OT - Phone advice

[brighteyes]

I am asking you all for you opinions on cell phones. Mine has totally died out after 5 years. I am in need of a new phone. Mostly I use it for text and calling. I am currently with Rogers, and on a contract I adamantly refuse that I am on. I specifically chose my student plan when I went back to college and swore up and down that I did not want to be on a contract!!! Even though I am reallly mad at them, I currently have a 50.00 credit towards an upgrade, which would be useful. I plan to raise you know what with them to work that to my advantage to paying nothing for a phone with the shortest contract possible.

Additionally, my DS13 has finally started having a social life and I would like to get him a phone as well. He wants a Rumour phone which is NOT carried by Rogers. So I am stuck as to get him a pay as you go with another carrier, or keep him with Rogers.

Another pro to get him on a rogers plan is that I can attach Call Manager to his phone and I can pretty much program it to shut off once he reaches his minutes and program it to only be able to call me during school hours. Which is a REAL bonus.

So any suggestions, advice, or thoughts on this?? I am stuck and have been obsessing about this for way too long....

Thanks

 

[dancin Disney style]

I can't really help you with picking a new phone as I'm a pre-paid user now and hardly use the phone. I'm always either at work or home so not a big need for a cell.

I can help you with a new teenager......the features that you mention being available to you through Rogers, you should absolutely go with that. When my oldest was first given a phone we got her a pre-paid and she was constantly out of minutes. Well, what's the use of having a phone for emergencies that has no minutes and therefore doesn't work??? IMO, kids need to be on a very short leash with phones and things like myspace/facebook etc.

If Rogers has the Keybo it is very similar to the Rumour. If not there are a few that are similar. I'm guessing that he wants the full keyboard.

 

[brighteyes]

Thanks.

Yes, he does want one with a full keyboard. I am thinking I will stay with Rogers so I can monitor how he uses his phone so he won't run out of minutes. So I t hink I can find him one that is similar to the Rumor.

Now, it is a question of what kind of phone do I get? I may just get a blackberry and just not use it for data. I mean if I can get if for free with a short contract, why not. Cause I really can't decide. The states has a lot of cool phones that I would like but Rogers does not carry them.

Thanks for the info. That was my worry about pay as you do - constantly having to refill minutes.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I think Rogers requires you to get a data plan of some sort when you get a smartphone (ie. Blackberry). You can get the BB and then pay the data cancellation fee of $100. I'm not 100% sure about the data requirement so you'll have to check with them but I can't imagine having a BB and not being able to even use it for e-mail.

I also think that for any free phones with Rogers, they require a minimum of a three year contract.

 

[tink1969]

With a Blackberry phone from Rogers, you do have to get the 'data' plan package.
I am on the Roger's family plan with my daughter. It is unlimited calling between the two of us Canada wide. So that is a great feature.
We get 500 texts to share but I only use about 10 texts a month so she gets the rest. The next plan up gets 1000 texts per month.

 

[brighteyes]

I think Rogers requires you to get a data plan of some sort when you get a smartphone (ie. Blackberry). You can get the BB and then pay the data cancellation fee of $100. I'm not 100% sure about the data requirement so you'll have to check with them but I can't imagine having a BB and not being able to even use it for e-mail.

I also think that for any free phones with Rogers, they require a minimum of a three year contract.

Well I don't really need it for email because I am constantly near computers, at school or at home. I haven't asked about the data plan, so I am not sure. However, in the future it might be beneficial to have access to email thru my phone.

As forthe contract, and free phone, I have been with rogers a long long long time and a good customer. If I threaten to cancel, if they want to keep me they can offer me a lot more than they offer with day to day offers available to everyone. They have been trying for years to get me to upgrade to a new phone, but I never have. I also am VERY upset that I specifically stated NO contract when I did my new plan., but years later I find out I am on a contract!!?? I am not happy.So they can offer me something really good to stay or I go elsewhere and happily pay the early term fee.

I have and currently work for Sprint US wireless division so I know a few things about how these companies work if they really want to retain a customer.

I just have to decide what kind of phone I want and if it is worth it to me to stay with Rogers.

So aside from the blackberry, what phones do you use and why do u like them or not like them? Thanks again for all the replies.

 

[bunnyfoo]

Not sure I would go in with the strategy of threatening to cancel. I've read on other boards about people who have asked to cancel and the CSR has called their bluff gladly complied. That's okay if you really did want to cancel but if you're looking to negotiate a new plan, it puts you in a difficult situation. How many years are you into your contract?

As for phones, I recently got an iPhone and love it. I can't imagine using it without data though because I tend to want email or webpages whenever. The phones I had before that were the SE K790 and the Razr. Both were great, the K790 had a fantastic (cell phone) camera and was light weight. No real complaints about it really except for the little knob in the middle that you would use to scroll.

 

[brighteyes]

Bunnyfoo, yes at this point I am really kind of ticked and would cancel if they called my bluff. I knew my current phone would not last me that long, so I thought when it dies, I can just be free to not have a phone or go somewhere else or have the CHOICE to do whatever I wanted. I currently have 1 yr left on my contract. I would like to stay with them if they offer me a good deal, but at the same time am looking elsewhere.

What kind of phones are those that you are talking about? Are they Samsung or what?

Thanks again.

 

[yellowdogx]

Fido is offering $99 refurbished iphone with no data requirement (voice plans start at $20) with a 3 year contract. Not to shabby, I got one....looks like new.

