Ripped off by Rogers Wireless

[Erick Estrada]

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.

Credit ratings for for people that are trying to purchase what they can't afford in the first place. I haven't been denied a loan since I was in my early 20's (wasn't in the best financial place). If you aren't in the best place financially it may be poor advice but if you make good money lenders don't care if you defaulted on a dentist bill or phone bill. I have had between 5 and 10 collecting agencies come after me over the years and it's never, ever, ever come up when getting a car loan, line of credit, etc and I have a mortgage, multiple credit cards, get new cars every 2-3 years, etc. I'm not a deadbeat in that I purposely default on these things it's just like I said before in that nobody is going to take advantage of me.

You do have a choice in that you can take it in the behind from a company or you can tell them to stick it. It's up to you if you are going to fall for the scare tactics or not.

[jayswin]

Ah the old "I'm so rich I can get taken to collections whenever I feel like it" scheme. How.........expected.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by flameswin

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

It's not screwing them over. It's ensuring they aren't scewing you over.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Ah the old "I'm so rich I can get taken to collections whenever I feel like it" scheme. How.........expected.

It's not when you feel like it. It's when you want to keep your pants from being around your ankles. I have never not paid for services I have received I just have a problem paying for servicese I haven't received. I've never been late on a Visa payment, bank loan, rent, mortgage, utilities, etc. Heck when everyone was defaulting on their student loans in the day I paid every penny back that I owed. My disputes have been with services.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by fotze

Missing an appointment because they didn't remind you of the appointment is the dentists fault now?

I always get annoyed when they phone to remind me but I guess that's why.

Isn't keeping appointments just a basic skill of being an adult?

This was before the days of smartphones with calendars and when they always phoned and sent reminders but my appointment slipped through the cracks (girl even admitted they had an issue that month) with them and they tried to pass the cost to me. I discussed how this could be resolved but this guy was a hard ass and was condescending to me. It's one thing to charge a fee for not cancelling but to charge the entire checkup (that was what it was at that time) is to me unacceptable. I assume a lot of people that month missed their appointments and this dude was trying to recoup his full business for it.

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

This was before the days of smartphones with calendars and when they always phoned and sent reminders but my appointment slipped through the cracks (girl even admitted they had an issue that month) with them and they tried to pass the cost to me. I discussed how this could be resolved but this guy was a hard ass and was condescending to me. It's one thing to charge a fee for not cancelling but to charge the entire checkup (that was what it was at that time) is to me unacceptable. I assume a lot of people that month missed their appointments and this dude was trying to recoup his full business for it.

Did they not tell you the appointment date/time on your previous visit or whenever they scheduled it initially?

[Jbo]

As a lender, I can confirm your credit score is definitely an important factor in a credit decision.

[bubbsy]

1. There has gotta be a CRTC or some canadian mobility watchdog out there where you can report such issues, and they should also be published, in full transparency online for any would be consumers to peruse. (i also think a similar thing should have been done during the past flooding and insurance claim issues seen by the public recently, as it should help people be clear about what company was best).

2. Not paying and going to collections, i can see the argument, but i just don't think it's a good idea considering the credit rating impacts. I did this with bell (for like < $100) due to uncalled for fees, and it most definitely came up during my mortgage approval (though it didn't hinder me getting the financing, it sure was embarrassing).

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

1. There has gotta be a CRTC or some canadian mobility watchdog out there where you can report such issues, and they should also be published, in full transparency online for any would be consumers to peruse. (i also think a similar thing should have been done during the past flooding and insurance claim issues seen by the public recently, as it should help people be clear about what company was best).

2. Not paying and going to collections, i can see the argument, but i just don't think it's a good idea considering the credit rating impacts. I did this with bell (for like < $100) due to uncalled for fees, and it most definitely came up during my mortgage approval (though it didn't hinder me getting the financing, it sure was embarrassing).

This is the key. Millions of people have defaulted once or twice in their lives and Millions of them got mortgages, car loans, etc. They are more looking for trends than one or two occurances. If you have defaulted on several bills especially ones like bank loans, visa's etc you will find things difficult but no lender is going to refuse a large loan they have deemed you can well afford because of an unpaid cell phone bill years ago.

[Burninator]

This happened with my mother. Got hooked into a contract over the phone with never agreeing to it or even knowing about it until she tried to cancel her phone several months later. We fought it, hard. Supervisors, tried to get the recorded call (of course they couldn't find it), everything. They were huge a-holes through the whole thing (there was other incidents as well). Pretty sure my brother made someone at Rogers cry. Long story short they didn't budge. Any contracts were transferred to me and they lost 3 customers. My mother even had to put a stop payment on her credit card because they kept trying to bill her for 3 or 4 months after she was supposedly free and clear.

I would try to fight it as much as you can. Get as much as you can from them and then cut and run (pay the cancellation fee and just stay away from contracts).

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

Did they not tell you the appointment date/time on your previous visit or whenever they scheduled it initially?

I don't believe they did initial scheduling then like they do today. I took full responsibility for missing and said I would pay a certain amount but I wasn't going to pay for a checkup I didn't receive. I don't know if there's any cut and dry rule but most dentists charge for missing appointments but it's usually a fee and not the entire cost of the appointment.

[Erick Estrada]

Maybe my advise is not sound for the OP but if he's hard up for cash there is nothing forcing him to pay that bill. He can give them the phone back and tell them he refuses to pay for serivices that weren't fairly/properly disclosed. Sure there is the threat of this showing up on his credit rating but it won't destroy his life as long as it's not a regular occurance. My point is that there is always a choice and you have to look at your situation and weight the pros and cons of either being out $600 or having possibly a line on your credit rating.

