Dropping a Line From Family Share Plan

[directconnected]

Here are the basics:

In November 2003 I started a 2-year-contract with Verizon . The Circuit City rep basically told me that I could select a plan and then add an additional line to the account it's an extra $20 a month for that line.

So, I chose the America's Choice 400 plan with 1000 in-network minutes and 500 mobile-to-mobile minutes and free nights and weekends for $39.99, plus $20 extra a month for the second line. Each phone however had it's own separate contract.

Well today I called to inquire about dropping one of the lines from the account, preferably the "main" line. My question was whether the second line would simply slide into the $39.99 plan and the $20 fee would be removed, and the contract would stay the same. I was willing to pay the $175 termination fee for canceling the 1st line.

Well the rep tells me that I could pay the termination fee for the 1st line but the second line would require the contract to be extended because one line cannot be on a "Family Share Plan". because their system will not accept the "family share plan" code for one line.

Well I told her that I was given the impression that I signed up for the America's Choice 400 and that I had 2 lines sharing that plan, for which I was paying the extra $20 a month.

Nope, she says I would have to extend my contract from the date I make the change, meaning if I drop one line on March 1, 2005, my contract would end on March 1,2006 for the remaining line, rather than the current end date of November 2005.

So I asked her if it would be possible to override this. Since basically, I would be more inclined to just cancel BOTH lines, and Verizon would lose TWO accounts rather than retaining at least ONE. Nope, she said it's impossible. Either I cancel both accounts and pay the $300 termination fee, or cancel one and redo the contract for the remaining line.

The worst part is that the new AC 400 plan is essentially the same with 50 extra minutes and unlimited mobile-to-mobile. Does anyone here think this is correct?

[Jordan T]

If your contract is up in November and you wanted to drop in March, think logically - $20/mo times mar, april, may, june, july, august, sept, oct, november = 9monthsx$20 = $180. ETF = $175. For $5 more (TOTAL!), you can just hang onto the phone until the contract is up for whatever you might find a use for it for.

[directconnected]

Yes, but the actual monthly bill for both lines is $72 a month. So staying as is I am now looking at

$72 X 9 Months = $648

or if I cancel one line:

$48 x 12 = $576 + $175 Term. Fee= $751

Whereas I think it should be:

$48 X 9 = $432 + $175 Term. Fee= $607

So I see what your saying..... basically if I just keep paying for both lines until Novermber, I will pay in total $648, wheras if I just cancel one line and extend to March of next year on the remaning line I would pay in total $607, without use of the phone I cancelled.

So basically staying as I am now I at least get use of the extra line in case I need it until November. Whereas, if I cancel the line, I have to pay Verizon $607 in total for only one line.

Argggg... this is why I told my self never to sign a 2 year Contract and I did it anyway and now I am regretting it of course.

[WorldFamousSam]

I say screw 'em. If they won't accomodate you, just terminate, pay the 350, and sell your phones to make up some of the cost and get a different provider.