How Do I Terminate Contract Early W/O Cancellation Fees

**kris2380** · 07-11-2012, 01:33 AM

For the past 3 months my internet reception and cell reception for calls is horrible. I get dropped calls and get sent data roaming alerts. I have been calling customer service and they tell me that satellites are being worked on that are not working properly and that they are upgrading towers that will be finished by winter. However, I need my phone to work for school and work. I tried to terminate my contract early by telling Sprint they are not upholding their end of the contract by providing adequate service. They agree that towers are being worked on, but they will not terminate my service unless I send back my cell phones to them or pay the early termination fee for the line that was upgraded like 3 or 4 months ago. Is there any way to get them to terminate service without paying termination fee or sending back the phones? The managers and directors tell me they have no power to wave this unless my coverage drops below a certain %, and they say I do not qualify. PLEASE HELP!

**iirundis05** · 07-11-2012, 02:11 AM

ROAMING is your easiest way out of a Sprint contract ETF free. You see Sprint pays for its customers to roam onto other carriers towers. The more you roam the more it cost Sprint they will eventually send you a letter or give you a call literally asking you to leave and find another carrier. HOFO has many threads on how to force your phone to roam but that doesn't seem like an issue for you as you already roam constantly. Here is the TOS on roaming, this is directly from Sprint.

Off-network Roaming: The primary use of your Device must be for domestic purposes within the Sprint-owned network. Domestic means use in the 50 United States and U.S. Territories (except Guam). Sprint reserves the right, without notice, to deny, terminate, modify, disconnect or suspend service if off-network usage in a month exceeds: (1) voice: 800 min. or a majority of minutes; or (2) data: 300 megabytes or a majority of kilobytes. The display on your device may not always be on and will not indicate whether you will incur roaming charges. You can monitor usage online through My Account. Roaming is not available with single-band phones, or to customers who reside or whose primary use is outside an area covered by the Nationwide Sprint Network. Sprint may limit or terminate service if you move outside of the Sprint owned-network.

Happy ROAMING!

EDIT: Not sure which plan your on but make sure its included in your plan because you don't want to rack up "roaming charges". All current plans include roaming at no additional cost, so if you have any of those you should be fine.

**kris2380** · 07-11-2012, 02:16 AM

If I want to roam as much as possible, how I do increase my roaming occurrences?

**efparri** · 07-11-2012, 04:31 AM

Originally Posted by kris2380

For the past 3 months my internet reception and cell reception for calls is horrible. I get dropped calls and get sent data roaming alerts. I have been calling customer service and they tell me that satellites are being worked on that are not working properly and that they are upgrading towers that will be finished by winter. However, I need my phone to work for school and work. I tried to terminate my contract early by telling Sprint they are not upholding their end of the contract by providing adequate service. They agree that towers are being worked on, but they will not terminate my service unless I send back my cell phones to them or pay the early termination fee for the line that was upgraded like 3 or 4 months ago. Is there any way to get them to terminate service without paying termination fee or sending back the phones? The managers and directors tell me they have no power to wave this unless my coverage drops below a certain %, and they say I do not qualify. PLEASE HELP!

Since the phone will only work on the Sprint network, why not return it to avoid the Early Termination Fee? Most carriers will not accept returned phones after thirty days.

**Sam73065** · 07-11-2012, 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by efparri

Since the phone will only work on the Sprint network, why not return it to avoid the Early Termination Fee? Most carriers will not accept returned phonnes after thirty days.

Sounds reasonable to me. But sounds like somebody feels entitled, or am I missing something?

**iirundis05** · 07-11-2012, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by kris2380

If I want to roam as much as possible, how I do increase my roaming occurrences?

The others are right, I missed that part about you being able to return the phone. That has to be the easiest way out just return the phone and your done with Sprint. I've never heard of that being done before, call your self lucky because they gave you that option. You can also sell the phone and recoup the fees, thats what others do. The roaming option could take months and your still responsible for the bill up to that point I already explained to you where to find the info now you just have to do a little research.

**Morphling27** · 07-11-2012, 01:01 PM

Don't listen to these guys - Unless your phone was scott free (as in you signed a contract and walked off) you probably paid for that phone. Also, your contract doesn't include anything about that phone - it's all about your service and paying for it. So unless you want to be out potentially hundreds of dollars, don't send it to them unless they'll also pay you for having it. You can call it entitled - which it truly is. You are well within your rights to be entitled to something you paid for - that's the definition of the word. You paid for your phone and you also agreed to a service. Sprint hasn't held up that agreement and you shoudln't feel bad about leaving.

