New card required for activation

[leewain]

I have had a similar experience with a 3100 that had not been connected for almost 2 years. I recently had a new 9242 installed by Bell and it is running 2 tvs(both working fine). My wife decided she might like to have a tv in the kitchen so I ran a new coax from the dish and connected it to the 3100. I ran the "check switch" and everything went as expected. Good signal strength and sysinfo screen all showed good. I then called Bell to have the receiver activated. The person took down the rcvr and smartcard number and said he would activate the rcvr and it might take up to 2 hours for the programming to start. I left the rcvr on and checked after 2 hours and the program guide was correct for my programming subscription. However, when I selected a subscribed channel, the screen was blank(no video or audio). I called ExpressVu back and after the person checked with their superior, I was informed that I needed a new smartcard and it would cost $100 and would take up to 10 days to arrive. I questionned the cost as there is a special on right now and I believe a 3100 can be purchased for $49. I am in the process of verifying what I was told but it sure doesn't make sense to me. Why take a perfectly good rcvr and make it obsolete and just land fill for the sake of a piece of plastic. Comments welcomed

[dosborne]

I've moved your post to a new thread (and may merge with other similar threads shortly) as it was not the same issue as the thread you posted in.

I can't say for sure, but Bell usually has a grace period where you can still activate a receiver with an old and a new card will be sent free of charge. I had a couple in this situation the last time around. Since the card swap was just completed a short while ago, I can't see them forcing a charge at this time. I'd say call back and talk to a different CSR.

[Pinza]

If the 3100 was on your account for the last 2 years but NOT active, then they should just issue a new card. It that is the case, call back and try a different CSR.

Either way, if they charge for a card, I thought it was $79, they will normally refund that amount as a credit when the new card is activated.

[leewain]

Thanks folks. I am going to visit the local Bell Store with the receiver. I seem to have better luck talking face to face. The receiver was on my account but my account itself was inactive(cancelled subscription). I managed to get treated as a new customer in order to take advantage of the incentives such as half price 9242, etc. I guess I can't have it both ways. In cases like this, why would Bell not offer to take a perfectly good 3100 in on trade for a new one? It could be refurbished with a new card and resold. Oh, well, I guess we are a throw away society, unfortuneatly. Will post what I find out later today. Thanks again!

[Pinza]

Bell do not seem to like the idea of taking receivers as a Trade In.

You could sell it on E-Bay, etc and put that money towards another receiver.

[leewain]

Thanks for the thread move. Wasn't sure about starting a new one. If the topic isn't exactly the same is it best to start a new thread?

[leewain]

Why would someone buy a receiver that won't work without a new smartcard?

[Pinza]

I have no idea but they do.

Maybe they need spare parts.

I would still call back and ask a different CSR.

[visiter555]

I have four (yes FOUR) "spare" 3100s. I have been "activating" them since my first cards showed up. I take one or two units with the new cards off my account and add the old ones that have old cards. I have one left to ggo and I have not paid for a single card. I now have three different 3100s as "spares". Why do I have them? I originally bought three sets of 3150s (two 3100s in one box) and have since upgraded to 9242s & 6141s as well as my original 3100s. I never sold the 3100s because they weren't worth anything except to ^%$#^@ pirates and I was not helping out any pirate.

I knew Bell's past history of dealing with olde cards so I was not goint to get stuck with their $100 for a card please BS.

I did not get charged for any of the cards!

[leewain]

Not sure how you accomplished that but the gal at the Bell store suggested that if I don't get satisfaction from a CSR to ask to speak to someone in "Retention". Gonna give it a try and will get back here with the results. If that doesn't work, maybe Visiter will pass on their secret.

[Pinza]

This appears to be the major difference;

The receiver was on my account but my account itself was inactive(cancelled subscription)

There was NO account, the OP's account was cancelled, that is most likely why Bell want $100 for the new cards.

I have receivers on my account that are not currently active. I just activated them to obtain a card, the 3200 was one of them, and then I had it suspended after a month or so. I have no intention of paying for a Card either.

[leewain]

OK, just got off the phone with a CSR who was quite easy to understand. She said I would receive a new smart card in 7 - 9 days and there was no charge associated with it. She said that because it was my receiver and that it was inactive and therefore not covered in the initial mailing of smart cards, I would be receiving the new one at no charge. Hmmmm, guess it depends on who you talk to and how well they understand the situation. Didn't have to play the "retention" card but it is worth having it in your back pocket if you don't get the results you want. Will check back in 7 - 9 days (lol).

[Pinza]

Glad to hear.

Yes, I almost always tell people to call again if they do not get the answer they want, it all depnds on how well trained the CSR is and how you speak to them.

Normal is 5 business days for the Card to arrive.

[Ex Agent EV]

Was you card white (pre Alladin) or blue with a yellow arrow?

If it was a white card that means it should have been replaced a long time ago...
Don't recall when the last card swap actually took place, but Bell decided last summer that it has been long enought and clients who had not received, lost or thrown away the new card had tio buy a new one.

A replacement smartcard is 69$ (but it's written 100$ on their on line contract

If you had a blue and yellow card you will just follow the swap card process...when a receiver that was inactive gets activated and has an old card the system automatically ships a new one FREE OF CHARGE

[Pinza]

Who comes up with the Names for the Cards, is it Bell or Nagravision.?

Alladin was the last batch, this current batch are the DaVinci Cards.....