We have old cell phones and an outdated plan with Sprint. However, we’ve been locked in because we moved our minutes around a couple months ago. With the new irresistible SERO plan I was wishing that we wouldn’t have to wait 2 more years to switch.
Then Patrick wrote how to cancel your cell phone contract without paying fees! His first point stated that Sprint changed their contract on January 1, 2008. I didn’t know that because we’re on a family plan where another family member gets the bill at their house. This was perfect timing and set me into action to cancel our Sprint service without paying early termination fees. Here’s how I did it:
Locate your Changes to Terms and Conditions
Review your last bill or look for a postcard that came in the mail describing the notification. I found mine online with the following footnotes:
Important Notice: Changes to Terms and Conditions
The Terms & Conditions for Sprint PCS and Nextel services have been updated. These new terms are effective January 1, 2008, and are available at sprint.com or upon request. Please carefully review these terms as they apply to any future use of our services.
Important Notice Regarding Sprint Surcharges
Eff. 1/1/08 Sprint will no longer assess Fed. E911 ($0.40) & WLNP ($0.15)fees. Eff. 1/1/08 Sprint will assess 2 new monthly charges per line: Admin. Charge ($0.75) & Reg. Charge ($0.20). See bill insert or postcard mailed to you if not receiving a paper bill. Details: sprint.com/taxesandfees.
Sign up for your new plan
I signed up for the incredible SERO plan! Nickel gave great step-by-step directions for the SERO plan and additional discounts. They did a credit check, but it’s ok, we maintain good credit. I settled on the Palm Centro Smartphone
Supposedly it’s good for people in their 20s and 30s new to smart phones. I have a blackberry for work, but I don’t use many features on it besides the phone and email. If you aren’t familiar with the SERO plan it offers:
- $30 per month for 500 minutes
- Unlimited Sprint Mobile to Mobile
- Unlimited Nationwide long distance
- Voicemail, Call Waiting, and Caller ID
- Unlimited Nights & Weekends starting at 7pm
- Free text messaging: Included when you sign up by 2/16/08
- Unlimited data plan… this is what we really wanted!
This plan is a million times better than our old family share plan at $69.98 for 3 lines with 550 shared minutes.
Call Sprint Retentions to Cancel
Call after you activate your new phones. The direct Sprint retentions number is 877-766-7697. Let them know that you are canceling your contract due to the change in terms and conditions.
Of course they’ll try to get you to stay, but that’s where already having your new service in place helps. I informed them that I was happy with Sprint and set up 2 new lines. Once they verified the newly activated service, they were much more comfortable helping me cancel the old lines. In case you get a runaround about not being able to cancel, it is your right based on the following Terms and Conditions:
When You Don’t Have To Pay An Early Termination Fee
You aren’t responsible for paying an Early Termination Fee when terminating Services: (a) provided on a month-to-month basis; (b) consistent with our published trial period return policy; or (c) in response to a materially adverse change we make to the Agreement as described directly below.
Our Right To Change The Agreement & Your Related Rights. We may change any part of the Agreement at any time, including, but not limited to, rates, charges, how we calculate charges, or your terms of Service. We will provide you notice of material changes, and may provide you notice of non-material changes, in a manner consistent with this Agreement (see “Providing Notice To Each Other Under The Agreement” section).
If a change we make to the Agreement is material and has a material adverse effect on Services under your Term Commitment, you may terminate each line of Service materially affected without incurring an Early Termination Fee only if you: (a) call us within 30 days after the effective date of the change; and (b) specifically advise us that you wish to cancel Services because of a material change to the Agreement that we have made. If you do not cancel Service within 30 days of the change, an Early Termination Fee will apply if you terminate Services before the end of any applicable Term Commitment.
Enjoy your new phones
I wish I could say I was writing this article using my new phone, but that’s still a little far-fetched for me. I have learned how to text message though! We couldn’t keep our old phone numbers (note to family and friends: email me to get the new numbers!) but it was worth it.
Related Articles
Congrats on your successful transition! I love the data plan, and use it often. My wife got the Palm Centro as well. We are having trouble getting it set up though, so we will have to call (again) about it.
PatrickJanuary 21st, 2008 at 8:37 am
Isn’t the SERO plan a commitment for two years? What are your thoughts on being locked in for that duration?
When I read about this on slickdeals, I liked everything but the contract period. I’m betting that things will change with the industry this year…
KarenM in NC
Karen MoellerJanuary 21st, 2008 at 1:38 pm
@ Patrick: So far I love it! Thanks again for making me aware of it.
@ Karen: Yes, I did have to commit for 2 years. However, with such a good plan and rate, it was something I was willing to do. We’ve been with Sprint for about 5 years and I’ve always been happy with the service.
