shortbear

Granted, you can probably still win that fight, but if you are going to have that fight with the carrier, don't take your frustration out on the rep on the phone, they're just doing their job. Would you want someone calling in and screaming at you for doing your job? Then there are those who would read the last statement and say something to this effect: "Then you shouldn't be working for that company." This is all fine and good, but not everyone can just quit that job and find something else, for some this is all they can get.

Just a few thoughts for this whole issue. As a former employee of a cellular service provider, dealing with these issues myself, I feel for the reps. I'm not saying the companies are right, even I think some of the charges are bogus. Do what you can to leave when unhappy, but be courteous and civil in your pursuit. After all, being a prick to someone isn't going to get you anywhere. Just like the old expression goes, you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

hmcrm

If you have to get transferred its probably because you're dealing with an outsource company and they might put up a fight because they probably haven't read the update. They shouldn't care so much about transferring you anyway because they don't get docked anything for disconnecting the line.

As for porting numbers over, as long as the account is active, you should probably call Verizon, tell them you're porting over the number and it is because of the change in per txt price. You should be able to change it without the ETF but you may still get a charge for it later down the line. Its only because a computer disconnects and someone has to go in to take it out. No need to get upset. You're already out of contract with them.

You shouldn't have to return the phone either because its not part of the contract. They sold it to you for free.

If they keep saying all kinds of stuff, you really don't need to explain anything to them. Say you got a notice in the mail and ask them to transfer you to the disconnect/loyalty team. If you ask, they have to. Have a good time :D

Also, trust me, if you had to work there taking calls all day for people that have like 500 dollars in overage that don't want to pay their bill even though the charges are valid, you'd be hating the world too.

sammygirl

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/footer/customerAgreemen...

Anyways, I just faxed it over. I should've canceled it on the spot, but I want to port the number tomorrow when I'm getting new service. Anyways, good luck to you all.

mugen426

uesque

skandranon

Hopefully others will have better luck. I might try again. Incidentally, I'm near the end of my contract, with 2 months remaining. I find it strange that they'd let the commenter above go so easily when she had a much longer term remaining. Go figure.

spacejake

shaneh

DM

digitalmaddog

reddymedic

Gotta be more aggressive than that. Say that text messaging is indeed an important part of the service and it is spelled out in your contract for .10 cents/msg. And that is why your phone has text messaging. Write down a good answer and try again. Also check out the digg thread from this post for more ideas.

Roosh

i explained about the "a concrete definition of materially adverse"but he kept saying its a feature and not the service

i did speak to one woman then was on hold for 7 minutes then the supervisor got on the phone

after all was said he would not cancel my contract i told him this was outrageous and i would look over my contract more and contact the vp of cs --- his response was here is my name and ext # have a nice day

i will try the fax of the orig contract!!!

thanks

dm

digitalmaddog

it was quite painless too!

dustboo

1. Does anyone know if it's possible to use this method to cancel a Verizon contract, still keep my phone (Samsung a990) and my number, but stay with Verizon on a month-to-month plan? Because that would be nice.

2. What was the original notification date for the txt increase? i.e. when is the 60-day period for canceling over?

Thanks.

Steve_Holt

Matt

Maciek

Nygdan

At least that's what they say will happen. My experience from other companies is that fee waiving is like pulling teeth.

cooljames

I called Verizon, and since I have had a pretty good experience with them, I phrased it as "I would rather not cancel my account, but that's what I might be forced to do".

The initial rep but extremely unhelpful. She tried to suggest that I turn off my text messaging. I explained that it was a feature listed on my contract and for 10 cents each. And since Verizon was raising the price on me, they were breaking my contract. After a back and forth, and again asking for a supervisor, she said someone would have to call me.

About 45 mins later, I got the call. I phrased it as follows: "I've been a good customer and haven't had problems before with Verizon but I may be forced to choose between canceling my account and paying 50% more for a feature of my account."

In return the supervisor offered me a one-time credit of $5 (must be the going rate).

I explained that I have 18 months left on my contract and at my current usage levels ($8 month across two lines). I would be paying extra after the second month.

The supervisor then asked a shocker "What can we do so we don't lose you as a customer?".

I said I didn't want to pay the new rate on text messages. After do the math, she said she could offer me a one-time $70 credit to cover for the extra charges. And I took and ran! Sure, they're banking on us increasing our messaging, but we'll see who wins that gamble.

The moral of the story is if you're persistent, and don't want to leave, you can cut a deal. Me, I got $70 for maybe 10 minutes worth of total work. At the very least, if we maintain our messaging levels, we break even through the end of our contract.

That said, the willingness of the supervisor to cut a deal proves the point - you have an out if you want it.

jimdean

Nakko

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http://www.mostofmymac.com

themacthinker

I hear other people got their phones cut off at the end of their billing cycle, so I think her cutting off my phone within an hour was her little jab.

Roosh

The thing about the increase is - it should work even if you *have* a plan, because you still get charged more for msgs from anyone not a verizon customer - which still constitutes a change.

Papa K

michaelw436

fugly

I too am gobsmacked at how the US carriers can charge you to receive txt messages. I must have spent more on receiving texts last Christmas than sending them. Damn my innate charisma and unsinkable popularity! ;-)

shoegazer

grouse

Plus, in America they charge you for /receiving/ text messages? That's just insane!

In the UK, they only charge you for receiving text messages when you're outside the UK. You also usually have to notify them beforehand so that you don't get surprised by the bill.

r3m0t

Kudos.

J.T.

i've been working for a telcom for ~6 years, including the department that handles ownership/movement of numbers. you can't port a cancelled number regardless of whose decision it is to cancel it. you'd have to convince them to let it go while it's still active without charging the contract cancellation fee. cancellation fees are b.s., though, so i agree that it ought to be possible.

xaotica

NaughtyBitsGLiF

I'm not quite sure how you would handle making this call AND porting your number. My guess would be to get them to allow you to cancel, and then port your number because if Verizon cancels you, you cannot port your number.

Vinny

Yoni K

grouse