My cell bill is $436.00!

[Johnny Vinyl]

A few weeks ago I changed my plan and upgraded my phone. I went for an 8gb iPhone 3G, and they told me it would cost $79.00 for the upgrade.

I get my online bill and they're charging me $275 for a hardware upgrade. WTF? I called my provider (Rogers Cellular) and they passed the buck, saying I had to go back to Wireless Etc., as they're the ones who handled everything.

Guess what I'm doing tomorrow morning? I'm bringing a baseball bat and.....no not really, but I will have it straightened out.

Damn, this thing almost gave me a heartache when I viewed it online this morning!

John

[Lord_Stewie]

I thought everyone spent that much on a phone bill.

Dude my family have their own plan which both my younger bros, and sister and they bill doesn't even come close to this.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by shadblz

I thought everyone spent that much on a phone bill.

Dude my family have their own plan which both my younger bros, and sister and they bill doesn't even come close to this.

I expected the bill to be higher, due to the upgrade and plan cancellation fees, but this f***-up came as a huge surprise. My regular monthly charges used to be around $135 a month, but with the changeover they should now be around $80.

John

[naturephoto1]

Gee John,

That does sound a bit steep. But, I have no idea what they are charging for having those powerful fancy Cell phones. I have a really old plan with Sprint that we have unlimited PCS to PCS calling, they are good Cell phones (Sprint Sanyo Image phones, but not all of the fancy features) 2000 shared minutes, unlimited nights starting after 7:00 PM for long, weekends, roaming, etc. and 2 phones. We only pay a bit over $104 US a month including taxes.

Rich

[SleeperAgent]

By law they cannot charge more than $200 for an early cancellation fee. I fought with AT&T on this before. I'm pretty sure that's nationwide but there are some crazy state laws.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by naturephoto1

Gee John,

That does sound a bit steep. But, I have no idea what they are charging for having those powerful fancy Cell phones. I have a really old plan with sprint that we have unlimited PCS to PCS calling, they are good Cell phones (Sprint Sanyo Image phones, but not all of the fancy features) 2000 shared minutes, unlimited nights starting after 7:00 PM for long, weekends, etc. and 2 phones. We only pay a bit over $104 US a month including taxes.

Rich

Canada has one of the most expensive cellphone rate plans in the world. Up until recently there were only 2 National service providers and a few Regional ones. Last year some of the spectrum was auctioned off, and we should see the arrival of more competition shortly. Hopefully this will reduce our costs as subscribers, which competition has a tendency to do.

My issue is not with the plan I have, but with the screwup of the hardware charge. I can except the cancellation plan fee, after all I requested it. But to charge me $275 when in fact it should have only been $79 is beyond my comprehension. Wireless Etc. and I were on the phone with Rogers off and on for close to an hour to get all the details ironed out and confirmed.

I use my phone as a phone and rarely for anything esle. I am not a cell phone browser or downloader, but I chose the iPhone (was a choice between the Blackberry Bold and Storm) as I do like to check my email during the day. The voice/data pan plus taxes should run around $80, which I'm fine with.

John

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by TheSoviet

By law they cannot charge more than $200 for an early cancellation fee. I fought with AT&T on this before. I'm pretty sure that's nationwide but there are some crazy state laws.

The actual cancellation fee was $80, but I got a credit for half of it. The issue here is the $275 hardware charge, which should have been only $79.

John

[Zman2k2]

That may work in the States, but it states specifically in a contract here in Canada that they can charge up to $400 in early cancellation fees.

Now John, I have a couple questions for you. How long were you on the old contract, before you upgraded to the iPhone? I ask because the iPhone does qualify for a handset upgrade, but there will be a charge on it. You do NOT get charged for cancellation fees if you're renewing your contract, and you can, once a year, decrease your contract, free of extra fees.

What it sounds to me like is that you were on the old contract for a year, and decided to upgrade to the iPhone. On a brand new contract the iPhone 3G is $99. On renewal and upgrade, or HUP, the iPhone should be $249 after one year. So you've been charged for full purchase of an iPhone and were billed directly to your contract. On any upgrade to the iPhone, the phone itself will never be free. At least not for a couple years or so.

So, my second question is, did anyone tell you this at Wireless etc.? Or did they just sign you up for a new phone, and not explain anything to you? What I would do is return the phone to Wireless etc., because none of this was told to you. You should be able to return it as long as you haven't gone over 15min. on the phone. Then I would attempt to do the upgrade over the phone with Rogers directly. Depending on how long you've been a customer, and the last time you did a HUP, you should be able to get a better deal on an upgrade.

Any other questions, feel free to ask.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Zman2k2

That may work in the States, but it states specifically in a contract here in Canada that they can charge up to $400 in early cancellation fees.

Now John, I have a couple questions for you. How long were you on the old contract, before you upgraded to the iPhone? I ask because the iPhone does qualify for a handset upgrade, but there will be a charge on it. You do NOT get charged for cancellation fees if you're renewing your contract, and you can, once a year, decrease your contract, free of extra fees.

