How to Ditch your Cell Phone Plan

I was on Wired News today, and found a pretty good article that gives some good tips on how to get out of your cell phone contract. Some of the reasons are actually the cause of someone wanting out, others are the result of an impulse buy to get the newest phone I imagine as cheap as possible. We all have made cell phone blunders, and got stuck with bills, a bad company or bad bad service. Most of us are locked in to these giant cooperation's, having no choice to go along with it, until your plan runs out and then suddenly you are their best friend again! I say skip the contract if you can, and read the small print when signing all the time, shop around, don't impulse buy! This will save you the headaches of a bad decision for up to 3 years or even more. This is what they recommended : You can find link to the actual content here :http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.08/howtodigital.html

Here's a brief Rundown

»Be a squeaky wheel. Say you want out because the service isn't up to par. (And really, is it?) Then back that up by filing official complaints online with the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau.

(In Canadathis would be the BBB or numerous requests to speak to higher ups at the "Business office in my experience)

»Get off the grid. Study your provider's coverage map and find a town (maybe in Alaska?) with absolutely no service. Then tell the company you're moving there. They're not legally required to cut you loose, but frustrated consumers have reported success.

*This should work for other countries too... but don't actually move there! And if you are in an area where service is crappy, let them know!

»Join the Army. Some people have finagled their way out of a contract by claiming they just got orders to ship off to Iraq. Be warned: You may be asked for documentation.

*I'm not sure I agree with this one these days...lolont>

»Try a market-based fix. StarStart uphref="http://celltradeusa.com/" target="new">Celltradeusa.com matches unhappy mobile customers with people who'd like to sign up - at a discount, of course. You'll pay a $20 fee to sell your contract on the block.

»Shrink your plan. As a last resort, cut back to the bare minimum the provider allows and drop any frills, like picture-messaging. Depending on the number of months you have left, this could be cheaper than paying the typically prorated termination fee, which can often run up to $200.

Most of these would work, not sure about the second to last, I recommend being as nice and polite as possible, stating your reasons up front and then going as high up as you can, from my experience with working with Telcos and providers, the sqeeky wheel does get the grease, and a pleasant demeanour will get you way further than angry complaints like everyone else..try that first.

Happy cancelling!