Canceling a contract HEAHACHE

The hoops you need to jump through in order to cancel a contract is ridiculous. I was advised to make payment of the penalty fee (which was my choice to do), send POP 5 times and then call again to initiate the cancellation. REALLY!!!!! Should this process not be as simple as charge the penalty fee to my bill and cancel the number on the spot, first time call resolution. Please catch a wake on the old fashioned, rudimentary processes that you guys still have on the go. It is not efficient at all.