$200 Data Service Agreement Price Adjustment Woes

[Laniius]

I've never had a big problem with Bell in the past. In fact, I used to work for them (through The Source). But this confuses and enrages me. Here is my story. Up until the end of September, I had the iPhone 65 combo with a $65 base price. I knew I was going to be going to school in January, so I figured I would change my plan to a lower cost one so I could make more use of my money while I wasn't going to be working. So I called in and asked for the lowest cost plan that I could get while still having data. I wanted SOME data as I use my phone to look for bus routes. I was suggested the Fab 10 plan for $40 that comes with 100MB of data. Fine, I thought, it's a little low, but it should be all I need. All I do with my phone is reddit and bus routes.

And all was well. My bills from September 28 to October 27, October 28 to November 27, and November 28 to December 27th were all reflective of the Fab 10 with a base of $40.

Then my bill for December 28 to Jan 27 shows up.

I was expecting it to be larger than usual, about double what I usually pay as I had not paid the previous month. About $130 or so, give or take taxes and possible overage charges. Imagine my surprise when I see th amount owing of $338.63.

Of course I called Bell right away to figure out what was going on. Apparently since I reduced my plan from the iPhone 65 to the Fab 10 plan - being less than $50 - they decided to charge me an extra $200. What. The. ****. A few problems:

1) I do not recall signing to this. That's more my fault than their's, as I unfortunately misplaced my contract and have had this phone since early 2010. I am going to be going to the store I got the contract from in the future to get it copied.

2) I did not get rid of my data plan entirely, nor did I end my contract. I was aware of the $400 breaking contract fee, but not this.

3) I was not told of this consequence when I initially called to make the change

4) I was not INSTANTLY charged this, but instead after 3 billing cycles

But, unfortunately I have no income right now (living off of not-quite-enough student loans and savings). I can't afford any extra costs. I can't afford to not pay as my credit rating is poor enough as it is, and I only have this phone - I can't afford it being cut off. I caved. They told me that if I changed to a plan that was $50 base that they would remove the $200 charge. So I did.

I think this is wrong. To the best of my knowledge I did not breach the contract and I should be able to return to the Fab 10 plan.

Once I have an income again, which will likely be in May, I intend to breach the contract and end it with Bell. I am prepared to absorb the $400 cancellation cost. I will never, ever deal with them again and will inform everyone I know to not deal with them. Until then however, what can I do? A phone bill of $62 before tax (50 base, $12 for call display and voicemail - which I need) is almost out of my affordability range. Do I have any options? Has anyone dealt with a situation like this? Thank you for your time.

[pnjunction]

The contract you signed in 2010 stated that you need to keep a minimum $50 plan for the contract period. They took a while to catch it but they are just enforcing a basic condition of the contract.

[bubble.tea]

^ Does the contract stipulate the penalty on the occasion the subscriber fails to meet that condition?

I recall Rogers doing some sort of a clawback on smartphone hups (specifically for the iPhone IIRC) several years ago, but that was only if you cancelled your data?? It could've been along the same lines as this policy though. FWIW, Rogers hasn't done any such clawback since then. Heck, that's what quite a large number of people do anyway. Do a Smartphone Hup., Raise their plan to meet the promo price, then once they get it, cancel data, pay the DECF, and go on about life, without any such clawback/penalty.

Would like to see an actual reference/copy/paste of this in the contract if someone has it handy please.

[Furry Atom]

You breached contract, Bell is in the right in this situation. The 100MB data Fab 10 plan isn't eligible for the same discount as the 500MB+ plans with the $50 or more base price. Go ahead and tell everyone you know not to deal with Bell because you didn't understand your own contract. Though I assume you'll conveniently leave that last part out when you talk to people about it.

[richc3]

Generally, they shouldn't have let you change your plan without informing you of the data cancellation fee.
Either way, I bet if you keep speaking to them about this, they'll rectify the $200 issue, but return you back to your original plan of +50. Keep calling until they do~

[bubble.tea]

Generally, they shouldn't have let you change your plan without informing you of the data cancellation fee...

OP still had a data plan., so why would a DECF be issued?? Unless it's called something else?

With Rogers - Usually, whenever someone removes a term add-on, at the point of change a notice will appear informing the rep. At which point the rep should be mentioning that and confirming with the customer that they are aware of this issue, and are 'okay' with it.

Either Bell doesn't have it set up like this, it was a development down the road (Computer glitched by not catching it right away), or this is a different natured bill??

[WorldIRC]

Data Plan must be $25 or higher or be a data bundle consisting of a data plan that is worth $25 or more for it to satisfy data plan requirements.

[HP_John]

IMO, Bell should've informed you before changing your plan that you would be charged $200. Yes, true that the contract may've said you needed to be on a $50 plan, but most customers don't remember what they signed months ago.

[Jbski]

Are there any other possible fee's that a company would charge other then the $100 ECF (Rogers) on removing a data plan and being under the $50/monthly requirement?

[LouisR]

OP: I feel some sympathy for you, but this time Bell was correct on most counts.

I strongly advise anyone who's going to alter their plan by choosing a lower priced one or by removing features to check their contract before doing anything.

Where IMO Bell should have done much better than what they have is catching the breach of contract on the spot and giving you a proper warning regarding the fees. Billing them in your next invoice would also have made sense.

[kav2001c]

4) I was not INSTANTLY charged this, but instead after 3 billing cycles

That actually is an out right there (assuming it is true)
There only are 90 days allowed to make the adjustment

If for whatever technical glitch this penalty showed up *after* 3 bill cycles you can dispute the charge even though you broke contract