If you want out of your Verizon contract without a fee . . .

[Bateluer]

Now's your chance.

http://consumerist.com/2011/06/new-...n-contract-without-early-termination-fee.html

It's possible to break out of your Verizon Wireless contract in the next 60 days without paying an early termination fee because they're increasing the "regulatory fee" they charge customers from $.13 to $.16. This is what is known as a "materially adverse change of contract" and by standard contract law, it renders the contract void if one of the parties doesn't like the change.

First you'll want to bone up on what materially adverse change of contract means. Basically you signed a contract to get a given service at a given price, and after you signed it, they made it cost more. It doesn't matter if it's $50, a penny, or in this case, 3 cents. It's still materially adverse.

Then you'll have to call up Verizon and ask to be transferred to the retentions department. There you will pitch your case that this fee is a materially adverse change of contract, it voids the contract, and you demand to be let out of your contract without paying an early termination fee.

You'll be subject to their expensive tiered data contacts in the future though. But if you want to break your contract to jump on a cheaper regional or prepaid carrier, now's your chance.

 

[gorcorps]

Also should be good if you don't actually plan on jumping ship, but aren't due for an upgrade for a while and want one... say for the new Galaxy S 2 (or whatever the Verizon name it). You should be able to get off contract, then be eligible for new contract pricing when it's released.

Could use something like this for AT&T right about now =\

 

[Bateluer]

Also should be good if you don't actually plan on jumping ship, but aren't due for an upgrade for a while and want one... say for the new Galaxy S 2 (or whatever the Verizon name it). You should be able to get off contract, then be eligible for new contract pricing when it's released.

Could use something like this for AT&T right about now =\

There is a time limit on this, about 60 days, I think from the article. Its anybody's guess whether the SGS2 will drop before then or not.

 

[spaceman]

im on it
ty op!!!!

 

[Anubis]

There is a time limit on this, about 60 days, I think from the article. Its anybody's guess whether the SGS2 will drop before then or not.

newest rumor is august

 

[gorcorps]

There is a time limit on this, about 60 days, I think from the article. Its anybody's guess whether the SGS2 will drop before then or not.

I read that as 60 days to break the contract. Once it's broken, you can keep going month to month without being in a contract for as long as you please. Then once the SGS2 is out you get it, and start a new 2 year contract.

 

[gsaldivar]

YMMV on this one...

I'm going to predict that not a single person pulls this off without an ETF.

 

[Oyeve]

I read that as 60 days to break the contract. Once it's broken, you can keep going month to month without being in a contract for as long as you please. Then once the SGS2 is out you get it, and start a new 2 year contract.

This is probably the best option.

 

[shortylickens]

YMMV on this one...

I'm going to predict that not a single person pulls this off without an ETF.

I'll let you know in an hour.

 

[gsaldivar]

I'll let you know in an hour.

Good luck! Be prepared to actually follow through on a threat to cancel an account. That will probably be the only way they will budge on this.

 

[shortylickens]

Good luck! Be prepared to actually follow through on a threat to cancel an account. That will probably be the only way they will budge on this.

Last time I actually did quit. A day later they called back and said they'd give me a discount to stay.
Crap! Wanted to get the phone number from the My Verizon app. They are forcing me to upgrade it first.

 

[Pliablemoose]

For $60, I can have a Page Plus phone line and a virgin mobile line.

One for voice one for data.

 

[shortylickens]

The Consumerist obviously didnt try it themselves.
They just refused to wave my early termination fee since its not a "serious detriment to your service or a severe increase in your bill".

No go.

I guess some hard ass could make a court case out of it, but the whole point is I'm trying to save money, not spend it. If I were rich I wouldnt be pinching pennies.

 

[Pliablemoose]

People on slickdeals aren't having any luck

 

[Bateluer]

The Consumerist obviously didnt try it themselves.
They just refused to wave my early termination fee since its not a "serious detriment to your service or a severe increase in your bill".

No go.

I guess some hard ass could make a court case out of it, but the whole point is I'm trying to save money, not spend it. If I were rich I wouldnt be pinching pennies.

Technically, isn't that the customer's call to make, not the Verizon CSRs? If you're already having poor signal/service, could be used as leverage?

If its populating on SlickDeals, I wonder how many people are trying this. Possibly, Verizon CSRs got some 'training' in dealing with this?

 

[Pliablemoose]

People on slick deals are trying to figure out how to get free phones using this...

 

[Raduque]

Man, I almost wish I were a VZW CSR again. I would flat-out refuse people over dumb shit like this 3 cent hike.

THREE FUCKING CENTS! Cheap bastards.

 

[shortylickens]

People on slick deals are trying to figure out how to get free phones using this...

Fuck that, I just wanna be free of my god damn contract.

 

[gsaldivar]

Man, I almost wish I were a VZW CSR again. I would flat-out refuse people over dumb shit like this 3 cent hike.
THREE FUCKING CENTS! Cheap bastards.

Shut up and give me my refund or I'll kick you in the baguettes.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Man, I almost wish I were a VZW CSR again. I would flat-out refuse people over dumb shit like this 3 cent hike.

THREE FUCKING CENTS! Cheap bastards.

Verizon's offering them 3 cents a month back for the length of their contract

 

[bearxor]

That's what I would do. Anyone that calls in and threatens to leave gets a 75 cent credit.

 

[Inspector Jihad]

i wonder if i can start paying about 2 cents less on my bill every month then?

 

[Bateluer]

Man, I almost wish I were a VZW CSR again. I would flat-out refuse people over dumb shit like this 3 cent hike.

THREE FUCKING CENTS! Cheap bastards.

Again, not your call. The terms of the contract are changing without the customer's consent or consultation. Doesn't matter if its 1 cent or 200 dollars.

 

[Raduque]

Again, not your call. The terms of the contract are changing without the customer's consent or consultation. Doesn't matter if its 1 cent or 200 dollars.

If you read the text included on the bill, it states that continued usage of the service after receiving notice constitutes acceptance of the terms. I would deny it if there was any usage on any lines after the bill was received (I didn't count calling customer service, some others did). So, according to the bill text, the P&P at the time, it WAS my call.

ALWAYS read your fine print.

 

[Bateluer]

Not anymore, but at the time, according to P&P, it WAS my call. Though any decision to cancel the contract was scrutinized by both the escalations team and the reps immediate supervisor. If it was found that the rep shouldn't have done so, the decision was reversed and the CSR was put on notice.

Course, as the customer, I could dispute the charge on my VISA.