[Redliner]

I have been a Shaw customer for years, and although they are on the expensive side, I've always been happy with the product offering. The customer service is about as good as you get anywhere these days.

Just before last Christmas, Telus called me and offered me a screaming good deal if I would sign a contract and switch everything over to them. At the time I had the full digital phone package from Shaw, as well as high speed internet and the mid-range cable package. (no HD) Telus said they would match my phone plan, give me their ADSL internet, and offered me their IDTV with the HD package. If I signed on for 3 years they would throw in two PVRs. Their package came in a good $40 less per month than what I was paying with Shaw, and I seriously considered switching even through my brother, who works in the industry, strongly cautioned me against it.

On a whim, I called Shaw and told them what had happened. To my surprise, they bent over backwards to keep my business. I kept my phone plan, (with a couple of minor changes) my same hi-speed internet, and they upgraded my cable to their full digital TV package, including the HD channels. They gave me a PVR for one TV and a digital terminal for the other, which was fine because that TV isn't HD anyway, and they undercut Telus' offer by 20 bucks a month and I didn't have to sign a contract. I was amazed at how nice they were, and the length they went to to keep my business. It kind of sucks that I had to call and threaten to switch providers to get the deal - if I hadn't said anything, I would still be paying the full shot for an lesser product. Still, it's encouraging that they are willing to work with you.

One of the guys I work with got the same call from Telus I did, only he decided to switch. He hates the Telus TV, says the colour is weird and the picture isn't as sharp as it was on Shaw. His internet is nowhere near as fast, either. Now he is locked into a contract for 3 years and can't wait for it to expire.