What's the best way to get out of a cell phone contract without paying a penalty?

There is no actual penalty. You are paying for the phone that they gave you for a discount of $100-$200. You can't get out of the contract unless you never want a cell phone again.

i would go with a virgin mobile phone or a pa as u go phone although it may be a bit mre pricey to keep buying phoen cards u can als just put it on ur credit card, and when u run out of minutes u dont owe them a penny, u just stop using the phone and thats it and u can always reactivate it if afte 6 months u dont use it, their phones are relativly cheap about 30-150 for a nice one and then theres no contract or anyting u also get free minutes when u first have the phone, then u just pay as u go i think its like 10 cents a minutes and such, but if u think about it, termiantion fees are liek 300 bucks to cancel a phone plan so ur better off like paying 50 bucks a month instead of 50 bucks plus overage and shizz id go with a virgin mobile they are nice and have fairly good reception anywhere

Oh guy, i believe you. I purely those days had sprint/Nextel and terminated my contract previously my contract became over. I hate that business corporation and their shopper service SUCKS. you truly won't be able to ruin the contract w/o paying the penalty rates. i became keen to finish that because i became ill of their BS. Hate to say it, yet you probable won't be able to ruin the contract w/o paying something. they are money hungry. reliable luck.

It is going to depend on what you have signed up for.The only way really,is that if you signed,and the company are not fulfilling what your contract says,then it will be easy.The company will be in breach of contract.The only other way is if the handset you have is FAULTY!, in some way.You want a phone that works,and do not want it on contract.

I found this interesting article on a crafty way to get out of a contract free of charge. It might just be worth a shot.

http://roaminghack.blogspot.com/

go to court and say you got no money