Ripped off by Rogers Wireless

[Jets4Life]

I was wondering if anyone knew what to do if you believe you have been unjustly taken advantage of by a Wireless phone provider such as Rogers, Telus, Bell, etc. In my case it is Rogers.

While in Winnipeg in July, I dropped my Galaxy 3 while I was texting. I went to what I thought was a Rogers store, however it was Airsource/Rogers on the 2600 block of Portage Avenue. I informed them of what happened, and was trying to get a replacement phone (refurbished). The girl who was working told me I could get a refurbished phone, for $49.99, but I had to have an an additional number on my new Galaxy 3, and be charged a special rate of 50% off the cost of two lines, and in three months, my plan would revert to normal, and the second line would be free. I told her I had no need or desire for a second phone line. I asked her is that it? she said yes.

Fast forward two months, I noticed my Rogers plan was cancelled, and since I am away from home 2/3 of the time, my long distance phone charges were nearly $150 for two months, even though I had a plan to call anywhere in Canada for free under my old plan. I had even mentioned this to the lady at the Rogers store, so why would she take off my long distance plan? Additionally, I just found out that that "second number" was a contract, and while the first 3 months were 50% off, I would be paying double for the next 33 months. So it was essentially like a second contract. Why would she add a second phone contract when I was alone when I went to replace my Galaxy 3, and mentioned it was for myself?

Since the girl at the Rogers/Airsource store lied to me about the second phone number, and switched my long distance plan without my consent, I wanted to know my options. I will be paying probably over $2000 for the next 33 months of this plan the girl had said would be free after 3 months. That is on top of the $150 long distance charges I am paying after she took me off my original plan. I know that I did not read the "small writing" in the contract, but it's human nature to trust people, especially since I have never had this problem before.

I am going to file a complain with the BBB and the CCTS. What else can I do, other than returning my $600 Galaxy 3 and paying a $600 cancellation fee? Has this happened to anyone else, and what can I do about this situation. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[oilyfan]

Have you talked to customer service at Rogers and asked to cancel the contract?

[Rathji]

The answer, unfortunately, is that you likely signed something at the store which says, and I am paraphrasing here... "Bend over and grab your ankles".

If you didn't do that, then you have a surefire way out of it. Otherwise, this really isn't that unusual. I know my mom did it once for some reason, and she has maintained 2 contracts ever since. It really doesn't matter to her, since she has uses for both numbers. The bonus is it gives her phone upgrades much more frequently.

[RedMileDJ]

Sounds like your complaint is with Airsource and not Rogers.

Have you spoken to Airsource management?

[Jets4Life]

Originally Posted by oilyfan

Have you talked to customer service at Rogers and asked to cancel the contract?

Yes.

They gave me the spiel about how it was a "Legal contract" and I had 15 days to return my Galaxy 3 and cancel the unwanted contract. The thing is, the day I picked up my Galaxy 3 was July 27. I just found out about the other phone line being a 3 year contract at $55/month yesterday, when I complained about my long distance bill.

As I said, the smart thing to do would have been to spend 30 minutes reading the whole Rogers contract they make you sign, but honestly, how many of us do that? It's human nature to trust the person who sells you the phone, not to be ripped off.

So speaking with customer service, and escalating it to a manager got me nowhere. I do have a plan though...

[Jets4Life]

Originally Posted by Rathji

The answer, unfortunately, is that you likely signed something at the store which says, and I am paraphrasing here... "Bend over and grab your ankles".

If you didn't do that, then you have a surefire way out of it. Otherwise, this really isn't that unusual. I know my mom did it once for some reason, and she has maintained 2 contracts ever since. It really doesn't matter to her, since she has uses for both numbers. The bonus is it gives her phone upgrades much more frequently.

You may be right, but I am prepared to try something unorthodox that has worked before after a customer purchases a lemon from a car dealership. I will politely discuss the mistake to the manager of a local Rogers/Airsource. If he still refuses to cancel my unwanted contract at no cost, I have a legal way of getting even. I will print out 100 copies of my experience a few metres outside that particular store, then spend the day, with a giant white sign, saying "I WAS RIPPED OFF BY ROGERS!" I'll make sure I am a legal distance away from the store.

I have read this has worked with people who have bought lemons from car dealerships, as it scares potential customers away, so the dealership gives in, not wanting the bad publicity. I know it will be more difficult, as it's a cell phone provider, but chances are I may scare at least 5-10 people off from that location, after they see me with a big sign, and a document telling them how I was scammed. I will also "decorate my car in the parking lot, in full view of passersby, with anti-Rogers slogans. I figure the business that they will lose will be exponentially higher than my losses ($2000 approximately).

Too many Canadians are getting the shaft from these cell phone companies, We pay the highest cell phone rates in the world, for arguably the worst service in the world.

[photon]

Basically never trust what a sales/customer service/telephone drone tells you, if it's unusually good, then they're probably wrong.

Always ask them to show you and highlight in what you are signing where it spells out exactly what they describe.

EDIT: Maybe you can sell the contract?

[puckluck2]

This is why I vowed to always use a tape recorder when shopping for any kind of electronics especially when shopping at scumbag Future Shop. They train their damn employees to be misleading. If you can prove a contract wasn't negotiated in good faith you should be able to get out of it.

[Jets4Life]

Originally Posted by Red-Mile-DJ

Sounds like your complaint is with Airsource and not Rogers.

Have you spoken to Airsource management?

I can try that, although I signed the contract with Rogers. I'm not very optimistic...

