How to cancel service with Verizon and not pay ETF?

[skerfan2284]

I am fed up with Verizon. My wife and I barely get any coverage, even with our network extender we have. Our phones are also huge pieces of junk, and have been through many warranty replacements. Verizon refuses to help us out, and now we want out. Is there anyway to cancel service and not pay the ETF fee?

 

[A.Nonymous]

The only way is if you can argue that they broke their end of the deal. You may have to take them to small claims court to prove that though.

 

[valorian]

Have you tried dialing *228 to update your Roaming capabilities. When Verizon makes changed to their towers sometimes this helps get better signal.

For the phones, I don't think this would be enough to get out of your contract. Work with Verizon and maybe they will allow you to get a different model phone if you are having too many problems.

The poor service would be your only option to get out without paying the ETF. But, like A.Nonymous said, this may require small claims court.

 

[chrlswltrs]

I left Verizon about 1.5 yr ago do to terrible customer service, I had 5 lines all smart phones so I was paying about $400 a month and they didn't care or even try to offer decent customer service.

The problem with Verizon is they are so large they don't care about their customers at all anymore and their customer service is terrible. They know most people aren't going to change carriers because of high ETFs and they usually won't let you out of your contract even if they change the contract terms that you agreed to.

All I can say is good luck.

 

[valorian]

I left Verizon about 1.5 yr ago do to terrible customer service, I had 5 lines all smart phones so I was paying about $400 a month and they didn't care or even try to offer decent customer service.

The problem with Verizon is they are so large they don't care about their customers at all anymore and their customer service is terrible. They know most people aren't going to change carriers because of high ETFs and they usually won't let you out of your contract even if they change the contract terms that you agreed to.

All I can say is good luck.

Verizon's customer service is one of the things that has kept me with them for about 10 years now. Anytime I have an issue they are always willing to work with me as much as they can.

 

[Frisco]

I am fed up with Verizon. My wife and I barely get any coverage, even with our network extender we have. Our phones are also huge pieces of junk, and have been through many warranty replacements. Verizon refuses to help us out, and now we want out. Is there anyway to cancel service and not pay the ETF fee?

I did it with T-Mobile by calling and making my case for poor coverage. They relented.

A month later, however, I received a bill in the mail; a regular monthly statement with charges for the months use and I didn't even have the phone and went to another carrier right away. I had to call again and it was all sorted.

I know that's T-Mobile and not Verizon, but if you get a human on the phone and be nice and just state your case you may be able to prevail. It's worth a try. My emphasis was that the phone and carrier were completely useless to me with such poor to no coverage.

 

[Unforgiven]

I am fed up with Verizon. My wife and I barely get any coverage, even with our network extender we have. Our phones are also huge pieces of junk, and have been through many warranty replacements. Verizon refuses to help us out, and now we want out. Is there anyway to cancel service and not pay the ETF fee?

I know this is a little off topic, but could you let us know a little about the devices. There are a lot of friendly folks here that like to help on many issues. We may not be able to help get you out of your contract. Maybe we can make your life with Verizon and your phones a little less intolerable.

 

[Frisco]

And a hearty "welcome to Android Forums," skerfan.

Incidentally, I moved your question/thread to the Verizon area here for you, thinking that the more Verizon users who see it the better.

 

[Yeahha]

If you aren't frequently roaming I think you will have a hard time getting them to waive the ETF. Like Frisco said I would cannot and hope I got someone with compassion on the phone but you may need to go to court to settle it if you aren't willing to ride out the remainder of your contract.

 

[breynolds007]

If you're this unhappy with Verizon's coverage and customer service, I'm not sure you'll be pleased with who ever you switch to. My experience is that they're the best with these 2 things.

 

[skerfan2284]

I actually got the phone issues solved.

my next question. We have a line on our family plan that we do not use at all. I thought we would, but we dont. Do any of you know a way to get rid of a line, or would i be stuck with an EFT? The line I want to cancel is one that does not have an advanced device, so the ETF probably wouldnt be as bad. Any ideas?

 

[Unforgiven]

I actually got the phone issues solved.

my next question. We have a line on our family plan that we do not use at all. I thought we would, but we dont. Do any of you know a way to get rid of a line, or would i be stuck with an EFT? The line I want to cancel is one that does not have an advanced device, so the ETF probably wouldnt be as bad. Any ideas?

I believe Verizon has has diminishing ETF. I think it is $175 for regular phones and $350 for smart phones. I think it goes down based on how far you are into the contract for each line. You could probably ask them what it is for each line.

I'm glad you checked back in. We are here to help

 

[Yeahha]

If you cancel a line of Service, or if we cancel it for good cause, during its contract term, you'll have to pay an Early Termination Fee. If your contract term results from your purchase of an Advanced Device after November 14, 2009, your Early Termination Fee will be $350 minus $10 for each full month of your contract term that you complete. (For a complete list of Advanced Devices, check verizonwireless.com/advanceddevices.) Otherwise, your Early Termination Fee will be $175 minus $5 for each full month of your contract term that you complete. Cancellations will become effective on the last day of that month's billing cycle

https://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c...GREEMENT&jspName=footer/customerAgreement.jsp

So given it is not an advanced device it would be $175 minus $5 for each month you have had the line. If you are 14 months or further into the contract it would be cheapest to let the contract ride out given you are paying $10 for the extra line and have no messaging or data plan on that line.