What happens if I cancel my AT&T account?

wolfpackfan · 11-03-2007, 09:30 AM

I know this has been discussed before but I am thinking seriously about canceling my AT&T account and just using my iPhone as a Touch. I have a couple of specific questions though, I could use some help with. I get terrible phone reception in my area. I can not even use the phone in my house. I have zero bars or it says no service. Calls that come to it, typically go to voice mail. If I want to make a call I have to step outside (and no I don't have lead lined walls, just a regular house). When riding around anywhere within a 5 mile radius of my house I get dropped calls about 50% of the time. I looked on the AT&T website and it says that I should be getting "good" reception. I think their definition and mine must be two different things. The only real think that is saving me is I still have my Sprint Moto Q, so most times I am carrying around two phones. My family knows that if they can't get me on my iPhone to try my Q.

Now my question - I am thinking seriously about just paying the early termination fee and going back to using my Q as my only phone. But I do like the non-phone features of the iPhone, so hope to just keep it and use it as a Touch basically. If I do this, what happens when Apple releases a new update? If I update, is it going to find out I am not activated and require me to activate again? What about syncing, is there any problems doing that?

I'd love to hear from anyone else that has done this and what your experiences have been.

Twinnie · 11-03-2007, 10:32 AM

Complain to At&t, they say you should have a good reception and you don't.

papabro · 11-03-2007, 10:35 AM

This doesn't answer any of your questions, but you do have another option to consider. You could get a cell phone signal booster for your home and or car. I think Radio Shack sells something called zbooster.

pjw · 11-03-2007, 10:45 AM

i think that if you do not get reception at your home you can cancel your service without having to pay the early termination fee. I have heard that so i could be wrong. you may have to fight with them too.

theotherallen · 11-03-2007, 10:45 AM

you should be able to get out of your contract if you legtimately don't get reception. without playing the fee.

and no, you wouldn't be able to update the phone again, because after the update, it would check with at&t to check your account status

Lincoln · 11-03-2007, 10:54 AM

Definitely complain until the they let you out of it free. It's their fault you don't have reception.

BTW - Seen AT&T's new ad campaign? It's a picture of one guy on a street that says: "He lives in Catucornia. You live in more than one place, so AT&T works in more than one place. Where do you live?"

We should make one that says "He lives in Cary, NC. Does he have AT&T service? I don't think so."

classic695 · 11-03-2007, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by theotherallen

you should be able to get out of your contract if you legtimately don't get reception. without playing the fee.

and no, you wouldn't be able to update the phone again, because after the update, it would check with at&t to check your account status

No, this is not correct. Providers do not guarantee coverage anywhere within their service areas. If you move outside all the areas covered by AT&T's built-out licenses (like Vermont) and can prove it, then they might let you out of your contract.

ColsTiger · 11-03-2007, 02:28 PM

you had 30 days to cancel the service for poor reception at your home. If you've waited longer than that, then you'll be charged the early termination fee. I don't know what will happen when you sync your phone after terminating the at&t service. You're sort of in "uncharted" territory there.

maclaptopuser · 11-03-2007, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by ColsTiger

you had 30 days to cancel the service for poor reception at your home. If you've waited longer than that, then you'll be charged the early termination fee.

You are 100% correct. All any AT&T subscriber needs to do is read your contract carefully and you will find it's clearly stated there. You entered into a legal binding contract. Period.

Next time read the contract first, before you sign and you will avoid any surprises. You will know where you stand going into the agreement. Remember it really does not matter if it's AT&T, or Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile etc.... it's the entire cell phone carrier business that is predatory.

Much like the gasoline companies. You pay X amount for gasoline at their whim. They back it up with Stories..... Untrue Stories...I live a few miles from a Chevron refinery, and we pay twice as much as the customer that lives 150 miles from the refinery. What's that all about..... the MONEY!

So before Ranting on AT&T, Remember there is lots of them
Chevron
B of A
Exxon
Wells Fargo
Allstate
State Farm
The List goes on and on.
So you see........ well...... you get the picture.

I agree, it's crappy but that's the life of a consumer.....

And hey! ~ It could be worse, at least we're in the USA.......

papabro · 11-03-2007, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by maclaptopuser

So before Ranting on AT&T, Remember there is lots of them
Chevron
B of A
Exxon
Wells Fargo
Allstate
State Farm
The List goes on and on.
So you see........ well...... you get the picture.

I agree, it's crappy but that's the life of a consumer.....

And hey! ~ It could be worse, at least we're in the USA.......

Not to mention that evil empire WALMART