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Jets4Life

You may be right, but I am prepared to try something unorthodox that has worked before after a customer purchases a lemon from a car dealership. I will politely discuss the mistake to the manager of a local Rogers/Airsource. If he still refuses to cancel my unwanted contract at no cost, I have a legal way of getting even. I will print out 100 copies of my experience a few metres outside that particular store, then spend the day, with a giant white sign, saying "I WAS RIPPED OFF BY ROGERS!" I'll make sure I am a legal distance away from the store.

I have read this has worked with people who have bought lemons from car dealerships, as it scares potential customers away, so the dealership gives in, not wanting the bad publicity. I know it will be more difficult, as it's a cell phone provider, but chances are I may scare at least 5-10 people off from that location, after they see me with a big sign, and a document telling them how I was scammed. I will also "decorate my car in the parking lot, in full view of passersby, with anti-Rogers slogans.

Too many Canadians are getting the shaft from these cell phone companies, We pay the highest cell phone rates in the world, for arguably the worst service in the world.

I have made the same mistake when dealing with a company. I signed the contract and trusted what I understood the rep told me.

I ended up forking out for it when my circumstances changed, but it wasn't nearly as bad as this.

[smoothpops]

Before you stand outside their store, try posting to the consumerist/twitter/fb/reddit.com. shaming companies on Social media seems to have the best results these days. of course, try calling and speaking to the manager of the actual store you "purchased" it from first. best of luck, i feel for you bud.

[Jets4Life]

Originally Posted by smoothpops

Before you stand outside their store, try posting to the consumerist/twitter/fb/reddit.com. shaming companies on Social media seems to have the best results these days. of course, try calling and speaking to the manager of the actual store you "purchased" it from first. best of luck, i feel for you bud.

My blog has nearly 40,000 hits. I think I may just do this when I return from N Alberta if this issue isn't resolved. My friend can take pics, and I'm sure we would get a lot of support from commuters, and passersby. I'll be sure to get the manager's email, and send him my blog post

[PsYcNeT]

A CCM or something Wireless in Bankers Hall did this to me last year.

Basically, call Rogers customer support, have all your info (amounts, dates, account #s etc) ready to go, immediately ask to speak to a supervisor, demand they refund the cash/remove the charge because it was taken under false pretense, state you will pay your legitimate owing balance immediately but you do not want to legitimize the false charges, and they will refund/rescind.

Play the "manager's manager" game if you have to. I had to be escalated twice before the person typed a few keystrokes and removed a false $190 charge from my account. Rogers did what I asked, their 3rd party retailer, not so much.

[NuclearPizzaMan]

Originally Posted by Jets4Life

I was wondering if anyone knew what to do if you believe you have been unjustly taken advantage of by a Wireless phone provider such as Rogers, Telus, Bell, etc.

Yeah, pretty much everyone I know has a cellphone from the big 3.

[Locke]

"Ripped off by Rogers wireless."

Otherwise known as: 'Business as usual.'

[Erick Estrada]

Remember you always have the option of telling them that you simply refuse to pay their bills. They know if you default they will never see the money as collecting agencies rarely recoup any money. I never pay for services I haven't received or if I have been misleaded. Have had several collecting agencies come after me for disputed bills and they all eventually go away and it's never, ever affected my credit ratings. When a dentist doesn't call or mail you a reminder about an upcoming appointment made 6 months ago and then charge you $215 for missing the appointment there's simply no way I am going to pay that and I never did to them or the collecting agency. No person or business has the right to steal your money.

I told Ford once that if they didn't look into my concerns about my new car that they had the option of working things out with me or I would simply default on my Ford financing loan and they quickly change their tune when you threaten to stop the money train.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Remember you always have the option of telling them that you simply refuse to pay their bills. They know if you default they will never see the money as collecting agencies rarely recoup any money. I never pay for services I haven't received or if I have been misleaded. Have had several collecting agencies come after me for disputed bills and they all eventually go away and it's never, ever affected my credit ratings. When a dentist doesn't call or mail you a reminder about an upcoming appointment made 6 months ago and then charge you $215 for missing the appointment there's simply no way I am going to pay that and I never did to them or the collecting agency. No person or business has the right to steal your money.

I told Ford once that if they didn't look into my concerns about my new car that they had the option of working things out with me or I would simply default on my Ford financing loan and they quickly change their tune when you threaten to stop the money train.

Lol please don't anyone take this advice. Doesn't effect your credit rating? Unless you're a freeman who denies a credit rating, yes it most definitely will.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Remember you always have the option of telling them that you simply refuse to pay their bills. They know if you default they will never see the money as collecting agencies rarely recoup any money. I never pay for services I haven't received or if I have been misleaded. Have had several collecting agencies come after me for disputed bills and they all eventually go away and it's never, ever affected my credit ratings. When a dentist doesn't call or mail you a reminder about an upcoming appointment made 6 months ago and then charge you $215 for missing the appointment there's simply no way I am going to pay that and I never did to them or the collecting agency. No person or business has the right to steal your money.

I told Ford once that if they didn't look into my concerns about my new car that they had the option of working things out with me or I would simply default on my Ford financing loan and they quickly change their tune when you threaten to stop the money train.

Ah, the old "screw 'em over by being taken to collections" scheme.

[photon]

I've read lots of credit reports that included negative portions due to non-payment of mobile phone bills (If someone can't pay their mobile phone bill, they might have problems paying their rent).

[InBurkeWeTrust]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

Lol please don't anyone take this advice. Doesn't effect your credit rating? Unless you're a freeman who denies a credit rating, yes it most definitely will.

+1 don't take his advice and ruin your credit..