Crastinate

Ok i am trying to find a charge that has changed so i can cancel my contract but the Fed Universal Service Charge has not changed so i was wondering could i like use TX State Sales Tax as any excuse to leave? cause those taxs change alot

it works took 6 calls and finally a sweet girl hooked me up….. the fist time i had a manager tell me they go off a general concencus set by the fda on what an adverse affect was .. second time was.. sure we will cancel with no ETA i was so happy. then i was told i couldnt port my numbers… what a kick ibn the pants.. i wanted to slap the guy…. the store didnt like me either.. always take names and id numbers… 3 lines ported and no ETA.. back to AT&T.. i should have never left after 10 years of service..

Great video !!

Don’t give up hope, youngsters!

The new iPhone is amazing. I saved $175 by watched Eli’s video and getting my ETF waived; I invested that in cool new iPhone apps and accessories. See you on the road in ’09!

Screw Verizon. This did not work for me. They tried to tell me a .10 increase was not materially adverse so I told then “how do you know this?” and asked for a supervisor. She wouldn’t budge and offered me a credit which I wouldn’t take…she said no waiver. No dice here. No iPhone for me til March 2010.

Hats off to Ely. After three phone calls to Verizon Customer Service and a heated argument with a manager named Andy – I decided to email the Vice President of Customer Service with my experience and complaint. Today I received a phone call from Corporate extending an apology and an ETF waiver. They also mentioned that If I Do Decide To Stay .. they will put me back on a month to month agreement.

I will try to do this. My Blackberry rates were raised from 29.99 to 44.99 and I am going to use this clause of the contract to get out of this contract.

Can anyone help me out here on “order of operations”?

I want to use this as an out for getting my ETF waived, and my next FUSC change should be this month. And I really want to keep my number.

If I get my iPhone and port the number over, how long until Verizon is notified and terminates my account? At that point I would be calling to dispute the ETF as a result of my leaving the contract. Which really is the way to give the argument the most accountability because you actually did leave and you could say it was because of the contract rights. But what’s their incentive to help you??

Or, if I make the iPhone transaction and call Verizon right away and “initiate” the cancellation, will they not know yet? Then, little do they know the deed is done, but maybe they’d at least try and appease me.

The other scenario is that I may want to get the iPhone sometime between now and when my contract is up in March. Has anyone tried getting out of their contract w/no ETF and moving to month-to-month?? You would really think this would be the easiest way to get the ETF waived, because they keep you as a customer. I just don’t know if they’d do it and/or I’d be afraid they’d screw it up and terminate the service.

I’d like to be able to “protect” myself and make sure I can get my ETF waived before I get the iPhone, but I think the only real way to do it and be sure you keep your number is to port your number first then call to dispute the ETF when its assessed. Or try and get moved to month-to-month, but I’m wondering if anyone’s tried that.

Sorry for the rambling, but I’m just struggling with the best way to get the ETF waived and keep my number.

Well said.

Well wanted to chime in and give thanks to everyone posting; took me over five calls and going through rude and resilient customer service reps and supervisors. Last night I finally got a hold of a really nice lady that was very helpful and after a short 10 minute call everything was taken care of and my account was terminated and the ETF was waived (credited my account for the ETF amount)

Thanks again everyone I’ll stress what others have said, read the contract word for word with them if they don’t want to budge. Stick with the fact that this is the only reason your canceling due to the FUSC changing; nothing else.

Thankyou Ely for your great video and thanks a lot guys for ur posts. I want to get out of Verizon for an iphone and my last bill has the following in second-to-last page.
FUSC Change :
The Federal Universal Service Charge (FUSC) is a Verizon Wireless charge that is subject to change each calendar quarter based on contribution rates prescribed by the FCC. On October 1, the FUSC decreased to 2.39 percent of assessable wireless charges, other than separately billed interstate and international long distance charges. The FUSC on these charges continues to be 11.4 percent.

