Want To Ditch Your Old Contract So You Can Get The iPhone?
03.15.07 - 10:32am
The iPhone is coming out in just a couple more months and people everywhere are already dreaming of dialing a number on the fancy touch screen, the ease of the menu applications, no longer having to wade through 20 voice mail messages to get to the one they want, basically carrying their computer with them, and then being able to jam to “Money for Nothing” when the boss just makes their day!
The all in one phone (check out CBS video demo here) also has many wannabe iPhone owners wondering how they will get out of their current choking contracts - without the $175 termination fee.
Well, we’re here to tell you three ways USA Today has given us that you can accomplish this. First you can sign up with Cellswapper or Celltrade, pay between $9.95 and $19.95 and they will try to “match” you with someone willing to take over your contract. “Why would anyone want to buy your contract with the new iPhone coming out?” you ask. Well, here’s the deal, sometimes people want to skip that initial start up fee as well as have the flexibility of a shorter than two year contract as they test out a new phone service. It’s all a win-win, you get your new iPhone and they get a short, cheaper contract.
Another way out is to cite a “problem” with your service. Say for example you are always on roaming in an area you visit often, or you don’t get service at work. If you put it in writing you can then call and say “Eliminate my contract, due to poor service!” However, these must be legitimate problems, so if you happen to get great service… move? (j/k).
Last but not least - pay attention to your bill! - your cell company is probably changing your contract often, as Verizon recently did when it raised prices on text messaging. Now, I know that reading through the fine lines of your bill to catch the upcharge is not fun, but it can be your way out. The phone company is legally bound to notify you when they make a change in your contract, however they will not do this in big bold letters and will probably argue when you call them - but in the end you will almost always be able to get a release.
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