Does this make sense?

**Kerjack** · 10-09-2009, 09:57 AM

I have a blackberry right now and am really hating the payments on it. I just go it back in January, so I have about 26 months left on the contract. Which will cost me around $2470 by the time I'm done.

I'm looking at another phone at a different company for about $37 a month. The phone is $175 and is very basic. I would purchase it without a contract. But if I did the calculations of canceling my current bill and just went with the other phone for the $37 a month for the next 26 months it would cost me;
$510 to cancel
$962 for the 26 months.

Giving me a total of $1472. And a difference of $998.

Think it would be worth it?

**Jeanna** · 10-09-2009, 10:07 AM

If you have the money to pay it of course it is worth it. I got my blackberry a few months back and when I bought it they didn't tell me I had to get the data package. I just wanted it for some of the other features. So I am paying another $30 every month for the package. I have a chocolate and may go back to it at the beginning of next year to save the $30. I can do this without any penalties.

**Sassyclass** · 10-09-2009, 10:09 AM

If in fact that is all it would cost you, you should cancel ASAP. But make sure this will not put a negative ding on your credit unless you can afford an adverse hit.

Cat

**Kerjack** · 10-09-2009, 11:06 AM

Ok so after looking at the phones offered with the company I chose a different one that is cheaper. So add another $100 to my difference total. So it's up to $1098

**Greebo** · 10-09-2009, 12:43 PM

You may be able to avoid a cancellation fee altogether if you can find someone else to take over your contract.

HOWEVER - doing that can be very risky - you need to make sure the person who says they'll take over the contract actually does so, BEFORE they get your old phone.

Otherwise, yeah, just eat the $500 and call it stupid tax.

**shoiji** · 10-09-2009, 05:10 PM

I would say go for it. I did something similar when I cancelled my Directv to get cable tv. I had to pay a $75 penalty, but it would have been more expensive if I had gone through to the end of the contract. I am much more happier now, especially since bad weather doesn't make my tv go blank.

Just make sure you get everything checked and double checked before you do. Also continue to shop around. You may find an even better deal. Like cancel you service with x and get this for free.

Good luck.

**NikoSan999** · 10-10-2009, 10:54 PM

Are you sure about the amount to cancel? I canceled one in Dec and I had to pay $246 period. That was everything. There wasn't a long time left on the contract but still...check for sure that it would cost that much. Never assume, Was it a three year contract?

**Denvergirlie** · 10-12-2009, 11:42 AM

You signed a 3 year contract? I got a blackberry in April 08 and it only required a 2 year contract for service. Service being the key word, not necessarily a 2 year contract for the data package, but a 2 year contract for service (normal cell minutes).

Likewise, are you sure you can't lower the service plan? Get rid of the data package? Then you just have a fancy phone per se.

My BIL has a blackberry and doesn't pay for the data package, to him it's just a phone with lots of features he doesn't use.

I would make some calls first to ensure that your contract really is 3 years as well as to determine if you can lower the service package and ditch the data plan.

Would hate to hear that you made this move when it's not truly necessary or that you are not considering all the true costs.

good luck