Want to switch phone service? Think again

[k100]

To my fellow citizen, be wary if someone knocks on your door…

[SuperFriend_XP]

sucks to be you :) :p

[Swordfish]

Ummmm could you elobrate somewhat? :)

[Exmortis]

To my fellow citizen, be wary if someone knocks on your door…

And how does it relate to phone services? Shouldn't be wary of ANYONE knocking at your door regardless of what they sell? What are you trying to say?

[k100]

My original post has way too much details. So I edit it out. Sorry about that.

Here is the summary of what my original post:

1. What appear to be a bargain is not necessary true. Be aware of the hidden charge such as "System Access Fee"

2. You could lost several days of your phone service. I still don't have Ring Tone on my phone. I can dial out, but can't receive call. No ring!

3. If you are using Sympatico High Speed service, you could be in trouble as well. They promise you it will not affect the service. Not true.

4. You could receive second rated service from Bell, because Bell controls the line. Sprint/Rogers Service department told me that I am having these problem, because Bell has not 'release' the line.

I am posting this info, hopefully no one will go through it. Or at least be aware that it could happen you.

[Mouse]

Bell can be petulant when they lose a customer.

It will all work itself out, in time.

[Exmortis]

My original post has way too much details. So I edit it out. Sorry about that.

Are you talking about VoIP? What exactly are you refering to?

[Bogie]

If you are talking about a switch to Sprint landline service, from Bell, it will affect your DSL Internet connection, for sure. If you notify your DSL provider (I presume Sympatico from your post), they require the Sprint routing code (I think that is what it is called) and then it will take about 5 working days for the switch. I also am not sure about Sympatico service on another provider, other than Bell.

I don't believe the bit about "2nd rate service" from Bell. You are just another wire on the system, and they receive compensation in many ways for their services.

When I switched to Sprint I found that their CS needed some education into a DSL switch. I doubt that it was "deception", on their part, just lack of knowledge when it came to the DSL connections. I worked with my ISP (Vif.net) and we resolved it within 24 hours - but my ISP told me that it could take up to 5 days.

[Dr.Dan]

Are you talking about VoIP? What exactly are you refering to?
By the sounds of it; Sprint/Rogers Home Phone Service
I signed up for it July 28th... promissed switch over Aug 4th... and it still hasn't been switched over yet :ngf:

[Swordfish]

By the sounds of it; Sprint/Rogers Home Phone Service
I signed up for it July 28th... promissed switch over Aug 4th... and it still hasn't been switched over yet :ngf:

My Father switched from Bell to Rogers for phone service. It was supposed to be switched over on a monday he didnt get his phone till tuesday.

*Edit Land Line*

[Bogie]

It is confusing, in your post k100, as their are two (2) different Sprint/Rogers phone services. Both cost almost identical. One is the typical landline service, like Bell, and through Sprint. The other is the new Rogers "Home Phone" and it is based on VoIP using your cable service for connection. Both answering as Rogers for CS. They are causing some confusion by doing this.

If it is the Rogers Home Phone service, then your Sympatic DSL service is toast if you are transferring your existing phone number.

Please clarify.

[k100]

Sorry about the confusion. It is a landline phone. Not VoIP.

[Exmortis]

Well for one thing, I never trust sales agent. Too often they will tell you what you want to hear just to close the sale. I caught many ADT and AlarmForce agents in their lies when they come to my door to sell an alarm system. Faced two dumb ADT agents this summer who had absolutely no clue how their system worked and were making things up as they went.

Best thing when you're interested into something is to research on the net for people already using the service. Better to learn from other people's experience. And never never NEVER sign up for anything at the door. That's my rule.

[Mouse]

If I many inject an old saw:

Act in haste, repent at leisure.

[Lee Anne]

We switched to Rogers home phone service with no problems, was installed the day the appt was set up for and has been great ever since .. we didn't disconnect our previous line till we knew Rogers was set up and working

[kkrawler]

Well hopefully I can clear a couple of things up for ya! I'm a Sprint/Rogers Telcom Sales Rep.

so first off, all of your Activation delays are because of the Bell strike. Sprint/Rogers Telcom do not have phone tech's, the work is contracted out mostly to entourage.

Second, yeah unfortunatly our Customer service for the most part has the IQ of Mustard.

and third, our sales centre rep will very rearly find a rep that will lie or give wrong info (to the best of thier knowledge) there is a very strick quality and performance guideline that is in place, not to mention that EVERY call is record and can be monitored when ever it is required

the last thing I want to mention is the SAF (system access fee) oh no an Extra 4.25 every month on my phone bill??? shut up! with bell you pay $2.80 touch tone and $2.95 Network fee thats $5.75 not to mention they (ma bell) charge's most customers a $4.95 fee for thier LD, rogers telcom Ld MRC (monthly reoccouring charge) is $1.00

So there ya go I hope that clearify's a couple things for ya guys!

