said by marshals :

It shouldn't have to be like this. Bell should do stuff proactively to help "protect" their customers from over charging or what ever. If a person's line cannot support the product they are signed up with. Don't go ahead and sell them the sale just for the commission or money. That is the wrong way to do business. In the short run, it hurts the customer and in the long run ruins the reputation of the company.

said by marshals :

More communication between the help support staff and what actually is going on with the business and its "packages" etc.. As well as other avenues of support like this forum. I've mentioned it to a few people on the phone and they didn't even know what that was. Perhaps more memos should be released? :) Its kind of like Bell's left hand doesn't know what its right hand is doing sometimes. Hehe..

said by Deadpool :

The "issue" here was the fact he wasn't 7 Mbps earlier then that.

said by marshals :

$150. ouch.

said by Shada :

This is what Bell/Rogers and Cogeco is doing.

said by Deadpool :


As of about 3 months ago I'm not "paid" to be on the forums. It's in my spare time. Too many people rely on me being in here now for me to simply cut the cord.
That being said, I wasn't really "paid" to be here before either and the only thing that was part of my performance review was the fact I setup the Direct Forum and how successful it has been - but that was in September '07.

said by Deadpool :

As of about 3 months ago I'm not "paid" to be on the forums. It's in my spare time. Too many people rely on me being in here now for me to simply cut the cord.

That being said, I wasn't really "paid" to be here before either and the only thing that was part of my performance review was the fact I setup the Direct Forum and how successful it has been - but that was in September '07.

said by DKS :

I understand that the Bell forum here is officially part of Deadpool's job (among other things that he does). So yes, he's paid to do that work.

said by not here :

You can't send corporate or other lawyers in small claims in Quebec.
Ontario may be different. No clue.
In QC its very much worth your time.
People have sued here and walked away with 700$ in "damages" for bell hounding people for modems they say they never got back.
Up to you to voice your rights when they are stepped on.
Even if the company turns around and offers to settle after they have ignored you, its worth it to continue the battle for your rights and for others.
But yeah, marshals, use the direct forum if it works for you. Why not.

said by DKS :

You might be amazed to what length a company might go in Small Claims. Depends on what is at stake, doesn't it? And yes, I know how few actually go to trial. Better to settle for something than to receive nothing.

said by marshals :

I'm at a point right now, that I really do need a break from the high $80 something bill. I can barely make ends meet. Alright well I guess this isn't going anywhere with this thread. I thought maybe something good might come outta it. So far nothing. I'll "hide" in the direct forums. Maybe then something might happen? :))

said by Peter Principle :

You think Bell is going to send experienced lawyers down to small claims with the fee schedule limits. Naive to say the least.
You are aware of the fee schedule. Few lawyers have any experience in small claims in Ontario anyways.
Law students, clerks and paralegals haunt the halls of small claims.
In fact I have been in there some days with none of the above to be seen either. Do you realize how few go to trial?
I would be more afraid of a paralegal as opposing council than a high priced experienced lawyer in small claims any day.
Open the phone book and call a couple hundred and find out.
If you were up against one then someone was motivated by more than money.
The rules of procedure in most jurisdictions require a pre-trial conference where you wait your turn.
Do you know what that would cost Bell alone.
You obviously, with your one case, have no idea the practical implications for a corporation like Bell to operate in this arena.

said by DKS :

And having been through Small Claims as a defendant (case was dismissed), I can tell you that you will face a very well qualified lawyer who will know far more than you do and have the legal backing to defend their client to the fullest possible extend. Level playing field? Please. :uhh:

said by DKS :

And having been through Small Claims as a defendant (case was dismissed), I can tell you that you will face a very well qualified lawyer who will know far more than you do and have the legal backing to defend their client to the fullest possible extend. Level playing field? Please. :uhh:

said by dirtyjeffer :

out of curiosity, does Bell pay you to provide support here online, or do you simply do it out of the kindness of your heart, and because you care??

said by Peter Principle :

Small claims has intrinsic value far and above cost and inconvenience.
Many a time I have seen the look on a plaintiffs face when judgement is rendered in their favour and to them it's priceless.
Having dealt with the CRTC, CCTS and many other entities I can say small claims process with its fee structure is perhaps the only level playing field for consumers left.
It is actually a rather simple process even with a trial.
I have done more prep work for a traffic ticket and the JP will allow the consumer much leeway.
As for Bell fanbois. Well they are basically comic relief and don't piss us off as much as confuse us with the way they think.
If I roll my eyes back much more from them I am going to have a seizure.

said by Deadpool :

Agreed that a perfect world would see the same level and quality of support at all levels. The reality is that it's not but at least there are options. All we can do is work with what we have while we wait for something better.

said by Deadpool :

If Bell didn't give a shit, there would be no official presence on this site and no one would get help.
I'd say it's the opposite of "doesn't give a shit". 99% of the problems posted in the Direct Forum are not only fixed but done so quickly as well and that customer is happy - even the one's asking for help to cancel!

