iPhone Tips #3

Pawn it off

Don’t want your contract anymore? Find someone who does. Websites like celltradeusa.com specialize in connecting thousands of people together for the express purpose of transferring the financial responsibilities of cell contracts from one person to another. As long as the recipient meets the minimum qualifications (credit check, etc.) you can transfer the plan over without getting hit with the early termination fee.

Get out while you still can

If you just signed up for service, you typically have 14 days to drop it — 30 days with some carriers. A simple call to customer service cancels your plan. All you may have to do is pay a prorated amount for the service you’ve already used.

Move to the boonies

It’s pretty simple to register a change of address with most carriers. Change your address to an area your cell carrier doesn’t have service, then call and complain about not getting reception. Contractually, if a service provider can’t offer access in a given area, the contract is null and void.

Military service

If you’re already in the armed forces, deployment overseas usually means you’re free and clear to end your contract early — without any financial obligation.

Read the fine print

The wee print in your bill’s Terms of Service? Read it closely. Providers frequently make small changes to you plan — an increase in the number of text messages here, a few more night and weekend minutes there. It doesn’t matter if these alterations benefit you — they automatically void the contract and give you as much as 30 days to get out.

Demand to see the paperwork

Did you sign a contract in the store? Ask the carrier to come up with a hard copy of this legally binding document. If the provider can’t come up with a physical copy, then you’re free to go. Paper gets lost, you might have forgotten to sign and sales reps are often too busy or lazy to file the paperwork.

Abuse the system

Cell-phone service providers usually have roaming agreements with other carriers where they don’t offer reception. Roaming areas can often be close, sometimes the next county over. Chances are you have a friend with a house in one of these roaming areas. Check a service map to find out. Then take your phone over on Friday night and as soon your Unlimited Nights and Weekends start, call POPCORN, and leave the phone on. Roaming is usually free to the customer but costs the carrier dough. They’ll practically beg you to leave when you call to cancel the contract.

Demand to see the paperwork

Did you sign a contract in the store? Ask the carrier to come up with a hard copy of this legally binding document. If the provider can’t come up with a physical copy, then you’re free to go. Paper gets lost, you might have forgotten to sign and sales reps are often too busy or lazy to file the paperwork.

Abuse the system

Cell-phone service providers usually have roaming agreements with other carriers where they don’t offer reception. Roaming areas can often be close, sometimes the next county over. Chances are you have a friend with a house in one of these roaming areas. Check a service map to find out. Then take your phone over on Friday night and as soon your Unlimited Nights and Weekends start, call POPCORN, and leave the phone on. Roaming is usually free to the customer but costs the carrier dough. They’ll practically beg you to leave when you call to cancel the contract.