Roam, roam, roam. You paid for your phone. ROAM. Roam some more. Don't take their crap.

**iirundis05** · 07-11-2012, 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by Morphling27

Don't listen to these guys - Unless your phone was scott free (as in you signed a contract and walked off) you probably paid for that phone. Also, your contract doesn't include anything about that phone - it's all about your service and paying for it. So unless you want to be out potentially hundreds of dollars, don't send it to them unless they'll also pay you for having it. You can call it entitled - which it truly is. You are well within your rights to be entitled to something you paid for - that's the definition of the word. You paid for your phone and you also agreed to a service. Sprint hasn't held up that agreement and you shoudln't feel bad about leaving.

Roam, roam, roam. You paid for your phone. ROAM. Roam some more. Don't take their crap.

The roaming option works but could take months for Sprint to let em out. Either way the OP is still paying because their still responsible for the months that the service was active which could amount to over $200 dollars more than what the phone probably cost. The contract is all about the phone if it wasn't then their wouldn't be a contract. The device cost $550 FULL PRICE (assuming its a smartphone) in exchange for a contract Sprint gives you a subsidized phone at $200 and if you cancel before term you pay $350 which is the difference in what you would have paid for the phone. $550-$350=$200. All the major carriers work this way. The good thing is that the OP has options, more than anyone probably has ever had in terms of leaving ETF free.

**Sam73065** · 07-11-2012, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by Morphling27

Don't listen to these guys - Unless your phone was scott free (as in you signed a contract and walked off) you probably paid for that phone. Also, your contract doesn't include anything about that phone - it's all about your service and paying for it. So unless you want to be out potentially hundreds of dollars, don't send it to them unless they'll also pay you for having it. You can call it entitled - which it truly is. You are well within your rights to be entitled to something you paid for - that's the definition of the word. You paid for your phone and you also agreed to a service. Sprint hasn't held up that agreement and you shoudln't feel bad about leaving.

Roam, roam, roam. You paid for your phone. ROAM. Roam some more. Don't take their crap.

Incredibly stupid advice. How many months will it take until Sprint boots the OP for roaming? In the meantime, he's stuck with a monthly bill and service which doesn't work for him. Shortsighted stupidity in order to keep a phone that probably cost no more than $199 in exchange for how many more months of service which is not working for his needs and pissing him off?

**Aleki** · 07-11-2012, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by Sam73065

Incredibly stupid advice. How many months will it take until Sprint boots the OP for roaming? In the meantime, he's stuck with a monthly bill and service which doesn't work for him. Shortsighted stupidity in order to keep a phone that probably cost no more than $199 in exchange for how many more months of service which is not working for his needs and pissing him off?

whats the problem? if he updates to a verizon PRL, he'll likely experience better coverage anyway.
Not to mention, if he calls and complains while doing heavy roaming, they would be more likely to wave the fee after a month.

**Abstract08** · 07-11-2012, 06:43 PM

I was in the same boat as you. At first I thought I could tolerate Sprint but the signal and 3G speed was so unbearable. They offered me the same thing as you. I had the Samsung Epic Touch 4G and it was in like-new condition although I had it for 3 months. Basically on eBay it would have sold for $250. My ETF would have been $387 ($350 but they add taxes & fees on top of the ETF which I didn't know.) I was more than happy to give them the phone back because chances are that you did not pay full retail price for the phone anyway. Just send them the phone back so you can be done with Sprint is what I recommend and then you can gain your sanity back. As Sam73065 stated, roaming does take time and you'd have to do it constantly and possibly wait for that letter in the mail to come.

**kris2380** · 07-12-2012, 01:29 AM

Does anyone know that if I go into a Sprint store and I throw a fit to the manager about the whole situation, does the manager in the store have the ability to waive the termination fee early?

**Sam73065** · 07-12-2012, 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by Aleki

whats the problem? if he updates to a verizon PRL, he'll likely experience better coverage anyway.
Not to mention, if he calls and complains while doing heavy roaming, they would be more likely to wave the fee after a month.

One problem with your scenario.... IF and MAYBE. His problems are NOW and he wants out now, forcing his phone to roaming only offers the potential of getting out of his contract in a month or two, meantime he's still stuck paying his bill and with inadequate service for his needs.

**Heavy Fluid** · 07-12-2012, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by kris2380

Does anyone know that if I go into a Sprint store and I throw a fit to the manager about the whole situation, does the manager in the store have the ability to waive the termination fee early?

Throwing a fit in a store will get you nowhere, except possibly kicked out. Asking nicely and being very calm and collect will get you so much further in this situation.