My question is can I use the above change as a reason to get out of Verizon. I am confused if there was really any change. If there is no change why would they mention that(well I am just curious not so worried why they need to mention that). Thanks again to everyone. Please reply

I just called them and the rep is not ready to accept, that the decrease in FUSC charge doesnot cause any material adverse affect. I told him that the charge has been increased in July and now it got decreased and I never know when it will increase again. He agreed that he would have did something if it was before 60 days for my July increase, and now he cant do anything. He sounds like, he is okay to waive my ETF if there is increase in price but not decreased
I will bug them again…

By the way anyone had similar experiences plz share.

can you go into the store and do this? because it seems like it would work better if you went into the store.

here is a new change starting Jan 1 09

Beginning January 1, 2009, the SD Gross Receipts Surcharge will increase
from 0.0975 percent to 0.11 percent. This surcharge appears in the
Verizon Wireless’ Surcharges” section of your bill. This surcharge is a
Verizon Wireless charge, not a tax, and is subject to change. Please refer
to the “Our Rights To Make Changes” section of your Customer
Agreement for information about changes.

Jennie,
Are you sure about this change in SD Gross Receipts Surcharge?

any new info on charges that are increasing?

I have looked at my bill and see that the FUSC has actually went down for the month of Jan and so have the other charges as well. Any news on when these will change or are there any other way to get out of my verizion plan. I am having issues with broken phones, bad service, ect.
Thanks,
John

Here is my Bill for Dec. Do I have any room to argue or is the rates going to go up again in Jan-Feb Bill. Help Me. I want to get rid of this stupid service from Verizon.
thanks,
John

NOV 08

Verizon Wireless’ Surcharges
Fed Universal Service Charge 1.32
Regulatory Charge .07
Administrative Charge .85
HI Public Srvc CO Surcharge 2.53
HI State PUC Fee .21
HI General Excise Surcharge .80

DEC 08

Verizon Wireless’ Surcharges
Fed Universal Service Charge 1.13
Regulatory Charge .07
Administrative Charge .85
HI Public Srvc CO Surcharge 2.23
HI State PUC Fee .19
HI General Excise Surcharge .68

My FUSC has not changed for the past 60 days so I have no argument on that ground…but, my original contract with Verizon is from Georgia. I currently live in Minnesota, have changed my phone number, and updated my account. However, the taxes on the bill are still paid to Georgia rather than Minnesota. Is this an arguement for early termination without a fee?

@jennie

hi jennie,

I read your jan 1, 2009 change but how do you know this and where can i find it? I’m just looking for a change and don’t know where it is.

thanks,

Chad

please email me

My FUSC charge was raised 95 cents this months bill cycle am i good to cancel or what

Have there been any changes in the last 60 days that I can utilize to cancel, and by the way you rock for doing this!! is it state by state or what for changes?

You are a genius man, with the economy the way it is, all I had to say was “man, you know how it is” and the guy was like “yeah, these days everybody’s tight on cash” and shabam. You are awesome.

HI Ely..good info. I am trying to use the same strategy to get out of my Sprint contract. I need to take better notes on your video but it will not play past 44 seconds on any site.
Is there somewhere I can go to see it in it’s entirety?
Thanks, Shelli

Hi…I have a family plan and I am trying to switch to at&t so we can get iphones and I was just wondering if there have been any increases in price so that I can get out of my verizon contract without any fees.

Thanks

@Whitney
Has anyone actually successfully used the January increase in FUSC as a means of canceling?

After speaking with only a total of 3 reps, I was able to cancel 2 lines with Verizon without having to pay the ETF! I’m pumped – iPhone here I come. I was going to use the FUSC tactic but my charge has actually decreased the last two months. So I instead played on the Administrative Fee change even though it has been more than 60 days. It took about 35 minutes on the phone and a call back from Tier 3 CS Rep. Tier 1 (who answered the phone) basically just listened to me for about 5 minutes and then transferred me to Tier 2. #2 told me that even if she wanted to, she could not waive the fee. So you have to get to the Tier 3 rep (who apparently has the authority to waive the ETF) and you have to stick to your guns – just like Ely says. And he is right, the hardest part is overcoming their offer for some type of credit. Just keep saying no. GL!

@Anthony
Which admin fee are you talking about?

