging customer service and complaining across multiple channels to selling your plan or finding policy loopholes.