I am getting raped by Bell Mobility every month....

[chilli]

With the new rules it looks like I am free from Bell Mobility.

I rec'd this package in the mail saying I am now month to month.

I have a Samsung Android Smart Phone - so I need data and I also drive a lot from Vancouver to Chilliwack (for work).

Anyone know of a good provider I can switch to that provides good coverage and decent rates?

Thanks!

 

[badbadboy]

Carriers hate "churn" which is an identifying rate they are all measured upon.

Phone Bell and politely tell them you want a better deal or you will be forced to leave.

Most cases if you are a heavy user, they will accommodate your request by sweetening the deal for you.

If it's coverage that's the problem then moving to Rogers or Fido is your only other choice. Bell and Telus are mostly co sited around Western Canada now. ie they share cell sites.

Just be polite but firm in your request. Customer service at any organization only helps people who are polite and respectful.

 

[VanessaofBC]

I called BM yesterday because I got a text message saying I had used 90% of my data. 90% and it is only half way through the month!?!? I was furious!
I am a new customer. This is the very first time I have ever called into BM. When I called the CSR started giving me attitude I asked for the manager. He said "sure, she is going to tell you the same thing I just did"

When I logically explained that I have NEVER gone over my data and their may be some problems or issues on their end they became defensive one of them even said to me "we don't listen in on your phone calls." When I told her to transfer me to cancellation department she said "I am the manager of cancellations, I can do it for you"

Their reluctance to deal with the issue or offer a remedy for the situation is what really pissed me off.

I went to the Bell store in the mall and they suggested I take advantage of their current offer 6 gb for $30. So now my monthly cellular bill is over $100.

 

[alcxd]

I have Telus, but that is more of a personal thing.
This is a little off track but I think it is relative.
I was on bell for my pvr, and as above, ask & you will receive.
My pvr crapped out & bell was going to charge me for a new one.
I am a firm believer that you have 1 chance to give me the best offer.
I am now on shaw as bell called me back to offer a free pvr, told supervisor they had 1 chance & blew it
Did same for mortgage went to 3 banks one if which I had mortgage with told them had 1 chance
My bank called later to make better offer, to late, you blew it

 

[badbadboy]

People have to bear in mind if they take a "free" phone from a carrier they will have the cost of that free phone amortized over three years within the contract.

Personally, I prefer to buy my own unlocked phone and use it on whatever network I choose. Sure my upfront cost is high but if a network becomes obstinate and won't budge on the negotiation, I can take my unlocked phone wherever I want to and they can't tie me to their silly contracts.

I think in general everyone has some sort of complaint against their carrier, ISP, TV cable supplier etc. From my perspective I won't deal with Telus on Internet nor TV because once you accept their freebees you become their customer for the length of the contract. With Shaw if you don't like their service, you take back your modem and cancel the service without any penalty. Same applies to cell phone contracts. If you can get a month by month contract that works for you at a reasonable price take it. If not, sign up for a longer haul contract.

Also "Retentions" has already been brought up. If you get in a Mexican Standoff with Bell etc and they won't budge just ask to speak with their retentions team. It is a last resort negotiation and you need to be prepared to leave if you don't get your deal

 

[OldMagpye]

I have wind $29 unlimited local minutes 5gb data. But be warned-they run on a diffrent band then the other guys. Poor reception in concrete highrises n underground. Seems fine when me out n about.

 

[hornygandalf]

I called BM yesterday because I got a text message saying I had used 90% of my data. I went to the Bell store in the mall and they suggested I take advantage of their current offer 6 gb for $30. So now my monthly cellular bill is over $100.

Unfortunately, the Canadian consumer is being screwed (I noted your comment Vanesssa as that is the word that I originally used) by all of the mobile companies. Among the highest costs in the world here. I was in Hong Kong previously and it is SOOO different. And the current government tried to set up the wireless auctions to introduce some competition and a 4th nationwide carrier into the mix to try to break up the oligopoly, but all of the serious contenders have now withdrawn.

 

[alcxd]

Hey Vanesssa, I guess he did not read your thread above
But is there any other word out there that can truly say how they disrespect, treat, abuse, rip off, the consumer than the word itself.

 

[alcxd]

I'd also like to add my dislike for the casual use of the word "rape". It is becoming increasingly common for people to use it in ways like this and it takes away from the severity and seriousness of it's actual meaning.

Reading this I get a chuckle, I will explain
My son at the time was 10ish, him & few friends used the word freely 1 day at school
I have a short temper at times & was not happy about this & school visit
I knew the other parents & was astonished by everyone's reaction & belittlement of the boys
I actually felt sorry for one boy who's dad tore a strip off him.
Don't get me wrong i was still upset, but after listening to everyone I realized something from what my son said
So I asked the boys a simple question
"Do any of you know what rape is"
The room was silent, & to that was answered NO
I'm sure we all know what it means, & as humans we get stuck in our bad habits
I worked under ground in a mine some many years back & still to this day fight the forces within to spout of with a fowle mouth
My hat off to you Vanesssa

 

[ryankumar]

Do Some Research / Shop around!

