I want to get a new phone, and T-Mobile won't give me a discount since my current contract isn't up for renewal anytime soon.

So I was considering cancelling the contract and going to another provider. I know I'll get hit with a fee for cancelling, but I was wondering if getting the phone for free from someone else would offset that cost. (I don't give a shit about keeping my current phone# or not).

I'm sure the fees vary by provider, but I was looking for a general idea. Is it a flat fee, or a % of your remaining balance?

username wrote:

$200 bucks normally for 1-2 year contract you could just check the terms and conditions from their terms & conditions: Quote: 3. * Your Term of Service and Termination Fees. You agree to maintain Service with us for your minimum term (‘Term”). (Periods of suspension of Service do not count toward your Term.) After your Term, you will become a month-to-month customer. EXCEPT FOR MONTH-TO-MONTH CUSTOMERS, AN EARLY TERMINATION FEE WILL APPLY IF YOU CHOOSE TO END YOUR SERVICE BEFORE THE END OF YOUR TERM, OR IF WE TERMINATE IT EARLY. FOR SERVICE ACTIVATED, OR ACCEPTANCE OF A NEW ONE OR TWO YEAR TERM, ON OR AFTER 06/28/08, THE EARLY TERMINATION FEE IS: $200 IF YOU TERMINATE WITH MORE THAN 180 DAYS REMAINING ON YOUR TERM; $100 IF YOU TERMINATE WITH 91 TO 180 DAYS REMAINING ON YOUR TERM; $50 IF YOU TERMINATE WITH 31 TO 91 DAYS REMAINING ON YOUR TERM; AND THE LESSER OF $50 OR YOUR MONTHLY RECURRING CHARGES (including any applicable taxes and fees) IF YOU TERMINATE IN THE LAST 30 DAYS OF YOUR TERM. The Early Termination Fee is part of our rates and is not a penalty. The Early Termination Fee applies only to the extent permitted by law. Unless you request otherwise, your termination will be effective at the end of your current billing cycle. You will remain responsible for all fees and charges for your Service and usage through termination. If you bought your wireless Device from an independent T-Mobile dealer or other third-party vendor, they may charge a separate termination fee. now, sometimes, companies will either give you a huge discount on your phone or on your phone bill if you switch over. just tell them about the cancellation fee and how expensive it is and yada yada yada and you'll get a bunch of bill credits or even instant rebates off phones and accessories

Welp that seems to lay it out pretty clearly. I'm only about 8 months into a 24 month contract, so I'd be looking at $200.

Now I need to decide if that's worth switching providers for.....the phone itself will probably cost $250-ish. The termination fee + my monthly fee will probably equal about the same. Then you'd have the intitiation fee + monthly fee for the new provider if I were to switch.

Seems like my best option might be to just suck it up and pay retail for the phone, without switching providers.

Pandajuice wrote:

Can't you just wait until it's a bit more economically feasible to get a new phone? Why do you need one right now?

Well yes, realistically I could. The phone I have now works perfectly well.

But my GF and I text each other incessantly like 13-year old girls, so I really want one with a QWERTY keyboard. Wise decision? No. But I rarely buy myself expensive presents, so I feel I can do it if I want.

ChkChkBLAM wrote:

Try complaining about reception. My roommate just broke his AT&T contract for free because he couldn't get reception in my house, had to take all calls outside. I'm on Verizon and it worked just fine. Anyway, they conceded that reception was bad in the area and let him out of the contract. Might be worth a try.

That's a good idea, but I know my area is a "strongest reception" area on their charts. I could still take a stab at it, though.....tell them my house/work is underground or something.

GPFontaine wrote:

Ice, if you have the opportunity to hold out for a few more months, I think you will find that more Android phones will be available and you may be interested in those. Hell, T-Mobile might even be your best bet to buy one.

Pardon my ignorance, but what's an Android phone?

S. McCracken wrote:

I have the Palm Pre right now and I'm happy with it. There are barely any apps for it yet but it's still early. Some pretty sick syncing capabilities with GMail, Outlook, Facebook, etc. It's also smaller and better looking than the iPhone and it has a real sliding keyboard. I hate screen keyobards. I highly recommend it.

Although I've never actually used a touch screen, I'm inclined to agree with you that I don't think I'd like it. I want a real QWERTY keyboard.