Where to buy bell sim card? Bell store didnt let me buy Sim card without having phone

**WorldIRC** · 07-24-2012, 08:32 PM

^Many stores charge $50 in-store prepaid activation processing fee

**vi2k5** · 07-24-2012, 09:10 PM

Thanks KM626 and WorldIRC for the info.

**CoolinHL** · 08-05-2012, 06:09 PM

I'm trying to figure out the cheapest way to activate a new prepaid line on Bell. From this thread, it seems like the cheapest way is $55? ($5 SIM + $50 activation fee)

Is it not possible to buy a SIM card and then activate it online for free?

I tried clicking around the "Build your own solution" page on the Bell website, and when you choose a SIM card as your phone, the prepaid option is greyed out.

**jattdesi** · 08-05-2012, 06:37 PM

^This is not Telus where you get free self activation.

Go to bell.ca/mobileactivation and follow the instructions, Sim only Self Serve activations are $15 and you will get an option just before the second last page where it will charge you $15+ tax via a credit card.(tax is based on the phone numbers province) If you call in then its $50 +tax and $35 of it goes towards the activation fee and you get $15 towards your plan/usage

**cellphonejunky** · 08-06-2012, 01:52 AM

Originally Posted by awaisuk

Hey,

Where else can I buy a bell sim card and activate it on my own by calling customer service?

I went to one of the bell store, but didnt have my phone on me, I asked to buy a sim card and they told me to show them the phone as they would need to activate the sim right away.....so they did not sell me the sim card.

Is there somewhere else I can purchase bell LTE sim? not microsim, the normal one.....

Wowow! That is the most retarded overtly BAD customer service i have heard of lately!

Go over to t-booth they will gladly sell you one!

**technik84** · 08-07-2012, 11:25 AM

You'd think companies would want the customers...instead of putting up a road block when the person comes along.

**Paleozord** · 08-15-2012, 12:13 PM

I'm just wondering.. if no devices can leave a Bell store without being activated, how does anyone ever buy anything as a Christmas/birthday present for anyone else? I'm sure Bell wouldn't want to lose the massive revenue available from holiday sales, but if they won't sell a phone without activation, how can you ever buy one for your friend/brother/bookie as a gift?

**Furry Atom** · 08-15-2012, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by Paleozord

I'm just wondering.. if no devices can leave a Bell store without being activated, how does anyone ever buy anything as a Christmas/birthday present for anyone else? I'm sure Bell wouldn't want to lose the massive revenue available from holiday sales, but if they won't sell a phone without activation, how can you ever buy one for your friend/brother/bookie as a gift?

You go to Bestbuy/Future Shop and tell them that it's a gift, even if it's just for yourself there's usually someone who will sell you it.

**Paleozord** · 08-15-2012, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by Furry Atom

You go to Bestbuy/Future Shop and tell them that it's a gift, even if it's just for yourself there's usually someone who will sell you it.

Sure, I have no doubt one could do this, but was also just curious on principle.. the corporate Bell stores themselves have no interest in selling devices as Christmas gifts to all the people looking to buy them during the holidays? Despite the fact that:

1) The no-term device price almost indubitably includes a markup/profit-margin that still allows them to make money outright on the sale itself. And,

2) The implication in a gift-device purchase is that the ultimate recipient is still inevitably going to activate it on Bell down the line, and thus generate subscription-based revenue at that time. Yes some small minority of people might unlock it and use it elsewhere, but the vast majority of Christmas shoppers are not thinking that way, and will use it with the original provider.

It just seems strange that any retail store would throw up a road block to a customer looking to walk in and drop several hundred dollars of cash on the spot for a purchase. I have bought phones from both Rogers and Telus stores without any activation hassles so it does differ from one telco to the next. Holiday gift shopping is just such a major commercial consumption extravaganza that I'm surprised Bell chooses to exclude themselves from that buffet.

**kav2001c** · 08-19-2012, 01:31 PM

Bell OneSource document JS6177
Tell the store to read the official Bell policies that clearly state you are allowed to purchase an unactivated SIM card & activate it later

Any store dealer that tells you otherwise is just trying to get a commission

**WorldIRC** · 08-19-2012, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by kav2001c

Bell OneSource document JS6177
Tell the store to read the official Bell policies that clearly state you are allowed to purchase an unactivated SIM card & activate it later

Any store dealer that tells you otherwise is just trying to get a commission

Stores also have a right to refuse a sale, especially the 3rd party ones, for any reason..."low stock, must save for profitable clients" generally works.

**not saying I necessarily agree with this statement; just the harsh reality of it**

**kav2001c** · 08-20-2012, 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by WorldIRC

Stores also have a right to refuse a sale, especially the 3rd party ones, for any reason..."low stock, must save for profitable clients" generally works.

**not saying I necessarily agree with this statement; just the harsh reality of it**

Actually I was just refuting the argument it was "Bell's policy" which is utter BS many stores spew out
Stores are free to set whatever personal policies they like but trying to blame the brand is just wrong

**WorldIRC** · 08-20-2012, 11:13 PM

Originally Posted by kav2001c

Actually I was just refuting the argument it was "Bell's policy" which is utter BS many stores spew out
Stores are free to set whatever personal policies they like but trying to blame the brand is just wrong

Bell actually allows these "in-store" fees, as policy. I think many reps / dealers misrepresent the "allowing of a fee" as policy.

**Spazmogen** · 08-22-2012, 06:49 AM

Just buy a new Bell sim on ebay.ca There's a listing there on there now for a $10 credit on a new unactivated SIM on pre-paid for $4.50 then do what jattdesi remarks about in post #19: Go to bell.ca/mobileactivation and sign up.

I bought my LTE sim on ebay.ca ($2.50) as my Raider came with a normal (non LTE) sim. I called in, switched sim #'s and had LTE within minutes. That beats the $10 - $15 to do it in store. Ironically, the CSR @ 611 told me I was fine and did not need a new sim to get LTE. She told me to take it to a store so they can adjust settings in my phone...once again, proving that the customer can solve issues too.

**technik84** · 08-22-2012, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by Spazmogen

Just buy a new Bell sim on ebay.ca There's a listing there on there now for a $10 credit on a new unactivated SIM on pre-paid for $4.50 then do what jattdesi remarks about in post #19: Go to bell.ca/mobileactivation and sign up.

I bought my LTE sim on ebay.ca ($2.50) as my Raider came with a normal (non LTE) sim. I called in, switched sim #'s and had LTE within minutes. That beats the $10 - $15 to do it in store. Ironically, the CSR @ 611 told me I was fine and did not need a new sim to get LTE. She told me to take it to a store so they can adjust settings in my phone...once again, proving that the customer can solve issues too.

When my raider came with a 3G sim I just went into the Bell Store and the rep gave me an LTE sim for nothing. Not sure why you were told you'd be paying for it.