Bell's Retention Thread

[LouisR]

Hurric: the retentions/loyalty department is currently known as "Solutions" in Bell parlance. I've managed to be transfered with very little hassle by asking that outright. They'd ask why and I'd reply in essence that I had access to a better deal elsewhere and that I'd like to see if something could be worked out with them.

Edumacated: friday has come and gone and you haven't updated, but here's my two cent's worth.

I've used the expression "back to square one" a few times when speaking with Solutions and comparing the current and new proposal, highlighting in what ways their proposal worked and didn't for me.

While the 6GB promos are almost over, you do have seven months before your current deal expires, you could use that to your advantage as well.

[VivienM]

Hurric: the retentions/loyalty department is currently known as "Solutions" in Bell parlance. I've managed to be transfered with very little hassle by asking that outright.

Can't you get to them directly by pushing the buttons for cancelling your service in the automated system? That's worked for me with both Bell (where the dude answered the phone saying 'Bell Client Solutions' I think) and Rogers in the past...

[edumacated]

Louisr:
Well I decided to hold off. My wife has an excellent corporate plan and the data side of things when we are together is covered by that. You are right with 7 months left I don't think this is the best I could have got. I will let this get closer to the end.
Secondly, buddy bell guy never called back! There was no way I was calling back. There has been so much hype around this...I hope I'm not kicking myself later. When you compare this to many corp plans...this seems to be warm at best

[ubergolf]

Hey gang. I'm in a bit of a pickle. My BB just crapped out on me and I'm sitting phoneless. The good news is that I'm in the market for a new phone and that S3 is looking damn sexy to me. The bad news is, my current contract isn't up until Nov of next year. From my understanding, Bell will charge me $15/mo left on my contract ($225) to break it, then be eligible for a new plan deal ($150 for S3) to sign up for another term. That'll cost me a whopping $375 to get back and running.

My question is this, has anyone had any exp or luck when dealing with retentions in dissolving that contract fee?

Phone: Blackberry Torch 9800
Plan: 1Gb data, 250 any time mins, cd, vm, cw, unlimited incoming calls, e & w after 5pm, 250 txt msgs for $60/mo.

[Kingsley00]

You have two options because they will not cancel your contract but will tell you Option #1.

1. Pay the $375 (probably closer to 470 when you add all the taxes and upgrade few)

2. Buy a S3 (or cheaper model) from Kijji and continue your current contract. Why not look into the Galaxy Nexus? It's only 350 off contract and brand new or a used Galaxy note probably would run you less than what you'd pay to upgrade and you wouldnt be extending your contract.

Either way think about it cause 3 years is a a long commitment.

[TOUCHmyself]

Want more data and this TV deal, and maybe new phone, but like my desire z for the keyboard not the battery life though any recommendation for a new Android with Keyboard.

From the looks of it rates are actually going up I thought Wind and Moblicity were suppose to change that. This is what I got, but always looking for the bigger better deal

Contract Expiry November 2013

Current bill
Total Phone Charges $45.00 Total taxes on current charges $5.40 Current Charges $50.40


Fab 10 - Smart 50
100 anytime local minutes
100 Bonus minutes
6pm - 9pm calling ---> isn't this covered with the unlimited nights?
National Fab 10 - Text & Talk
Text Messaging - Unlimited Package
Windows Email&Int 500MB
Unlimited nights (6 p.m. - 7 a.m.) and weekends (6 p.m. Fri - 7 a.m. Mon)
Conference Calling and Call Waiting

Never actually went over my data though TV could change that use to have mobiTV for free on my old HTC Touch unlimited.

[rickyt88]

I miss my HTC Desire Z it broke recently and black berry is crap compared to that.

My plan seems like it's terrible and I'm choked I spend almost $100 every month and it just makes no sense.

I'm already getting rid of the $7 SPC charge which was BS but here is my plan.

My plan
Fab 10 Promo 55 - Smart - 36M
200 anytime local minutes
National Fab 10 - Text & Talk
Text Messaging - Unlimited Package
Unlimited Picture and Video Messaging
Basic Long Distance Rate

My contract ends in Jan. of 2014
I play poker and pokerstars has mobile poker that I want to be playing all the time so I'd really love to get my data up to 6GB for free if I could. Any negotiation tips? or tips in general?

