Koodo mobile vs. Solo mobile

[arloiginla]

Just thought I should share my story highlighting the huge disparities between the two providers.

Last spring I saw Solo mobile offering a nice package of 20 bucks a month for 200 minutes plus unlimited evenings and long distance. Being young and dumb I locked into a three-year contract. Since then I've expanded my plan to bring in text messaging and stuff, and up until now was paying just over 40 bucks a month.

I call them and ask them what constitutes a long-distance call. They tell me that with them, a long distance call is when you make or receive a call when your phone is out if its area code. I didn't think that could be true cause then I could just sit at home and call anyone I wanted nationwide for the normal rate, but they insisted that was the case. So I acted on that and sure enough, two days later was my billing date and they dinged me for 100 bucks, most of which was long distance charges. I spoke to three different reps over the course of a week, and each time was put on hold for over a half hour, and the last time was told that the whole thing was my fault, and I should jump in a lake. The lack of service was appalling, even an apology would have done it for me, but not a chance. Obviously when you lock into a contract they feel they can screw you over and it doesn't matter because you're stuck handing them your money regardless.

So I bit the bullet today and paid out my contract for 300 bucks. I was looking around for something without a contract and Koodo treated me so well. They answered my questions on email and have given me excellent service. And the prices are amazing: I got to pick my own plan - a 15 dollar base plan of 150 minutes and 50 text messages, unlimited talk and text to any 5 numbers nationwide, and call display for 30 bucks. and with their phone tab I got my 225 buck phone for 75 big ones.

Just wanted to say for any of those considering solo, just say no. Bell's service in general sucks - they make my pull my hair out everytime I want to order a Flames pay per view too. and I like what I've seen with Koodo - so far.

[greyshep]

I dont have a solo phone, I have one step worse... Bell (who runs solo).

Their plans and nickel and dime tactics are slimy and verge on criminal in my opinion.

I am counting down the days til July when my contract expires with them. I have been getting hosed by them for far too long, but was complacent in checking out other options (my fault).

I have done a lot of recent research into each carrier and their plans and will be going with Koodo when this albatross contract mercifully ends. Between the 2 phones I have with Bell I will be saving $40+ per month and actually have more services on my Koodo line.

Stay away from Bell.

[@theCBE]

I'm on Koodoo right now... I have never had such a hassel free phone in my life.. which is surprising because its operated by Telus and when I had a cell phone with them they were brutal.

I am actually putting off switching to Rogers to get a Blackberry, not because of the cost but because of the headaches I am sure to endure.

Koodoo was ridiculously easy to set up as well. I walked into a futureshop and was back in my car within 10 min with a new working cell phone.. the exact plan I wanted and I didn't even need to pull out my wallet (cheapest phone was totally covered by the tab)

[Russic]

If I wasn't attached at the nuts to my iphone I'd be all over Koodoo. That's one product I don't care about contracts with. Great to hear positive things about Koodoo ... that kind of competition is awesome to have around.

[Coach]

I talked to a guy at the mall about Koodo and i really want to switch to them but like the OP im locked into a 3-year contract with telus. Koodoo seems like pretty much the best thing ever. Telus said the charge to terminate is $20/month for how ever many months is left on the contract (which is about 2 years). I would be paying slightly more for this + the Koodoo deal than i currently am on my plan for the same type of service....should i go for it? sorry to hijack the thread a bit.

[Rathji]

Can someone explain how Koodo is a good idea? Maybe I misunderstand how the whole thing works, or just how much of a huge discount Koodo is, so maybe someone can enlighten me.

You are going to have a cell phone. You can either sign a contract, pay an extra charge every month to avoid having to sign a contract with Koodo, or just flat out buy your own phone.

Unless your plan is to switch carriers again real soon, then whats the advantage of paying for your own phone vs signing the contract? I understand Bell sucks, but why not go with another carrier and not be dinged that monthly service charge you get for not having to sign a contract with Koodo?

I am on Bell, pay 50 bucks a month and with my Bell to Bell and Fab 5, I can talk to anyone I ever talk to for as long as I want for no additional charges. Is Koodo that much cheaper?

Edit: For the record, I am never signing another contract with any cell phone provider for the rest of my life. I just want to see what the attraction to Koodo is driven by.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by Rathji

Can someone explain how Koodo is a good idea? Maybe I misunderstand how the whole thing works, or just how much of a huge discount Koodo is, so maybe someone can enlighten me.

You are going to have a cell phone. You can either sign a contract, pay an extra charge every month to avoid having to sign a contract with Koodo, or just flat out buy your own phone.

Unless your plan is to switch carriers again real soon, then whats the advantage of paying for your own phone vs signing the contract? I understand Bell sucks, but why not go with another carrier and not be dinged that monthly service charge you get for not having to sign a contract with Koodo?

