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Easy way for all AT&T customers to get a $199 Iphone!

Some answers

OK:

So, I kept it a little simple in the first message. But, here are some explanations:

First, I actually have a couple iPhone 3Gs on this account and one other phone a few months from upgrade. So, what I am actually going to do is add two more lines of service to my account with new iPhones and port away the two other iphone numbers (thus canceling those lines). I will then port the numbers back into the account on the two new iPhone lines, thus canceling those numbers out. At no point will I cease to be an ATT customer. I spoke with AT&T, explained everything, and they said it would work. If they decide they don't want me as a customer anymore, I will just go to t-Mobile and jailbreak the phones. I will also sell my 2 current 3Gs on ebay and probably make money on the deal (although I expect people below to argue that two phones on ebay won't get $400...you can't please everybody.).

Second, the notice of increased fees is on the current bill. The increase happens as of July 1. You have 30 days thereafter to cancel the contract with no ETF.

Third, the relevant portion of the contract (THE SERVICE AGREEMENT)) is as follows:

CHANGES TO TERMS AND RATES

We may change any terms, conditions, rates, fees, expenses, or charges regarding your service at any time. We will provide you with notice of such changes (other than changes to governmental fees, proportional charges for governmental mandates, roaming rates or administrative charges) either in your monthly bill or separately. You understand and agree that State and Federal Universal Service Fees and other governmentally imposed fees, whether or not assessed directly upon you, may be increased based upon the government's or our calculations. IF WE INCREASE THE PRICE OF ANY OF THE SERVICES TO WHICH YOU SUBSCRIBE, BEYOND THE LIMITS SET FORTH IN YOUR RATE PLAN BROCHURE, OR IF WE MATERIALLY DECREASE THE GEOGRAPHICAL AREA IN WHICH YOUR AIRTIME RATE APPLIES (OTHER THAN A TEMPORARY DECREASE FOR REPAIRS OR MAINTENANCE), WE WILL DISCLOSE THE CHANGE AT LEAST ONE BILLING CYCLE IN ADVANCE (EITHER THROUGH A NOTICE WITH YOUR BILL, A TEXT MESSAGE TO YOUR DEVICE, OR OTHERWISE), AND YOU MAY TERMINATE THIS AGREEMENT WITHOUT PAYING AN EARLY TERMINATION FEE OR RETURNING OR PAYING FOR ANY PROMOTIONAL ITEMS, PROVIDED YOUR NOTICE OF TERMINATION IS DELIVERED TO US WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE FIRST BILL REFLECTING THE CHANGE. If you lose your eligibility for a particular rate plan, we may change your rate plan to one for which you qualify.

Any other questions?
 
I don't know about turning around and going right back to AT&T after using the 'escape' clause, but I definitely used that very tactic to terminate my service with Sprint and get my iPhone with AT&T. They increased a fee by about $.25, I called, and ended my relationship with them, owing nothing. My final bill was a credit of $.39 This is what I am talking about regarding being a savvy consumer.
 
rrwrrw said:
OK:

So, I kept it a little simple in the first message. But, here are some explanations:

First, I actually have a couple iPhone 3Gs on this account and one other phone a few months from upgrade. So, what I am actually going to do is add two more lines of service to my account with new iPhones and port away the two other iphone numbers (thus canceling those lines). I will then port the numbers back into the account on the two new iPhone lines, thus canceling those numbers out. At no point will I cease to be an ATT customer. I spoke with AT&T, explained everything, and they said it would work. If they decide they don't want me as a customer anymore, I will just go to t-Mobile and jailbreak the phones. I will also sell my 2 current 3Gs on ebay and probably make money on the deal (although I expect people below to argue that two phones on ebay won't get $400...you can't please everybody.).

Second, the notice of increased fees is on the current bill. The increase happens as of July 1. You have 30 days thereafter to cancel the contract with no ETF.

Third, the relevant portion of the contract (THE SERVICE AGREEMENT)) is as follows:

