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January 11, 2007

tips

What would you do-ooh-ooh for a Cingular contract?

Posted Jan. 11, ’07, 1:03 PM PT by Dan Moren
Category | Tips

CellSwapperYesterday, we passed along some tips for switching over to Cingular, but for those of you still stuck in an existing contract, what you don’t know could kill you. Well, not kill so much as help. I get those confused all the time.

A new service called CellSwapper takes advantage of a loophole in most cell phone contracts that let you get out early and, more importantly, free of termination fees, provided you find someone else to take your place; the old bait-and-switch, if you will. CellSwapper helps you find people who are getting rid of their existing contract (or get rid of your own contract).

What are the advantages to driving out to Cingular and signing up? Well, by taking over someone else’s contract, you avoid paying the activation fees (usually $30-$40), and the sellers often add incentives for the buyers. Of course, as the iPhone is probably going to be bringing a huge influx of new customers, you may have trouble getting rid of your contract if you’re with another company. My Verizon deal expires next January, so I’ll get a good six months to see if the iPhone truly measures up.

[hat tip: Rick LePage]


4 Comments

Aaron Author Profile Page said:

Hey, my Verizon contract expires in January too! But, I like Verizon too much versus Cingular to change, unless the iPhone is purely amazing.

January 11, 2007 2:26 PM
Dave said:

Do you get the $499/$599 price on the iPhone if you take over someone else's contract? My understanding is that price requires a 2-year contract.

Personally I haven't been under a contract for about 3 years (just say no to phones with strings attached). I have said for a long time, if Apple releases a phone that can replace my palm, I'd drop my service in a heartbeat. Hopefully the next six months will be productive (as in Apple opens the door to third party developers and the apps I need are made available).

January 11, 2007 4:22 PM
Mark U. said:

I can't help but feel that if you're locked into a contract with any carrier (including Cingular), it's your own fault. Contracts are terrible for consumers. I don't understand committing to two years of a service you'll probably spent most of the two years complaining about in order to get a, say, $100 device for free. Pay the $100 and keep your option to walk. Doing so would likely help encourage better service from the providers as well as lower rates, which are absurdly high given the amount of competition there is. That's actually the biggest problem with the iPhone, in my view: you have to buy a voice and possibly a data package with it. At Cingular's current rates for a decent plan for each, you're not just dropping $500 on the phone, you're dropping an additional $1500 promise to operate it for two years! No thanks.

January 11, 2007 5:06 PM
Marc Cohen said:

I will be dumping my cell phone contract when the i phone comes out but I will be using Celltradeusa.com
I used celltrade last year to get into my Verizon Wireless Contract and now I`ll be using them to get out :)

January 12, 2007 10:25 AM

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