I am on Bell, pay 50 bucks a month and with my Bell to Bell and Fab 5, I can talk to anyone I ever talk to for as long as I want for no additional charges. Is Koodo that much cheaper?

Edit: For the record, I am never signing another contract with any cell phone provider for the rest of my life. I just want to see what the attraction to Koodo is driven by.

I'm just skimming the op's message up top, but it seems as though he isn't really paying an inflated cost to not be in a contract. He pays $30 per month ($10 cheaper than his former provider) and has the Fab 5 / My 5 type deal. True he had to buy his own phone but it was only $75. That's not bad considering he would have to pay that just to get out of a 3 month contract with Telus.

[JerzeeGirl]

To chime in on things - I got a Virgin Mobile phone when they launched years ago as I use my phone more for texting and the occasional call. For the most parts, no complaints whatsoever about them....pay as you go is easy, fees have now become fairly comparable to most plans but the thing I really like is the no system access fee and getting all the calling features for free (like my voicemail, caller ID etc).

That's the one thing that has kept me with Virgin as opposed to jumping over to Koodo - but can you Koodo converts talk about that? Are they still charging for their system extras? If not, I'd probably switch myself....

[Rathji]

So Koodo is cheaper for same plan (ballpark) including the 'contract avoidance fee' than Bell,Rogers,and Telus?

[@theCBE]

Originally Posted by JerzeeGirl

That's the one thing that has kept me with Virgin as opposed to jumping over to Koodo - but can you Koodo converts talk about that? Are they still charging for their system extras? If not, I'd probably switch myself....

No system access fee.. but you do pay extra for VM, CID etc.

[greyshep]

Originally Posted by Rathji

So Koodo is cheaper for same plan (ballpark) including the 'contract avoidance fee' than Bell,Rogers,and Telus?

Yep.

Bell "Uber 25"

100 anytime minutes
6pm Nights and Weekends
No included text messaging (15cents each - incoming/outgoing)
Per minute billing
$35 activation charge

$25/mth + 8.95 system access fee + 0.75 911 fee
Total: 34.70




Koodo

Build your own

100 anytime minutes
7pm nights and weekends
50 text messages
Per second billing
No activation charge

$20/month, no system access fee, no 911 fee
Total: $20.00


Now I understand that these plans are not identical (7pm vs. 6pm local calling, etc.) But it is pretty tough to find an identical plan. Bottom line is that you can build a plan with Koodo that does not set you up for all kinds of exta billing and still come in at a reasonable number.

If you spend a bit of time realistically looking at the plans available with Koodo, its pretty easy to see how you may be able to save a considerable amount of money.

I personally will be going with the above plan but will add the $12 bundle that includes 5pm nights and weekends, call display, call forwarding and voice mail.

This will bring my total bill to $32/month and I really cant see too many situations that would cause me to incur extra charges.

Each to his own I suppose but I dont see any alternative carrier that can beat this plan for me.

Bell charges ridiculous access fees and nails you for any little thing they can (incoming texts for example, per minute billing just to name a couple)

[greyshep]

Originally Posted by @theCBE

No system access fee.. but you do pay extra for VM, CID etc.

Regarding extra charges for VM, CID, etc.... these are not included for Bell, Rogers or Telus either. So that is a wash.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by greyshep

Yep.

Bell "Uber 25"

100 anytime minutes
6pm Nights and Weekends
No included text messaging (15cents each - incoming/outgoing)
Per minute billing
$35 activation charge

$25/mth + 8.95 system access fee + 0.75 911 fee
Total: 34.70




Koodo

Build your own

100 anytime minutes
7pm nights and weekends
50 text messages
Per second billing
No activation charge

$20/month, no system access fee, no 911 fee
Total: $20.00


Now I understand that these plans are not identical (7pm vs. 6pm local calling, etc.) But it is pretty tough to find an identical plan. Bottom line is that you can build a plan with Koodo that does not set you up for all kinds of exta billing and still come in at a reasonable number.

If you spend a bit of time realistically looking at the plans available with Koodo, its pretty easy to see how you may be able to save a considerable amount of money.

I personally will be going with the above plan but will add the $12 bundle that includes 5pm nights and weekends, call display, call forwarding and voice mail.

This will bring my total bill to $32/month and I really cant see too many situations that would cause me to incur extra charges.

Each to his own I suppose but I dont see any alternative carrier that can beat this plan for me.

Bell charges ridiculous access fees and nails you for any little thing they can (incoming texts for example, per minute billing just to name a couple)

Thanks.

I will consider them when my current Bell phone craps out. I really dislike that I don't have a sim card.

