A lot of people for some reason or another want to cancel their contracts with their cell service provider early, sometimes they want to switch to a different provider or are simply can’t afford to keep the service.

Well I am here to tell you there is a quick no hassle way to cancel your service without having to pay an early termination fee.

Before I tell you what it is, I have spoken with people and tried it myself with a friend to verify that it works, and it does.

So what do you have to do?

Well you simply have to call up and tell your service provider you are moving to an area with no coverage provided by them.

They will ask you where you are moving to so you have to be prepared, to give them at least a town name and zip code.

Once they do a check to see that there is indeed no service in that area they will willingly cancel your service with no ETF.

Here is a Scriptyou can use:

Keep your phone off for a day

CS Agent: Hello Thank you for calling ______, This is ____ my id number is _____ how can I help you today?

You: Hi _____, I hope you are having a great day. I am in a bit of a pickle. I am moving and I just got back from checking out my new place and I had no service what so ever while I was there, I spoke with my new neighbors and they informed me that you guys don’t offer service in that area, that _____ does, was also told that they used to have ____ before they moved there and got a letter about excessive roaming.

CS Agent: My day is ok. I understand your problem and let’s see what I can do for you, may I have the number you are calling about, your name and the last 4 digits of your social or pin for the account.

You: Sure, my name is ______, the number is ________ and the last 4 digits of my social is _____

CS Agent: Thank you please bear with me while my system pulls up your information.

You: Ok, So how’s the weather?

CS Agent: Not bad how about where you are at?

You: It’s ok a little cold (or warm or hot or rainy).

CS Agent: Well Mr/Ms. ____ I have pulled up your information, so can I get the zip code you are moving to so that I can verify if we offer service.

You: Sure _____

CS Agent:  Thank you one moment while I look it up

You: Ok

CS Agent: Well it does appear that we do not offer service in that area so we can cancel your contract with no ETF.

Depending on what you want to do:
If you don’t want to cancel right this minute tell them “Yeah it sucks I really love you guys, I am not moving yet not for another few days, can you make a note on my account so that when I move I can just cancel with no problems”

or

If you want to port your number over tell them It sucks that I have to switch providers, and tell them you want to port your number over, play a little dumb but make sure they note your account so that when you port you aren’t charged an ETF.

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The above scriptis similar to the one I used with T-Mobile for my friend. They canceled his account no questions asked. I also have confirmed that Sprint and Verizon have canceled contracts this way with out charging the ETF. Only two I have not confirmed is Cingular and Alltel but they probably have similar policies.

To find out where your service provider does not have coverage visit:
For Alltel: http://www.alltel.com/personal/wireless/plans/nf_coverage_map.html
For Cingular: http://www.cingular.com/coverageviewer/
For Sprint: http://www1.sprintpcs.com/explore/coverage/CoverageInfo.jsp?ATR_ExtraOne=UHP_Personal_Coverage
For T-Mobile: http://t-mobile.com/coverage/
For Verizon: http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/CoverageLocatorController?requesttype=NEWREQUEST

Here in Canada, I don’t think that scenario works, I know people who have tried it, and it does not work, but I know it works/worked for Sprint, because I’ve had a few of those calls.  I’m regularly in a community that has no GSM service, while my phone is on Rogers Wireless (Canada’s “only” GSM carrier), I’ve called in requesting information about cancelling since there was no service, I was told I would pay the ETF.

I got an email from someone who used this scriptwith Sprint today and it worked.

Very useful information. I might have to use it for the big Verizon to Cingular switch, HELLLO iPhone

If you are to do it, do it now so that Verizon has notes on your account.

thanks I will

ccross your fingers. I am calling right now

did it work?

In short, no.

In length, I gave them the bull. Everything from I was moving in with my aunt to help take care of my new baby. I used the coverage locator and found a perfect dead spot in Sells, AZ. I picked it for a number of reasons and the main one being it would be believable considering I live a state over. It is desert town and I even researched it as far as adresses. It was on an indian reservation and I went as far as to say I was actually staying on the reservation with my aunt in Arizona. I gave them a full address including post number (address system in reservation). The script went as planned until the dreaded .....

“Well certainly we can cancel your ETF with a simple document proving your residency, such as a electrical bill, so and so forth”

I had the bright idea to ask “What about post office box address” And he confirmed that it would not work considering I could live miles from the post office location.

So all in all. Lame.

This is VERIZON by the way.

I picked up in the tone of his voice that he definately bought my story. He understood that nothing would be in my name since I would be living with my aunt and she would be the sole provider. He apologized and said “I am sorry that people before you have made this so difficult by abusing the privelage to cancel their plans, but this isn’t in my control and I realize this puts you in a difficult position” ..... he could have just been really polite, but I felt that if he could do something, than he would have.

Bummer. So Verizon is out.

So it worked butthey want proof. hmm maybe their catching on.