Bell store or order over phone?

  • Thread starter Thread starter dynot
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dynot

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Just curious...is there any advantage for one over the other?

I will be a new customer and there is a Bell store not very far down from my home and was about to call Bell but then I figured there may be an advantage to a face-to-face transaction. Or does it make no difference?

What do you all think?
 
There won't be much difference. You will still need to wait for installation. Some big box stores occasionally discount Bell receivers.
 
Yeah...that's what I thought. Altough I figured if they know I'm just around the corner maybe they would want to make sure they have a satisfied customer so that I'm not there in their face every week with complaints LOL.

Waiting for installation is not a problem. Apparently industry practice is that providers require a one month notice when cancelling. I was planning on cancelling only after I have ordered everything (TV and internet) from Bell. So I can wait that month or so.
 
Over in Ontario, I suggest new customers talk to an independant retailer, sometimes they can be easier to talk things over with than Bell.
 
Wanted to do it on-line but their website is useless. First off, the page always loads with errors and doesn't render properly. I've tried two different browsers and they both do the same thing.

Secondly, when I do manage to order my services the pricing is not what I expected. When I calculate from the PDF flyer on their site I come up with one cost (basic+15 channels a la carte+HD+favorites+movies) and when I choose on their website its totally different (no a la carte or movie packages available) and I end up with some totally different cost. All in all, not an easy process and very confusing.

I went to a Bell store today and the guy knew less about the available packages than I did.

I think I'll just order over the phone and hopefully I'll get someone knowledgeable.
 
You may be right on this but my concern is that by getting a 3rd party in the loop you risk having finger-pointing if something goes wrong. For example, if a credit is promised and you don't get it, Bell says it should come retailer and retailer says it should come from Bell.

Prefer to keep it as simple and direct as possible.
 
I deal with a Retailer that can and does put the credits on accounts, or so he tells me.
 
Sounds ominous. As you have found, you know more about Bell TV than their own employees. FYI, their technical support follows suit.

I would go with a retailer as Pinza suggests. It is harder to get credits out of Bell. The retailer will take an interest in you as a client.
 
Well I finally managed to work through the website problems and ordered it on-line. Had a rep chatting with me and guiding me through the process even though I really didn't need her. Let's face it...the on-line reps are there only to ensure that the deal gets closed.

I also realized that be it on-line or at the Bell store or at a retailer the service and product is actually only purchased when the technician comes to your door. Utlimately the only thing we're doing is scheduling the tech's visit. When I questioned the on-line rep about the options not being right on their website she kept tellig me "don't worry about that. Just tell the technician your choices". What we select (on-line anyway) is irrelevant; the real purchase is done when the tech sets you up.

Just thought I'd get that out there for any other newcomers wondering about it.

Thanks to all for your insights.
 
Go to Bell directly. Period. Retailer will take an interest in you as a Client, sure... but you don't want to be THEIR client... you just want a BellTv receiver. You think they are going to do it all for free? They are a middle man, and want $ for their time, justifiedly. But do you need them? No. The Bell Store is an independant retail store, that is no more part of Bell than the Source or Future Shop are... except that they are exclusively selling Bell product.

Dynot is right. The 'pre-chosing' never gets to the Technicain in the field, and ultimately he is the one that activates the equipment, and sets your options, and can change your order to anything you need.
 
The biggest problem with a bell Store, is a lack of knowledge of the Sat side of the business. I used to get along great with 5 different Bell Worls, to the point that I co-ordinated their Installations for them, ie; got them done way before Bell themselves could schedule them. They were OK with a straight forward 1 or 2 receiver installation, but as soon as it became slightly outside the box, they were lost.

Even an installation of 2 x Dual Tuner HD PVR's and an HD Receiver, was beyond them, they were all telling the potential clients that they needed to have a second Dish installed.

It worked great for all of us, they kept the customer (Got the commision), I took care of the Installation (Got paid for the Installation), eberyone was happy.

Bell World Stores are great for Cell Phone info, that is for sure but they are not all as good when it comes to Sat Systems.

I guess it is the same anywhere but at least these local stores, were happy to pass along something they acknowledged was beyond them.
 
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