HOW do you cut landline service?

[descovy]

I know... you just call the phone company and cancel. But what I mean, is what do I do about the old phone number I had for 20 years? And all the important places (doctor, dentist, bank, school? etc...) that have that old number on file?

All in my family have cell phones now. No one wants the house number as their cell number. So I can't just port it to a new cell phone.

Do I just wait a year to update all my information everywhere and then cancel? Advice?

 

[smiths02]

The school should be relatively easy. I am also guessing that the school has your cell phone number as most will ask for several ways to get in touch with you. (really anyplace that wants emergency information I'm sure has other numbers for you...cell phone, work, etc.)

Bank/credit cards can probably be done easily online.

Do you really need to worry about doctor and dentist? Mine don't call me unless it is an appointment reminder or results (both of which would mean I've had recent contact with them). I would just update as I go in.

I'm not understanding why it would take a year. What important calls do you think you will be missing?

 

[gottalovepluto]

Agree with PP 100%. Call any places that need your new number (although places really important like the school should already have your cell & I suspect most everything important already has your cell so this list is gonna be pretty short) and cancel your landline. It's hard to let go but it's time! Welcome to 2018

 

[NinaBella]

I agree with the PP. My cell phone number has been our "primary number" with doctors, dentist, school, etc. forever. We still have a land line since it's free (would cost more to disconnect it as we lose a bundle discount). The funny thing is the only calls we get on our "house phone" is telemarketing calls and cheesecake factor calls (cause they miss printed a flyer once). I actually had it unplugged for close to a year. When I did happen to plug it back in, it was just telemarketing and cheesecake factory calls again. My husband has a cell phone from his work that gets crappy service in our neighborhood. So if his cell phone drops he might call me back on the "house phone" otherwise it is not even used.

Just start updating your primary number with the offices that you are most concerned about with your number or your spouse's number. I choose mine cause DH works in a secure area that he can't have his cell phone inside his work building, so he turns it off and leaves it in his car. So that just leaves my cell as the primary.

I actually prefer the cell phone as the primary because most appointment reminders come via text vs call. The only one that calls is the orthodontist the day before appointments. Our family dentist, hair salon, facial spa, massage spa, tutor, etc. also does the text reminder where you can respond with "c" to confirm, etc. Even the high school I get a text notification with "important reminders" where it provides a link to listen to the recorded message from our school superintendent.

 

[WVMomof3]

Go back and look at your caller ID history. Who has called you on it lately? With mine it was my mother-in-law and telemarketers. That was it. Now I don't have to have calls from either of them. Kidding, really kidding. Haha My MIL adapted easily and no more telemarketers.

 

[SharonZ]

I was able to port my landline home phone number as my cell phone number. People who use my landline number are now calling my cell.

 

[descovy]

The school should be relatively easy. I am also guessing that the school has your cell phone number as most will ask for several ways to get in touch with you. (really anyplace that wants emergency information I'm sure has other numbers for you...cell phone, work, etc.)

Bank/credit cards can probably be done easily online.

Do you really need to worry about doctor and dentist? Mine don't call me unless it is an appointment reminder or results (both of which would mean I've had recent contact with them). I would just update as I go in.

I'm not understanding why it would take a year. What important calls do you think you will be missing?

I just used those as an example. I guess my point is, my house phone number is all over the place. Probably in places I don’t even remember. I’ve spent the good part of these past 20 years only giving out the house number (if possible) so that I wouldn’t be bothered on my cell phone.

 

[descovy]

I was able to port my landline home phone number as my cell phone number. People who use my landline number are now calling my cell.

Did you already have a cell phone? Did you have to change your cell number? I don’t want to give up my cell number either...

 

[smiths02]

I just used those as an example. I guess my point is, my house phone number is all over the place. Probably in places I don’t even remember. I’ve spent the good part of these past 20 years only giving out the house number (if possible) so that I wouldn’t be bothered on my cell phone.

But are there that many people or businesses from the past 20 years that would matter? Most of the places that matter will remind you (many places ask if your number has been updated when you visit or ask you to update emergency contacts) or already have more than one way to contact you (email, cell, home address, etc.)

 

[tvguy]

You need to notify everyone that has your phone number just like if you moved and got a new phone number. Or probably, each family member needs to give THEIR Doctor, school, etc, THEIR cell phone number.

Our cell phones are strictly to reach us in an emergency by other family members. I don't anticipate getting rid of my landline in my lifetime. I don't want Doctor's appointment reminder calls coming in while I am driving. When my cell rings, I like that I can be 99% certain it is a call that needs my immediate attention. I do get a few wrong numbers, and about 2 random telemarketers a year.

 

[SharonZ]

Did you already have a cell phone? Did you have to change your cell number? I don’t want to give up my cell number either...

You would need to give up your cell number.

 

[WVMomof3]

Maybe port your number to a Go phone for a few months? I have never had one, so not sure how they work, but that might be a cheaper option. After you are sure you don't need the number anymore, just cancel.

 

[WVMomof3]

I have not had a landline in a few years, but still give out that phone number. When stores ask for phone number, I give my old home number. Sometimes, they will ask if you have whatever their rewards program is, and ask for a phone number to look it up, i always start with my old house number and they can still find me.

 

[PennyInPink]

 

[MillauFr]

The only people that called my landline other than a couple of family members was telemarketers. Not concerned that I will miss their calls from now on... )

 

[mrudman]

Are you looking to cut the landline to save money or because you don't want a landline anymore? I "cut" my landline about 5 years ago and went to Ooma.. pay about $4 per month and ported my home number to it. That way my daughters and I don't have to worry about keeping our cells on us at all times. Also, when I switched, my daughters were still young and I didn't want to give up the 911 service or having multiple phones throughout house. And I love their telemarketer blacklists!

 

[DisneyEater]

Port your home pnone number to a prepaid cell phone temporarily. Then port it to google voice. If you search port home phone to google voice you can get details.

 

[supersnoop]

Port your home number to a service, like google voice, and then forward it to your cell phone.

 

[kymom99]

Go back and look at your caller ID history. Who has called you on it lately? With mine it was my mother-in-law and telemarketers. That was it. Now I don't have to have calls from either of them. Kidding, really kidding. Haha My MIL adapted easily and no more telemarketers.

exactly the same here

 

[tvguy]

The only people that called my landline other than a couple of family members was telemarketers. Not concerned that I will miss their calls from now on... )

Really doesn't matter whether the phone number your give out is a cell or a landline, telemarketers will find it and call you.