...from The Ultimate Guide To Getting Your Next Cellphone FOR FREE

Switching cellphone companies’ midway through your service contract can be done, but you will need to know some of the finer points of your service contract.  Here are 2 ways you can drop your cell company mid-contract and not pay Early Termination Fees (ETF’s) that can range from $150 to $200.  Ouch.  Here’s how…

The “materially adverse change” clause

It is an understatement to say that your contract is tipped in favor of your carrier; it's not tipped -- it's turned on its head in favor of the carrier. However, the news is not all bad: all major carriers have what is called the “material adverse change” clause.
 
That clause provides that, in effect, if your carrier adds a new charge to your plan, they have changed the terms of your contract. They must give you notice and then you’ll have at least 14 days to bail out without paying an ETF. If you continue to use your service beyond the “get out” date specified by your carrier, that is an indication (called negative option) that you accept their changes.

As more people have become aware of this clause, carriers have grown stricter in what they consider a “materially adverse change.” You might have to ask for a supervisor and read to them the exact wording of your notice. Make sure to use the words “materially adverse.”

In any event, this clause alone gives you a good reason to read every notice sent to you -- promptly. If you miss the notice and the 14 days passes, you're out of luck.

Transfer the contract to someone else

You can legally skip-out on the termination fee by transferring your contract to someone else, as long as you follow the rules set forth by your carrier. All major carriers allow a transfer of contract, but the carriers differ in their protocol for transfer

For example, although the new account holder will not need to pay an activation fee, he or she will need to pass a credit check and in some cases, sign a new contract.

“It doesn’t matter if the account holder has six months or 18 months left on their contract, the person assuming the contract will need to sign a one-year contract,” said Verizon Wireless spokeswoman Georgia Taylor.
AT&T has a similar policy. Even if the account holder has only a month remaining, the receiving account holder must sign an 11-month contract from the date the transfer takes place.

Transferring your account can be a great way to avoid the ETF and, thanks to the Internet, you’re not stuck with finding someone local to take over the contract.

Websites have popped up for the sole purpose of helping to find interested parties. Both CellSwapper.com and CellTradeUSA.com can help consumers who want to get out of their contract, as well as consumers who are looking to take over an account.

The cellular carrier will handle much of the transfer and it’s important to follow their instructions to the letter. Furthermore, before turning your phone over to someone else, ask your carrier how to wipe out your personal data on the phone.

You can also download instructions on how to erase phone data by visiting WirelessRecycling.com.

In addition, when switching plans, you may also find carriers are more willing to pro-rate or even drop the Early Termination Fee (ETF) charge depending on how many months are remaining on your cellular phone contract and if you are staying with the carrier or not.  Many times it will depend on the operator you are dealing with who will make or break you, so be polite yet firm in your conviction to not pay ETF’s.

I hope you found this Guide helpful.  There are 52 pages worth of Free Cell Phone Tips and Insider Secrets in my Ultimate Guide To Getting Your Next Cellphone For FREE.