Cancelling my Verizon Account

[Pryderi]

Is there any way to do this without incurring huge, early cancellation fees?

What cell phone carrier do you recommend and why?

Thanks!

[nomb]

1. Well, there's basically two, and they charge the same. I guess you could try the other one. n't

[ProgressiveProfessor]

2. No there is not

Find the carrier that has the best signal where you tend to be the most. For me it is not Verizon.

[catabryna]

3. Your early cancellation fee should be pro-rated

depending on the length of your contract and how much time you have left on it.

I don't recommend any cell phone companies. I seem to have problems with all of them.

eta: I am a former Verizon customer and paid to get out of the contract.

[abq e streeter]

4. I personally use Credo because they support progressive causes.

[KansDem]

8. So do I. And they have a buyout plan if you switch to them

They'll buyout your current contract for up to (something like) $200/$250.

Since they were my first cell-phone company, I didn't have a contract. But, so far, I've been pleased with their service (and I drove to California and back last month with no signal problems).

[Tesha]

12. FYI: Credo is a Sprint MVNO, so evaluate whether Sprint would work for you.

MVNO = Mobile Virtual Network Operator.

That is, CREDO uses Sprint's network.

Tesha

[KansDem]

16. And Sprint world headquarters is right down the street from me!

Right next to the Alexander Majors home (founder of the pony express).



That's the Sprint building in the background.

Pony express and wireless telecommunications side by side! :D

[abq e streeter]

19. Yeah , I knew that, but appreciate you reminding any others who didn't know that, of that fact.

I'm guessing (but purely guessing) Sprint is not a progressively oriented business, so without knowing a damn thing about how much money goes where in these types of arrangements, at least the Credo part supports things I do as well. I guess I could try to look that info up, but after the powerful sedative they gave me for my endoscopy today, I'm not even sure I'm making any sense right now, and definitely don't have the brain focus to look up and digest any info like this. But any expertise by you or anyone else reading this would of course be appreciated. FWIW, I've been pretty satisfied with my Credo/Sprint service.
Thank you again for that reminder.

[Tesha]

23. I don't know Sprint's politics; I mostly mentioned it so people could assess...

...CREDO's network coverage. If iPhones were supported
on their network, I'd certainly consider doing business
with CREDO again. (They were our wireline long-distance
and intra-LATA provider for years.)

Tesha

[LWolf]

33. I'd go with sprint, but their signal is too poor in my area.

I have Verizon now, but would like to go with something else when it's time to renew.

Possibly US Cellular, which seems to work well for the rest of my family.

[Gman]

5. AT&T Wireless is union, the CWA

same as Verizon landline and some cellular.

[msongs]

6. there is no competition except to see who can charge the most, like internet providers nt

[RKP5637]

7. I switched from Verizon to Tracfone, very satisfied, and at a fraction of the cost. BTW

Credo might buy your contract out.

[Tesha]

13. Well, if you kept a "CDMA" phone, you're still a Verizon customer, just indirectly.

If you got a GSM phone, you're now an AT&T or T-Mobile
customer.

Tracfone doesn't operate a network for itself; it hosts
its phones on other people's networks.

Tesha

[RKP5637]

15. Yep, although it is cheap if one doesn't need a phone much. Here I'm on

T-Mobile.

[MannyGoldstein]

9. I've heard that Consumer Cellular is good

Top-rated in Consumer Reports for no-contract service, and I believe that they use the Verizon network so coverage is good. My wife is about to switch to them from Page Plus cellular (which is wikkid cheap but sometimes has technical issues).

[Ruby the Liberal]

10. This looks promising.

My phone only works on AT&T and T-Mobile networks, so may not work, but appreciate the heads up to the OP - I will check them out. AT&T is so horrifically oversold here in the northeast that at times, it is impossible to get a signal.

[bemildred]

11. Virgin.

AT&T paygo is not bad if you don't use it much.

[Tesha]

14. Virgin Mobile USA is directly owned by Sprint. (NT)

[bemildred]

25. True.

Am I supposed to be taking sides?

[mentalsolstice]

17. I can't help...

Verizon is the only one of the big three/two that gives me good coverage from my house and beyond. My husband has ATT from work, his coverage sucks. My parents have TMobile, when they're at our house the coverage sucks, and it seems to be crappy at their house (calls from my mom are scratchy and deafening). So I have to go with the one that works...

[pintobean]

18. Rec. T-Mobile has some good prices for no-contract deals.

Problem is, you have to buy a phone. They'll sell you one but, we bought ours on Ebay.

Edit to add rec

[SoCalDem]

24. Isn't T-Mobile being bought by someone else? n/t

[pintobean]

27. Yes, AT&T. Why would that matter with no contract?

[SoCalDem]

29. Don't some have better service than others..?

I'm not a cell phone person,..just hear friends complaining about whichever one they have:)

all I am interested in a a CHEAP portable wifi plug-in thingie..

[pintobean]

31. I guess. I'm certainly no expert.

A lot of it depends on where you are and the quality of your device. I've been with T-Mobile a long time and don't have any complaints. I don't use 3g/4g service, but it's reviews are always good. Cnet calls it lightning fast. Wi-fi isn't network dependent and it would depend on the device.

[LWolf]

34. I had T-Mobile for a few years.

They had good local service and lower prices than most, but I couldn't get a decent signal in too many places outside my local area.

[NorthCarolina]

20. CREEDO Mobile...will buy out your existing contract with Verizon

To date, the company and its members have donated more than $67 million to amazing groups — groups that members themselves help select — like the ACLU, Doctors Without Borders, Global Fund for Women, Media Matters for America, and Planned Parenthood. Our members also speak out on the issues they care about, sending millions of letters, emails, and calls to political and corporate decision-makers each year.

http://www.credomobile.com/mission/history.aspx

[tabbycat31]

21. Depends on how you use your phone

If you're one of those "only for emergencies" type people and has an existing landline, then go with one of the prepaids (Virgin Mobile, Tracfone, etc).

If you use your phone for everything (I use mine for web, email, talk, text, etc) and/or do not have a landline (I haven't had one since 2002) then I recommend a full fledge cell phone carrier. I personally use Sprint because they gave me the best deal and have the phones I like (I don't like Credo's selection of phones and they offer very boring color choices-- I like girly phones).

[Shagbark Hickory]

22. Verizon. Because it works.

[pintobean]

26. I read that as "fuck the union

it's all about me"

[Shagbark Hickory]

32. Yep. All of the carriers are anti-union. It's just that Verizon is making headlines about it today.

nm

[brooklynite]

28. You haven't explained -why- you want to switch...

Is this a service issue, or are you responding to their labor dispute?

Which, in all honesty, will likely be resolved before your contract expires.

[nilram]

30. AT&T rolled over to NSA wiretapping so I stick with Sprint

Sprint probably did much the same, but they work for me, better voice quality than ATT anyway.