The mantra to bash Bell for the sake of bashing Bell get's tiresome when it's not actually warranted.

And trust me, the bitching and unresolved issues would reach an all time high if we were to shut down the Direct Forum.

Agreed that a perfect world would see the same level and quality of support at all levels. The reality is that it's not but at least there are options. All we can do is work with what we have while we wait for something better.

said by dissapbell :

I agree.
Bell_Dom disappeared and Bell_Sylvain appeared. NO answers to Bell_Dom in direct forum.

said by mlerner :

sbrook, that would be nice but do you see any improvements at all? Nope. It still takes several calls to get anywhere and that's if you're lucky. The direct forum is just a scape goat to appear that Bell is actually resolving problems.

said by Deadpool :

I was referring specifically to the phone contract, not Internet.

Edit:
In regards to the Internet piece though, the only thing that could potentially go against you is the fact you waited an entire year before deciding the service wasn't satisfactory and cancel. Kind of a long time to give any company the benefit of the doubt, don't you think?

said by mlerner :

Which doesn't help the other thousands of customers who have no idea there is a direct forum.

said by dirtyjeffer :

bell doesn't give a shit...fortunately, a handful of their employees do.

said by dirtyjeffer :

bell doesn't give a shit...fortunately, a handful of their employees do.

said by mlerner :

The direct forum is just a scape goat to appear that Bell is actually resolving problems.

said by sbrook :

One of the reasons for Bell direct forum is to be able to have a log of the problems resolved by the service to show management that it is a viable support tool to permit management to permit funding employees to actually DO it! So, it may not be a specific bene to you, but it is still good that it be used.

said by marshals :

EDIT: DKS, and others who have suggested to take it to the direct forums, why? I mean why not just settle it here. I "really" don't want to retread over what I've been trying to get done here when I don't think I'd have to. Bell employees read this forum just as much.. if something needs to be said that requires "personal info" then PMs would suffice. :) I guess.

said by marshals :

I'm not wanting to take this to court. People are soo quick to do things like this. All I want is to get out of the contract and cancel my service without the termination fees at least for the internet part. If I can get out of the fees for both, then i'll be one ecstatic happy camper! :) But at minimum, no fee for cancelling internet at least.. Hopefully.
Thank you for the suggestions of taking this to small claims but no thanks. Its funny though.. most of the people who say take this to small claims or have crud to say about Bell.. they seem to "hide" behind anonymous postings. :P got trouble.. file suit/goto court.. email KK@bell. "maybe" if this keeps up much longer.. yeah, but for now no.

said by Questions :

are these business practices legal? are there grounds for a Class Action Suit here?
from the Wikipedia »en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraud
"Fraud as a criminal act, generally
In criminal law, fraud is the crime or offense of deliberately deceiving another in order to damage them – usually, to obtain property or services unjustly. [5] Fraud can be accomplished through the aid of forged objects. In the criminal law of common law jurisdictions it may be called "theft by deception," "larceny by trick," "larceny by fraud and deception," or something similar."

said by marshals :

Deadpool, if you could do something on your end to fix this, cancel the service, I'd very much appreciate it as you already know whats been going on. Or any other bell employees who are reading this.

said by marshals :

Just don't wanna deal with that any more.

said by Peter Principle :

Too bad more people don't exercise their rights with small claims court. Death by a thousand cuts.
As someone who has been involved in litigation with Bell it is a very warm and fuzzy feeling running up the hours on their law firms.

said by Deadpool :

1. With all due respect, I don't see why you think you should be given a break on the cancellation fee if you agreed to stay for 2 years.

2. It's no different then having a car lease. Sure you can break your lease at any time or return the car but you'll still owe 100% of what's left of what you agreed to pay. The only exception being if you traded it in for a new lease or purchase from the same dealer. And in that case they'll just tag on all or most of what you had left on the old lease to the new one.

3. If for the "phone" side of things you got what you paid for from the contract you agreed to, why do you feel it's unfair for them to expect you to honor your end of the bargain?

said by marshals :

I'd just like to apologize.....

Am I dreaming? hehe..

said by marshals :

So yeah, while I was talking to some guy from bell I got hung up on. Why I donno. Not a happy camper! TSI take me away! :)