[2007celluser]

20+ years with Bell. Here is My Plan...


FAB 10 Promo 60 w/ 6 GB data ( tethered)
I am getting $120+ in features but paying $60 plus tax = $68.31 total ( ie Getting another $60+ in free features)

---------
Fab 10 Promo 60 w/ 6GB DATA- 36M $60.00/mo.
200 anytime local minutes ( plus 200 minutes more = 400 min
Unlimited nights (6 p.m. - 7 a.m.) and weekends (6 p.m. Friday - 7 a.m. Monday)
National Fab 10 - Text & Talk
Text Messaging - Unlimited Package
Unlimited Picture and Video Messaging
Email & Internet 6GB ( can tether too)
Mobile TV 10 hrs/mth
Conference Calling & Call Waiting


Individual features...I also get $62/month FREE features including
100 Local Minutes FREE ( $12 value)
plus 100 more minutes promotion ( for total 400) ( $12 value)
100 min CDN Long Distance minutes - FREE ( $12 value)
Unlimited Incoming calls Bundle - ( $10 value) FREE
Message Centre FREE ( $8 value)
Call Display FREE ( $8 value)


( PS I AM WILLING TO TRANSFER IT TO SOMEONE END OF SEPTEMBER SOME TIME - AS LONG AS YOU COVER TRANSFER COSTS! PM.Me)

I found I had troubles with Bell many times and when contract was over, I called asking about cancelling, and they would transfer me to Retention who would sweeten the pot. Now I have everything.

[melt77]

Hi everyone! I'm new to this forum and I look forward to being a part of the community! I've been following this thread for a couple months but haven't quite found a solution for my upcoming renewal, so I figured I'd put out my situation and see if anyone has feedback.

My 3-years is up this coming February and I've been with Bell for what will soon be 9+ years. I've called in a couple times in the past few months (so some features are temporary/recent changes), and this is currently where my plan stands:

Preferred All In 30 ($30/month)
- 200 anytime local minutes (+ 100min bonus promo)
- Nights and weekends 6pm-8am
- 20 Free calls
- Call Waiting/Forwarding
- CI + VM
- 2500 text (promo)
- 100mb (promo)

A few months ago I was offered 10% off and unlimited text if I renewed, but I held off (was hoping to get a discount on more data) and I've read that the 10% off no longer exists. Moving forward, I guess my questions now are:

- Is it possible/has anyone ever renewed with Bell and got a smartphone (eg. SGS3) with a plan that is less than $50? (I want to use my HUP on a smartphone, but keep the monthly charges to a minimum)

- Has anyone seen the 10% loyalty discount disappear but come back?

- Do I actually have more leverage negotiating in February when my contract ends and is it worth the wait?

If anyone has suggestions about how I could proceed with negotiating my renewal, it would be greatly appreciated! What I have right now works perfectly except that I'd like to have a bit more data while keeping the monthly rate to a minimum... Thank you in advance!

[maskediphone3GS]

It's not a retention plan cause I thought detentions were supposed to be better?


My current plan on Rogers:

Ending Jul 23 Wireless usage1.00 (ODDLY ENOUGH..... This plan does not include picture texts. They are .50 each
Regular charges
Jul 24 - Aug 23 Unlimited Voice & Text Plan45.00
iPhone VP w/100 US & Intl Text*12.79
Unltd Canadian Long Distance10.00
6GB Data Service Plan30.00
Tethering Access0.00
Gov't Regulatory Recovery Fee2.13
Call Forwarding/Call Transfer3.00
Savings: Call Forwarding/ Call Transfer-3.00
Other charges and credits
Savings: Monthly Fee Discount-10.00
Total before taxes:$90.42
GST (862395381 RT0001)4.53
Total for Wireless:$94.95 (*PLUS $12 = $107)

.