[Dr.Dan]

Well hopefully I can clear a couple of things up for ya! I'm a Sprint/Rogers Telcom Sales Rep.
Tim??
so first off, all of your Activation delays are because of the Bell strike. Sprint/Rogers Telcom do not have phone tech's, the work is contracted out mostly to entourage.
So then why were they giving out incorrect activation dates if they know that Bell is 3 weeks behind ??? :ngf:

...rogers telcom Ld MRC (monthly reoccouring charge) is $1.00
Depends on which LD package is picked ;) The standard one is $1 /month, but you can get one that is $0 per month...

[Mike]

My original post has way too much details. So I edit it out. Sorry about that.

Here is the summary of what my original post:

1. What appear to be a bargain is not necessary true. Be aware of the hidden charge such as "System Access Fee"

Every provider charges system access fees but it's only about $5.

2. You could lost several days of your phone service. I still don't have Ring Tone on my phone. I can dial out, but can't receive call. No ring!

Just the risk you take when you switch over your phone service, you could be out of service for a while.

3. If you are using Sympatico High Speed service, you could be in trouble as well. They promise you it will not affect the service. Not true.


It shouldn't if they switch you over properly and you have to check with the provider, most will not allow you to have DSL service. The only providers I know of are Bell and Sprint, and it's even more difficult to get DSL on Sprint.

4. You could receive second rated service from Bell, because Bell controls the line. Sprint/Rogers Service department told me that I am having these problem, because Bell has not 'release' the line.

The problem there is that Bell has to release the line to Sprint and that takes some time.

I am posting this info, hopefully no one will go through it. Or at least be aware that it could happen you.




It's pretty much "your mileage may vary" and if you're trying to save money, cheaper does not necessarily make it better.

[k100]

Bell charges me $30.93 each month with a Call Display feature, Sprint Sales Rep signed me up for $34.20 with the same feature. All before taxes. I called Customer Service, the person toke the call immediately lower the fee. Had I not make the call; I will pay more for the same service.

I don’t mind the delay at all, I am just not happy with this unprofessional conduct.
Isn’t it technically possible to wait for Bell to ‘release’ the line before Sprint switches my service? Or is there any way to check it out and inform the customer?

I am sure some people might not even know there is a problem with the service; they might simply assume there is no call. Had I not called home from the office and got no one answer my calls, I would not know my home phone has not been functional.

At last, I found the Customer Service personals are very courteous and even apologetic. I have never rude to the CS personals. I understand CS is a tough job, imaging that taking craps from unhappy customers all day long….

[Chrispy]

Bell charges me $30.93 each month with a Call Display feature, Sprint Sales Rep signed me up for $34.20 with the same feature. All before taxes. I called Customer Service, the person toke the call immediately lower the fee. Had I not make the call; I will pay more for the same service.

I don’t mind the delay at all, I am just not happy with this unprofessional conduct.
Isn’t it technically possible to wait for Bell to ‘release’ the line before Sprint switches my service? Or is there any way to check it out and inform the customer?

I am sure some people might not even know there is a problem with the service; they might simply assume there is no call. Had I not called home from the office and got no one answer my calls, I would not know my home phone has not been functional.

At last, I found the Customer Service personals are very courteous and even apologetic. I have never rude to the CS personals. I understand CS is a tough job, imaging that taking craps from unhappy customers all day long….


While I admit you have experienced some service of lower levels, I must say that Bell has been nothing short of being impossible to deal with with regards to having lines switched over even more so now that they are suffering from their own strike.

When a line is switched over from Bell to another provider, the new provider contacts Bell, and says that you (the customer) is switching. Bell then requests all customer details, everything from the EXACT spelling of the name on the customer's invoice with Bell, all the way to whether there is a security password on the customer's account (that would be asked if they were to call in). If any one thing isn't the same, Bell will flat out reject the order.

Bell also does not inform any new provider of any delay and therefore any discrepancy can be made there too. I guess rightly so, it simply boils down too Bell is going to make it as hard as physically possible for someone to steal their customers...I would be too if I were them, LoL.

[kkrawler]

indeed,... they are very. VERY, picky when it comes to correct info. I'll tell ya the worst thing to give bad info on is a postal code. that will cause big delays


p.s.
I'm not tim :p

[Custer]

I get my Rogers line tomorrow, so they say. And I probably will.

I am happy with Rogers service and can see nothing to ***** about.

The high speeds been good with very little down time and I expect the landline to be just as good. I think Rogers does it's best.

[k100]

Finally get my 'Ring Tone' back after 5 days delay. I do agree Bell is responsible for the delay. However, Sprint is not being totally honest about this 'common' problem.