Negotiating with Bell Mobility

[Dougal Short]

My kid has to move overseas for a year, for work. Bell has told him he needs to pay $600 to close his account. They won't let him park the account for more than six months. Neither he nor I are surprised at this, but I have suggested that he should try to negotiate with their client retention department. He's a young guy, and a little give on their part would likely ensure his loyalty, potentially for many years. As it stands with their current approach, Rogers is probably getting a new client that will stay with them for the next 30 or 40 years.

Has anyone successfully negotiated a reduced buyout, and if so, how did you go about it.

(I should add that he isn't especially concerned and can write off the expense, but it's kind of a matter of principal. What they're saying of course, is that he's basically having to pay for the phone he got for little upfront cost.... But he can pick up where he left off when he returns...)

 

[The Fruity Hare]

There are (or were) sites where you could sell off the remainder of your contract. May be an alternative?

 

[Little Foot]

Another way to go about it is report the phone lost or stolen and bell will reduce the phone to a minimal charge per month what ever is the cheapest call plan removing all the bells and whistles like call display voicemail data and so on.

I done this before to avoid the large payouts when it comes to Canceling service.

Also as of December of this year the crtc put in place a new ruling after two years you can cancel you service provider contract without any charges to the scriber as well as putting caps on data and international data roaming to prevent bill shock.

 

[DanJ]

Reduce the account to the bare minimum for 6 months and then have them suspend the account for the 6 months they said they would. That has to be cheaper than $600.

Also, regarding the new rules, that will only apply to accounts opened after that new policy takes effect. And I think those people heralding this new law will be surprised to see how much more the phones end up costing when the phone company is only guaranteed 2 years of business, not 3. And I bet the wording on this new law says nothing about "tabs", so you can still end up with a 3 year tab on the cost of the phone.

 

[TeeJay]

After Dec 1, you can sign up for a 3 year contract... and cancel it after 2 years without penalty

After Dec 1 there are no more 3 year contracts (and this is being appealed now anyways so might not be true in a month)


To OP reduce sons plan to a data package (tell Bell you will use SIM in a tablet)
Only costs between $5 to $10 per month (cheaper than any other plans) and holds number for when he comes back

If data phone sometimes you get hit with DSAPA ($200) but call back and dispute to have them remove it if you are ok fighting (since tablet is indeed a data device right)

 

[DanJ]

Not true.

As I said before, after December 1 if you sign a 3 year contract (or lnonger), you can cancel it after 2 years without penalty. I hate repeating myself because of idiots who know not what they speak about. Nowhere in the new CRTC cellular code of conduct does it say "there shalt be no more 3 year contracts".

http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/com100/2013/r130603.htm#.UeAEcW3NqSo

I'm not going to argue or make you repeat yourself, even though I am an idiot at times. But neither does that code of conduct specify that the carriers shalt hold prices on phones down if they are now at risk of losing that customer after 2 years penalty free. I already can sign up for service with no contract if I feel like spending $700 for a phone. Since I'm a cheap prick, I'd rather pay $99, or $159 for that phone when I'm going to pay the same anyway for the monthly bill. Now, convince the carriers to offer a cheaper plan if you bring your own paid for phone, then I might look at it. But that requirement wasn't in the crtc ruling either.

Anyway, I just helped my dad ditch his home phone and get 2 smartphones, for him and his wife. He is with Bell and the only thing he has to pay if he cancels in the 3 years is the remaining tab balance on the phones, which goes down something $17/month each.

 

[TeeJay]

Not true.

As I said before, after December 1 if you sign a 3 year contract (or lnonger), you can cancel it after 2 years without penalty. I hate repeating myself because of idiots who know not what they speak about. Nowhere in the new CRTC cellular code of conduct does it say "there shalt be no more 3 year contracts".

http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/com100/2013/r130603.htm#.UeAEcW3NqSo

Well hate to break it to you but they already started 2 year pricing (July 17 is the launch date)
(& you throw insults rather quickly but if you are so brilliant please enlighten the board with why any company would bother with a 3 year subsidy knowing the customer can walk away penalty free?)
As stated many times above there are no more 3 year contracts. Carriers are being given time to transition (increase plan costs normally $5 to $10 & increase phone costs most are $30 to $50)

http://mobilesyrup.com/2013/07/12/b...icing-based-on-2-year-contracts-on-july-17th/

 

[TeeJay]

But neither does that code of conduct specify that the carriers shalt hold prices on phones down if they are now at risk of losing that customer after 2 years penalty free. I already can sign up for service with no contract if I feel like spending $700 for a phone. Since I'm a cheap prick, I'd rather pay $99, or $159 for that phone when I'm going to pay the same anyway for the monthly bill. Now, convince the carriers to offer a cheaper plan if you bring your own paid for phone, then I might look at it. But that requirement wasn't in the crtc ruling either.

As of the 17th all Bell plans are 24 month or 30 days only
All hardware prices increase
All unlock costs increase
Most new rate plans are higher

WhOiSyOuRdAdDy? is a moron talking out his ass since he has no clue what is happening in industry (I even doubt his unlimited data claim as Bell has been on a tear to either remove or induce clients to remove that feature)