Have you ever had a problem with your cellphone bill? Marketplace
has heard your horror stories, and for a second year in a row, we've
uncovered the trials and tribulations that many Canadians face when
dealing with their cellphone providers. Here are some tips on how you can avoid having Canada's Worst Cellphone Bill:Test your phone. If you're in the market to buy or upgrade your phone, test it out during the 30-day trial period that most carriers offer. If you're not satisfied with the product or service, you can return the phone as long as you have used less than 30 minutes of talk time, and take your number to another provider.
Consider a pre-paid plan. Many people feel like they are bound by long-term contracts, but if you don't use your cell phone very often, getting a pre-paid service might be a better option.
If you have a smartphone and are planning on traveling, make sure you turn your data roaming off. It may be hard to locate the setting on your phone so call your provider or go in the store and ask. This could potentially save you a lot of money.
Review your bills every month. It's always a good idea to analyze your usage so you know what you're being charged for. If you are overcharged, in some cases, your carrier will only credit your account up to a maximum of 90 days.
Escalate your complaint to the office of the president. If you're not satisfied with the service you receive from front-line employees, write a letter with your question(s) or complaint(s) about your bill, and send it to your carrier's office of the president. Experts suggest this is the best way to get a response from the company and may help to get your situation resolved in a timely manner.
If that doesn't work, file a complaint with the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services. If you have a cell phone complaint and your provider says it's out of their hands, the CCTS may be able to assist you in resolving the issue you have with your provider.
Watch "Canada's Worst Cellphone Bill: The Sequel" this Friday at 8 p.m. on CBC-TV. Click here to watch a preview with co-host Tom Harrington.
Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external links.
I could be wrong but based on coverage maps I've always thought Alberta must be the hotbed for mobile phones. All three of the major carriers have almost province wide coverage here. One could argue based on difficulty, but Rogers coverage in SK is abysmal.
While I'm not happy with the Canadian cell phone provider (cell phones should never be locked), it's your responsibility to turn off the roaming when you're aboard. Or A BETTER solution, take your SIM card before you board the plane. I dare any company can charge you anything.
Buy a cheap unlocked cell phone on ebay. At new destination, buy a pre-paid SIM card, slip that in your cheap unlocked cell phone. Problem's solved.
in your program on cell phones,you mentioned at the end of the show that Quebec has passed legislation concerning the maximum a cell phone company can charge for cancellation. Please forward me more info.on this topic as I want to cancel my Rogers account and would like to pay he least amount possible. Thanks judy
Re: Cell phones
I am experiencing the distress of cell phone-obia.
My daughter went away to College last year so we upgraded on our Bell plan to 2 Smartphones. I felt initial stress purchasing, fear and foreboding. Each month I have spent several days in anxiety trying to understand the bill and where the unforseen charges are coming from. I have spent a good deal of time on the phone to Bell asking questions and getting charges removed.
I am reaching the realization that I cannot live with a device, that basically is making me really sick, and I feel very sorry for my daughter who will find her hard earnings disappearing as she will be hooked on this device. I have reached the realization that the Smart phone, that we purchased to protect and bring reassurance to her life in a strange city, is the instrument that is invading and may cripple her ability to get an education and survive.
I don't know if it is still the case, in the past, one could get out of contract by advising rogers you're moving to a place where rogers does not have service (like yellowknife or something).
On your list of dos and don'ts you forgot one MAJOR step. Check the website of your phone's manufacturer. Most of the manufacturers have hints and tips for using your phone. It is not enough to visit your provider's store to get information. Don't forget that each provider deals with hundreds of different phones and the agents can't be expected to remember everything about each and every phone.
If the gentleman who decided to become a data hog while on his trip to Russia had thought to visit the Apple website he could have easily found the section on data roaming which would have given him specific instructions on how to turn off his data roaming.
One has to ask themselves where does the responsibility for high cell phone bills lie. For four long years, worked in a call centre for a very large cell phone company and was amazed by the number of people who own phones that are far too complicated for them, or are too lazy to read the manual that is provided with their phones then turn around and blame their cell phone provider for their high bills. We all know that data usage is very expensive but it is a luxury. It is rarely used for any purpose other than to entertain yourself. If you want to keep your cell bill low, use it sparingly and rely on the more stable system, the land line, for longer chats. The reception is much better and a lot more secure. The truth is that very few people really needs a cell phone and have been sucked in by the ad campaigns of the major phone providers.
«If you're in the market to buy or upgrade your phone, test it out during the 30-day trial period that most carriers offer.»
Hum, not true. Major cell phone providers have a 15 day return policy OR 30 minutes of talk time, whichever comes first. Check it out. Geez Marketplace, thanks for spreading wrongful information. Then you wonder why so many canadians are getting 'robbed'.
Sorry, Barry, but the last time I checked SaskTel doesn't offer service in Ontario. Ontario is, of course, the lion's share of the market and many people in that province would jump on board if they'd only extend their service several thousands of kilometers East.
We are being robbed. I don't understand how "data" is charged so differently for different services. Why is my television unlimited data, my phone limited and my internet limited. It's all data!!!
Use skype on a laptop when traveling. Phone cards in most countries cost pennies per minute.
I completely understand what Al went through! I lost $60 to virgin mobile, and it was one of the reasons for leaving as a customer
In the stares we have many companys we get unlimited cell servie for 45.00 per month Boost Mobile Smart phone service Blackberry Unlimited everything including online 60.00 per month Canada is getting robbed
All I can say, is that, complaints by others notwithstanding, I have had nothing but excellent service with SaskTel. I am frequently shocked at the poor service that other carriers seem to think is adequate.