8 months left on 3yr contract...options?

[Cntdwn]

Hi there,

I have 8 months left on a 3yr contract with my BB Pearl that that I didn't want to have in the first place (the contract, I like the Pearl).
My Mike i857 died literally 2 days after the 1 year warranty (3yr contract) and Telus refused to fix it. After trying to sell me some piddly $40 phone with no camera, no custom ringtones, etc I told them to cancel the 2 years left. Ya, $480 bill. I think I took them by surprise and they ended up calling me back offering a new 3 year contract with a free BB Pearl.
I love my Pearl but my wants/needs in a cell phone are changing and the Torch or Desire fill that.

I remember once upon a time that when you had something like 6-8 months left on your contract, you could negotiate a new 3 yr contract and get a new phone. Is this still active? Or was it only a Mike thing (had 3 or 4 before the pearl)

If not, am I able to purchase a Torch or Desire and just use that phone with my current contract until it runs out? Then unlock the Torch or Desire and play the hippity hop game across the providers for the best month to month deal?

I'm not trying to get out of my contract, just seeing what options I have (if any) to get a phone that fits my current needs.

Thanks!

[semaj550]

You are renewable within 6 months of the end of your contract. If you can't wait that long you can usually ask to pay an early termination fee equal to $10/month remaining in your contact ($80 in your case) but I highly recommend waiting 2 months and paying no fee to renew early.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[Cntdwn]

Thanks for the info semaj550.
That's not a bad deal.

If i was to get a Torch, could I just replace my Peal and keep going on that contract? Or would there be a problem because the Pearl is CDMA? I'm not really sure if I want to lock into yet another contract this time around.

[semaj550]

There shouldn't be much of a change for you moving from CDMA to HSPA unless you have an unlimited data plan as Telus seems unable and/or unwilling to move these to the HSPA network. You can call up Loyalty & Retentions and see what they can offer you but they should be able to do at least as well as what you have now.

If you want to buy the phone outright I'm not sure what they will do for you. I could see them making you choose from the currently offered plans. I would just call them up and ask what they can do for you, tell them what you want in the new plan and see if they can come up with something satisfactory.

[carey965]

yes i had to give up my unlimited plan yesterday in preparation for the torch, it was a sad day i loved that plan

but lotalty gave me what is basically the voice and data 50 plan with 1gb of data and more min, and in the end it ends up being cheaper then what i was paying before and i have never once gone over 1 gb

[Cntdwn]

I shall give them all call and see what they can do.
I'd need to change my plan anyway. I only have unlimited BBM and Email, no web or anything. Web on a Pearl really isn't...er, enjoyable so I never put that on.

[carey965]

i actually got the unlt'd plan with my old 8130 then got to keep it when i switched to the storm, but ya it sucks but in the end i got what i need and pay alot less now cause i was on the old plan structure

basically i get all the same stuff for about 15-20 bucks less a month, which even with the wife getting a blackberry now will still save money month to month