CHANGES TO TERMS AND RATES

We may change any terms, conditions, rates, fees, expenses, or charges regarding your service at any time. We will provide you with notice of such changes (other than changes to governmental fees, proportional charges for governmental mandates, roaming rates or administrative charges) either in your monthly bill or separately. You understand and agree that State and Federal Universal Service Fees and other governmentally imposed fees, whether or not assessed directly upon you, may be increased based upon the government's or our calculations. IF WE INCREASE THE PRICE OF ANY OF THE SERVICES TO WHICH YOU SUBSCRIBE, BEYOND THE LIMITS SET FORTH IN YOUR RATE PLAN BROCHURE, OR IF WE MATERIALLY DECREASE THE GEOGRAPHICAL AREA IN WHICH YOUR AIRTIME RATE APPLIES (OTHER THAN A TEMPORARY DECREASE FOR REPAIRS OR MAINTENANCE), WE WILL DISCLOSE THE CHANGE AT LEAST ONE BILLING CYCLE IN ADVANCE (EITHER THROUGH A NOTICE WITH YOUR BILL, A TEXT MESSAGE TO YOUR DEVICE, OR OTHERWISE), AND YOU MAY TERMINATE THIS AGREEMENT WITHOUT PAYING AN EARLY TERMINATION FEE OR RETURNING OR PAYING FOR ANY PROMOTIONAL ITEMS, PROVIDED YOUR NOTICE OF TERMINATION IS DELIVERED TO US WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE FIRST BILL REFLECTING THE CHANGE. If you lose your eligibility for a particular rate plan, we may change your rate plan to one for which you qualify.

Any other questions?
Click to expand...

You dont subscribe to 411
 
Roessnakhan said:
Here. Not documentation but some replies raise an interesting point - 411 isn't part of your contract. If AT&T raised the price of your texts, it would be legitimate to cancel without ETF, but the 411 fees would not apply to this as it isn't a stipulation of your contract/plan.
Click to expand...

from my last bill

411 Info $1.99 per call beginning July 1, 2009
Effective July 1, 2009, AT&T 411 Info calls will be $1.99 per
call plus airtime charges if applicable. Get local and national
numbers and addresses. Receive a text message and connect
with no additional fee. 411 Info can utilize your location to
find a business close to you and offers movie show times,
driving directions, reverse lookup, and business category
search all with access to live operators 24/7.
Click to expand...

ChaSSe said:
You dont subscribe to 411
Click to expand...


good point, we dont
 
The fee is part of the contract

The 411 fee is part of the contract. Think about it this way: If you made 100 411 calls, you would be contractually obligated to pay the fee pursuant to the AT&T service agreement. Since they change the fee, they changed the contract.

If you made those calls, and refused to pay the fees, would you get sued. Yep. What would be the cause of action? Breach of contract.
 
This is true, but honestly doesn't happen as often as you'd think. The last time I remember a chance to cut out early on a commitment was for Verizon about a year or two ago.

Edit: I mean about ending your commitment early due to contract changes.
 
rrwrrw said:
The 411 fee is part of the contract. Think about it this way: If you made 100 411 calls, you would be contractually obligated to pay the fee pursuant to the AT&T service agreement. Since they change the fee, they changed the contract.

If you made those calls, and refused to pay the fees, would you get sued. Yep. What would be the cause of action? Breach of contract.
Click to expand...

True, but that's the point. You don't HAVE to utilize 411. It is an option. If your cost per minute of cell usage increased, that would be different. 411 is not a part of your rate plan. You don't use it, you don't pay for it.
 
BigWill said:
True, but that's the point. You don't HAVE to utilize 411. It is an option. If your cost per minute of cell usage increased, that would be different. 411 is not a part of your rate plan. You don't use it, you don't pay for it.
Click to expand...

well no one says you "have" to use your text or minute plans either

the 411 and the rates for data/phone/text were all defined when you signed the contract. if they change while you are in contract, it seems to be a breach on thier end right?
 
DAMNNNN this is the 3rd time i have tried and they are not letting me.. can someone help LOL
 
I would imagine that if you dropped your contract, they would also have the right not to serve you with another on. Be careful of what you ask for, you just might get it.
 
BigWill said:
True, but that's the point. You don't HAVE to utilize 411. It is an option. If your cost per minute of cell usage increased, that would be different. 411 is not a part of your rate plan. You don't use it, you don't pay for it.
Click to expand...

That is a distinction that doesn't make a difference. You don't have to use any portion of the contract. They cancel these contracts all the time when they raise text messaging rates. You don't have to text message (ask my mom!) They cancel these contracts when they increase the per minute telephone rates , but you don't have to use the telephone part of the service.

What if you made 100 phone calls to 411 a month? This would have a big change in your deal (50 bucks a month).
 
Anyone try this yet? I was going to cancel the contract I'm in now (in my moms name) and pay the ETF and open up an account in my name since I'm 19 and I don't have to pay any deposit. But if I could cancel for free and use this as the excuse not to pay then why not!
 
Like I said, 411 is not a billable feature, it is a ppu. Now if ATT changed the the overage rate per min, monthly fee of text or any other feature that is billed on your plan then yes, you would be able to cancel without an ETF. Why would ATT make this change and risk loosing customers?
 
fratboy said:
DAMNNNN this is the 3rd time i have tried and they are not letting me.. can someone help LOL
Click to expand...

Be persistent. I was lucky my first time. I called to do the same for a friend of mine just now and it took me 3 different calls before they would agree. Who would have thought that the CSRs at AT&T are not exactly the brightest people in the world. If you speak to a supervisor you may have better luck. I have got three different lines on two different accounts canceled.
 
