I have to re-sign. I have some questions

[kevinmuff]

Here is my situation.
I have a contract with telus right now. But it is going to end in three months.
When I originally signed, I asked for a bunch of extra features, so I have about $25 a month worth of free stuff (like texting and such).

So my question is this.
When i resign, will it be easy to get my free packages again? And also get the original plan that I have? (they do not offer that plan anymore) I think it's called voice & data 50.

And another question is.
If I were to sign the contract in the three months, and NOT get a discount on a new phone, would they allow me to buy out a phone with the contract discount 3 months down the road?

[DennyCrane]

They will definitely let you keep your grandfathered base plan, but the retention features are not guaranteed. Just call Loyalty & Retention and ask the agent what you've asked us. Their direct line is 1-877-279-3100.

As for the contract, they actually won't let you sign without getting a hardware discount anymore (so no you can't sign and delay your hardware discount). The reason for this is because TELUS' early cancellation fee (ECF) is now calculated on the discount you received on your hardware; so no hardware = no discount = no penalty = no benefit to TELUS in having you on a contract.

[TorontoColin]

Why would you sign a contract without a hardware discount? You can just go month-to-month on the same plan instead.

Assuming you don't have an old CDMA plan or anything they really want you off of, they should allow you to resign if you want a new device.

[DennyCrane]

Originally Posted by TorontoColin

Why would you sign a contract without a hardware discount? You can just go month-to-month on the same plan instead.

Originally Posted by kevinmuff

When I originally signed, I asked for a bunch of extra features, so I have about $25 a month worth of free stuff (like texting and such).

The OP has free features that likely have expiry dates that coincide with the contract end date. Retention is not going to be too interested in extending those free features unless the OP is willing to re-commit to a new contract. I'm assuming OP isn't interested in taking a hardware discount now because he is satisfied with his current device, but knows he'll probably want something new and shiny in a few months time. I'm in the same boat actually; I have a nice shiny Bold 9900, and my contract is up this June (or is it July?). I don't want a device now, but I will probably want something when the BB10 devices launch at the end of the year.

[TorontoColin]

Why would he even be speaking to retentions? Assuming those features are a part of his plan and not a promo (which is extremely unlikely to have lasted three years) he wouldn't have to speak to anyone or negotiate anything; at the end of his contract it will automatically become a month-to-month plan.

[DennyCrane]

"25 a month worth of free stuff" implies that these free features were negotiated separately from the core plan. This is common practice for the big 3 in Canada. At the end of the term the core plan will go month-to-month, but if any of those free features have expiry dates they will automatically become chargeable or fall off completely. Sometimes TELUS will give free features without an expiry date, but this is extremely uncommon. They use these features as a bargaining tool to get you to re-sign.

[Jetranger]

I recently went through something similar with Telus. My old plan had been 'month to month' for many years but I was 'under contract' for the 'free' devices. Every 3 years (typically only about 2.5 years between upgrading the phones) Telus would 'extend' my 'free features' (larger voice mailbox, etc) as long as I would sign a contract(commitment). I would get the new device for 'free' by committing to stay with Telus for the term of the contract.

Late last year when I decided I would make the move to a smart phone, finally, I had to change up to a more expensive plan anyway(no data or texting in my original plan and it was only half the cost of the 'required min. $50 plan' for the new phones) but it still didn't include all of those same 'free features' so I asked if they could extend them too and 'Loyalty and Retention'(L&R) agreed to include them with the new plan and contract. It's just how Telus works and I don't mind it but you have to talk with L&R to get it or you lose it when you sign up again.

Now, if the OP wants to go month to month until there are different devices available, he should have no problem with doing so on the old plan he has (grandfathered of course) but he may lose those 'free features' as they usually come with an expiry date, at least mine did. Calling L&R is the only way that I know of to get them 'extended' and I don't know if they will extend them if you aren't 'under contract'.

[kevinmuff]

The OP has free features that likely have expiry dates that coincide with the contract end date. Retention is not going to be too interested in extending those free features unless the OP is willing to re-commit to a new contract. I'm assuming OP isn't interested in taking a hardware discount now because he is satisfied with his current device, but knows he'll probably want something new and shiny in a few months time. I'm in the same boat actually; I have a nice shiny Bold 9900, and my contract is up this June (or is it July?). I don't want a device now, but I will probably want something when the BB10 devices launch at the end of the year.

This is exactly my situation.

Now, if the OP wants to go month to month until there are different devices available, he should have no problem with doing so on the old plan he has (grandfathered of course) but he may lose those 'free features' as they usually come with an expiry date, at least mine did. Calling L&R is the only way that I know of to get them 'extended' and I don't know if they will extend them if you aren't 'under contract'.

This is probably what im going to have to do.
I am not so concerned that i will lose my "extra features", im sure i will.
What i am concerned about is getting them back when i resign. Will they be able to see what free features i had before, and if i demand them before resigning, how likely is it they will give them to me?
From my experience, it seems to be luck of the draw of who you get on that day. In my mind, those free features cost them nothing, so they would seem eager to give them to me to own my soul for another 3 months.

I have now come to terms with i will have to go month-month until i need new hardware, which will have to due. i guess.

[Jetranger]

I would call Telus L&R and ask, rather than demand, if they can extend your 'features' for you as you want to wait a few months for new hardware before resigning. They might be willing to give you another 6 months or so. It never hurts to ask.

[DennyCrane]

I'd caution you on letting them expire and then trying to negotiate for them again in 6 months time. It's hard enough to get them to renew them before they expire, but it could be even harder to get them back after they expire. This isn't a science, but I wouldn't take the chance. I'd first try what the previous poster said, and failing that I would just renew for a device that has a good re-sale value. Then offset your cost of a future device by selling the subsidized device you get now and holding onto that cash until you're ready for your next phone.

[ecarlino016]

I recently completed 6 years of service with telus. (2 - 3 year terms).
upon completion of the contract I lost my free services.

If I wanted them back....it increased my base per month charge by 50%.
Granted...it was a cheap plan but why did my bill go from 40.00 per month to 60.00 per month after the expiration of a 3 year term?

Because they can. I declined the extra services and the service was terrible....who uses voicemail with a cap of 3 messages?!

anyway......either look for a new phone and re-sign for 3 years or go to a different carrier. They are all looking for your business.

EC

note: rogers contracts have changed. leaving a 3 year tern early only costs the subsidy of the new phone....not the plan anymore. Im not sure how telus or bell do it anymore.

[DennyCrane]

TELUS actually changed their early cancellation penalty before Rogers; and yes it is also based on the hardware subsidy.

As for losing some features, that will happen sometimes if you're plan is "too rich". Also keep in mind that in order to receive promotional pricing on many devices you need to have a minimum $50 plan (including add-ons). So if your plan was only $40 all-in, that could have been part of the problem.

[openreel]

Never assume your loyalty bonuses are included with renewal. I did, they weren't! Once I was contracted all Telus would do is offer a slight discount ($3.00) on voice mail and caller ID. Months later I dropped both and stayed with basic free voice mail.
Now in retirement, I realized that Telus' plans are just too expensive for my minimum use and closed them. The final insult was wanting to charge $5.00 for a hardcopy breakout of my final invoice. Evidently ten years of business isn't worth waiving $5.00.