Comments on: Switch from Shaw Direct to Bell http://www.scottblogs.com/switch-from-shaw-direct-to-bell/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:10:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: ScottBlogs http://www.scottblogs.com/switch-from-shaw-direct-to-bell/comment-page-1/#comment-1209 ScottBlogs Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:42:15 +0000 http://www.scottblogs.com/?p=861#comment-1209 Thanks for your comment. I totally agree with you. Our contract with Bell runs out in a month or so, and we are seriously considering switching. There customer service has turned out to be absolutely horrendous. Its hard though considering that both services have their major flaws. When will a company come out that is actually worth while... never I bet. Thanks for your comment. I totally agree with you. Our contract with Bell runs out in a month or so, and we are seriously considering switching. There customer service has turned out to be absolutely horrendous. Its hard though considering that both services have their major flaws.

When will a company come out that is actually worth while… never I bet.

]]> By: OldTabby http://www.scottblogs.com/switch-from-shaw-direct-to-bell/comment-page-1/#comment-1208 OldTabby Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:24:39 +0000 http://www.scottblogs.com/?p=861#comment-1208 After 12 years with Bell we are now switching to Shaw. I'm finally sick of Bell screwing up my bill & also the sheer cost of their packages. If you ever have any problems with Bell DO NOT go to the "appropriate" department from their phone menu - go to "cancel your service", they are the only ones who possess a brain, actually listen to you & have the authorization to DO something including offering incentives to stop you canceling! Bell tech support is a nightmare & usually starts in India then transfers to Toronto when the idiot in India finally accepts they cannot help! The Canadian ones aren't much better though. I spoke to one who was obviously working from home. I could hear the TV in the background & his wife yelling at their kid - very professional NOT! Also all of our the local tech guys say the support staff think they know more than the techs & rarely pass on correct information! Then there's the cost of programming to get the channels you want which are bundled with an amazing array of crap. Over $100 a month for the garbage now on TV is beyond a joke. Shaw new customer February promo in Atlantic Canada gets me a FREE HDPVR ($200 up front & $200 in programming credits = in effect I'm simply pre-paying the first 4 months) + $50 pay-per-view & all the channels I get from Bell for $42.99+tax per month for a year!! When I called to cancel Bell I was offered a free PVR + $15/month programming credit for a year - sorry guys not enough, I'm off ;-) Conclusion: Both companies have problems & it's about time they paid more attention to offering existing customers deals without being forced to do it to keep the customer! After 12 years with Bell we are now switching to Shaw. I’m finally sick of Bell screwing up my bill & also the sheer cost of their packages.

If you ever have any problems with Bell DO NOT go to the “appropriate” department from their phone menu – go to “cancel your service”, they are the only ones who possess a brain, actually listen to you & have the authorization to DO something including offering incentives to stop you canceling!

Bell tech support is a nightmare & usually starts in India then transfers to Toronto when the idiot in India finally accepts they cannot help! The Canadian ones aren’t much better though. I spoke to one who was obviously working from home. I could hear the TV in the background & his wife yelling at their kid – very professional NOT! Also all of our the local tech guys say the support staff think they know more than the techs & rarely pass on correct information!

Then there’s the cost of programming to get the channels you want which are bundled with an amazing array of crap. Over $100 a month for the garbage now on TV is beyond a joke.

Shaw new customer February promo in Atlantic Canada gets me a FREE HDPVR ($200 up front & $200 in programming credits = in effect I’m simply pre-paying the first 4 months) + $50 pay-per-view & all the channels I get from Bell for $42.99+tax per month for a year!! When I called to cancel Bell I was offered a free PVR + $15/month programming credit for a year – sorry guys not enough, I’m off ;-)

Conclusion:
Both companies have problems & it’s about time they paid more attention to offering existing customers deals without being forced to do it to keep the customer!

]]> By: Kyle http://www.scottblogs.com/switch-from-shaw-direct-to-bell/comment-page-1/#comment-1083 Kyle Mon, 09 Jan 2012 07:35:19 +0000 http://www.scottblogs.com/?p=861#comment-1083 So the moral of the story is "You're damned if you do, damned if you don't." Truth be told, the only reason we switched to Bell TV is VOD. ShawDirect has PPV, but you have to catch it at the right showtimes. Also, Bell PPV is less expensive. So the moral of the story is “You’re damned if you do, damned if you don’t.”

