Is it possible? What are the penalties?
I'm not leaving the country - just realising that I absolutely don't need such an expensive service plan and I'd like to move elsewhere cheaper.
Thanks for any help.
Des anyone out there have any clue how I could cancel a Swisscom contract in advance (it's a 2 year contract, and still have a good year or so left on it).
Call them and ask?
They won't let you go without at least paying the remaining months.
Just accept your fate and don't miss the cancellation period.
Did you get a cheap phone?
Yes, call them and ask.
They probably will not let you go completely (without paying a penalty or at least the remaining monthly fees, that is), but there are chances that you can change to a cheaper plan even during the agreed period (Mindestvertragsdauer), maybe after 12 of 24 months or so.
If you want to keep the nice 079 number, and want to change to a cheaper provider, you've probably got no option but to wait until the existing contract expires.
I assume it's a mobile phone contract. You can definitely switch to a plan with a lower monthly fee. If not, to leave Swisscom (well within your rights to do so and outport the number), they will probably bill you the remaining months' fees in one go.
You could switch to a lower monthly fee and then still quit, reducing the effective cancellation costs.
No, all of this is completely wrong, Swisscom contract clearly states that you cannot amend your package without them defining costs.
And how on earth does leaving, paying the fees, and then paying another provider help
Minimum service period and extension periods
For individual services, minimum service and extension periods may be provided for in other contractual documents. During their term, amendments to the service package at the request of the customer are not possible, or only at the costs defined by Swisscom.
Wrong!
You most certainly can downgrade to a lower-priced plan and cancel.
Thanks for the feedback everyone.
So I called and it seems that I have the following options
1. Switch to a cheaper plan.
2. Pay the remaining months upfront and cancel (1100chf)
3. Wait until my contract ends and then cancel the subscription
I guess in this case I will go for options 1. and 3., i.e switch to a reduced plan and eventually cancel when I can. Which is basically aligned with that plumbtree said - so thanks!
Will they let you switch to a cheaper plan without extending contract duration? I.e. you now pay 13x85 until the contract ends, with the cheaper plan you'll have to pay, say, 40CHF but for 28 months? (both amount to about 1100CHF total)
wow...this info is good to know, thank you!
I remember back in the US early termination fee is only $350 for two years, and it decreases by $5 as I fulfill each one more month the contract. -_-#
However you will have to pay, I suspect the net cost will be the same or higher.....
You said "definitely" - their contract clearly states that it is at the discretion of them and they have the right to attach a cost, so while you can "most certainly" downgrade, they can also "definitely" charge you for the difference if they want!
Let us know if they do allow this without recouping the difference, that would be good customer service and helpful for many.
But having dealt with Swisscom - they'll probably quote you double the difference to downgrade, and keep billing you after the cancellation anyway
If I don't get the right answer from the shop or from the hotline, for example if they tell me that you can't do something, then I call/contact again, because having already done it and knowing someone who works there and who can do it too, I know that it is definitely possible!
During the first six months of a contract their is a Fr.300.-- charge for a switch to a lower price plan. This is to cover their loss of income through your lowered subscription fees which pay/subsidize the cost of the device you acquired upon signing the contract. The non-charging of the Fr300.-- for a downgrade during the first six months is at the discretion of the employee who serves you for that change of plan request.
You can downgrade to a lower price plan free of charge after six months have elapsed since the beginning of the contract. This would mean that the downgrade itself for alanmack should be free.
Cancellation is not free. Ordinarily Swisscom charge the number of months remaining until the end of the contract multiplied by the monthly tariff active at the time of cancellation (request) all in one go. A number can be cancelled immediately.
Of course they change their rules, so if this has very recently changed, then the rules may be stricter or more relaxed.
This is great info, think I'll downgrade to the smallest option, the XS in that case. Seems the only real different from my M plan is having a slower internet.
Not sure how slow 0.2mbit really is in reality but majority of the time I'm on wifi anyway. Anyone out there got any idea how noticeable the speed difference would be?
It depends on what you have to do on your mobile/smartphone. If it is quick checking of emails or just a single app, I found that a small add-on amount of data (slowest speed) was fine, as it also depends on the device. But the option I had is no longer offered as they have eliminated so many old options and moved most people onto the newer subscriptions, like the one you have and want to move onto.
If you rely on data day-to-day for work, contacts, various apps, you might need a better one than their slowest offered.
There are some forums on the Swisscom website also, though I haven't used them myself.
If you have a Swisscom login (client area) to manage your services (mobile, email, access to Bluewin etc.) you can more often than not change your subscription (price plan) and any options in there. They send you an SMS generally to confirm.
If the change is not possible then it asks you to call them on (free from Swisscom phones) 0800 55 64 64 (Swisscom Mobile direct number).
i know it does not help, but this is the main reason i avoid 1-2 year contacts. most swiss carriers now offer 30 day contracts much more flexible if u need
a contract. sunrise does others I'm sure do now. otherwise load of a prepay
card with 200f and bobs your uncle for a few months. easy...
What do you use the internet for?
They made sure to make it painfully slow.