THE Fatman
@rogers.com
| New Twist to Discounts For the past few years I've apparently been given a 5% 'bundle' discount on the Robbers services I subscribe to, Internet Express and Cable. Today I received a notice that unless I call in and agree to a two year contract this discount will be discontinued on my next bill.
Well, I called in alright but not to accept their ultimatium, instead I told them that if my bill changed by so much as $0.01 Rogers would be in receipt of my notice and I'd be off to satellite TV.
So, in preparation for my liberation from Robbers oppression I'd sure appreciate if anyone out there would give some input as to the good, bad and ugly of the satellite TV providers. I'm located in S. W. Ontario, not far from Kitchener.
Thanks in advance....... | |
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CFoo
join:2008-03-19
Nepean, ON | Re: New Twist to Discounts In Kitchener, can't you receive HDTV over the air? Especially being so close to the border, I would suspect if you use an HDTV antenna you would be able to pickup many US HDTV channels. | |
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THE Fatman
@rogers.com
| Re: New Twist to Discounts You might be right but I'm in a "hole", actually the Grand River Valley. I would need a 100' tower to be of any use. The first 30' - 40' would just get me up to the ground elevation "outside" of this "ditch".
Years back I had one of the "old" satellite systems but things change with time and it went by the boards about a decade ago. I went to Express View after the dish then to Rogers. Now it looks like I'll be heading back to a dish.
I've got 6 weeks or so to research so there's no rush at the moment.
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travisc
join:2001-11-09
Port Perry, ON | Not all HD programming on Shaw Direct (Star Choice) is free. Most providers have a group of free HD channels, and then you pay more for the rest. | |
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MadAsHeck
@rogers.com
| I received the same letter yesterday and am absolutely fuming mad over it....especially after I threatened a few months ago to leave when they sent the letters out about the rate increases in March. They ended up giving me a few discounts here and there for a year for being a loyal customer and foolishly, that appeased me.
Now....not much more than 3 months later, another letter arrives stating that the bundle discounts (that I always thought I had) had actually ended in 2007 but they've just continued to give me the discounts out of the goodness of their hearts (bless them). Now, they can no longer do this unless I agree to a 2 year contract.
I've had it!!! I don't care what it costs up front with another company, I simply cannot justify staying with this company anymore. | |
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DougAjax
@rogers.com
| Re: New Twist to Discounts Hey MadAsHeck,
Join the club.  Got my little notice yesterday from Rogers. I've got cable and net access with them (18Mbps line) and they killing my 15% discount and trying to strong arm me into a 5% discount IF I agree to a 2 yr contract? Without the contract they want to jack my monthly rate up then by $30 + tax? Ding. Wrong.
So, I said screw it. Ordered my 16Mbps line from Bell, with a deal price of $62.95 / month. I lose 2Mbps worth of speed (won't really notice), save $40+ tax a month, and Rogers loses $1212 + tax per year in business. Screw'em.
Next up ... killing my cable services. | |
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| | JAC70
join:2008-10-20 | Re: New Twist to Discounts I'd be surprised if you get anywhere near the 16mbps with Bell. | |
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DougAjax
@rogers.com
| Re: New Twist to Discounts Hi JAC70. Possibly, will have to wait and see.
On the other hand, I don't get consistency with my 18Mbps line with Rogers either, depends on the day, time of day, and where the moon is in the sky.
Last night at 2am I was getting about 16Mbps down on my 18Mbps line (totally acceptable). Right now, I'm getting 9Mbps. | |
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DougAjax
@rogers.com
| Heya JAC70. Just an example of what I've seen with Rogers over the years, although it's a little dated, here's a little review of what I've actually gone through with them and my $99 / month 18Mbps line:
»www.dmplace.com/rogers_overview.html
It is better now, but I still have the same kind of crazy swings, inconsistency, and incredibly poor support (and no, I have no delusions that Bell support is any better). Shrug. | |
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| rt3
join:2004-06-23
12532 | Re: New Twist to Discounts I've been with Starchoice for 9 years, nothing but great service, both customer and TV.