Does anyone know about Alltel and if their contract has similar loop holes. I just paid $200 to cancel (oops, too late) but am waiting to bring my wife over to AT&T and the glorious iPhone. I look forward to any comments from Alltel customers who have tried and been successful with this kind of approach. Thanks!

Thank you very much – these look great!

@Trust Seals

Alltel does not have any loopholes that I know of. I got out of a Verizon contract pretty easy by moving to an area that does not have Verizon coverage. Alltel told me when I moved again, too bad, we haven’t changed anything…too bad. And they are true. If you figure anything else out, let me know. Even with the Verizon and Alltel merger, they are willing to honor the contracts, so no out there.

This did not work for me. I tried using the FUSC as my argument. It increased .04 cents between two months. I talked with 3 supervisors and 3 service reps. They refused to waive the ETF stating that the FUSC is a percentage of my total bill and that has not changed.

I think I’ll wait for them to change something else like the administrative fee. They wouldn’t budge for me and I spent over two hours of my day arguing over the phone.

This sucks.

I really want to get the iPhone. I want to leave Verizon and get on AT&T and get the iPhone.

Hey everyone,

Is anyone able to assist me in the termination of my bell contract? I tried to read the contract but I cant find exactly where anything similar may be. All contracts are the same no matter where you are in Canada for bell. I would really appreciate any help! I am seriously tired of 55 a month.

Thanks!
-Immy

@Liz
If the FUSC is a percentage of your total bill, and the FUSC gone up, then your total bill must have gone up. There’s no way they can argue that nothing has changed. SOMETHING has to have changed for them to have increased your FUSC payment. If the FUSC percentage went up, then that is still a change in contract.

I have been following your instruction verbatim and to no avail… They tell me that the notice was sent a year and a half ago telling me the Federal Universal Charge is based on my current months bill and I had 30 days from that notice to appeal. Despite all my efforts, they won’t budge. I’ve even been asked to fax over what I’m reading in their contract… LMAO Only to be told they won’t budge. I’ve been a Verizon customer for more than 7 years and have been continuously overbilled throughout the timespan. I’ve even had credit checks mailed to me on 2 occasions for more than $700.00 per check. My last bill was even credited more than $130.00. Seems I have to call in every 2-3 bills for these types of adjustments. I have 6 lines of service, one of which is a wireless internet card. I’v e recently switched to a Blackberry on my main line and am using LESS services and applications than ever. Also, 2 of the phones are now just sitting in a drawer and yet, my bill is almost $200.00 higher. I am being taken advantage of and wish I could get further, personalized help from you ASAP. Please tell me you’ll help me or I’m thinking I will be paying $175.00 X6. Ouch!!!

Can this get us out if we pay for the unlimited video and pictures?
“Picture and Video Messaging Pricing Change
Effective 05/03/09, when you send a picture or video message to multiple
recipients, you will be charged once for each recipient. If you already have
a messaging bundle, these messages will apply towards your bundle
quota. If you are on a Pay-as-You go plan or exceed your bundle quota,
you will be charged $.25 per recipient.”
Thanks,
Reese

I just did it. Changed our plan to have a limit on messages, and only spoke to one person, using the old “adverse affect” clause. After fighting them for 6 months, 4 hours on the phone, and even writing the regional manager by actual mail, this: the new increase in fees for picture and video messaging, is what FINALLY WORKED. Hurry up and do this, as you only have until 05/03/09.
- Reese

@Reese
Reese
when was the notice sent for the picture message rate change?

@Liz
Yeah – the FUFC rate has to change… the tough part about looking now is – the ammount on the bill changes for January, February and March – but i think thats due to the change in lengths of months.. I’ll be trying Reese’s “out” this weekend.

Thanks E, I got out. Its so nice to know my rights as a consumer and be empowered to change things when I want to without eating some bogus charge!

