Bell TV returning customer

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fmr

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I used to be a Bell TV customer more than 2 years ago.
When I called them earlier, to get information about getting service again, they told me I had to reactivate my existing account and pay a $50 reactivation fee and that they would not drop it. Apparently, I can't be a new customer anymore and get all the "freebies" you get when you get the service. I'm not even asking for them to do anything on my installation, dishes are already setup and everything, all I need is to be able to activate a new HD receiver, since apparently, there would be a cost to reactivate my old receivers since they changed smart cards.

Anyone else encountered this ?
I'm about to return the HD receiver I bought from BestBuy (they guaranteed me that they would take it back with 30 days, as any other product they sell), but before I do that, I just want to see if there is a way to proceed.
 
That does not seem right, you should be able to activate again as a new customer after 6 months.

There should me no cost for the smart cards either as long as new cards as not already been issued. Call in again and try and get a Canadian CSR.


Just call in to activate the new receiver and open the account, add your old receiver after. This is what did previously. They should just send the cards to you and there should be no charge.
 
Didn't you become a new customer when your purchased the HD receiver at Best Buy? Technically they're supposed to sign you up then.

-Mike
 
"Technically they're supposed to sign you up then."

I don't know about that, Best Buy just sold me the receiver as is. They did not ask any questions.

"Call in again and try and get a Canadian CSR."

I spoke to a french canadian CSR. It seems he was more eager to reopen my account and charge me various fees than giving all the information I wanted.

The fact is that I don't really want to sign up as a new customer and be stuck into a contract. I thought it would be easy and cheap for them to just reactivate all the account and add a new receiver (no incentives, no free install). The only thing I needed is an SW44, and I was OK to pay for it (a fair price), but all the guy wanted to do is send me an installer to update my system and I would have to pay for it, even though I know how to setup my system.
 
Activate 1 of your existing receivers then call in to add the HD receiver, they will then send a Tech to install the Upgrade Kit for you Free of charge.
 
Bell's policy is to always send an installer for HD PVRs (9200/9242/9241.) Bell's system will not allow them to do otherwise. I don't think this is required with other receivers but that may have changed. Installation is required with rentals but that is not applicable here. However, you should be able to get the installation fee waived if you say you would rather do the installation yourself. I also believe Bell will demand you sign a contract if you sign up with a newly purchased receiver (incentives or not.)

In this case, I see two options.
1. Activate the old receivers and pay the $50 fee. The smart card fee should be credited back on your account after the first bill is paid. (This was their policy, not sure if it still applies.) Then add/activate the HD receiver online.
2. Sign up as a new customer on contract with the new receiver. Take the credits and free installation. (The contract was once only one year if you installed yourself but not sure if that still applies.) You should then be able to add/activate the old receivers online. They will not work (due to the old cards) but it should then be easier to get new cards with no extra fees. (Just act dumb like you don't know why they won't work.)
 
No it is not. I bought a 9242 from Future shop, called in activated, installed myself. I bought another last week from Best Buy, same thing.
 
You bought a 9242 at Best Buy last week???

Please let me know where you are located.
 
It was a demo unit (same as the FS one) got it cheap because it was missing remotes and 1 of the doors on the front. I am picking up the demo 6141 next week.
 
"but it should then be easier to get new cards with no extra fees."

Since I can't get that kind of information straight from their mouth, I won't take the chance. The reason I left is because I got burnt by their "hidden" fees and the lack of transparency in billing, and it doesn't seem they've improved in that area. I actually think it got worse, by looking at their programming brochure. There is almost no indication of prices, except a few bundles. Is it to be able to charge whatever they want depending on who calls ? They can't even get proper information when you call, unless you're willing to sign up on the spot...

Anyway, I got a useless followup call from BTV robot last night and they basically don't care if I return or not. I guess I'll wait another year to see if they improve their customer service. But I doubt about it.
 
If the card you have is the last generation version, a new card will be shipped out for free. Just ensure that the software version is the most current and thats it.

I doubt customer service will improve at all but you can always live in hope.
 
That may be so. OTOH, Bell will not sell a PVR directly without an installation. They charged $75 for hooking up a 9242 where the 9200 was, checking signal levels and activating it. Since I wanted to install it myself and their system wouldn't allow it, they credited back the $75.
 
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