Truth be told, the only reason we switched to Bell TV is VOD. ShawDirect has PPV, but you have to catch it at the right showtimes. Also, Bell PPV is less expensive.

]]> By: SpeedX http://www.scottblogs.com/switch-from-shaw-direct-to-bell/comment-page-1/#comment-1072 SpeedX Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:57:17 +0000 http://www.scottblogs.com/?p=861#comment-1072 I just got shaw direct with the hd 600 its around 300 channels + around 27 in HD, 25 bucks for 6 months then 49 after. You will not get a better deal. plus i own the 600 if i want i could sell it for 50 bucks and buy a 605 or 630. I just got shaw direct with the hd 600 its around 300 channels + around 27 in HD, 25 bucks for 6 months then 49 after. You will not get a better deal. plus i own the 600 if i want i could sell it for 50 bucks and buy a 605 or 630.

]]> By: Peter http://www.scottblogs.com/switch-from-shaw-direct-to-bell/comment-page-1/#comment-1070 Peter Sat, 03 Dec 2011 20:46:45 +0000 http://www.scottblogs.com/?p=861#comment-1070 I was considering changing from Bell to Shaw. I had received a flyer in the mail from Shaw showing 49.72/per mnth with over 250 channels and over 25 in HD. Presently, I pay about $90.00/month from Bell and I dont have a PVR. After reading some of your comments, I am beginning to second guess myself and stay with Bell. I was considering changing from Bell to Shaw. I had received a flyer in the mail from Shaw showing 49.72/per mnth with over 250 channels and over 25 in HD. Presently, I pay about $90.00/month from Bell and I dont have a PVR. After reading some of your comments, I am beginning to second guess myself and stay with Bell.

]]> By: Richard http://www.scottblogs.com/switch-from-shaw-direct-to-bell/comment-page-1/#comment-1067 Richard Mon, 21 Nov 2011 01:39:13 +0000 http://www.scottblogs.com/?p=861#comment-1067 Anybody who wants to go Bell should take a serious look at this person's blog I found today: http://mybellmyhell.blogspot.com/2011/07/bell-canada-could-this-be-worst.html After a recent experience of being lied to by Bell Internet,,overcharged and having to hassle them and getting only a partial refund -all because a CSR knowingly,or unknowingly lied offering a 'free modem and free shipping' and what with all the Bell TV horror stories I hear(even from my own sister....every time there's a strong wind,it blows the dish out of alignment[because Bell installed it on the Facia Board!] and after the first time,Bell said they would charge them to come back...and she says Bell's CSRs are obnoxious)...then there's the Bell rants on the Digital Home Canada Forum......ok,so Shaw Direct isn't perfect,but we're coming up on 10 yrs with them next January and have very few,if any complaints.....and while a "free PVR" sounds great....is it worth the price one has to pay? Anybody who wants to go Bell should take a serious look at this person’s blog I found today:

http://mybellmyhell.blogspot.com/2011/07/bell-canada-could-this-be-worst.html

After a recent experience of being lied to by Bell Internet,,overcharged and having to hassle them and getting only a partial refund -all because a CSR knowingly,or unknowingly lied offering a ‘free modem and free shipping’ and what with all the Bell TV horror stories I hear(even from my own sister….every time there’s a strong wind,it blows the dish out of alignment[because Bell installed it on the Facia Board!] and after the first time,Bell said they would charge them to come back…and she says Bell’s CSRs are obnoxious)…then there’s the Bell rants on the Digital Home Canada Forum……ok,so Shaw Direct isn’t perfect,but we’re coming up on 10 yrs with them next January and have very few,if any complaints…..and while a “free PVR” sounds great….is it worth the price one has to pay?

]]> By: Bogomil http://www.scottblogs.com/switch-from-shaw-direct-to-bell/comment-page-1/#comment-1066 Bogomil Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:04:31 +0000 http://www.scottblogs.com/?p=861#comment-1066 I am with Shaw since 3 years now. I got the DR500 with them, now I am trying to have their new HD PVR. I requested to have the monthly payment they said NO, they ned me to pay the total amount. I am thinking switching to Bell. Can someone help me to know if I am doing right. Thank you I am with Shaw since 3 years now. I got the DR500 with them, now I am trying to have their new HD PVR. I requested to have the monthly payment they said NO, they ned me to pay the total amount. I am thinking switching to Bell. Can someone help me to know if I am doing right.
Thank you