I'll never switch, it comes down to five simple words
"They care about their customers." | |
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THE Fatman
@rogers.com | Re: New Twist to Discounts Thank you, great feedback, helps this old man.... | |
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no access
join:2007-12-30 | I've had *choice for about 5 years. I've been happy with them. Remember that if you want Expressview, Bell makes you sign a contract. Bell and robbers are pretty much the same company. Why leave one to join the other? | |
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Robrr
join:2008-04-19
Toronto, ON | I was looking at Starchoice today and I think I might investigate that option some more. It looks like it might work out cheaper for me than having cable for all the same channels. | |
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THE Fatman
@rogers.com
| Re: New Twist to Discounts Haven't compared pricing at all for what you get with *Choice vs Robbers, will do shortly. But with me it's reached the point where even if it cost me an extra $20. / month I'd gladly give it to * Choice as to that mob of media gangsters in Toronto. I'm just so fed up with them and their "Customers can go to hell" attitude. | |
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| | Robrr
join:2008-04-19
Toronto, ON | Re: New Twist to Discounts I plan on investigating this as well. I will post an update once I have all the info | |
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Labonza
join:2008-08-20
Ottawa, ON
| When this happens ie-get a letter about a "contract",I'm going to make them send me a copy of it because I wont agree to any "contract" unless I read it first.
We should all do the same.And be aware of the fact that being forced into a contract under duress is illegal.Though I'm sure Roger's TOS makes them think that consumer protection laws dont apply to them.
Depending on how this is worded and how aggressively they push this,this could be grounds for a class-action suit. | |
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THE Fatman
@rogers.com
| Re: New Twist to Discounts Chances are if you request a copy of the contract they will refer you to some page on the net where the fine print will have you babbling like a baby after about four hours reading.
I seem to recollect hearing somewhere that the Robbers contract or TOS gives them the right to add to, delete from or otherwise amend the contract at any time they wish and the second party to the contract (the Customer) has to accept it. A like it or lump it situation for the Customer. A wee bit one sided but reflective of the way this crowd does business.
As for any sort of legal action you can be sure these monkeys have their bases covered. Anyone employing the business practices they do has to. Anyway, I'm not about to waste my time with these a$$holes. They have my response to the letter and they know if my bill is $0.01 over my last months bill it's bye-bye blackbird, my account's history!
The fact that they have been allowed to establish themselves as they have, all but forming a monopoly, is a travesty but what can ya do? That's our governments for ya.
There, now I've had my rant I can go watch something on U-Tube.........'cause there's generally nothing worthwhile on Robbers cable! | |
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sbrook
Premium,Mod
join:2001-12-14
H0H 0H0
 ·Rogers Hi-Speed
Host:
Rogers
Bell Canada
| StarChoice is now Shaw direct.
The problem is for what they charge for the channels I want, because they're spread across so many packages, I'd have to pay over $80 per month to get what I am from Robbers for around $60. This has always been the problem with StarChoice ... their bundling is a ripoff for some and perfect for otehrs. | |
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THE Fatman
@rogers.com
| Re: New Twist to Discounts Got that same impression when I had a quick look at the offerings yesterday - i.e. it may cost more for the same. Can't say for sure what "premium" I might have awaiting me yet, too early to say, but as noted in an earlier post, an additional $20 per month isn't out of the question. It would be worth it just for the satisfaction of knowing that Robbers isn't getting to put my money in their bank account! | |
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| | Robrr
join:2008-04-19
Toronto, ON | Re: New Twist to Discounts Well I figure my current package is pretty much the gold service.
