Verizon increases SMS rates -- customers now free of their contracts
By Donald Melanson 
posted January 12th 2007 3:25PM
posted January 12th 2007 3:25PM
It looks like Verizon Wireless is following in Sprint's SMS footsteps, announcing a planned hike in text messaging rates for those not currently subscribed to a messaging package. The hike, which will take effect March 1st, will bump the cost of sending a text message to the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico from $0.10 to $0.15 per message, with the price for international text messages remaining at $0.25 per message. The cost of receiving a message from customers of foreign wireless carriers, however, will increase to $0.15 whether you subscribe to a messaging package or not. If this all sounds a little familiar, it's because when Sprint did the same thing late last year, it didn't take long for people to figure out that the rate hikes amounted to a so-called "material change" to their contracts, meaning they could bail on it without paying an Early Termination Fee (EFT). So if you've been sticking to Verizon but secretly fancying another carrier, this looks like it may be your only chance to take the plunge without also taking a hit. In related news, Sprint looks to be planning a price hike of another sort, with a pair of tipsters relaying the news to us that the cost for Sprint's directory assistance service will be going up from $1.49 to $1.79 on February 1st, although whether that's enough to constitute a material change to the contract or not remains to be seen.[Thanks, Max, Tina, and Jonathan]
i've been trading emails with VZW customer service and asked that my thread get elevated. got a response from supervisor this morning. long email but here's the most pertinent paragraph...
"I have reviewed your account, and verified that there has recently been a minimal amount of TXT messages used. As you do not currently have a messaging package selected, you do indeed have the ability to terminate your service without paying an Early Termination Fee. If you wish to do so, the service will be terminated immediately upon your request. You will not have the ability to change to a month-to-month agreement at any time. Please keep in mind this does not eliminate the charges that will occur for the messages used, any additional airtime charges, or your monthly access fee and taxes up to and including the date of cancellation."
so, it sounds like it is possible to get out from a VZW contract as long as you don't subscribe toa messaging plan.
Just a quick question for everyone. I pay $140 with Verizon which is way too much, want to switch to TMobile, so...
I want to get out of my contract, but I have a messaging plan. Despite the plan I went over and paid an extra $50 bucks (my GF lives in another state). Can I use this as my "material adverse affect" when I try to get out of my contract? She will also be working in Europe soon, which mean the international txt. rates would apply. Thanks for anyone who has a helpful word or two!
Worked for me:
http://www.superjason.com/archive/2007/02/21/how-i-got-out-of-my-verizon-contract-without-a-fee.aspx
I know cause T-mobile service went from 5cents text to 10 cents text I hope they don't found out about verzion and sprint and then go up on that one even more then it is allready.
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