I hope you'll give me credit for trying. We hopped into the Boost Mobile store last night to pick up a phone for Margo and port her number over from BS&S (a nickname, if you will), which was successful. We decided to go with Boost because they don't have contracts and the longer you stay with them the lower your bill goes. That way, if I decide I really can't live without a cell phone, I can always jump over to Boost Mobile without having to change plans and extend an already ridiculous contract.
Speaking of ridiculous contracts, I called my cell carrier, which is earning it's nickname from me of BS&S. I spoke with a pleasant lady who clearly thought I was lying when I said that I was not changing to another carrier, and just wanted to terminate my service. To that end, she informed me that if I wanted to keep my phone number (which I am a little sad to lose, having had this number for 8+ years), I would have to have an active line to transfer it to/from. I confirmed that I was aware of this fact. She then offered to reduce the price of my plan, and also offered me a $30 credit for 3 months to stay. She asked if I was leaving because my service was too expensive, and I reiterated that I just did not want to have a cell phone any longer. To which she said, and I quote, "Everybody has a cell phone." She went on to acknowledge that it would be quieter not to have a cell phone.
She told me that my service would end on 11/11/11 (kind of fun, in spite of my irritation) and it didn't really sink in right away that that was more than two weeks away. She went on to inform me that I could transfer my plan to someone else before that date if there was anyone else who wanted to take over my plan (which I suppose might be attractive because I still have the no-longer-available $30 unlimited data plan). I assured her that I did not have anyone who wanted to take over the plan. I then asked her if it was possible to turn off my service prior to the end of the billing cycle. She assured me that it was, but then told me that THEY DON'T PRO-RATE YOUR BILL so I may as well keep it on until 11/11/11 anyway because I'd be paying for it either way. Which I guess means that we are paying for Margo's service as well through 11/11/11. Bastards.
I don't remember this being the way that other cell carriers I've used have worked. In my memory, when you terminate your service, you also terminate your financial obligation related to your service, regardless of where in the billing cycle that termination might fall. So, even if I were not already convinced to ditch my cell, this would have pushed me over the edge. I can't imagine a circumstance in the future in which I would use this cell carrier again for this sole reason, not to mention the outrageous cost and the dropped calls. So, good work, BS&S.
The upshot, however, is that I still have a cell phone until 11/11/11. I could have shut it off today, but I'm not willing to pay them for something I'm not using. Also, I've got 4000 rollover minutes to use between now and 11/11/11, so if you want to chat on my dime (or their dime), let me know. Or if you want to take over my contract, let me know that too.
On a side note, I'm making parsley-walnut pesto tonight with the ridiculous amount of parsley we got from our CSA this week. I'll let you know how it turns out.
We had a heck of a time canceling my mom's account with BS&S (haha, I like what you did there) and switching her over to another carrier. It took several phone calls and emails to get them to drop an extra charge they were trying to stick me with. bastards.
ReplyDeleteCup Cake....Everyone has a cell phone.
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