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I hate cell phone companies
I just signed a 3-year contract with Rogers Wireless. I only signed on for that long, because the cost of the phone I wanted was outrageous. I had the phone for about a month, and I got a message on it, from Rogers, stating my bill had been returned in the mail. I then phoned them, and they had my address wrong -- which was their mistake. They then told me my bill was due that day, and I would be forwarded to their accounts receivable, where I had to talk with another guy and I had to make a payment, or get a $4.00 late fee applied!!!! I had just signed on with them, stuck with them for 3 years, and this is how they were starting off with me! I had to pay by my credit card over the phone, and I wasn't charged for the late fee, but still. This contract I got myself (mildly forced) into wasn't starting off on the right foot.
I'm not sure I'd recommend them because of this, but what choice does anyone have?
Secondly, my phone has a 500 mb harddrive on it. It has a 1.2 megapixel camera and mp3 player. It has it's own OS, running on Java. Why can't they create a program that simply takes messages like an answering machine? It's because the phone companies are greedy mother f#$%ers.
I'm not sure I'd recommend them because of this, but what choice does anyone have?
Secondly, my phone has a 500 mb harddrive on it. It has a 1.2 megapixel camera and mp3 player. It has it's own OS, running on Java. Why can't they create a program that simply takes messages like an answering machine? It's because the phone companies are greedy mother f#$%ers.
Comments
Now, from the company's perspective, they don't make any money off of phones. A Rogers franchise will purchase the phones at almost the retail price. The money they make is from the plan itself. Now, if they gave away $349 phones all the time and didn't ask for anything in return, well, we wouldn't have any cellphone companies left. In order to earn a profit, first they need to earn the subsidy back on the phone.
If you really think about it though, it'll only cost you $200 to cancel (which I think changed recently, don't quote me on this), you're getting a $349 phone for $200, plus whatever monthly charges you incur. So looking at it this way, I'd say it's much more wise to go on a contract. I say this because the service is something you're going to pay for regardless. If your bill is way too high, you're probably using your phone too much, it has nothing to do with the contract length, or the company itself. Most people stick with low price plans knowing damn well they'll go way over the minutes. It'd be a lot cheaper to go on a higher price plan, since the overage costs won't be as high.
Just a thought...
number one, those minutes cost more than using a payphone.
number two, the phone you buy to utilize this expensive PAYASYOUGO service is sold to you at a retail price, therefore you won't be getting a adequate phone without paying a hefty price
if you're going to buy a phone, from rogers say, you're going to use their service anyways so why not get it on a contract and reduce the cost of the phone.
Let's say, you have a really high bill, or they over charge you constantly, and you have to call in every month to complain. Most people take this as "SO AND SO COMPANY sucks balls because they fuck up my bill, I'm gonna go with another company." Now, instead, turn that around, and see that as an opportunity to milk them for everything. If you call in with the expectation to gain something from them, and you know what to say to them, you can get a "retention plan", possibly a free phone, free add-ons, etc. Seriously people, try it out sometime.
I've told most of my friends about this. Call in with a complaint, threaten to cancel, then you're sent to the "Saves" department, and then request whatever plan you want, as long as it's within reason. My buddy had some billing issues, and he told me he wanted to cancel. I told him it's a great opportunity to get a retention plan. I've been doing it for years, and have gotten many many plan changes, free phones, you name it.
You gotta remember that for the most part, the company doesn't want to lose your business, and the customer sales reps are trained to try and do whatever it takes to please you, since the calls are "monitored and may be recorded", they HAVE to be nice to you.
And if they aren't, or if they're just like "fine, cancel then", well, then you have another complaint, and more ammo to use when you want to bargain with them about a new plan/free phone. Believe me, it works wonders. Try it out.
I've been on a retention plan for almost 2 years, and I'll probably never change it. Actually, it's been more like, 4 or 5 different retention plans, but I like this one the best.
what plan do you have?
no way im going to drop it unless i turn into a cell phone talking addict.
but yeah, if its the near the end of a contract, just ' threaten ' to move to another provider, and they'll obviously try to keep a customer, they'll forward you to CSR customer service relations ( higher than customer service ) and they'll offer you bonus' to stay with Rogers, thats where you milkthem.
$45/mth
750 daytime
Unlimited early evenings and weekends
Rogers to Rogers
100 Canadian long distance
Free caller ID
I gave up a few kick ass plans before, such as
$23/mth
250 daytime
Unlimited early evenings and weekends
Per second billing
Corporate long distance rates
Free Caller ID and Voicemail
No System access fee
That was a corporately reimbursed plan Rogers had a while ago, and then.
$50/mth
400 Daytime
Unlimited early evenings and weekends
Per second billing
No System access fee
This one didn't have the free Rogers to Rogers, so I called in, complained that the rep that gave it to me said there would be, and got the plan I'm currently on. It was a big lie, but they can't prove me wrong.