At the end of the day fotze is right in that if you signed a contract it is on you to read the fine print.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

This was before the days of smartphones with calendars and when they always phoned and sent reminders but my appointment slipped through the cracks (girl even admitted they had an issue that month) with them and they tried to pass the cost to me. I discussed how this could be resolved but this guy was a hard ass and was condescending to me. It's one thing to charge a fee for not cancelling but to charge the entire checkup (that was what it was at that time) is to me unacceptable. I assume a lot of people that month missed their appointments and this dude was trying to recoup his full business for it.

I know what you mean, back in the 60s it was absolute chaos trying to have meetings and appointments. Sure, there were paper calendars and day planners but everyone just snubbed their nose at those and sat in the corner, longingly looking out the window daydreaming that one day a guy named Steve would bite an apple and bring us a smartphone with a calendar app! We would never miss an appointment again!

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

I know what you mean, back in the 60s it was absolute chaos trying to have meetings and appointments. Sure, there were paper calendars and day planners but everyone just snubbed their nose at those and sat in the corner, longingly looking out the window daydreaming that one day a guy named Steve would bite an apple and bring us a smartphone with a calendar app! We would never miss an appointment again!

That's not very original. In fact PsYcNeT should be unamused that you are using his material.

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I don't believe they did initial scheduling then like they do today. I took full responsibility for missing and said I would pay a certain amount but I wasn't going to pay for a checkup I didn't receive. I don't know if there's any cut and dry rule but most dentists charge for missing appointments but it's usually a fee and not the entire cost of the appointment.

Ah yeah that's totally different. My dentist will charge like a $30-$50 for a missed appt without 24hr notice of cancellation, but certainly not the entire charge for the work done. What a dick.

EDIT: I am terribly unamused. Brevity is the soul of wit.

[Jets4Life]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Maybe my advise is not sound for the OP but if he's hard up for cash there is nothing forcing him to pay that bill. He can give them the phone back and tell them he refuses to pay for serivices that weren't fairly/properly disclosed. Sure there is the threat of this showing up on his credit rating but it won't destroy his life as long as it's not a regular occurance. My point is that there is always a choice and you have to look at your situation and weight the pros and cons of either being out $600 or having possibly a line on your credit rating.

At the end of the day fotze is right in that if you signed a contract it is on you to read the fine print.

I was foolish, partied a lot in my 20s, and missed and defaulted on two loans. It took me four years to get my credit rating back up to par. There is no way I am going to deal with bad credit ever again.

Having said that, I should have had warning bells go off, as fotze said, when she mentioned a second number, but she did say that after a three month 50% off special payment of two phone lines, I would not be charged again, and she treated it as a mere technicality.

I mentioned twice that I had no need, nor desire to have two phone lines, and she assured me it was the 'cheapest' way I could get a new Galaxy 3, and I would be paying $49.99 plus $35.00 (with tax) x 3 months. I ever asked "are you sure?" and she said there would be no extra fees, and I did not have to use the extra line.

The word "contract" never at any time came up, let alone a 36 month contract that was minimum $55.00/month extra, on top of my regular bill. I still have not even touched the other number. The problem with these written contracts, is the dealerships don't exactly encourage you to read all of it when you are at the front of a line. Personally, it's intimidating to read through a long cell phone contract, while others are giving you dirty looks, and rolling their eyes at you. Plus, I was raised to trust CSR's, as most people are. I guess Rogers takes advantage of these two factors.

In any case, I am going to see what I can do, and will be at the head office for Rogers Alberta, and try and persuade one of the higher ups my situation. I like the idea of social media, as the plan to make large signs, plaster them all over my car, and park it where customers have to pass to get to the Rogers dealership sounds good. I'm actually getting pretty pumped to do this. I may even print out 50 articles about how cell phone companies are practicing morally questionable business procedures, and 100 copies of my "personal experience" at a Rogers/Airsource location

[oilyfan]

I know the reluctance of reading a whole contract in the store. I usually ask the salesperson to point out the relevant sections to me, length, cost per month, penalty clause etc.

I know this doesn't help you but thoughts for other people.

[To Be Quite Honest]

Look at redflag deals under Rogers. That's what I do!

Call Rogers and tell them you want to cancel. They will transfer you! Then reasonably talk to them about your experience and ask them for the current value plan that you see on red flag deals to keep you as a happy customer. Be honest and treat them like you would like to be treated and usually the doors open for you. You may have to wait 3 months into the contract to switch. Ask the rep to do a follow up for the plan if you "have to call back". A sales rep offered that for me so I didn't have to call back.

This was three years ago for me. Good luck!

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/merge...tomers-111887/

[Daradon]

Can't you change the details of your plan nowadays? How is this any different? Is it because you accepted the new phone?

Most plans nowadays allow you some flexability in changing them a few times a year.

Also, not sure if this has been covered yet, but tell Rogers about the sales people at this specific location. A lot of the larger brands do have minimum standards of conduct for people who are under their brand, as they don't want the bad publicity of situations like this. If you help them out, they may help you out, I dunno. Depends on how serious they think the situation is.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by oilyfan

I know the reluctance of reading a whole contract in the store.

You aren't alone as it's pretty normal to feel that kind of high brought on by excitement anytime you are signing the dotted line for a new house, phone, car, TV, etc. which can be accompanied by a low or buyer's remorse following. I know I have to kind of hold myself back when I'm just striking a deal on a brand new car as you see the end in sight and you just want to get your hands on the goods. Best to try and slow things down and take a few minutes to read the paragraphs on the back of the documents you are signing.

Since you've had a few credit issues in the past it's best you stay far, far away from my advice.