After stumbling upon your blog, due to my search on how to get out of a verizon contract, I would have to say I am impressed at the wide range of topics you comment and are up to date on. I have a question in relation to this post though. I have been wanting to get an iphone but due to costs, I recently bought a cheaper smartphone phone with verizon thinking I would be just as happy by avoiding paying extra for internet/data usage. I just recently bought a palm centro because this type of smartphone does not require you to purchase a data plan, as does a blackberry or iphone. But after receiving my first bill, I found out that I have to pay to send pix/flix messages because it is considered data usage, which is of course not part of my plan. I have an unlimited text/pix messaging plan but still get charged a data fee sending picture messages is considered transferring data on my palm centro. I was not aware of this until after I purchased my phone and called in after seeing the extra charges on my bill. I have already talked to verizon and tried to tell them I wasn’t aware but because of the wording they used and what they said, I didn’t know how to get around it and ended up paying for what I thought was part of my plan in the first place. I am still frustrated and had more charges on the most recent bill for data usage. So my question is, is this considered the same change of contract that you address in your video? If so, after already talking to verizon and having paid for my bill, do you think there is still a way to get free data usage on my phone or be able to cancel my contract by calling in a complaint?

@bwcorb
let us know if it works

i just called and they told me that they are “just fixing a loophole”. according to what they are saying, before 5/3/09 if you sent the same picture or video message to multiple people, you will be charged for one message. however, after 5/3/09, you will be billed 25 cents for each sent or if you have a text bundle it will count for multiple sent as opposed to 1. they said that because they are not changing the contract and are not increasing the charges of pic/video messages from 25 to 30 cents, it is not a material adverse effect. i tried arguing that if i sent the same picture message to 5 different people, i would be charged 25 cents today. and that if i sent the same message to the same people in june, i would be charged 1.25. i told him that it was a 400% increase in the charge and it was going to affect me. however, both the customer service rep and the supervisor were reluctant to terminate my contract and told me to take this to court.
Dont give up guys!! TAKE A STAND AGAINST BIG BUSINESS!

I wasn’t able to get out of my contract either due to the pricing change for picture and video messages. However, according to the USAC, the FUSC charge is going up for second quater 2009 raising from 9.5% to 11.3%. I’m sure that will mean that the FUSC charged passed along by Verizon will increase starting tomorrow. You can check it by calling 888.684.1888. Check out the article at http://www.usac.org/fund-administration/tools/latest-news.aspx#033109 I’m checking and then calling first thing tomorrow to get out of my contract if it indeed does go up!!

I looked under the Verizon Wireless Surcharges and there were no changes EXCEPT CA State P.U.C Fee. What is that? Its also under Verizon Wireless Surcharges section. Would that count?

I just used the video and picture messaging change to get out of my Verizon contract. The first guy I spoke to put me on hold for 20 minutes. He tried to tell me that the change was not valid because it was effecitive in April 2008 – I guess he thought I was talking about the text messaging charge from last year. Then he told me that it wasn’t actually a pricing change. I reminded him that on my bill, Verizon defines this as “Video and Picture Messaging Pricing Change.” So regardless of how they try to play it off – Verizon calls it a pricing change. He put me on hold and never came back to the phone. This arguement worked when I had to call back the second time. The woman was very nice about it and apologetic that I was left on hold for so long. I asked her to set my cancellation date for the end of my billing cycle – 4/16. She did. I have to call back today to double check that the note is there, but all seems well.

@ MovingOn

I have a family plan, with three lines. And I was wondering how I could use the picture and messaging clause. I was wondering if anyone could help me with what to say? Thankss.

IT WORKED!

I just ended my 2 year contract with NO termination fee using the “Picture and Video Messaging Pricing Change” which will charge media text messages PER recipient starting 5/3/09

You have to be persistent and very CONFIDENT that this is your RIGHT. I quoted the customer agreement several times “Your service is subject to our business policies, practices and procedures, which we can change without notice…IF THE CHANGES HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON YOU, HOWEVER, YOU CAN END THE AFFECTED SERVICE, WITHOUT ANY EARLY TERMINATION FEE”(within 60 days) I also mentioned that my friend had terminated their account for the same reason a few days earlier.

Good luck everyone! This pricing change should be legitimate grounds for cancellations up to 60 days after 5/3/09.

Correction – you can cancel UNTIL 5/3/09, it is 60days from the notice of change in surface I believe.

oops, change in SERVICE. lol, I’m tired.