So like most everyone else I bought my way into a 3 year contract with verizon thinking I would have no problem keeping the contract - i could just switch numbers if I moved somewhere.

.... of course that doesn't work if you move to germany. I'm only here for a year, but now I have 2 lines on a Verizon account that doesn't expire until October 2007, at $175/line for breaking the contract. I've managed to put 2 90-day suspensions on the account, but the 2nd suspension is going to expire at beginning of February, 5 months before I return. And they don't allow more than 2 90-day suspensions per year.

So at first it's a simple question of if ($175*2) > or < (monthly service * 5 months) to see where I lose the least money.

But i'd be more than willing to just give up the phone numbers and account to anyone who wants to take over until 2007. That's still a 1.5 year buy-in, but that's better than 2 or 3 years the providers make you do i guess.

Anybody tried to do this? Is there anybody in the US that still needs a cell phone number/account so bad that they'd want to take over an old number instead of buying a new contract?

12/5/2005 3:27:27 PM

unless it's to a friend you personally know i'd avoid this

12/5/2005 3:41:46 PM

hey joe,

i didn't know you were in germany. that's awesome!

have you talked to verizon and told them you moved? or maybe talk to your employer since that is a moving expense. but yeah, don't try it unless it is with a GOOD friend.

12/5/2005 3:45:30 PM

i am 99% sure that if you move out of verizon's service area, you can get out of the contract without paying the fee to break it.

12/5/2005 4:02:03 PM

ah damn.... that never occured to me. From some googling looks like you can do it if you provide proof of residence in the new address.
Guess this open-ended lease to my address in Munich will come in handy

12/5/2005 4:47:39 PM

excellent -
here's what Verizon support said:

Quote :

"Since you have moved to an area that is not serviced by Verizon Wireless you may choose to cancel your service prior to fulfilling your customer agreement, which ends on 07/06/2007. You will be billed $175.00 Early Termination Fee for each wireless phone number; however, you may avoid this fee by simply providing verification of your new address. You may also choose to change liability of your service to another person who can benefit from wireless service. If you would like to cancel your service or get more information regarding changing liability of your service please reply to this e-mail. If you reply to this email requesting to cancel your service please also fax or mail one of the following forms of verification to our National EZ Move Team so your Early Termination Fee may be waived. A copy of a current utility bill reflecting your name and new address. A copy of a mortgage or lease agreement in your name with the new address. A state issued Driver's License or ID reflecting your new address. A copy of the temporary state Driver's License or ID receipt is acceptable. A letter from your employer stating that you will be or were transferred to a new location. The letter must be on company letterhead, provide the date of transfer and move, and the address of the new work location."

12/6/2005 10:32:54 AM