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Timespace

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Went to Bell store in Windsor to sign up for Bell TV. Representative charged my charge card $100 (which I should get back); put me on the basic HD programming ($69); $20/mth to rent a PVR and $6/mth for 2 more HD boxes and $3 digital service fee on a 2 yr. contract.
I was told that when the the hardware is installed I am to sign the contract and choose my programming package and themes.
When do I get to negotiate the price? When do I get to ask for freebies? I am a new subscriber and should get a break because I am switching from Cogeco Cable. Once they tack the dish on my roof they really have me at their mercy in regards to charging me whatever they want.
Not happy with this arrangement!
 
If you're not happy with the arrangement already timespace and it's been less then 10 days since you were at the Bell Store (I'm assuming), maybe you should go back and cancel your subscription. The last thing you want is to be stuck for two years in a contract you aren't happy with since day one.
 
If you visit the Bell web site you will see that they have four HD packages. It sounds like you've already been signed up to the HD Essential Package. Other than what is offered in the Package for new subscribers I don't think you can negotiate any further price reductions or freebies.
 
You are a new client to Bell...and usually the clients never get anything more than the new clients promotion. No extra freebie, no nothing. Bell's ragument:You never make them made any money, so why should they give anything? After a few months of suscriptin you could always call in and tell them you want to disconnect and you will get some retention offer

If you just signed (and passed the 10 days) and call BellTv they will basically ask you why you signed, knowing what the price would be, if you were not happy with the deal. If you are whithin 10 days after the installation (and not after you visit to the Bell store) they will tell you that if you are not happy they could terminate you right away
 
Huh? If you aren't happy, then why did you sign up? If you wanted a "deal" then you should have asked for something before making arrangments. Your actions make no sense what so ever.
 
Hey everybody, I didn't sign a contract at the Bell Store because I was told that when the the hardware is installed, I am to sign the contract and choose my programming package and themes at that time. I signed the credit card slip for Bell to hit my card for $100.
So now when the installer arrives will I have to call Bell and set everything up? Why was this not done while I was at the Bell Store?
 
I gotcha. Reading your original post I thought you were expecting to be able to haggle a price and freebies like you were at an Egyptian bazaar. My Bad!

But, I don't understand, you say,

"put me on the basic HD programming ($69); $20/mth to rent a PVR and $6/mth for 2 more HD boxes and $3 digital service fee on a 2 yr. contract."

It sounds like you've already signed up for the package you want, all that is left for you to decide is which theme packs you want. Like I said in my post, it looks like you've signed up for HD Essentials which includes the following,

  • Digital Standard
  • Free HD channels
  • Network time shifting (U.S. and Canadian networks): watch TV from different time zones
  • Choice of 4 HD Theme Packs
  • Choice of 6 Digital Theme Packs
  • A Premium Movies Pack free for 2 months

So you need to pick which 6 Digital Theme Packs, 4 HD Theme Packs and Premium Movies Pack you want and tell that to the CSR once installation is complete. I guess you are wondering why this wasn't done while you were at the Bell store and it may be because the actual unit has to be installed and activated before any programming can be assigned to it. That's my guess anyway!
 
Sounds like what has happened is that the Sales people at the store have passed the negotiating buck onto customer service, and once the installer is there they will tell you that there are no deals. It's a good negotiating tactic. I'd go back to store and tell them you want a negotiated service price now or you want to cancel your install.

And make sure you do it well before your scheduled install date. If they can't/won't do it then make up your mind if it's worth switching knowing that you won't be getting the deals you wanted.

I'd love to hear how this turns out for you.
 
timespace, how much are Bell TV charging you for the Installation.?

It is FREE because you are signing a 2 year term contract.

Thats your deal......
 
It's really hard to negotiate for a better deal for a new install. From what it sounds like he's already getting a good deal. Free install, 2 HD receiver rentals for $6. That's gotta be new. I'm also pretty sure although they said that you were on the $69 program package that your actually not set in stone to chose that package, that's like a template for their orders, you can actually get the basic package or opt for more. I know because I initially signed for the digital extra, but went with the essentials on the install date.
 
This is the best offer that Bell has for new Bell TV customers unless you are also moving your Home Phone service back to Bell with a Wireline Winback Offer.

You will be paying $88/month before taxes and the $5 Bell Bundle discount on Bell TV services for the first few months plus another $2/month after January 2010 and $10 more beginning in month 13, saving you $24/month for the first 12 months and $14/month for months 13-24. If you do think this discount is good enough, move to Manitoba where Shaw Digital Cable and MTS Ultimate TV are duking it out.
 
Went back to the Bell Store. Representative told me that the installer will arrange for any changes to my programming package and theme choices.
I will sign the contract at that time.
This will occur only after all the hardware is installed and activated.
Apparently before this policy a lot of people were signing contracts at the store and choosing their packages (all time consuming) then the installer would show up and the installation could not take place for one reason or another (line on sight?). Now I get it!
 
Get a brochure from the store. Go online at bell.ca. Figure out in advance which packages you'll want, and what price level you will be happy with.

An informed customer is a happy customer. If you wait until installation day, you'll be in a hurry to pick your channels.
 
After signing the contract on your install date, you have 10 days to cancel without penalty. If you are unhappy with your service or prices, you may be given the option of receiving a discount for the first year of your contract when you call to cancel, but YMMV. I know that when I compared the price of my cable package to Bell when all was said and done, Bell ended up costing more. I decided to call and cancel and cut my losses but was offered a discount roughly equalling the difference between cable and Bell, so I stuck with BTV. Not sure how this would work on a two year contract as I am only on a one year contract since there was no Bell installer in my area.
 
Thanks everyone for the wealth of information. I will let you know what happens on install day (Friday). Even if Bell TV is a little more expensive I won't mind because their PVR is superior to my present Cogeco PVR. I have a brochure and know exatly what package that I want.
I have 4 RG6 coaxial cables in the SW part of my attic that run to a distribution box in the basement; I have 3 tvs so apparently I will need all 4 cables. (one PVR and 2 HD boxes)
 
Bell technician arrived at 11am for a 1pm apt. He had a previous cancellation.
After introductions he offered me a Bell dish that had an antenna built into it so that I would be able to receive OTA channels; (Windsor); I went for it. (Cost up front for the Bell dish with antenna $90 on a 2 yr. contract)
Tech installed dish; made a phone call to activate the dish; set up tvs; (3) each tv has a splitter for the antenna feed; sat came in at 92; explained to me that the dish is powered and showed me where the power unit was and where it was plugged in; ran a wire to the water pipe to ground the dish: explained features of the 9241.
Had me sign a paper document acknowledging that I had received the equipment listed and installation. Billed me $90 and tax for the dish.
He had a hand held device where he recorded the programming and themes that I wanted and had me sign on the screen.
Had me sign the gizmo again acknowledging my 2 yr. contract.
Programs appeared on the tvs 25 minutes later.
Overall a pleasant experience. Any comments or questions?
 
Yeah, what's this dish and antenna combo look like? Can you take a picture of it and post it. Do you have any other info about it, make, model? What's the over-the-air reception like?
 
Same questions, along with, what area are you in.? What Installation Company did the work.?
 
so whats your total?, Im trying to figure out who gives better deal. Rogers offered me 46. for VIP with free 1 year rental (HD PVR & HD). After 1 year agent told me to call to and try get another deal.
 
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