What I'm being offered on Bell:

3100 Daytime minutes
Unlimited Incoming
Unlimited Local Bell Mobility to Bell Mobility
Unlimited Long Distance (Canada to Canada and Canada to US)
Unlimited Text messaging (Canada to Canada and Canada to US)
Unlimited local member to member calling
Unlimited Evening / Weekend (6:00 pm)
Call Display
Voicemail (Business Size)
6GB Data (includes tethering)
Call Waiting
Conference Calling
Price is $85.00 /month plus GST $89.25 (*PLUS $36.75 = $126)
$400.00 Port in Credits for the phone number.
We’ll credit the activation fee of $35.00/ line as well

*I also have to add a $37 charge for my Ipad tablet with bell that would have its own 5GB data plan for a total of 11GB ............... but to be fair I also have a $12 bill from Rogers not included in my above bill on a separate phone number that shares my 6GB plan.


My big concern is data speeds. I know bell uses Telus towers in Alberta and BC correct? Telus has way better western cda coverage but when I talked to telus it was a joke, the India call center guy admitted to me the only thing they could offer me is whats on the telus site..... lets get real the telus plans right now are horrible with only 200-500 minutes? No Thx

Whats everyone think? Is unlimited talk from rogers worth giving up and going to a limit of 3100 with bell? Is bell/telus worth it?

[romandesign]

I'm about 14 months into 3 year contract on $45 retention plan (500mb data 200 min + 100 min, early evenings etc.). I want to upgrade to Galaxy S3. Do you think I can get anything better than official early upgrade fee plus $100 for the new phone from retention department? I thing I'd have to pay about $330 early upgrade fee + $100 for SGS3 plus $35 activation fee and sign another 3 years with the same plan. Do I have a chance at any better? What's the best I can expect?

Last time I did get this great cheap plan and I was only 18months into the 3-year contract, so I know you can get things from them even if your contract is still a long way to go. Question is what do I aim for?

[nextreme]

So I called Bell the other day and asked to speak with the retention center. I have been with Bell Mobility for over ten years with two phones that I keep replacing every 2-3 years. I basically wanted to see about upgrading both of my cell phones to either iPhone 5's or Samsung Galaxy SIII's and see if I could either get a reduction in my early upgrade fee or a discounted plan. This may be the time to switch providers.

What I currently have:

• iPhone 3GS, contract is over
• iPhone 4, 11 months left on the contract

I have the "All-in Combo45 Fab5" for each of them. This gives me,

• 150 Anytime Minutes
• Free evening and weekends starting at 9pm
• 3 Way Calling
• Call Forwarding
• Call Waiting
• Message Centre
• Call Display
• Nat'l Fab Five - talk and text
• Mobile email PDA 500MB Feat

This is $45. I then pay an extra $5 for 250 sent text messages.

So, the total bill is $100 plust HST = $113

I spoke with the Retention/Solution person. First, my early upgrade fee for my iPhone 4 is around $155. I mentioned that I wanted to buy two new phones through them and start two new 3 year contracts. I asked if they could perhaps waive all of or part of my early upgrade fee for the one phone and they said no.

I asked if I could get a better plan than what I currently have, and he starts rhyming off the ones listed on the website. I stated that there is no incentive for me to renew with Bell and he says basically there is nothing he can do. So I said I guess I may as well go to a new provider and he says that it is my decision.

How do any of you get anything out of them? I wasn't being unreasonable. I just wanted a lit bit of something for staying with them. My plans aren' t that great, and yes I can switch to one of their regular advertised plans but why not just look elsewhere?

Any tips if I call back? I already put my name down with a local Bell World store for two iPhones when they arrive but I am tempted to leave Bell all together.

[jproy12]

So I called Bell the other day and asked to speak with the retention center. I have been with Bell Mobility for over ten years with two phones that I keep replacing every 2-3 years. I basically wanted to see about upgrading both of my cell phones to either iPhone 5's or Samsung Galaxy SIII's and see if I could either get a reduction in my early upgrade fee or a discounted plan. This may be the time to switch providers.

What I currently have:

• iPhone 3GS, contract is over
• iPhone 4, 11 months left on the contract

I have the "All-in Combo45 Fab5" for each of them. This gives me,

• 150 Anytime Minutes
• Free evening and weekends starting at 9pm
• 3 Way Calling
• Call Forwarding
• Call Waiting
• Message Centre
• Call Display
• Nat'l Fab Five - talk and text
• Mobile email PDA 500MB Feat

This is $45. I then pay an extra $5 for 250 sent text messages.