ChaSSe said:
Like I said, 411 is not a billable feature, it is a ppu. Now if ATT changed the the overage rate per min, monthly fee of text or any other feature that is billed on your plan then yes, you would be able to cancel without an ETF. Why would ATT make this change and risk loosing customers?
Click to expand...

Once again, you are making distinctions that do not make differences. Can you make a logical distinction between text messages (when you are not on a plan) and 411. You pay per use for both, and the text message increases have been the basis for many of these types of cancellations throughout the industry. See: http://consumerist.com/275033/make-...llphone-service-without-early-termination-fee or http://consumerist.com/5019916/how-to-cancel-t+mobile-without-etf or http://consumerist.com/5023655/want...cape-your-current-cellphone-contract-etf+free

Why would ATT make this change and risk loosing customers? Well, since they probably won't lose customers. How many people actually check for rate increases every month. I am an attorney and was looking for any way out so I can get the iPhone so I scoured the bills looking for anything!!! Simply put, the benefits (more money per 411 call) are much higher than the expected losses (a few cancellations by well informed customers).
 
rrwrrw said:
Once again, you are making distinctions that do not make differences. Can you make a logical distinction between text messages (when you are not on a plan) and 411. You pay per use for both, and the text message increases have been the basis for many of these types of cancellations throughout the industry. See: http://consumerist.com/275033/make-...llphone-service-without-early-termination-fee or http://consumerist.com/5019916/how-to-cancel-t+mobile-without-etf or http://consumerist.com/5023655/want...cape-your-current-cellphone-contract-etf+free

Why would ATT make this change and risk loosing customers? Well, since they probably won't lose customers. How many people actually check for rate increases every month. I am an attorney and was looking for any way out so I can get the iPhone so I scoured the bills looking for anything!!! Simply put, the benefits (more money per 411 call) are much higher than the expected losses (a few cancellations by well informed customers).
Click to expand...

All I was saying is that It will be really hard to do it. If a rep cancels an account and waives the fee they could loose their job.
 
ChaSSe said:
All I was saying is that It will be really hard to do it. If a rep cancels an account and waives the fee they could loose their job.
Click to expand...

If they do, I would love that! The employee would have a great cause for wrongful termination (they are an agent upholding the terms of a principle's contract). Also, this could turn into a class action since AT&T would not be holding up their end of the bargain and firing employees which are doing so.
 
rrwrrw said:
If they do, I would love that! The employee would have a great cause for wrongful termination (they are an agent upholding the terms of a principle's contract). Also, this could turn into a class action since AT&T would not be holding up their end of the bargain and firing employees which are doing so.
Click to expand...

lol
 
So technically i would be able to add a line to my current account then terminate my existing contract and port over the number from the original line to the new one?
 
I did something very similar to get out of my Verizon account with no charge a few years ago when the iPhone came out originally. They had raised the cost of something tiny, from like 40 cents to 70 cents a month. I'm not a lawyer, but I realized this was my out. After a couple of phone calls back and forth, I was finally let out due to them changing the contract on me.

It felt good to beat up on Verizon a little, I'll be honest :)
 
This Works!!

First let me say. My wife and I switched to Sprint when the Instinct came out. 6 months or so ago. After 30 days....we both HATED the phone. I could not find a way to get out. I came across this site
http://www.ucan.org/telecommunications/wireless/cancel_sprint_without_paying_early_termination_fee

What was going on here was the SAME thing the OP is talking about. Sprint increased some admin fees by like .53 cent or some crap. This voided the terms of the contract. As you can see from the site, there are TONS of conversations with online reps canceling accts. My convo is there, too. I did the online chat from my acct and said I wanted to cancel due to this increase. They cancelled our acct effect next cycle. We headed to ATT and got iPhones. So this stuff works!! It did with Sprint. Thing is like someone else said. They will probably let you out to port w/out an ETF, but I doubt you can say remove the ETF and let me go month to month. I am going to call ATT in the AM and inquire on this.

My convo with Sprint

Thank you for contacting Sprint. My name is Brittany. How may I assist you today?
12:24:23 PM Charles _
I want to cancel my acct.
12:24:37 PM Brittany A
I will be happy to assist you with that today. One moment while I access your account.
12:25:47 PM Brittany A
I must advise that there is a 200.00 early termination fee for each line on the account.
12:26:17 PM Charles _
due to the materially adverse change in the contract in the administrative fees, there should not be.
1:20:01 PM Komeshia
Thank you for your patience. I have now cancelled your account, effective 2/19/09 which is the last day of the current billing cycle. You will not incur any early termination fees with this cancellation.


The full convo is on the site I posted above.
 
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