AT&T Termination Fee...

anttehninja · Thread Author #1 08-29-2011, 11:27 PM

I am currently on att using the torch and I am fed up with the service, I am considering switching to verizon and breaking my contract but they want $325 to end my contract early. Which is absolutely insane but I think verizon's is like $375 so whatever but my question is, Is there anyway to get around this? I know since I am running a torch thats why my cancellation fee is so high but I was thinking...What if I switch to a phone thats not on there "premium etf list" and then canceling? Do you think I will still be stuck with the 325 price or just the normal 150? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

decypher44 · #2 08-29-2011, 11:50 PM

Try to convince them that you are getting NO service where you are, and that it's not the phone, but the carrier that you can't use?

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anttehninja · Thread Author #3 08-29-2011, 11:58 PM

The problem is I have excellent coverage where I am but the dropped calls are killing me, I dont use my phone very often call wise but when I do I almost drop every call, not to mention my BBM's rarely go through unless I am connected to wifi. I dont even know what to say to them about it because if they check my coverage area they are just going to blame the phone.

dalton4L · #4 08-30-2011, 12:13 AM

Talk to Verizon, sometimes a carrier will pay the fee, they offered to pay mine.

EDIT: Although I doubt they'll pay one that far out, but it's worth a try.

anttehninja · Thread Author #5 08-30-2011, 12:17 AM

Yeah, 325 is a bit high, thats why I am trying to figure out if I switch my phone on att to a lesser device and then cancel, if I will be charged the cheaper etf. Im afraid to call and ask because then It becomes obvious thats why I would do it.

soccernamlak · #6 08-30-2011, 02:07 AM

If you can wait, you should be able to to get out for free when the contract changes (they waive ETF in those cases). Or there are a few sites where you can sell your contract to another person. Or sell your phone and use the money to pay off your ETF.

Just some thoughts....

Rootbrian · #7 08-30-2011, 02:49 AM

Be glad, cause telus charges $358 to kill a one year term, or remaining year. $1074 to cancel a 3-year term. Ouch.

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jstoltz · #8 08-30-2011, 07:56 AM

I am pretty sure the ETF is based on the phone you initially purchased (and was subsidized by the carrier) and not whatever phone is currently active on the line.

As far as getting Verizon to pay for your ETF to transfer, you could always ask but I believe their policy is not to pay those fees. They simply don't need to generate business that badly to waste money on what are in effect risky customers.

olblueyez · #9 08-30-2011, 08:34 AM

You have great signal but many dropped calls and you want att to just forget about the 600 dollar device they gave you and let you cancel early without a penalty?

Why would they do that? What the heII difference would it make if you put another phone on that line?

Why did you not return the phone within the 30 day return policy if it was dropping calls?

D2VW14_20 · #10 08-30-2011, 01:58 PM

They can look at the percentage of call that are dropped. They should anything above a 6% threshold I think is extreme. The work with you if you are above that. Call customer service if you have to. I know I had an issue with VZW at home, and they sent us a network extender.

BBFXPro777 · #11 08-30-2011, 02:53 PM

My experience might help you.

I was in the same situation as you earlier this year. I was with ATT for about a year but could not take their horrible service anymore. Dropped calls and data outages averaged in the 30% range, despite, like you, being in a well-covered area. I also lost money in my business thanks to ATT, so I paid out the $325 termination fee. If you first look at the termination fee, it may seem high, but when you look at what ATT's poor service can cost on your business' behalf in the long-run, its a very small price (and lesson) to pay.

I switched to Sprint's Virgin Mobile service and have been happy ever since. Unlike ATT, calls and data service are very reliable and everything is unlimited for $55 a month - what more can you ask for?

mark_rivers19 · #12 08-31-2011, 12:38 AM

here's another scenario that no one has mentioned yet.

Sell the Torch and downgrade your line to the cheapest available.
Lowest minutes and lowest data
and then just ride it out.

OR as others have mentioned, you can ask someone to take over your line.
it's called transfer of responsibility. i did that before with T-mobile when i switched to AT&T.

post it on ebay or craigslist and you'll surely get offers.

Mister Xiado · #13 08-31-2011, 02:48 PM

Unlock the phone, sell it, and use that to pay off your ETF. Problem solved for every entity involved.

björnbär · #14 09-06-2011, 05:16 PM

You might also try documenting all of your dropped calls for a week or two and then calling them. I've read before that some people were successful getting out of their contracts in this way, when they had documented their service problems. It will probably take some persistence, though, to get to talk to someone who can do something about it.