Cancel Verizon contract without ECF?

[elkinm]

Since Verizon is implementing tiered data plans and changing the contract, does that mean that anybody with a contract has a mandatory 30-60 day grace period to cancel the contract without a cancelation fee.
Note that I am only referring to canceling the contract, not the plan itself if you don't want to.

It should not matter if you have an exiting contract, and will not be affected by tiered pricing yet as this is still a change to the contract terms.

Previously, I have seen posts specifically mentioning that you contracts can be canceled since Verizon changed their fees. I am surprised that I have not seen anything about this time.

Is this option still valid and has anybody successfully done it.

Thanks.

 

[Oyeve]

Wow, that just sucks. Seems like VZW is acting like a POS credit card company now. Jacking/changing rates because they feel like it.

 

[zerocool84]

No because your existing contract and terms are still valid and no price changes. The only time your price changes is when you sign a NEW contact with them ie. upgrade to a new phone. Sure of course you can try it but your current contact with them is not being changed at all.

 

[elkinm]

No because your existing contract and terms are still valid and no price changes. The only time your price changes is when you sign a NEW contact with them ie. upgrade to a new phone.

I understand what you mean, but I don't think the current contract makes a difference.

Say I currently have a contracted phone, but without a data plan (not a smart phone). If I wanted to add a data plan after Jun 7, I would have to take the new tiered plans and still be under the remainder of my contract term.

This is why I believe the contract should be cancelable. This is at least how it worked before, regardless of your actual contract terms.

Thanks again.

 

[zerocool84]

I understand what you mean, but I don't think the current contract makes a difference.

Say I currently have a contracted phone, but without a data plan (not a smart phone). If I wanted to add a data plan after Jun 7, I would have to take the new tiered plans and still be under the remainder of my contract term.

This is why I believe the contract should be cancelable. This is at least how it worked before, regardless of your actual contract terms.

Thanks again.

Data was never part of your previous contract so nothing was affected. You're trying to modify the existing contact and they can only give you the prices they have today since you're changing the contact today. Doesn't hurt to try though of course.

 

[gorcorps]

I understand what you mean, but I don't think the current contract makes a difference.

Say I currently have a contracted phone, but without a data plan (not a smart phone). If I wanted to add a data plan after Jun 7, I would have to take the new tiered plans and still be under the remainder of my contract term.

This is why I believe the contract should be cancelable. This is at least how it worked before, regardless of your actual contract terms.

Thanks again.

You are not currently under a contract for a data plan, so why would a change in the data plan void your contract? If they changed your voice or text plan, and didn't grandfather you in then you could cancel... but all phone companies grandfather people in with any changes SPECIFICALLY so it's not a contract breach.

I don't think we'll ever see a legal out of a cell phone contract again. It's been long enough that all the companies have figured out what they need to do to keep the ETF valid.

In short, you're screwed... and it's odd you'd think otherwise.

 

[gsaldivar]

Wow, that just sucks. Seems like VZW is acting like a POS credit card company now. Jacking/changing rates because they feel like it.

It's called inflation. And nothing changes to existing contracts. This is for new contracts and renewals.

 

[Dulanic]

It's the reason Verizon sells data seperate from voice so they can change it whenever they want to. I think Sprint is the only one who doesn't fully seperate them now.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Just grab a used smartphone like a droid, and add a data plan before they implement the tiered data plans...

 

[lothar]

No because your existing contract and terms are still valid and no price changes. The only time your price changes is when you sign a NEW contact with them ie. upgrade to a new phone. Sure of course you can try it but your current contact with them is not being changed at all.

What if an existing customer chooses to pay for a handset out of pocket without signing a new contract and using Verizon subsidization?
I know you still have to take it to the store to activate it(unlike GSM phones), but is that activation by itself considered signing a new contract even though you didn't use their subsidization?

 

[abaez]

You don't have to take a phone you buy full price to the store to get it activated.

And in that situation there is absolutely no contract involved whatsoever.

 

[boomhower]

What if an existing customer chooses to pay for a handset out of pocket without signing a new contract and using Verizon subsidization?
I know you still have to take it to the store to activate it(unlike GSM phones), but is that activation by itself considered signing a new contract even though you didn't use their subsidization?

No and you can activate it online as well.

 

[Lyfer]

I understand what you mean, but I don't think the current contract makes a difference.

Say I currently have a contracted phone, but without a data plan (not a smart phone). If I wanted to add a data plan after Jun 7, I would have to take the new tiered plans and still be under the remainder of my contract term.

This is why I believe the contract should be cancelable. This is at least how it worked before, regardless of your actual contract terms.

Thanks again.

You're contract isn't a prenup with your phone carrier. When you purchased your phone you purchased it at a DISCOUNT instead of full retail pricing which requires you to keep your service active for two years. You're only required to have a data pack if you have a smartphone, even then its not required as per the contract (you can switch to a cheapo flip phone if you want to avoid this). You're carrier isnt under any contract to keep there price static, they can change it at any time.


Don't want to be stuck in a contract at there prices? Buy the phone at retail.

GG

 

[_Aurel_]

I understand what you mean, but I don't think the current contract makes a difference.

Say I currently have a contracted phone, but without a data plan (not a smart phone). If I wanted to add a data plan after Jun 7, I would have to take the new tiered plans and still be under the remainder of my contract term.

This is why I believe the contract should be cancelable. This is at least how it worked before, regardless of your actual contract terms.

Thanks again.

Nope. All the contract says is that you basically agree to continue service for the remainder of your contract; there is no clause requiring you to use a particular type of phone. This is why Verizon doesn't force you to keep a data plan if you take off your smart phone and activate a feature phone instead.


If it's that bad for your then eat the ETF and go to another carrier or put a dumb phone on there and ask to be put on the most minimal plan, then create a new line of service on another carrier and port out when your contract ends.

The new data plans suck, no arguments there... but the fine print is written in such a way that you can't get out of a ETF if Verizon decides to alter their price plans or features. That is why you are "grandfathered" in.