I posted my first post in the wrong forum. I think it's more appopriate to post here instead. Well, we have been with Expressvu since like 1998. We are probably their first couple hundred customers. I still remember when they have an XPRS channel advertising how they are gaining customers and the start package was $8.95. Anyways, what I was wondering if I try to cancel will they try to keep me as a customer? I might be switching to Rogers digital cable because their Chinese channels are $5 cheaper.
I found this forum on a Google search and thanks very much for that advice on the retention deal. I was NOT going to pay full price on a receiver when new customers get half off. So I called them and got the half price deal from the loyalty department. The CSR I spoke with was by far and away the most techinically knowledgable and friendly and spoke English well that I have talked to.
But check this out:
I originally wanted the HD PVR, but after learning that the second TV wouldn't get the HD signal and that I would have to run a second line from the dish (my first line is already hidden in the walls) and the other cumbersome cabling issues that go with connecting it, I got a 6141.
Long story short, Bell just yesterday came out with an External Hard Drive (see http://www.bell.ca/shopping/PrsShpTv_DTH_BestHDPVR.page?EXT=XVU_SA_200808008_EHD_LC_supppg) that will seamlessly turn the 6141 into a PVR receiver. Even though link above does market the EHD as an addon to the 9242, the EHD also works in the 6141. I paid $235 for the receiver and the EHD, which is less than the half price deal for the HD PVR.
Thanks again for this forum. I was getting pretty sick of scouring craigslist for a deal on HD PVR's.
My friend tried again to negotiate a deal to get a discount on an HD receiver (w/ or w/o PVR), and no deals like before said, except for 2 months worth of monthly fee credit and that's it. He mentioned the Shaw trade in offer, etc, didn't work. When he asked to be cancelled, he was merely told that it requires a 30 day notice.
Eventually my friend phoned and asked it to be cancelled and indeed it was set for cancellation without even going to the retention dept. It is proven when he noticed that his online account management is freezed and said "suspended".
So what I don't know is how do you guys get to talk to the Retention dept? He asked and he wasn't given the Retention Dept. Would talking to the Chinese speaking line make a difference? He mentioned that he does speak English and would like to speak to Retention.
Now more of this story. I noticed the Chinese Fairchild channel is now only $9. since Jan 1, 2009, and even combo w/ Talent is $10., while he pays $15. for "Fairchild". He phoned up today asking if he can get the Fairchild for $9., he was told no. Rep said that it was only for new customers, and the price will go back up to $15. after the customer's contract is up. But I didn't see it anywhere that it was only a promo pricing on the flyer I got.
Just called in as our 2 yr contract is up in 2 months to see what the retention dept can do and came through as listed above new 1 yr contract (effective today) swap to a new 9242 with free install and 20% off for the term.
How do you get to the loyalty department? It's easy but it does require a little planned tact.
You gotta smooth 'em. You go in there saying how you want to stay with them, "...but Rogers looks so good right now and Bell never goes on sale...what can you do for me to keep me on..." etc. etc. You don't go in there with guns blazing.
You're looking to get past the first line of defence who are trained to send you to the retention deal people who will grease the squeeky wheel.
I just followed the prompts I believe it was 1 for english, 2 for other inquiries, my phone number, 3 for cancellations and then 4 for cancellations again.
You exactly right I've always found that if your good to them they usually are good to you, mainly because 3/4 the day they get yelled at lol. I just said basically I want to stay with Bell, really like the service but the local cable company has a really good offer they have been all over you about. I got out of the last few months of our contract and got the upgrade and discount etc.
That said, the CSR on the line I had was a good guy. Started talkin Raps by the end.
My friend doesn't own a gun so I don't think he has his gun blazing. I also don't think he yelled or was very demanding either. He mainly asked, and then got no retention deals except a 2 month credit if he bought an HD receiver from retail. That's it.
