Expert: DebiN - 8/5/2009

Question
I need some help.  I recently was able to get a discount through US Cellular because of where I work.  So I called them and they set it up.  Now though I need to cancal my plan.  It is pro rated on a monthly basis but I found out when I called for the discount they put me in a new two year agreement.  I do not have any proof they told me this and they do not either.  I called and disputed this and they stated that they do not record all calls and there is a possibility that I wasn't told that.  The difference is $100.  Is there anything I can do to get out of this without having to pay this extra amount?

Answer
If US Cellular's policy is that if they associate you with a corporate discount that you are signed up for a new 2 year agreement, then unfortunately you have no recourse to this. It is their right to have this policy and whether or not they inform you of this verbally is not really their responsibility. Though they should have told you this when they associated the discount and it was the right thing to do, the person you spoke to probably didn't realize this and didn't tell you. However, at this point, even if you were not told, they still don't have to waive the cancellation fee. You can contact them again and ask them to do this and let them know that you were not aware of this and in all honesty, to sign you up for an additional 2 year term just because you were associated with a discount, is not the smartest thing (though all the carriers state that they do this, but not all actually do), it is their right. If you really, really want to leave US Cellular, then pay the $100.00. At least you saved money while you had the discount, but probably not equal to the $100.00 you are going to have to pay. Most carriers now have you sign up for corporate discounts via their web site and all the terms and conditions are on the site. I'm sorry that this happened and you should try to reason with them to see if they will waive it, but if they won't, it is their right, unfortunately. I hope this helps. Thanks. DebiN