So, the total bill is $100 plust HST = $113

I spoke with the Retention/Solution person. First, my early upgrade fee for my iPhone 4 is around $155. I mentioned that I wanted to buy two new phones through them and start two new 3 year contracts. I asked if they could perhaps waive all of or part of my early upgrade fee for the one phone and they said no.

I asked if I could get a better plan than what I currently have, and he starts rhyming off the ones listed on the website. I stated that there is no incentive for me to renew with Bell and he says basically there is nothing he can do. So I said I guess I may as well go to a new provider and he says that it is my decision.

How do any of you get anything out of them? I wasn't being unreasonable. I just wanted a lit bit of something for staying with them. My plans aren' t that great, and yes I can switch to one of their regular advertised plans but why not just look elsewhere?

Any tips if I call back? I already put my name down with a local Bell World store for two iPhones when they arrive but I am tempted to leave Bell all together.

I'd call back retention and keep calling back until you are satisfied.

Here is my plan, after calling retention a couple times back in Jan 2011, I'd say I called in at least 4-5times and a couple times after to get the 6gb plan instead of the 1gb.

Plan:
Fab 10 Promo 60 6GB - 36M = $60.00/mo.
200 anytime local minutes
Unlimited nights (6 p.m. - 7 a.m.) and weekends (6 p.m. Friday - 7 a.m. Monday)
National Fab 10 - Text & Talk
Text Messaging - Unlimited Package
Unlimited Picture and Video Messaging
Basic Long Distance Rate
Email & Internet 6GB (Tethering included)
Mobile TV 10hr/mth
Conference Calling & Call Waiting

Promotions (free):
100 min CDN Long Distance minutes - FREE ( $12 value)
Message Centre Express Call display (11$ value)
10 Local Minutes FREE
10% discount

All in all I am paying 60$ - 10% = 54$ a month plus taxes.

I also called back in yesterday night, since I was on FAB10 Blackberry 6GB Data and wanted to switch to PDA version, as I want either the Galaxy S3 or the new iPhone 5, and since Blackberry and the other platform aren't the same I had to make the switch.

Called 3 times, the retention people didn't want to do anything for me, switching my plan from Blackberry to PDA, unless I resigned a 3yr contract, pay 15$/month left on my early upgrade fee (240$ in this case; 16mth x 15$) and pay the price of the phone on a 3yr plan. However the catch; all the promotion that I have that are valid till Jan 2014 dont get extended if you resign for a contract of 3yrs, meaning lets say I resign today, well the promotion do not get extended to September 2015, only till Jan 2014 (original date) so basically I'd get a new extended contract only and no promotions after Jan 2014, which would make it 1.5yrs without any promotion.

So instead, I decided to take a chance and call bell customer service, not retention, the 1-800-667-0123. Talked to a customer agent, and told them that I wanted either a Galaxy S3 or iPhone5 and that my current Blackberry was dying, so the lady was nice enough to make the switch, from Blackberry plan to PDA plan without any problem, no contract extension, simply a switch so I must say that retention didn't do anything good for me this time... but simply their customer service, once again, I am very satisfied with Bell, this is however after I called retention 3 times and all 3 of them told me the same thing that I decided to try their non-retention customer service.

So instead or resigning a 3yr contract, I will be buying the phone strait out, and renew my plan in Jan 2014 and get a new phone then and renegotiate a newer and better plan then.

Hope this has helped people... make sure you are aware on what retention offers you, and dont accept it right away, get them to write it in your file as a note, and call back a couple times to add more and more...

JP

[semisel]

This is what I have
$55 for first 3 years $65 after 3 years
550 local minutes
Unlimited Incoming
Unlimited After 6pm-7am + Weekends
Unlimited Text (Incoming/Outgoing)
Caller ID/Voicemail/Call Waiting/Call fowarding/3 way Calling

6.1GB LTE data - Tetherable

[staeit]

I currently have the following plan, and am eligible for a full HUP:
$55 - 10% discount = $49.50
Fab10 Nationwide
E/W 6PM
200 D/T
Unlim Messaging
Unlim Social Networking
Unlimited L/D
Call Display
1GB Data

Trying to negotiate a good plan on a contract renewal, but so far the best I can get is the above plan but without the 10% discount. Any advice?