[greyshep]

Originally Posted by Rathji

Thanks.

I will consider them when my current Bell phone craps out. I really dislike that I don't have a sim card.

Well if the sim card thing is a priority for you, Koodo wont fit the bill for you either. Still uses the CDMA network like Bell and Telus. I think GSM is the one that has the sim card option (Rogers phones).

I am not an expert on this however so your research may turn up some different details.

[HOOT]

If you are with Bell you should have a corporate plan and then it's much cheaper than any carrier with or without fees.

[arloiginla]

Basically to clarify, what was so attractive about Koodo was that I got exactly the features I wanted by building my own combo plan, instead of taking one of three or four pre-set plans and paying extra, for some other features I didn't want but had included anyway.

I was paying just over 40 bucks with Solo and was unable to make any long distance calls and had a limit to my texting - this for 200 minutes a month.

With Koodo, I have unlimited texting and talking to any 5 people - which is important because it inclues all of Canada and I can talk long distance to people in my 5. I have almos tthe same number of base minutes and more text messages. I don't end up with a bunch of things I don't need - like web browsing and the like. Call display cost me 5 bucks, but three way conference calling, and call waitng were free. And there is no system access fee.

I'm literally getting more features for less money, I don' thave a contract and paying 75 bucks for the phone is a lot less than having to pay 300 to get out of a contract.

It was amazing how easy it was too - I went up to the Koodo kiosk in Market mall and walked off with the phone 20 minutes later - completely activated and everything. They even transferred my old number over.

[JerzeeGirl]

Originally Posted by arloiginla

I'm literally getting more features for less money, I don' thave a contract and paying 75 bucks for the phone is a lot less than having to pay 300 to get out of a contract.

It was amazing how easy it was too - I went up to the Koodo kiosk in Market mall and walked off with the phone 20 minutes later - completely activated and everything. They even transferred my old number over.

Yeah I have to agree with you AI - regardless of the alternative provider, these smaller version cell companies like Koodo or Virgin are nice alternatives in a lot of cases to the large "take a number you faceless drone" providers.

I have had the same experiences with Virgin Mobile - great array of phones, some decent plans if I want one and the best of all - no system access fees, no charges for VM, CID etc so they aren't phantom billing for extras you didn't ask for.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Rathji

Can someone explain how Koodo is a good idea? Maybe I misunderstand how the whole thing works, or just how much of a huge discount Koodo is, so maybe someone can enlighten me.

You are going to have a cell phone. You can either sign a contract, pay an extra charge every month to avoid having to sign a contract with Koodo, or just flat out buy your own phone.

Unless your plan is to switch carriers again real soon, then whats the advantage of paying for your own phone vs signing the contract? I understand Bell sucks, but why not go with another carrier and not be dinged that monthly service charge you get for not having to sign a contract with Koodo?

I am on Bell, pay 50 bucks a month and with my Bell to Bell and Fab 5, I can talk to anyone I ever talk to for as long as I want for no additional charges. Is Koodo that much cheaper?

Edit: For the record, I am never signing another contract with any cell phone provider for the rest of my life. I just want to see what the attraction to Koodo is driven by.

Did you just answer your own question there? Or am I not following.

Like you- I will not sign a telecommunications contract; unless of course it is slanted in my favour. (Just signed one with Telus for home phone, but they gave me free months representing double the cancellation fee up front.) For me the big reason is customer service. While on contracts I noticed any issues I was told to basically go suck rocks, but once I was off a contract or nearing the end I suddenly had good service.

Telus gave me $100 or $150 off my last cell phone, and they have told me that if I want to upgrade again they would be happy to give me cash off my next one again; without a contract.

I think the message in this thread is to always shop around- as there is likely going to be options out there without having to tie yourself to a particular provider.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Did you just answer your own question there? Or am I not following.

In making my post, I was more interested in what motivated other people in what they choose for a provider, and if they choose to sign contracts or not. Since I understood Koodo to be contract free but they charged you the fee every month to make up for it, I was confused why anyone would do that since it seemed like a advertising gimmick to me.

[Vena]

Just wanted to bump this again. I've been with Koodo since August. It's been great. When my bill was running a bit higher than it should, I received a message suggesting I change plans.

I went with the $20 basic plan, $12 for Caller ID, VM, the 5pm WW, and $10 for the five essentials. Paying about $42 a month with no surprise fees.

The customer service has always been excellent and they've addressed anything that I've needed immediately. Technically, I could walk away from them at the end of any billing cycle even though, at this point, I wouldn't want to ever switch.

One weakness is that they don't have a very large selection of phones. This really isn't a problem for me as I want is a phone that I can use to talk to people and send out the occasional text. The great part is that I am earning points to offset the cost of a new phone. It's fantastic.