All the wireless companies are roughly the same. Boo Hoo................................................................

Analyze your usage and what you need tomorrow.
If you work for a large company, government dept, bank, municipality etc, ask the big 3 if they have any special offers for you as an employee.

Check out the big 3's websites.
Check out Redflag deals.
Check out Howard Forums

Go to wireless wave store with your usage needs and employee info and see if they can find a deal for you.

Done.

 

[badbadboy]

A little secret, sssshhhh about it. :nod:

If you have a friend who has an account that is sponsored by their corporate account, get the contact info and pose yourself as one of their employees. Not exactly honest but mobile sales people do not check this little detail because they are quick to write up the contract and you just need to quote the corp info. Sometimes it is one specific Mobile Sales outlet and one specific employee and you just have to show up with a copy of the introductory offer printed up from email. You can get on board the same deal as some corp accounts.

Maybe I will start signing up select SP's on my corp account ound:

 

[Miss*Bijou]

I'd also like to add my dislike for the casual use of the word "rape". It is becoming increasingly common for people to use it in ways like this and it takes away from the severity and seriousness of it's actual meaning.

x2

People shouldn't use the word 'rape' unless they're talking about actual rape. The treatment the OP is getting from Bell has nothing to do with rape.

http://msmagazine.com/blog/2011/06/01/throwing-around-the-word-rape/

 

[Tugela]

I called BM yesterday because I got a text message saying I had used 90% of my data. 90% and it is only half way through the month!?!? I was furious!
I am a new customer. This is the very first time I have ever called into BM. When I called the CSR started giving me attitude I asked for the manager. He said "sure, she is going to tell you the same thing I just did"

When I logically explained that I have NEVER gone over my data and their may be some problems or issues on their end they became defensive one of them even said to me "we don't listen in on your phone calls." When I told her to transfer me to cancellation department she said "I am the manager of cancellations, I can do it for you"

Their reluctance to deal with the issue or offer a remedy for the situation is what really pissed me off.

I went to the Bell store in the mall and they suggested I take advantage of their current offer 6 gb for $30. So now my monthly cellular bill is over $100.

Make sure your phone is set to use data only when you tell it to. Otherwise your apps will chew through data in the background downloading all sorts of useless things.

 

[VanessaofBC]

Make sure your phone is set to use data only when you tell it to. Otherwise your apps will chew through data in the background downloading all sorts of useless things.

Thanks.

I deleted a couple apps and just turn off the data completely when I am home. We will see if things balance out next month.

 

[vancity_cowboy]

I'd also like to add my dislike for the casual use of the word "rape". It is becoming increasingly common for people to use it in ways like this and it takes away from the severity and seriousness of it's actual meaning.

x2

People shouldn't use the word 'rape' unless they're talking about actual rape. The treatment the OP is getting from Bell has nothing to do with rape.

http://msmagazine.com/blog/2011/06/01/throwing-around-the-word-rape/

i guess that means alexander pope is shit-out-of-luck on perb then...

http://poetry.eserver.org/rape-of-the-lock.html

 

[CJ Tylers]

I called up Telus to inquire how much was left on my contract, just to give me an idea how much it would cost to buy out the plan. They nearly fell over them selves to try to send me to the customer service / retention department. I politely said "no", I just want to know what's left... since I'm just considering my options at this point, it's nice to know that "I want to buy out my contract" is a go to phrase that sends them into a tail spin.

Even if you know your contract is up, just go ahead an ask. They'll tell you $0 remaining, then question you on why you want to leave... and probably happily shunt you off to CS/CR without you even having to request it.

 

[Unpossible]

i guess that means alexander pope is shit-out-of-luck on perb then...

http://poetry.eserver.org/rape-of-the-lock.html

You're seriously comparing a 300 year old satirical poem to some guy bitching about his phone bill?

 

[vancity_cowboy]

You're seriously comparing a 300 year old satirical poem to some guy bitching about his phone bill?

no i'm comparing a 300 year old satirical poem to a couple of ladies' rather restrictive pronouncements about the term rape

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/rape?q=rape

 

[hornygandalf]

Language use changes. But, the word 'rape' for us guys does not carry the emotive weight that it does for many ladies, so I am happy to be sensitive to this, as the experience of the price gouging undertaken by telco's in this country does not equate with the emotional and physical trauma experienced by victims of rape.

 

[CJ Tylers]

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rape

Despite our morale objections on the matter, and perhaps the less than sensitive use of it given the context of this board, the use of the use of the word falls within acceptable contextual language use as defined by Websters Dictionary.

As much as we might like it otherwise, being Language Police... simply retaliating for infractions that offend rather than actually break the rules... is kind of murky territory. Even if it wasn't the within the current correct usage, the English language is evolving constantly. General use meaning violates traditional use meanings, subverting and eventually replacing them entirely. You can't stop the signal