cancel service and keep phone?

F

fuzzywatcherrf

New member
I'm in the 14 day trial with T-Mobile and found I've little chance of getting an acceptable signal at my apt.

Thing is I only paid $149 for a 8900. I love the phone and would like to unlock it. I know that to do so without a contract would cost more than I'm willing to spend on the phone.

Anyone know how much it would cost to kill the contract beyond th 14 days? I'm assuming by then I wouldn't need to return the phone. If its under the 500ish retail (149 and early term fee) then wouldn't it be worth it?
 
i'm sure the 149 price was with a 1 or 2 year contract so if you terminate early you would have to pay early termination fees and full retail for the phone.
 
Well turns out you're half right. If I go beyond 14 days then I pay up to 200. The phone is mine (from what I was just told by a very nice rep).

However the moer I think about it the sleezier I feel doing it. Seems kind of bogus way to get a 8900 under retail without contract. I think we'll move the unlocked 8310 over to them for my gf, and I'll remain with at&t with the unlocked 8900 until they improve service out here.

Now to find a cheap unlock code for it. She told me I need to be with them for at least 90 days to put in a request through them.

Thanks for the reply catside. ~via smartphone~
 
if a rep told you that, it's not sleezy at all. they are not losing money and if they allow it, it is an accepted way for them to do business. i'd say go for it and keep the 8900.
 
Do you have a broadband internet connection? If so, you can get a wireless router, and, for $9.99 per month, get unlimited minutes with TMO's hotspot@home plan.
 
T-Mobile doesn't lose any money on the deal but the dealer that sold them the phone does if it is not a corporate store. A dealer makes money on the back end from the commission of activation which in some cases can be upwards of $300. They do this based on the faith that you will maintain service for at least 180 days. If you cancel prior to the 180 days the dealer gets no commission from the sale and loses what they paid for the phone (which is sometimes what retail is at a corporate store). It is an accepted way of doing business for the carrier because they don't have any equipment involved in the loss unless it was purchased at a corporate store. Their only liability is with the service they have provided you which you are also still liable for on top of the ETF fees.

Zo
 
Well its moot now. We're keeping the tmobile service with the unlocked 8310. Eventually I'll move over to tmobile as well.
Btw, not that it makes a difference, but bought phone from best buy. ~via smartphone~
 
Cool.

I do recall that Radio Shack, when they were still selling VZW, had an ETF for equipment loss written into the contracts that were printed and signed by customers when they activated service. Don't know if any of the other big guys do something similar that is hidden in the fine print.

Zo
 
If I remember correctly Best Buy also does have the fine print that they will come after you for the difference of the phone that they lose out on. Its part of the contract that you sign with them. If you purchase online it also says it in the disclaimer.
 
You can guarantee Best Buy will have it's proverbial a$$ covered. The only ripping off that gets done behind those doors is when THEY rip US off. Read the fine print in their warranties. It is enough to make a preacher curse.
 
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