January 21st, 2008 at 9:34 pm
were you able to keep your old number? that’s what I can’t figure out how to do.
rocketcJanuary 21st, 2008 at 11:19 pm
@ rocketc: No, I had to get a new number. I’ve heard that if you port your number to a different provider then port it back, it could be done. However, I wasn’t that tied to my number.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:26 am
Did this cancellation actually work for anyone who was really leaving Sprint entirely? Because I have tried 3 times and I just keep getting told I cannot get out of my agreement for my wife’s phone on Sprint due to these changes because they are not adverse to my agreement.
davidJanuary 24th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
@ David: Did your change in fees result in an increase? If so, that’s considered adverse and you should be able to end the contract. That was what the Sprint rep said even before I told her I would be staying on with the new plans.
January 24th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Yea, same fee change as everyone else. They just keep saying no until I can’t take it anymore. Sprint sucks big time, I am glad I left. After firing nearly 4,000 people this morning, CS can only get worse. Just gotta get the wife out now!
DavidJanuary 24th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
@David, I just followed the advice here and just got off the phone with the service rep that set my account up for cancellation with no ETF’s. Now one thing to remember is that Sprint bills a month ahead so I’ll have 4 lines that over lap before the old ones are cancelled out.
I also had to get a new number, but that isn’t a big deal for me or my wife. Just make sure you are persistant with the rep, as I got a bunch of offers even up to 150.00 per new phone if I kept the lines. Once I declined all the offers the rep went through the cancellation process.
JeffJanuary 25th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
It finally worked! I got the nicest, most understanding guy on the phone. He did not try to upsell or make me stay, I told him the deal and he canceled. Yes! Thanks Madison and everyone else for the advice!
DavidJanuary 25th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
@David.. congrats, glad you were finally let out!
JeffJanuary 25th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
@ David & Jeff: Congrats! I’m so glad to hear it worked for both of you!
January 25th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
I tried calling and cancelling but the person it the retention department told me that i was not able to cancel because the increase was only 4 cents more. is it true that i can’t cancel because she told me that it has to be more than 40 cents.
RodleyJanuary 26th, 2008 at 2:05 am
@ Rodley: I would call back. It sounds like people are sometimes having to call a couple times. How can 40 cents be adverse and 4 cents not be? I’m not a legal expert…. but it seems to me a change is a change, right? And they did increase your rates. I’d give it another shot.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Madison: Called back and they cancelled my account with no problem. thanks for the advice. After i cancelled i placed my order for a new contract which is 2 years that i hate but i get a much better deal with the sero plan. Thanks again.
RodleyJanuary 28th, 2008 at 12:58 am
Update - Sprint charged me the termination fee anyway, even after they said they wouldn’t. Just got the bill. And when I called, they say they have no record of the fee being waived, so too bad.
They are a bunch of lying crooks and no one should ever sign up for an account with them. Now I have to take them to small claims court (which would cost more than the fee) just on principal alone.
This is crap. Watch your bills everyone.
DavidFebruary 26th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
@David.. did you talk to retentions? I would call them back and explain the situation that according to law they were to let you out with out the ETF. My plan expired on the 22 of this month (Feb) and I haven’t been recharged or been charged the ETF.
JeffFebruary 26th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
I have talked to every single person in all departments and they have all said “too bad”.
DavidMy plan “expired” on the 18th and I got my huge bill yesterday, so you still might get yours.
February 26th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
@ David: Wow! How can they have no record of it? They obviously got the record that you canceled. Do you have the persons name that you talked to? I hope you are able to get this resolved. Our plan ended January 31 and I haven’t seen any charges.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Yes, they have the record I that says I canceled, but somehow don’t have any notes saying my fees were waived. And now that the account is closed, it’s 30 days past the change in terms, and the fees have already been charged, it’s too bad for me. This according to a manager in the cancellation department.
What a great company, that Sprint…and to think I was with them for over 10 years. Thanks you guys!
DavidFebruary 27th, 2008 at 1:30 am
another great way to get out of your contract with no termination fee is to port your phone number over to boost mobile and there are no termination fees. It is a little time consuming because boost mobile is such a ghetto company but it does work.
thomasMarch 5th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
hey guys, i found the real deal. called sprint and asked if it would work (the representative was very friendly). so here’s how you do it
1. call *2 on your phone
2. Ask to be switched over to Nextel (requires purchasing a nextel phone [$50-$100])
3. Within 30 days of signing up with your new Nextel contract, simply call back and cancel your account. No early termination fee’s nothing.
there ya go guys
FSPRINTJune 12th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
I just went to Nextel and ALL of their phones come with 2 year commitments. Am I missing something?
Marc
MarcJuly 29th, 2008 at 11:33 am
hey guys um I just got off the phone with some lady who refuses to cancel my phone without ETF. I have three phones on my account and recntly found out that they had extended my contract two years because I purchased a new phone with a discount. Um how can I get out without paying, im stuck for 2 more years and didnt even know it. They just extended the contract without telling me. And they claim that they can do that if they give u a discount on phones. Help please I dont know how to get out without paying that fee…
FlorAugust 27th, 2008 at 7:58 pm