I can for about $70/month have the gold service with all the HD content that Starchoice offers and have all the regular tv shows that I watch. | |
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THE Fatman
@rogers.com
| Re: New Twist to Discounts The article hits the nail on the head, it's a slap in the face alright and this time there should be a collective "We aren't gonna take it anymore", but unfortunately as we're Canadians there won't be and Robbers, as others like them, know it! If a company pulled this same sort of thing against folks south of the border there's be hell-a-poppin', but of course they have guns! Our problem is we will not band together and act as a cohesive group so that when things like this occur we could "pull" 40 - 50 - maybe 100,000 or more Customers over a week or so in retaliation. Call it a consumer's union if you like, whatever it's called it could potentially pack some clout, as we all know there's strength in numbers. Maybe that guy who heads up the CAW could organize it, he may be looking for work shortly. It would be a real treat to sick him on Mr. Mohammed and his pack of thieves. Only when companies like this are hit in their wallets will they scream and until such time they will continue to run roughshod over their Customers and fleece them at every opportunity. | |
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| Labonza
join:2008-08-20
Ottawa, ON | I read the letter from that link. I wonder if a copy of this contract was sent with it? | |
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boink9999
@rogers.com | it's not really a new twist, the bundle discount has always required a term. | |
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sbrook
Premium,Mod
join:2001-12-14
H0H 0H0 | Yeah ... a year. But most of us on this bundle have more than given way more than our year ... | |
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boink9999
@rogers.com | Re: New Twist to Discounts @ sbrook: actually the better choice bundle discount has always been 2yrs. | |
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sbrook
Premium,Mod
join:2001-12-14
H0H 0H0 | Re: New Twist to Discounts Was it indeed? Mine was 1 year. | |
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See 6 replies to this post |
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travisc
join:2001-11-09
Port Perry, ON
| Commercials have little to do with Rogers. When they put their own commercials in, they're putting them in over top of American commercials. Certain US channels provide a couple minutes per hour that Rogers can do this.
If you're going legit FTA, great. If you're going the illegal FTA route, then the commercial thing is just a weak attempt to excuse thievery. | |
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| Goggles9
join:2003-01-26
North York, ON
 ·TekSavvy Solutions..
·Rogers Hi-Speed
1 edit | Re: New Twist to Discounts Did you read my post right, I only mentioned Rogers on the slip streaming and complaints, I know where the commercials come from, why don't you count how many commercials you see in 1 hour to actual programming, Im going to assume you think your getting value for the money you pay. | |
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| | | Goggles9
join:2003-01-26
North York, ON | Re: New Twist to Discounts Ive been looking into OTA for a while now, and it might be the way to go as Im not worried about having 100+ channels anymore. | |
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Robrr
join:2008-04-19
Toronto, ON
1 edit | Bill came today but no notice about the Better Choice Bundle. Hmm | |
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sbrook
Premium,Mod
join:2001-12-14
H0H 0H0 | Are they only hitting certain levels to remove them from bundles??? Like if you have analogue cable only? | |
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| Robrr
join:2008-04-19
Toronto, ON | Re: New Twist to Discounts I dunno. I only have two services with Rogers at the moment ( Digital cable, Wireless) and am getting the discount on the cable. | |
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THE Fatman
@rogers.com
| Re: New Twist to Discounts I have HD plus Express Internet and I got the discount removed, or so I believe, (the next bill will tell_, in fact I started this thread when I received the notification the bundle was gone. But not to sweat, I have now had the chance to investigate * Choice and can get it fully installed with HD receiver and two outlets for $200. A program package of essentials plus most popular premium channels they have available for $59.99/mo will do me fine and is less than I presently pay Robbers. With the increase last month plus the possible extra I will have to pay due to the loss of the discount for bundles this coming month and the reduced monthly payment I will have the cost of the the * Choice installation with HD receiver recovered in less than a year. After that I start to "make" money. Now it's just a case of wait and see what surprise Robbers has for me on my next bill before I pack up and go satellite. | |
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Wolfe222
@videotron.ca
| My wife & I are in the process of moving to Orleans in June. I'm reading all the reviews possible in trying to decide which cable provider to use once we get there...
My brother in law lives in Ottawa & is currently with Bell and is up in arms for having left Rogers because of all the downtime he has when the weather is bad & the dish isn't cooperating...
I'm currently with Videotron in Montreal and although I've liked their service, it seems to me that all providers have one gripe or another against them for either the quality of their service or customer service (or lack thereof).
I was looking forward to our move & hook-up with Rogers but with what I've been able to read, I'm not too sure now...
