How to Get Out of a Cell Contract
- 1). Move outside the service provider's reception area. All service providers post a map on websites outlining the coverage area. If you are outside of this coverage area and require a local phone number, then your current cell phone service provider may cancel your cell contract as a courtesy.
Further, providers do check addresses and some even require a utility bill that is in your name to be sent as proof. Also, post offices boxes are not acceptable as proof of moving to a new address. - 2). Use a cell phone swap service which matches customers who may want to assume your cell contract, while releasing you of your current contract. Many Internet companies specialize in matching contracts and selling those contracts to people who will take over the contract exclusively. Most cell phone service contracts allow assumable contracts.
- 3). Wait for your service provider to increase the rate for text messages. When this happens, you can void the cell contract by using the "material changes" clause in the cell phone contract. The material changes clause prevents the carrier from making any changes that affect the costs associated with your service.
- 4). Cancel the cell contract and then negotiate the early termination fees downward after cancellation. This option does give the cell provider leverage because it can always say no to any requests for a reduction in fees. However, the provider also realizes that if you have cell phone service already, that you can realistically walk away from the early termination fees. Even though walking away can ruin your personal or corporate credit, the cell phone provider would always rather have some money rather than nothing.
- 5). Complain about the cell phone service as a reason to switch carriers, which could void your current cell phone contract. If you have had a bad experience with your provider that prompted you to change cell phone service, then your cell phone provider may allow you to leave without assessing any penalties.
- 6). Become an unprofitable customer for your cell phone service provider. Roaming charges are expensive for your cell phone provider because they actually have to pay another provider for you to use your cell phone while you are roaming. Cell phone service providers will cancel your cell contract if these charges continue to be more expensive than your monthly charges. It can take your provider a couple of months to realize this issue, but it can cancel your contract at any time that it wishes.