What it sounds to me like is that you were on the old contract for a year, and decided to upgrade to the iPhone. On a brand new contract the iPhone 3G is $99. On renewal and upgrade, or HUP, the iPhone should be $249 after one year. So you've been charged for full purchase of an iPhone and were billed directly to your contract. On any upgrade to the iPhone, the phone itself will never be free. At least not for a couple years or so.

So, my second question is, did anyone tell you this at Wireless etc.? Or did they just sign you up for a new phone, and not explain anything to you? What I would do is return the phone to Wireless etc., because none of this was told to you. You should be able to return it as long as you haven't gone over 15min. on the phone. Then I would attempt to do the upgrade over the phone with Rogers directly. Depending on how long you've been a customer, and the last time you did a HUP, you should be able to get a better deal on an upgrade.

Any other questions, feel free to ask.

Hi Zman2k2,

I have been a customer with Rogers for 10 years. My previous contract was to expire in January 2010, and I was offered a FREE upgrade by them. My old plan was a 3-year plan, so I was into it for 2yrs and 8 months. None of the phones they offered interested me. So I went to Wireless Etc. (locations in Costco stores) and explained this to them. All they said is that they could upgrade me to the iPhone for $79, plus applicable early cancellation fees. They told me the cancellation fee would be $80. I take no issue with this as I wanted to make the plan change and a new phone.

I was not aware, because no one told me, that I could not upgrade to an iPhone on an existing plan. This whole cellualr thing is so damned confusing, that I don't know if I'm coming or going.

All I know is this...I am NOT accepting this and will cause the biggest stink they've ever seen, if they push me that far.

John

PS~ Thank you so much for your repsonse Zman2k2

[Zman2k2]

If you've been a customer that long, then you've gotten screwed. It sounds like you got an inexperienced sales person. You should NOT have had to pay for a cancellation at all, as I said, because you are allowed to decrease the amount you pay on a cell bill once a year without penalty. Reading your last post, here's how I see it being set up.
-Sales person calls to change phones and plans.
-Customer service rep says "Can't decrease your billing amount without penalty" (Which you can, I've done it)
-Decides to cancel current contract, and pay ECF
-Sets up a new contract for the iPhone

Now, in the computers right away, you look like a new customer, and are told that you pay only $79. Later, upon cross reference, Rogers computers find you haven't had the mandatory 30-day wait period to be considered a "New" customer from the cancellation and new contract. It is then decided somewhere, that because of this, you get to pay the full price of the phone, instead of the "New" customer introductory price.

Sounds like it was a poorly handled HUP. Good luck on getting things straightened out.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Zman2k2

If you've been a customer that long, then you've gotten screwed. It sounds like you got an inexperienced sales person. You should NOT have had to pay for a cancellation at all, as I said, because you are allowed to decrease the amount you pay on a cell bill once a year without penalty. Reading your last post, here's how I see it being set up.
-Sales person calls to change phones and plans.
-Customer service rep says "Can't decrease your billing amount without penalty" (Which you can, I've done it)
-Decides to cancel current contract, and pay ECF
-Sets up a new contract for the iPhone

Now, in the computers right away, you look like a new customer, and are told that you pay only $79. Later, upon cross reference, Rogers computers find you haven't had the mandatory 30-day wait period to be considered a "New" customer from the cancellation and new contract. It is then decided somewhere, that because of this, you get to pay the full price of the phone, instead of the "New" customer introductory price.

Sounds like it was a poorly handled HUP. Good luck on getting things straightened out.

Thank you Sir!

It sounds like indeed it was handled improperly. And to think it was handled by the location manager, not a regular salesperson, is even more alarming.

I WILL have it straightened out, you can rest assured of that, and I shall return to inform you of the outcome.

John

[jadedeath]

Originally Posted by John72953

Canada has one of the most expensive cellphone rate plans in the world. Up until recently there were only 2 National service providers and a few Regional ones. Last year some of the spectrum was auctioned off, and we should see the arrival of more competition shortly. Hopefully this will reduce our costs as subscribers, which competition has a tendency to do.

My issue is not with the plan I have, but with the screwup of the hardware charge. I can except the cancellation plan fee, after all I requested it. But to charge me $275 when in fact it should have only been $79 is beyond my comprehension. Wireless Etc. and I were on the phone with Rogers off and on for close to an hour to get all the details ironed out and confirmed.

I use my phone as a phone and rarely for anything esle. I am not a cell phone browser or downloader, but I chose the iPhone (was a choice between the Blackberry Bold and Storm) as I do like to check my email during the day. The voice/data pan plus taxes should run around $80, which I'm fine with.

John

There have been more than 2 for a very VERY long time now.

Virgin mobile springs immediately to mind.

And Amp'd from the states attempted to move up here {they had a retailer at King and John area in Toronto} for all of about 5 minutes, but then I guess noone wanted to buy into their phone plans and they folded up shop.

I used to work for Rogers and the only thing that they do with regards to customer service is pay lip service to the term.

Any chance that that pack of corporate yes-men will have to take your money from them, they will do so.

