Cell phone contracts: I'm an idiot

[Evan]

Mini background: I got a new cell phone and extended my Verizon contract for 2 years on May 30, 2005. I remember this date specifically because I was flying to California the next day, the same day I was eligible for a new phone at a subsidized price. My current phone's battery lasted about 5 minutes, so I needed to get a new one or else I'd be across the country and out of contact (I was also going to be driving 7 hours alone, so not an option). Getting the phone 12 hours early meant I had to pay an extra $150 or something.

Unfortunately my memory of the exact day ended up burning me. I assumed since May 31st was the day I could get the new phone that the contract I extended would end on May 31, 2007. On this assumption I got a new phone from Cingular last week planning to port my number over when my Verizon contract expired (I've been forwarding my calls to my new cingular number). I called Verizon last night and found out that my contract doesn't actually expire until September. I am an idiot. As far as I can tell this leaves me with 3 options:
1) Pay the $175 cancellation fee
2) Pay for both Verizon and Cingular service for the next 3 months (Note for reference: This costs less than #1, but would prevent me from getting texts since I can't forward those)
3) Return the Cingular phone and cancel the service


I would much prefer to keep the phone I just got (Samsung Blackjack vs. old standard LG flip phone) but I'd feel really stupid paying for 2 contracts at once. I could try to get rid of my contract on http://cellswapper.com but then I lose my number that I've had for ~6 years, which sucks.

So OOT, is there some magical fourth option that I haven't thought of? Are there any Verizon insiders who can hack their systems and set me free? Is there anyone who wants to tell me what a [censored] I am?


p.s. There was a little trick a few months ago where you could get out of a Verizon contract due to their increased text messaging rates (link) but all sources I could find say you had to do that by March 1, 2007. Obviously, being an idiot, I didn't know about it then.

[cbloom]

Stop being raped by extortionary cell contracts and get a prepaid phone.

http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/d...plancategory=4
Prepaid Calling Plans: T-Mobile To Go Pay As You Go

[Evan]

[ QUOTE ]
Stop being raped by extortionary cell contracts and get a prepaid phone.

http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/d...plancategory=4
Prepaid Calling Plans: T-Mobile To Go Pay As You Go

[/ QUOTE ]
1) This is totally irrelevant and has nothing to do with my post
2) As far as I can tell this would end up costing me more money.

[FlyWf]

[ QUOTE ]
Stop being raped by extortionary cell contracts and get a prepaid phone.

http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/d...plancategory=4
Prepaid Calling Plans: T-Mobile To Go Pay As You Go

[/ QUOTE ]

Err, for $39.99 at Verizon you get 450 anytime minutes with free nights, weekends, and calls to Verizon customers. With minor variations all the other plans have a similar $35-$50 dollar plan for 300-500 minutes with a ton of free minute areas.

Also, what's the secret method of contract voiding?

[cbloom]

[ QUOTE ]

Err, for $39.99 at Verizon you get 450 anytime minutes with free nights, weekends, and calls to Verizon customers. With minor variations all the other plans have a similar $35-$50 dollar plan for 300-500 minutes with a ton of free minute areas.


[/ QUOTE ]

That's how they get you. It looks like a nice price per minute, but you're stuck in a plan, they drop roaming charges on you, overage charges, etc. etc. How many people actually only pay their monthly charge?

[econophile]

[FlyWf]

They only give you overage charges if you go over your minutes. Prepaid plans are all overage. To avoid overage and roaming all you need is to do a tiny, tiny amount of homework or estimation. Carriers will let you move up and down in minutes if your needs change.

[stabn]

The most sensible thing is probably to return your new phone and then pickup a new phone and service again in september. So i'm not going to reccomend that.

Is there any way you can have cingular delay the start of your new service until september? That way you wouldn't have to pay an extra fee or return the phone.

P.S. i am a pro and [censored] myself on phone contracts, i think i'm into cingular for the next 6 years or something now due to breaking phones immediately after gettnig them.

[Evan]

[ QUOTE ]
Is there any way you can have cingular delay the start of your new service until september? That way you wouldn't have to pay an extra fee or return the phone.

[/ QUOTE ]
As far as I know there's no fee for returning the phone. I bought it through Amazon/Wirefly and it has a 30 day moneyback whatever and even came with a return shipping label with postage paid. I will probably have to pay some prorated service fees for the week or two I had Cingular service, but there's really no way around that. If I'm going to not be using the phone now anyway I might as well return it since there will probably be something better/cheaper available in 3 months.

[danzasmack]

Evan - same thing happened to me. I paid for both for 3 months. It's good for the "i have a new cell" transition period.

My old # was an LI area code so i updated and kept the new number, don't know how that works.