New card required for activation

  • Thread starter Thread starter dosborne
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I have had a similar experience with a 3100 that had not been connected for almost 2 years. I recently had a new 9242 installed by Bell and it is running 2 tvs(both working fine). My wife decided she might like to have a tv in the kitchen so I ran a new coax from the dish and connected it to the 3100. I ran the "check switch" and everything went as expected. Good signal strength and sysinfo screen all showed good. I then called Bell to have the receiver activated. The person took down the rcvr and smartcard number and said he would activate the rcvr and it might take up to 2 hours for the programming to start. I left the rcvr on and checked after 2 hours and the program guide was correct for my programming subscription. However, when I selected a subscribed channel, the screen was blank(no video or audio). I called ExpressVu back and after the person checked with their superior, I was informed that I needed a new smartcard and it would cost $100 and would take up to 10 days to arrive. I questionned the cost as there is a special on right now and I believe a 3100 can be purchased for $49. I am in the process of verifying what I was told but it sure doesn't make sense to me. Why take a perfectly good rcvr and make it obsolete and just land fill for the sake of a piece of plastic. Comments welcomed
 
I've moved your post to a new thread (and may merge with other similar threads shortly) as it was not the same issue as the thread you posted in.

I can't say for sure, but Bell usually has a grace period where you can still activate a receiver with an old and a new card will be sent free of charge. I had a couple in this situation the last time around. Since the card swap was just completed a short while ago, I can't see them forcing a charge at this time. I'd say call back and talk to a different CSR.
 
If the 3100 was on your account for the last 2 years but NOT active, then they should just issue a new card. It that is the case, call back and try a different CSR.

Either way, if they charge for a card, I thought it was $79, they will normally refund that amount as a credit when the new card is activated.
 
The card I have now is Blue with Yellow arrow. Yes, I expect a free card in a few days. Merci pour votre commentaire.
 
OK, card received today(no charge), installed, activated and now my wife can watch Dr. Phil while she is in the kitchen. Not bad, took six days which is less than promised.
 
Watch you next bill! When they charge for a smartcard it appears on the monthly bill, it's not a bill they send with the smartcard.

I'm not trying to says you should be billed for it...as I stated previously it should be free!
 
Thanks folks. I am going to visit the local Bell Store with the receiver. I seem to have better luck talking face to face. The receiver was on my account but my account itself was inactive(cancelled subscription). I managed to get treated as a new customer in order to take advantage of the incentives such as half price 9242, etc. I guess I can't have it both ways. In cases like this, why would Bell not offer to take a perfectly good 3100 in on trade for a new one? It could be refurbished with a new card and resold. Oh, well, I guess we are a throw away society, unfortuneatly. Will post what I find out later today. Thanks again!
 
actually bell does that. there is a program for recover the purchased units. bell buys back the 3100 which functions well+remote+card for 40.00.
 
she did what she was supposed to do.
so , if the receiver was not activ when bell started to send the new s/c , once you reactivated the receiver the system will automatically update the info in your account and will send you a new card free of charge.

the charge of 100 cad applies only for stollen/destroyed/lost card and this is legally correct. once the card was sent to you and your address was ok after checking with the csr, the card belongs to you, you are its owner so you assume the risk if it dissappears.
 
I know Bell did this some time ago, can you confirm it is still a viable way to dispose of receivers.?

Can you tell us which models other than a 3100 are in the scheme.?

Can you supply a Bell web page that confirms what you say.?
 
yes it is still available. the list of receivers that bell buys back starts at 3100. 3500,3700, 4500, 5200 are not included in the list. this I know for sure, for the other models and the prices I have to verify first.
 
Bell do not seem to like the idea of taking receivers as a Trade In.

You could sell it on E-Bay, etc and put that money towards another receiver.
 
Very interesting, this might give me a chance to empty my closet of all the old receivers I have collected over the years.
 
Thanks for the thread move. Wasn't sure about starting a new one. If the topic isn't exactly the same is it best to start a new thread?
 
Pinza look at my old post. I have posted a list with the amount Bell gives for each receiver a long time ago. Unfortunatly since i'm no longer working there I put the sheet in the recycling box
 
I have no idea but they do.

Maybe they need spare parts.

I would still call back and ask a different CSR.
 
I have four (yes FOUR) "spare" 3100s. I have been "activating" them since my first cards showed up. I take one or two units with the new cards off my account and add the old ones that have old cards. I have one left to ggo and I have not paid for a single card. I now have three different 3100s as "spares". Why do I have them? I originally bought three sets of 3150s (two 3100s in one box) and have since upgraded to 9242s & 6141s as well as my original 3100s. I never sold the 3100s because they weren't worth anything except to ^%$#^@ pirates and I was not helping out any pirate.

I knew Bell's past history of dealing with olde cards so I was not goint to get stuck with their $100 for a card please BS.

I did not get charged for any of the cards!
 
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