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First, a short disclaimer: I don’t advocate for one mobile service over another. Aside from their selection of phones, I’ve been pretty happy with Sprint here in Chicago for the last few years.

Ok, with that out of the way, onto the good stuff.

credit: Marcus Q

How to Get Out of Your Sprint Contract

I found an article over at Slashdot that talked about how Sprint, probably countering their slumping sales and lost customers to the iPhone, have increased their administrative fees (again) this January 2009. According to the contract you signed, a change in fees by the provider essentially changes the terms and allows the customer, within 30 days, to exit their contract without paying an early termination fee (ETF). The article went on to say that those wishing to exercise their right would probably get further using Sprint chat, than talking to a representative.

Well, being all things skeptical, I decided to venture out. Why not, right?

Well, I’m happy to report, that it worked! I’ve pasted the edited chat transcript below, but until January 31, 2009, it looks like you can get out of your Sprint contract, sans ETF.

The chat transcript:

(10:36:56) Agent Sarah HH: Thank you for that information. And I am seeing that you would like to have the account canceled due to the change in the administrative fees, correct?

(10:37:47) Customer Fredric M.: well, no. i want to cancel the account b/c i bought a phone that requires a sim card. i was going to wait until my contract ended so i could transfer my number, but b/c the admin fees changed, i can cancel now without paying the ETF

(10:38:06) Agent Sarah HH: Thank you for that information
(10:38:11) Agent Sarah HH: Do you perhaps know of anyone that would like to have this line? If so then we would be able to have this line transferred to their account or have an account set up for them.
(10:38:46) Agent Sarah HH: Are you planning on keeping the number and porting it over to the new carrier?

(10:39:14) Customer Fredric M.: i do not know of anyone at this time. yes, i’m planning on porting the number

(10:39:41) Agent Sarah HH: Thank you for that information. One moment please while I process the cancellation
(10:41:06) Agent Sarah HH: Thank you. It has been set to cancel on 2-12 which is the last day of your billing cycle. It get set to this date because Sprint charges for one month in advanced so you will not be charged for the last month of service. You will need to port the number before then due to that a line must be active to be ported. There will be no early termination fee due to this cancellation nor to your porting

(10:42:34) Customer Fredric M.: Thank you. Do you have a confirmation number and teller ID for reference?

(10:43:02) Agent Sarah HH: The session ID for this chat is xxxxx and my employee ID is xxxxxxx
(10:43:32) Agent Sarah HH: It is my job to ensure that I have fully resolved the issues that prompted you to chat with me. Have I resolved all of your issues today?

(10:43:48) Customer Fredric M.: You have. So after I port my number, do I just pay my last bill and that is it?

(10:44:17) Agent Sarah HH: Yes, that is correct
(10:44:22) Agent Sarah HH: Thank you. Have a great day!

For those wondering, I decided to exit Sprint because I picked up a beautiful N85 as a Christmas gift. Of course, the Palm Pre recently debuted, so I’m kicking myself a little, but hey….it’s all good.