 

[nepean]

I also called Rogers this week to look for a new phone for DD whose contract is up in September and mine will be up in Dec. Both phones are on my account. In the past getting a new free decent phone if I renewed was not a problem. I also was not asked to pay activation for the new phone or any other "service charges". This time they finally offered me a basic Samsung and that was it. Also, it had a $35. delivery/service fee. Therefore it was not free. I have been a Rogers customer since 1983 when they purchased Ottawa Cablevision. I have had a cell phone with them since 1995. I will have no problem leaving them to find a better deal. I am insulted that when I walk into Best Buy and can get a better deal and better phone than they are offering me. I am looking at PC Mobile and will go pay as you go or put CC on file with $15. per month, no $6.95 per month and it also will work in the US., no text receiving fee, free call waiting, display etc. The more I look at it the more I think both phones will be replaced before Christmas. I am fed up with being treated like I don't have any choices. I did speak with Customer Care and Customer relations.

So much for my rant.

Linda

 

[brighteyes]

I also called Rogers this week to look for a new phone for DD whose contract is up in September and mine will be up in Dec. Both phones are on my account. In the past getting a new free decent phone if I renewed was not a problem. I also was not asked to pay activation for the new phone or any other "service charges". This time they finally offered me a basic Samsung and that was it. Also, it had a $35. delivery/service fee. Therefore it was not free. I have been a Rogers customer since 1983 when they purchased Ottawa Cablevision. I have had a cell phone with them since 1995. I will have no problem leaving them to find a better deal. I am insulted that when I walk into Best Buy and can get a better deal and better phone than they are offering me. I am looking at PC Mobile and will go pay as you go or put CC on file with $15. per month, no $6.95 per month and it also will work in the US., no text receiving fee, free call waiting, display etc. The more I look at it the more I think both phones will be replaced before Christmas. I am fed up with being treated like I don't have any choices. I did speak with Customer Care and Customer relations.

So much for my rant.

Linda

Hi Linda,

I totally hear you. But to get anywhere you need to speak to the retention department. Just call and ask for them. Do not speak with a custoer service agent. They have no authority to offer you better deals, Trust me, that is what I do now for the summer. Even a supervisor cannot get you as good a deal as the retention department.

But before you even speak to the retention department, have an idea of what you want. Go to them with what you want out of them -- for instance a $ amount for what you want to pay monthly or what type of phone you want etc. The agents, supervisors, have really no pulling power. The retention department is who you want to speak with. And do not be afraid to keep them on the phone as long as you need to - tell them what you are expecting or would like - they have some limits to what they can do but a lot more than an agent.

Good luck and let me know how it goes.

 

[bunnyfoo]

Bunnyfoo, yes at this point I am really kind of ticked and would cancel if they called my bluff. I knew my current phone would not last me that long, so I thought when it dies, I can just be free to not have a phone or go somewhere else or have the CHOICE to do whatever I wanted. I currently have 1 yr left on my contract. I would like to stay with them if they offer me a good deal, but at the same time am looking elsewhere.

What kind of phones are those that you are talking about? Are they Samsung or what?

Thanks again.

The K790 is a Sony Ericsson and the Razr is made by Motorola. Totally agree with you about the contracts. Where are these other wireless carriers that were suppose to provide competition for Roger/Fido, Telus and Bell?

I also called Rogers this week to look for a new phone for DD whose contract is up in September and mine will be up in Dec. Both phones are on my account. In the past getting a new free decent phone if I renewed was not a problem. I also was not asked to pay activation for the new phone or any other "service charges". This time they finally offered me a basic Samsung and that was it. Also, it had a $35. delivery/service fee. Therefore it was not free. I have been a Rogers customer since 1983 when they purchased Ottawa Cablevision. I have had a cell phone with them since 1995. I will have no problem leaving them to find a better deal. I am insulted that when I walk into Best Buy and can get a better deal and better phone than they are offering me. I am looking at PC Mobile and will go pay as you go or put CC on file with $15. per month, no $6.95 per month and it also will work in the US., no text receiving fee, free call waiting, display etc. The more I look at it the more I think both phones will be replaced before Christmas. I am fed up with being treated like I don't have any choices. I did speak with Customer Care and Customer relations.

So much for my rant.

Linda

Ask them to waive the $35 admin fee. I've never had to pay it. It's one of those things they *can* do but won't unless you ask for it. Retentions is a funny animal. Sometimes you'll get a CSR who knows exactly what they're doing - completely helpful and friendly. Other times, you'll get someone who's unfriendly, doesn't know about the different plans and phones and could care less about keeping you as a customer. If you don't like the person you're talking to, hang up and call again.

 

[brighteyes]

Well I was at the mall yesterday and saw the older model Rumor phone with bell for 68.00 with NO contract. I can go on a plan with NO contract or pay as you go!! Whoppee!! I was in a hurry so I just grabbed a pamphlet of their diff plans and came home and saw that they are offering a student plan with my fab 10 with unlimited calling to those ppl local of course with 100 min and unlimited n/w from 6 pm - 7pm and a 50.00 activation credit!!

So I think I am going to check this one out for my son at least and maybe for myself too. I have to go ask a million questions first to be sure that what I am getting is what I really want. Don't want any surprises.

 

[Ham Ham]

$50 credit for a new phone minus $35 fee.
Rogers did the same to us when we upgraded the DD15 phone.
Once I notice this fee on the bill I called them and they took it off. We have internet, cable home phone and 3 mobile phones. Most fees they'll wave if you stick to your guns.