Cell Phone cancelling

[Sivart5]

Has anyone had trouble trying to cancel their cell phone?

Earlier this month my DW called Sprint to see if we were under contract, they said no. She signed up with a different carrier, went home, called Sprint to cancel. They then said we WERE under contract and couldn't cancel without a fee. I then called that night, talked to a guy and was told I could cancel and there would be NO fee.

Today I get the mail, they are trying to charge us $162.48 extra for a cancellation fee. I called and talked to two different people and they won't budge, and now say I have to call their corporate office. What a joke. Since they did not document the fact that there is no charge, they are trying to stick me with it.

I will be calling their corporate office tomorrow. Boy I hate wasting my time for these types of things!

[greedy4chips]

How long was your contract and what month are you in? Our contract is for 2 yrs and after 18 months we are free and clear to cancel. A $150 charge for cancelling prior to that plus 1/2 the monthly rate up to the 18 month.

With all the plans changing constantly I think they are trying to avoid customers flip flopping every 2-3 months. Imagine how many free phones you could have.

[Great to be Debt Free]

A note for the future, Anytime you speak to a customer service rep, have them note the account regarding the information they gave you. Just say, would you please note my account refereincing our conversatoin and confirming that I can cancel at any time without penalty unless I change my plan. Then have them read it back to you and write down their CSR number (customer svc id #) for your records.

They are supposed to record notes every time, but often tehy will generalize to take less time. Don't just ask them to do it and leave it at that, have them go ahead and do it so tehy can read it back. This helps with resolution of issues like yours.

Good luck!

[Snoopy2645]

I havent had a cell in a few years about 3 to be exact well I think they did try to charge me the fee but I wasnt in contract so thier was NO WAY they could charge me I knew my dates so they didnt screw me sometimes its worth the extra effort to make a few calls!!!

[safari]

I am the only person I know who doesn't have a cell phone. Never had one either. People are always wondering why I don't have it because they know that I am not a penny pincher and I spend a lot of money on other things that interest me, but I just don't have a need for a cell phone. I have a phone in my office, which is 10 min away from my house, so I can always make calls from either place. I might get one of those pay-as-you-go phones and keep it in my car, just in case my car breaks down and I need to call for assistance, but that's about it. The problem is that all those pre-paid minutes expire after a certain time. I wonder if there is a plan where I can buy just 1 hour, which should be more than enough for at least a year, that never expires?

[Sivart5]

My contract was supposed to expire in December 2006, but we couldn't remember when it expired, so when we called them, they said we were not under contract. Then when we bought new phones from another carrier, they told us we were under contract when we called back to cancel. After spending the last 2 days on the phone with several different people, I got this charge deducted, well, that's what they tell me anyway. Who knows what the next bill will bring

You are right that they document the phone calls, but 2 people we had talked to did not document the calls, there was no record of our conversation. The one that DID document the call did not note that we weren't subject to the late fee then for cancelling, even though I had asked him that during our conversation.

Anyway, I THINK the ordeal may be over. Next time I will make sure we put our contract in a safe place!

[greedy4chips]

Originally Posted by safari

I might get one of those pay-as-you-go phones and keep it in my car, just in case my car breaks down and I need to call for assistance, but that's about it.

I will sell you my CB radio since I do not drive truck anymore. $10 + shipping. Never expires. If you break down you just get on the radio and a trucker will call help for you. I cannot tell you how many people I helped or stopped to see if I could help in my 1 million+ miles.

CB radios work everywhere unlike cell phones. The only absolute problem is a dead battery! Even then I would think you could have enough juice to get you a call for help out.

Better yet also buy one of those jump starter dohickeys that can jumpstart your car, they have a cigarette lighter outlet to power your CB for hours!

[safari]

Originally Posted by greedy4chips

I will sell you my CB radio since I do not drive truck anymore. $10 + shipping. Never expires. If you break down you just get on the radio and a trucker will call help for you. I cannot tell you how many people I helped or stopped to see if I could help in my 1 million+ miles.

CB radios work everywhere unlike cell phones. The only absolute problem is a dead battery! Even then I would think you could have enough juice to get you a call for help out.

Better yet also buy one of those jump starter dohickeys that can jumpstart your car, they have a cigarette lighter outlet to power your CB for hours!

Thanks for the offer, but I think a CB radio will look funny in a $45K luxury car

[LuxLiving]

Keep it under the seat - I won't tell.

ADDITION:

For those of you who are cancelling out their cellphones and still need to make a call while on the streets? Try:

http://www.payphone-project.com/