He was also told that he would loose his 4 receivers if he cancelled. He couldn't understand because he bought and owns those receivers, so how those receivers will get "lost"?
Another rep told him that he would not get any new customers promo ever, since they have his account already as existing customer, even though he cancelled. The stressing point is "for ever and ever". I read on their website that new customers mean not a customer within the last 6 months. So there is another controversy.
Now the only diff. I can think of is that he has always dealt with the Chinese speaking Call Centre #, so would that make a difference? Would English speaking team be better?
... and people complain the price is going up! No kidding. All you guys are taking bell for a ride on deals, its just making the majority of its customers having to pay more to cover the lost on the so called "loyal" customers. A loyal customer is one who pays the price on time and doesnt betray them with threats that they will leave. Are you loyal to your friends? Do you blackmale them for a deal?
Heres some advice for Bell, if they want to leave, let them go! And get rid of your rentention departments, youll save a few hundred thousand right there.
Are you loyal to your friends? Do you blackmale them for a deal?
Heres some advice for Bell, if they want to leave, let them go! And get rid of your rentention departments, youll save a few hundred thousand right there.
I just bought a new 60" Pioneer Kuro Elite Tv and I'm looking for a another HD receiver from Bell. I have been with Bell for more than 12 years and currently not under any contracts.
I logged onto myBell account and found the following renewal offer if I sign for 2 years:
25 % discount on retail price of a receiver -
Up to $60 PPV credit to be used over the 2 yr period
One time bill credit of $40
I plan on getting the 6131 receiver or 6141 when the price drops to $199 this thursday. But I also plan on calling Bell to see if I would get a better offer. Based on the above, I would get $150 as incentives....
Has anyone gotten a better deal when buying the 6141 receiver? I don't want to sign up for 2 years... 1 yr is fine. What should I go for?
I'm not obligated to purchase the EHD I mentioned above, in fact I still haven't picked it up for $199, but I will. I paid $36 for my HD receiver after the half off and 2 months free the retention department gave me.
As for the price going way up for everyone else because of us savvy customers who know how to pass the word, buyer beware (and congratulations!) to you.
being aware of the standard runaround, called today to advise that the Source gave me a free Star Choice HD receiver with the purchase of a new flat screen TV at Christmas.
*click*--> Retention Dept.
New PVRs are $499. I have to hit a store, buy a PVR less the $100 discount. Bell offers to giver me 2 months free HDTV, + a $70 bill credit. Up to $99 credit when I fax in the installation bill.
But: I must purchase a 21 switch and an LNBF (dish arm I'm told). (as I live outside of a Bell service area, they won't send an installer).
I'm no expert on new connections but had a much better understanding of my needs than the poor CSR.
Make sure you get 2 x SW21's. Using 1 x SW21 will not be enough for the $499 receiver, assuming you are referring to a 9200/9242 or 9241. These are all Dual Tuner HD PVR's and require 2 seperate feeds to function correctly.
If you intend to keep your existing receiver as well, you will need the SW44.
If you are referring to a 6141 or 6131 then the $499 is way too much.
I found that out by reading up. However, Bell stores have no stock of the PVR, the switches, nor the LNBFs. They don't know when and if things are being shipped. Explain they're still "wiped out" from Boxing Day sales. Kid on phone says I can get the 6131 (or whatever the new ones are) and hook up external drives for a PVR function. "Great" I think, only to find out it's not a working port, USB2 nor Ethernet...they both are inactive until late 2009.
Can you imagine running your business and launching a new product with no stock? Local distributors that are large say they are no longer allowed to carry dishes or LNBFs. Can't order on the Internet because of lack of parts offered. No Internet support. A call to skydish produced the usual "can't help you there", use "chat" Chat is turned off or not working. Email contact turns up "instant survey" but no email link.
here's a hint for Bell: close your doors, send everyone home. Service won't be affected in the least, and payroll will shrink.
