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One of the bad things about cellular phone contracts are those very expensive cancellation fees that the vendors charge you for ending your contract early.
What I didn't know (until I read this story) is that there are now companies out there that will help you unload those contracts by finding someone who might want to use up the remainder of your plan.
Miulang
What I didn't know (until I read this story) is that there are now companies out there that will help you unload those contracts by finding someone who might want to use up the remainder of your plan.
Consumer lawsuits in several states, including California and Florida, have challenged the fees as unfair and illegal because they punish customers for moving to another service provider. Wireless carriers have asked the FCC to treat the fees not as penalties but as rates companies can charge for service. Several members of Congress have expressed concern over the fees, and some have said they plan to introduce legislation this fall that would give states more authority to regulate the fees.
"It's amazing how many people really resent being locked into a contract," said Craig Wurtenberg, co-founder of CellTradeUSA.com, a Web site that matches people wanting to get rid of the remaining time on their contract with people looking for shorter cellphone commitments. Wireless companies release customers from their contracts if they transfer the remaining time to someone else.
Traffic on the site, which typically lists requests from about 2,000 people wanting to unload their contracts, increased more than 30 percent when the iPhone hit store shelves in June.
Another site, CellSwapper.com, often sees a surge of people trying to escape contracts when a cool new phone comes out, said chief executive Adam Korbl.
"It's amazing how many people really resent being locked into a contract," said Craig Wurtenberg, co-founder of CellTradeUSA.com, a Web site that matches people wanting to get rid of the remaining time on their contract with people looking for shorter cellphone commitments. Wireless companies release customers from their contracts if they transfer the remaining time to someone else.
Traffic on the site, which typically lists requests from about 2,000 people wanting to unload their contracts, increased more than 30 percent when the iPhone hit store shelves in June.
Another site, CellSwapper.com, often sees a surge of people trying to escape contracts when a cool new phone comes out, said chief executive Adam Korbl.
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