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ETF - what the rep told me... true?

L

lacereza

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 31, 2008
102
0
I'm considering replacing my iPod Touch and horrendous Verizon coverage/service/phone with a 3GS. The thing is, I'm not sure if I'll be staying in the US for more than the next 14 months -- I might be sent elsewhere for a while. I spoke to an AT&T sales rep tonight, and she told me not to worry, that I could cancel the contract without any fees if I sent them a lease agreement/bill/letter from my employer proving I've moved out of the country.

I asked her if she's sure that this applies to the iPhone, and she said that she believes so. Has anyone actually done this? I've googled, and lots of people say it's the case but I can't find success stories.

The other concern is that as a person without a social security number, I have to pay a deposit to AT&T. Woudl I get that back?

Also, would this create difficulties for me if I visited or moved back to the US later? Could I sign up with AT&T again, or would I be blacklisted for a period of time? Or use the 3GS on a prepaid or month to month contract with another carrier (if I jailbreak)?
 
I'm from Australia so I have no idea. In general though with cases like this just ask to have it in writing.

My friend joined the gym, had to sign up for 12 months, but only really wanted 6 and they said 'our system can only handle 12 month contracts but you can come back and cancel after 6 that is fine'. Sure enough he did but the manager that said that had since left and predictably the gym didn't want to let him cancel.

So I think it's just a reasonable thing to ask for a piece of paper and a suitably qualified signature on it. If it is their policy then they will refer you to where they have that written already or should be happy to give it to you.
 
lacereza said:
I'm considering replacing my iPod Touch and horrendous Verizon coverage/service/phone with a 3GS. The thing is, I'm not sure if I'll be staying in the US for more than the next 14 months -- I might be sent elsewhere for a while. I spoke to an AT&T sales rep tonight, and she told me not to worry, that I could cancel the contract without any fees if I sent them a lease agreement/bill/letter from my employer proving I've moved out of the country.

I asked her if she's sure that this applies to the iPhone, and she said that she believes so. Has anyone actually done this? I've googled, and lots of people say it's the case but I can't find success stories.

The other concern is that as a person without a social security number, I have to pay a deposit to AT&T. Woudl I get that back?

Also, would this create difficulties for me if I visited or moved back to the US later? Could I sign up with AT&T again, or would I be blacklisted for a period of time? Or use the 3GS on a prepaid or month to month contract with another carrier (if I jailbreak)?
Click to expand...


Yes that is the case.
 
You should be fine in this case. AT&T provides for these types of situations, and I would say they are fairly common. If you part from the company on good terms (i.e. provide all information requested in writing) then you should have no trouble with them in the future should you choose to return.
 
Yes you would be fine as all the other posters stated. You just have to give proof of your new residence or letter from employer (if they are transferring you) if you want to cancel prior to moving.
 
Here is how it works..

You call us and say you are leaving the country and you have to cancel.

We say ok cancel your service and tell you that we need proof of new adress.

We send your final bill and it WILL include an ETF.

You send us proof and it gets waived.

The end.
 
ChaSSe said:
Here is how it works..

You call us and say you are leaving the country and you have to cancel.

We say ok cancel your service and tell you that we need proof of new adress.

We send your final bill and it WILL include an ETF.

You send us proof and it gets waived.

The end.
Click to expand...

Do you work for ATT?:rolleyes:
 
Thanks so much, ChaSSe. I really appreciate it. Do you know how I might be able to get that in writing, though? I spoke to a person in Relocations today who said the same thing, but told me also that I won't be able to find such a policy online or anywhere else! I think that they just don't want to advertise it :)

I'm still wondering about the returning-to-the-US thing. If I unlocked/jailbroke the iPhone, I could use it on any network, right? According to the Relocations rep I'd have to sign up for a new 24 month contract with AT&T even with my own iPhone -- no thanks!
 
lacereza said:
Thanks so much, ChaSSe. I really appreciate it. Do you know how I might be able to get that in writing, though? I spoke to a person in Relocations today who said the same thing, but told me also that I won't be able to find such a policy online or anywhere else! I think that they just don't want to advertise it :)

I'm still wondering about the returning-to-the-US thing. If I unlocked/jailbroke the iPhone, I could use it on any network, right? According to the Relocations rep I'd have to sign up for a new 24 month contract with AT&T even with my own iPhone -- no thanks!
Click to expand...

Ill look over the TOS and see if it is in there. I know it is in our internal knowledge base. Now with the unlocked phone you can use it on any GSM/umts network. Also with COE (customer owned equipment) you do not have to sign a contract
 
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