Get out of your T-Mobile Contract without paying ETF YMMV

[Wildy]

All you do is call 611 or 1800-tmobile and ask for retentions. Tell them you want to cancel because "effective June 10, 2009, the Regulatory Program Fee (RPF) is increasing from 0.86 to 1.21 per line, per bill cycle.--as per the OP". They will try to give you the run around by saying its not a change in contract. Tell them that it is a material change in the contract and you want to cancel.

They may also try to offer you goodies like free texting, a free phone upgrade, or more minutes. So if you want to stay with Tmobile accept the free upgrade offers.

If you want to cancel stand your ground and ask to speak to a manager. Keep affirming that they are increasing a fee therefore they are breaching the terms of the contract. Say that there's a material breach, you don't agree with the changes and want out. With a little time and patience you'll get what you want.

[aapkalarka]

Quote from Law2008 : has this worked for anyone yet? I want out of Tmobile SOOO Bad. their service SUCKS.

I called T-mobile they said the regulatory fee does not apply to early termination, only monthly re-occurring fees (excluding tax and fees)

Here is the paragraph from the t-mobile terms and conditions

5. Our Rights to Make Changes. Your Service is subject to our business policies, practices, and procedures, which we can change without notice. UNLESS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED BY LAW, WE CAN CHANGE PRICES, CHARGES AND ANY TERMS IN THE AGREEMENT AT ANY TIME. IF WE MATERIALLY MODIFY THESE T&Cs IN A WAY THAT IS MATERIALLY ADVERSE TO YOU, OR IF A CHANGE INCREASES YOUR SET MONTHLY RECURRING CHARGE(S) (the set amount – which does not include overage, features, optional services, taxes and fees – you agreed to pay each month for at least a one-year Term), WE WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH AT LEAST 30 DAYS NOTICE AND YOU MAY TERMINATE YOUR SERVICE WITHOUT AN EARLY TERMINATION FEE (WHICH IS YOUR ONLY REMEDY) BY NOTIFYING US WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE THE NOTICE. IF YOU FAIL TO TERMINATE WITHIN THOSE 30 DAYS, YOU ACCEPT THE CHANGES.

[Wildy]

I was able to get out of it. Just follow my guide above. Funny part is I just upgraded my phones a month ago... so I received two blackberry curves 8900 for 150 a piece--no contract (due to this cancelation)

[mreik]

Quote from Dudewithoutapet : What kind of retention offers have you gotten?

That's what I'm talking about! On the same page

[peretz222]

Anyone know if you can still port your number? Or if I cancel tonight and don't sign up until tomorrow can I still somehow keep my number?

[xHungry]

Quote from peretz222 : Anyone know if you can still port your number? Or if I cancel tonight and don't sign up until tomorrow can I still somehow keep my number?

takes a while to port over to another company

[Law2008]

alright. this is simple contract law. i dont' really view this as a material breach, but if they are allowing it, i'll argue that.

Quote from xHungry : takes a while to port over to another company

no it doesn't. it transfers over in a few hours

[Wildy]

If you want to port your number:

Initiating the Process

If you want to change companies:

Do not terminate your service with your existing company before initiating service with the prospective new company.

Contact the new company, which will start the process of porting your number by contacting your current company. Be prepared to provide the new company with your 10-digit phone number, customer account number, five-digit zip code, and passcode, if applicable.

Be aware that when terminating service with a wireless company, you may be obligated to pay any early termination fees under your existing contract. Also, when terminating service with any company, you are usually required to pay any outstanding balance owed. Review your bill or contract to determine what fees or charges apply. Once you request service from the new company, however, your old company may not refuse to port your number, even if you owe money for an outstanding balance or termination fee.

You may request service from a new company at any time.

Source: http://www.fcc.gov/cib/consumerfa...bport.html

[pickmyname]

Quote from Wildy : All you do is call 611 or 1800-tmobile and ask for retentions. Tell them you want to cancel because "effective June 10, 2009, the Regulatory Program Fee (RPF) is increasing from 0.86 to 1.21 per line, per bill cycle.--as per the OP". They will try to give you the run around by saying its not a change in contract. Tell them that it is a material change in the contract and you want to cancel. They may also try to offer you goodies like free texting, a free phone upgrade, or more minutes. So if you want to stay with Tmobile accept the free upgrade offers. If you want to cancel stand your ground and ask to speak to a manager. Keep affirming that they are increasing a fee therefore they are breaching the terms of the contract. Say that there's a material breach, you don't agree with the changes and want out. With a little time and patience you'll get what you want.

Thanks for the info. FYI, don't say "as per the OP." LOL. They'll reply with "HUH?"

[atlbuzz]

Quote from Titan : Another billing practice change that negates any contract you've signed with them has come about. I don't know why it hasn't been posted yet given that it took effect on June 10, but I just got a bill with a little slip of paper in it stating that effective June 10, 2009, the Regulatory Program Fee (RPF) is increasing from 0.86 to 1.21 per line, per bill cycle.

Not valid is Atlanta GA.. so atleast this is what the CSR/Cancellation Dept told me right now.. (been with TMO for 6 years now)

[konnaluck]

2 biz days to port number.

[m0demb0y]

Quote from peretz222 : Anyone know if you can still port your number? Or if I cancel tonight and don't sign up until tomorrow can I still somehow keep my number?

To port a number it must be active, so don't cancel the number.


The way I did this when they raised the text rates last year was to call up T-mobile end my contract, but had them transfer the number to T-mobile prepaid service. They give you $10 of prepaid time to start so if the porting takes a bit you can still make calls.
I ported out to AT&T (needed my iphone fix) but I assume this would also work to get onto a T-mobile month to month plan, just switch to prepaid, call them up the next day and switch to month to month.

[janel_marie]

No go here, doesn't apply to the terms to not pay the ETF. Just a tax, they're not responsible for an increase in tax.

[pickmyname]

Quote from janel_marie : No go here, doesn't apply to the terms to not pay the ETF. Just a tax, they're not responsible for an increase in tax.

I just found the following info on amazon.com...sounds right to me because if the Regulatory fee was a tax, they'd call it a tax, not a fee. Note: it refers to AT&T but the information should apply to any cell phone company with this fee:

Quote : AT&T also imposes the following charges: a Regulatory Cost Recovery Fee of up to $1.25 to help defray its cost incurred in complying with obligations and charges imposed by State and Federal telecom regulations, a gross receipts surcharge, and State and Federal Universal Service Charges. The Regulatory Cost Recovery Fee is not a tax or a government-required charge.

Source: http://www.amazon.com/Regulatory-...B00020KCBK

If it were me I'd call back and try again. If they give the same reasoning, I'd argue it with this.

[gt5oh]

anyone have luck with this?