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Mark | |
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THE Fatman
@rogers.com
| Re: New Twist to Discounts Have had Bell Express View in the past and would never go back to them, would go without before ever allowing them to step foot in my house. They were a disaster! A total disaster!
Presently have Robbers Cable TV and High Speed Internet (Express). Am preparing to jump ship with the Cable TV and would also do so with the internet at the same time but I have no alternative for HS service out here so I have to stay with Robbers for now. Have not totally precluded dial-up but....The decision to drop the cable is not based on the quality of the service so much as the attitude of Rogers as a company.
When I change from Rogers cable I will go with Star Choice satellite. Reviews I have read for the most part are good and the channel selection that would work for us is reasonably priced. The initial installation price including High Def. receiver is reasonable also, $200 +/- a bit. Additionally there's no contracts! Again they're not perfect but they can't be like Rogers....
Read through the Rogers forums here and you'll get an idea of what to expect from Rogers as a company. There's good, there's bad and there's ugly. From my perspective it would be in the order of 10%, 40% and 50% respectively, however, someone else's mileage might vary. | |
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sbrook
Premium,Mod
join:2001-12-14
H0H 0H0 | Re: New Twist to Discounts You have no choice for cable itself - Rogers .
If you want other than the local channels then you need cable or satellite. Satellite is the evil Bell or StarChoice (Now known as ShawDirect) | |
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StEpHuLAr
@rogers.com
| Wolfe. I lived in Orleans a couple years ago and had nothing but headaches getting a clear signal when weather was bad with ExpressVu. When I had to miss a playoff game because of it, I cancelled the service & made the switch to Rogers (I was already using Rogers Extreme Internet). It was the best decision I ever made ! I'll never go back to Bell ExpressVu again, in part because of the poor signal I was receiving, and in part because of their lack of taking any sort of action in helping me do something about it.
I recommend you go with Rogers. There isn't really an alternative. They're not perfect, but at least ehy aren't Bell (which is what their slogan should be). | |
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THE Fatman
@rogers.com
| Received our bill from Rogers today and called them immediately to cancel cable service as the amount billed has increased again, the first time was last month, and I did tell them I was outta there if that should happen. (See my first post, the first in this thread). I will be installing *Choice satellite sometime before mid May, when the cable service is terminated by Robbers, and will NEVER, and I do mean NEVER, return to Robbers again. I have to maintain the high speed cable internet for the time being but believe me, if there ever comes an alternative to Robbers out this way I'll be the first to jump ship! (But I'm not holding my breath). | |
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Friendly Lurker
@rogers.com
| My billing period is just after mid month. I'm on the better choice bundle for a few years with vip TMN / MPix movie, time shift, specialty channels and internet Express. I get 15% on both cable and internet. I received my statement near April month end for service up to May 17th with no notice of change. Also no separate notice received. Is everyone affected or is this happening by region? If the date of May 11 2009 holds I better not get a surprise on my next bill Their terms of service printed on my statement say that changes can be made by them only after notifying the client and the only recourse is acceptance or cancellation of the service.
If I get the notice I'm canceling the internet service right away, I have another much cheaper option but I'll probably keep the cable tv a bit longer although I might also reduce some tv services. I will then take some time to study the satellite options. Quite a few of my neighbors have switched to dishes in the past few years and they seem satisfied so I do have some people to consult about their providers and home setup.
This might turn out to be a good things. My 4 boxes are getting old and some buttons on the remotes are getting hard to press. I'm just about to switch to hdtv and this might force my hand as to what equipment I want for the next few years. I prefer to buy rather than rent the boxes. The only thing is that I would need 4 receivers and I'm not sure of the cost. I don't use or need dvr / pvr.
I also wonder if you can use the existing cable wire installed in the house to run the satellite signal or do you need a different type of cable? | |
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| Sunfox
join:2003-12-14
Markham, ON
| Re: New Twist to Discounts My billing period is after mid-month and received my bill at the end of April... cable & internet, 15% discount for ages now. No changes or notice of changes.
Like you, I better not have anything change on my account. I spend a fortune on cable TV, and my bill just went up $7.50 during Rogers' annual April price increase (seriously, every April it goes up). | |
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