Consumer Law, Warranties Cell Phone Service

[Grammiedian]

Some time ago I contracted with Cingular for my cell phone service. Loved them! :angel Eventually they were bought out by AT&T. Hate them! :dgrin AT&T told me that I was bound to continue service with them since they bought my contract along with everything else from Cingular. I have not signed any papers, documents or contracts with AT&T. I had to get a new phone and AT&T is telling me I have to give them another two years of service because I purchased a new cell phone. :no: I did not sign any contracts, papers or documents at that time either. Can I get out of my contract with AT&T without paying early termination penalty fees? They want to charge me $250.00 for my phone and $250.00 for my husbands phone, total $500.00 in penalty fees. I think that is robbery and I don't think I should have to stay with a company I dislike just because they bought out a company I did like. Somehow that just seems like it infringes on my rights as a consumer, but then, I'm not a legal expert. Perhaps you can assist me to untangle this mess. Can you answer my question please? Am I bound to AT&T or can I get out of that disaster without paying penalty fees?
Thank you,
Dian Villarreal

 

[presutin]

Am I bound to AT&T or can I get out of that disaster without paying penalty fees? Yes, you are bound and no, you cannot get out without penalty fees. The issue here is that you had a contract with Cingular and that contract was current when they were bought out by At& T. If your contract with Cingular had expired when the acquisition of Cingular happened, then you could get out without any penalties.