5 secrets from the mobile-phone trenches

Ever wonder how to break a contract without paying a fee? Or how to stop spam texts? One Verizon Wireless salesman is telling all.

By Aimee Picchi Tue 8:20 AM

Buying a mobile phone means sifting through a dizzying array of options, from the type of phone to the data plan. And with some wireless companies dinged for their customer service, it's not always clear whether you're getting the best advice from the salespeople.
But one anonymous Verizon Wireless (VZ -0.36%) store manager is telling all to readers at website Reddit, taking questions on topics ranging from his view of the iPhone (bad) to how to break the dreaded contract.

One thing is clear from readers' questions: The wireless market often seems like a confusing morass of obligations, tricks and loopholes.

Here are five secrets revealed by the store manager, a six-year employee of Verizon Wireless: 

1. How do you get out of your contract without a termination fee? "Only way I know of is if Verizon somehow didn't live up to their end of the arrangement," the manager writes. What would qualify? If the carrier's map shows your house should get coverage but your reception is terrible or nonexistent, you may have a loophole to exit. However, he warns that Verizon might just buy you a $300 service booster to fix the problem. The only other way is to find someone else to pick up your contract.

2. Why do sales people hate the iPhone? Part of the reason is the salespeople earn "complete crap" in commission, but the manager cites another criticism that has been lobbed at Apple before. "Apple keeps changing things, therefore forcing people to buy new stuff. You would think we would like that at the store level because it increases our accessory sales," he writes. But it's "arrogance on Apple's part."
3. How can you get a new phone while still under contract? The manager encourages people to buy used phones (OK, they're not technically "new"), which consumers often sell on Craigslist when they upgrade for the latest device. Consumers can then go online and activate the phone, or dial *228 on Verizon phones to activate. (That number will also allow you to update your phone's software.)

4. Can you keep your unlimited data plan? One of the much-hated changes at Verizon Wireless is its attempt to eliminate contracts with unlimited data plans. So is there any way to keep that sweet deal when you upgrade to a new phone? Absolutely. But there's a catch: You'll need to buy a phone outright and avoid signing a new contract. (The manager notes that he practices what he preaches, writing, "I've actually maintained my unlimited data package as well just by buying phones outright.")

5. How can you stop spam texts? One tip that works for all carriers is to reply with the word "stop" if it's a spam text that's advertising something, the manager notes. That will unsubscribe your phone from the messages. The FCC also suggests you forward unwanted spam texts to 7726, which will help block future unwanted messages.