Every 9200/9242 or 9241 sold gives the customer the right to an SW44 at NO EXTRA COST. You can also get a Free installation if you have no programming from the 82 degree bird. I know you have no local installer but you will get the refund as promised.
If you really wanted a Bell HD PVR you could buy it on-line, lots of retailers stock them.
JimC, thanks for making me smile and having a good laugh. Do yourself a favor. Dump bell and all there products. I was a loyal customer for years and years. I had all there services, phone, internet, and satellite. Over the course of the last few years and nothing but poor poor customer service, poorly informed bell employee's, unfair pricing for current customers vs new. I had enough of them. I dropped every bell service I had. I never looked back and never had a regret about leaving. I make sure I tell everyone I know and encourage others to leave bell and there services. Let me say it was the best move I did. I encourage all to walk away without looking back !
Why is it that people who switch providers continue trying to convince themselves they made the right decision?
The facts are that Bell has lowered the SRP of their HD receivers by $100. Most people will appreciate that even though they eliminated a few features on the receiver. It would be nice if they would inform their CSR's and Bell World stores first, but they'll find out eventually. Only a small number of customers want the service on day one or two.
The other fact is that Bell followed through on last years announcement that the 6141 would be capable of becoming a single tuner PVR, a pretty inexpensive one at that! A little late, yes, but it's here now. Yes, there is a "green screen" bug that should have been caught in testing, but was not. It will get fixed.
Scrooloose if your referring to me about having to convince myself about making the right decision switching providers. The only thing I should have done was to make the switch years earlier ! I had nothing but problems with bell services, problems with service outages, billing, to technical help. Maybe it was just bad luck that persisted for several years and over different services with me. In the time I have switched to different service providers I have: saved money, No billing issues, One technical issue with internet and I didn't need to jump through hoops and talk with people who couldn't understand what was wrong. The issue was fixed with no grief. I didn't go with one company for all my services, I learned and spread them out and take advantage of specials or negotiate with one over another and strike better deals then bundled packages. All in I have never thought I made a poor decision in leaving Ma Bell and like I said in my other post, I encourage others to leave the nest too.
we have bell and having just bought a fancy new tv. last tv purchase was 15 years ago so you can imagine the differences now. anyhow i email bell and ask what kind of deal i can get for an hdtv box n programming. get a friendly reply from rupinder. gives me the options. i email back and says why new customers get better deal. rupinder emails me back and says we are not eligible for that option. I email back pretty ticked and says in plain old english. you may wish to forward this email to someone in CANADA with authorization to fix what you have messed up. get friendly email from rupinder saying she is sorry but can't do anything. I email her back with a copy of shaws order confirmation and says you have one chance to stop the order. i get a friendly email back from rupinder asking me to call bell on the phone. i email her back and says now i know why you are still in INDIA. hmm.
legacy , you can look for suckers somewhere else , I know that no matter what provider you are with now , their hardware does not come even close to what Bell offers . When it comes to price I am getting better deal than other providers offer. I know that from reading special offers from them in the mail or over the phone , or from talking to other people. Not that I would be even interested switching providers so I could save few bucks a month.
CSR explained they'd cover refunds, BUT, I would have to buy the switch and the dish arm. Nobody seems to stock the extra dish arm. Best buy/Future Shop only offer the older 9242 PVR on line for $599.
If all else fails, I'll order the new PVR from Bell on line and hope they have one they can ship (within 2-4 days as site says) and try to source the switch and arm elsewhere.
They never called back yesterday as promised to resolve my issue of where to get the new dish arm. Local satellite guy doesn't carry any parts at all, perhaps a wise choice on his part, but a pin on mine.
Why am I staying with Bell? because it's cheaper than Star Choice, simple as that.
I should have HDTV all hooked up and working perfectly for the 2010 Olympics.
I really do not understand what is your problem, if you call Bell they will send you any parts that you require. I have ordered parts many times and always got what I wanted.
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