We have old cell phones and an outdated plan with Sprint. However, we’ve been locked in because we moved our minutes around a couple months ago. With the new irresistible SERO plan I was wishing that we wouldn’t have to wait 2 more years to switch.

Then Patrick wrote how to cancel your cell phone contract without paying fees! His first point stated that Sprint changed their contract on January 1, 2008. I didn’t know that because we’re on a family plan where another family member gets the bill at their house. This was perfect timing and set me into action to cancel our Sprint service without paying early termination fees. Here’s how I did it:

Locate your Changes to Terms and Conditions

Review your last bill or look for a postcard that came in the mail describing the notification. I found mine online with the following footnotes:

Important Notice: Changes to Terms and Conditions The Terms & Conditions for Sprint PCS and Nextel services have been updated. These new terms are effective January 1, 2008, and are available at sprint.com or upon request. Please carefully review these terms as they apply to any future use of our services. Important Notice Regarding Sprint Surcharges Eff. 1/1/08 Sprint will no longer assess Fed. E911 ($0.40) & WLNP ($0.15)fees. Eff. 1/1/08 Sprint will assess 2 new monthly charges per line: Admin. Charge ($0.75) & Reg. Charge ($0.20). See bill insert or postcard mailed to you if not receiving a paper bill. Details: sprint.com/taxesandfees.

Sign up for your new plan

I signed up for the incredible SERO plan! Nickel gave great step-by-step directions for the SERO plan and additional discounts. They did a credit check, but it’s ok, we maintain good credit. I settled on the Palm Centro Smartphone . It doesn’t have any mail-in rebates and should be about $50 each after savings.

Supposedly it’s good for people in their 20s and 30s new to smart phones. I have a blackberry for work, but I don’t use many features on it besides the phone and email. If you aren’t familiar with the SERO plan it offers:

$30 per month for 500 minutes

Unlimited Sprint Mobile to Mobile

Unlimited Nationwide long distance

Voicemail, Call Waiting, and Caller ID

Unlimited Nights & Weekends starting at 7pm

Free text messaging : Included when you sign up by 2/16/08

: Included when you sign up by 2/16/08 Unlimited data plan… this is what we really wanted!

This plan is a million times better than our old family share plan at $69.98 for 3 lines with 550 shared minutes.

Call Sprint Retentions to Cancel

Call after you activate your new phones. The direct Sprint retentions number is 877-766-7697. Let them know that you are canceling your contract due to the change in terms and conditions.

Of course they’ll try to get you to stay, but that’s where already having your new service in place helps. I informed them that I was happy with Sprint and set up 2 new lines. Once they verified the newly activated service, they were much more comfortable helping me cancel the old lines. In case you get a runaround about not being able to cancel, it is your right based on the following Terms and Conditions:

When You Don’t Have To Pay An Early Termination Fee You aren’t responsible for paying an Early Termination Fee when terminating Services: (a) provided on a month-to-month basis; (b) consistent with our published trial period return policy; or (c) in response to a materially adverse change we make to the Agreement as described directly below. Our Right To Change The Agreement & Your Related Rights. We may change any part of the Agreement at any time, including, but not limited to, rates, charges, how we calculate charges, or your terms of Service. We will provide you notice of material changes, and may provide you notice of non-material changes, in a manner consistent with this Agreement (see “Providing Notice To Each Other Under The Agreement” section). If a change we make to the Agreement is material and has a material adverse effect on Services under your Term Commitment, you may terminate each line of Service materially affected without incurring an Early Termination Fee only if you: (a) call us within 30 days after the effective date of the change; and (b) specifically advise us that you wish to cancel Services because of a material change to the Agreement that we have made. If you do not cancel Service within 30 days of the change, an Early Termination Fee will apply if you terminate Services before the end of any applicable Term Commitment.

Enjoy your new phones

I wish I could say I was writing this article using my new phone, but that’s still a little far-fetched for me. I have learned how to text message though! We couldn’t keep our old phone numbers (note to family and friends: email me to get the new numbers!) but it was worth it.