It's only upon threatening to quit your service is when they get antsy about losing customers and actually want to start offering deals. Every time my cellphone comes up for renewal of contract I always ALWAYS threaten to cancel if they don't start offering deals. Hell, after I canceled my cable with them {I'm starting to transition to other providers for everything} they called me a week later trying to offer me a deal {I canceled because of the CRTC ruling that they're passing on to the customer}

In short, they're @$$holes that are only looking out for the bottom line and want to screw the customer in any possible way they can.

Logan

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by jadedeath

There have been more than 2 for a very VERY long time now.

Virgin mobile springs immediately to mind.

And Amp'd from the states attempted to move up here {they had a retailer at King and John area in Toronto} for all of about 5 minutes, but then I guess noone wanted to buy into their phone plans and they folded up shop.

I used to work for Rogers and the only thing that they do with regards to customer service is pay lip service to the term.

Any chance that that pack of corporate yes-men will have to take your money from them, they will do so.

It's only upon threatening to quit your service is when they get antsy about losing customers and actually want to start offering deals. Every time my cellphone comes up for renewal of contract I always ALWAYS threaten to cancel if they don't start offering deals. Hell, after I canceled my cable with them {I'm starting to transition to other providers for everything} they called me a week later trying to offer me a deal {I canceled because of the CRTC ruling that they're passing on to the customer}

In short, they're @$$holes that are only looking out for the bottom line and want to screw the customer in any possible way they can.

Logan

Thanks Logan!

Virgin Mobile doesn't exactly come to mind as a National player. I was referring to Rogers and Bell, with perhaps Telus on the sidelines. Anyway, it doesn't really matter.

Rest assured that I will get this resolved satisfactorily. I am a very patient person, as several members here can attest to, but don't get my back up...which is what they've done.

From personal experience in dealing with Rogers and Bell for my cell, phone, cable and internet needs, I have found Rogers to be the most anal and difficult to deal with. I sometimes wonder why I stay with them for even my cell phone needs, but I have my own reasons for that.

John

[jadedeath]

Originally Posted by John72953

Thanks Logan!

Virgin Mobile doesn't exactly come to mind as a National player. I was referring to Rogers and Bell, with perhaps Telus on the sidelines. Anyway, it doesn't really matter.

Rest assured that I will get this resolved satisfactorily. I am a very patient person, as several members here can attest to, but don't get my back up...which is what they've done.

From personal experience in dealing with Rogers and Bell for my cell, phone, cable and internet needs, I have found Rogers to be the most anal and difficult to deal with. I sometimes wonder why I stay with them for even my cell phone needs, but I have my own reasons for that.

John

No worries amigo.

The more people that talk about it, the more things will change.

The one massive problem I had with Rogers when I was with them, was the fact that they MIGHT listen to a customer with regards to how to change things, but they won't listen to their employees at all, if you're not towing the party line, then you're practically washed out.

Logan

[Anthony P]

I see three national players (then again I don’t know how visible they are elsewhere), Bell, Telus and Rogers and they have been around for a long time ( Personally I like Rogers the least, I think they use the power of being the oly GSM based provider for higher prices and less service)

There used to be Fido which was relatively big at some point but they where bought by Rogers some years ago (but the brand still exists)

And Virgin was always partially owned by Bell (50/50 originally) but since early this year it owns 100% of it (like Solo).

[supersix4]

my high school cell bills cost me my car back in 03-04

$2900

$1500

and $600 before I got it under control.

lol since that 600 I haven't gone over once.

[sfmarine]

That is a big much for a cell phone bill. Hope you get it straightened out.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by sfmarine

That is a big much for a cell phone bill. Hope you get it straightened out.

Trust me, I will! I'm a tenacious bast*rd when I have to be! LOL!

John

[jadedeath]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

I see three national players (then again I don’t know how visible they are elsewhere), Bell, Telus and Rogers and they have been around for a long time ( Personally I like Rogers the least, I think they use the power of being the oly GSM based provider for higher prices and less service)

There used to be Fido which was relatively big at some point but they where bought by Rogers some years ago (but the brand still exists)

And Virgin was always partially owned by Bell (50/50 originally) but since early this year it owns 100% of it (like Solo).

I dunno if you guys have Koodo as well, {Telus} and Solo is also owned by Bell.

Logan

[Yautja]

Originally Posted by John72953

A few weeks ago I changed my plan and upgraded my phone. I went for an 8gb iPhone 3G, and they told me it would cost $79.00 for the upgrade.

I get my online bill and they're charging me $275 for a hardware upgrade. WTF? I called my provider (Rogers Cellular) and they passed the buck, saying I had to go back to Wireless Etc., as they're the ones who handled everything.

Guess what I'm doing tomorrow morning? I'm bringing a baseball bat and.....no not really, but I will have it straightened out.

Damn, this thing almost gave me a heartache when I viewed it online this morning!

John

OH man, I really fell for ya mate, that's so F***** UP I really hope you can resolve this I really hate it when this sort of shit happens
Anyways good luck with it John.