]]> By: Ray From Ontario http://www.scottblogs.com/switch-from-shaw-direct-to-bell/comment-page-1/#comment-1060 Ray From Ontario Tue, 01 Nov 2011 01:29:30 +0000 http://www.scottblogs.com/?p=861#comment-1060 I too should also mention, that Shaw Direct, will not reimburse me for the receivers (that I purchased). They told me they would charge me $200.00 if I didn't return them, which is really blackmail. So they are basically taking back what I paid for, and telling me to buzz off. They will REALLY have to changer their sales pitch before I would even consider going back to Shaw in a couple of years. So yes, they do sweet talk to you when you call.....just as long as you remain their client. Tell them you're cancelling, and you will see a very different side to them. When I had cancelled with Bell the last time, they took back the receivers, even sent me post paid boxes to send back at their expense. They even left me with their satellite dish. They gave me a new one when they returned to install again....no charge for anything....including the HD PVR. Lets see Shaw do that. I know I made the right decision this time. I too should also mention, that Shaw Direct, will not reimburse me for the receivers (that I purchased). They told me they would charge me $200.00 if I didn’t return them, which is really blackmail. So they are basically taking back what I paid for, and telling me to buzz off. They will REALLY have to changer their sales pitch before I would even consider going back to Shaw in a couple of years. So yes, they do sweet talk to you when you call…..just as long as you remain their client. Tell them you’re cancelling, and you will see a very different side to them. When I had cancelled with Bell the last time, they took back the receivers, even sent me post paid boxes to send back at their expense. They even left me with their satellite dish. They gave me a new one when they returned to install again….no charge for anything….including the HD PVR. Lets see Shaw do that. I know I made the right decision this time.

]]> By: Ray From Ontario http://www.scottblogs.com/switch-from-shaw-direct-to-bell/comment-page-1/#comment-1059 Ray From Ontario Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:36:55 +0000 http://www.scottblogs.com/?p=861#comment-1059 I was with Bell Satellite for 3 years, then Shaw Direct came knocking on our door one evening. The salesman did a great snow job on us, and promised us all sorts of things, which we never got. Even after complaining to Shaw Direct, they wouldn't stand behind us, and to solve the problem, they offered me more channels for 6 months. One of the first things I noticed when I went from Bell to Shaw, was picture quality....Shaw was not as clear Bell when it came to HD, which really disappointed me. So after 8 months, I called Bell, and was offered more channels (including HD), a free PVR and free installation, if I were to go back to Bell. So I canceled my business with Shaw, and they wanted to charge me $ 200.00 cancel fee because I hadn't stayed with them for a year....which I was told in the beginning was 6 months, not a year. However, they told me if I were to send back (at their expense) the HD and Digital recievers, they would wave the $200.00. I too never liked the fact of speaking with someone in India or some other Country, but so far, everytime I've called Bell, I have spoken to someone with no accent, sounding very CanEHdian. So now I'm signe up with Bell for 2 years, and hopefully I won't be searching for a new Satellite supplier after my term with them. I agree that Shaw AND Bell, could do much more to keep their "Existing" clients, rather than just catering to the New client. Time will tell I guess I was with Bell Satellite for 3 years, then Shaw Direct came knocking on our door one evening. The salesman did a great snow job on us, and promised us all sorts of things, which we never got. Even after complaining to Shaw Direct, they wouldn’t stand behind us, and to solve the problem, they offered me more channels for 6 months.
One of the first things I noticed when I went from Bell to Shaw, was picture quality….Shaw was not as clear Bell when it came to HD, which really disappointed me.
So after 8 months, I called Bell, and was offered more channels (including HD), a free PVR and free installation, if I were to go back to Bell. So I canceled my business with Shaw, and they wanted to charge me $ 200.00 cancel fee because I hadn’t stayed with them for a year….which I was told in the beginning was 6 months, not a year. However, they told me if I were to send back (at their expense) the HD and Digital recievers, they would wave the $200.00.
I too never liked the fact of speaking with someone in India or some other Country, but so far, everytime I’ve called Bell, I have spoken to someone with no accent, sounding very CanEHdian.
So now I’m signe up with Bell for 2 years, and hopefully I won’t be searching for a new Satellite supplier after my term with them. I agree that Shaw AND Bell, could do much more to keep their “Existing” clients, rather than just catering to the New client. Time will tell I guess

]]> By: RealityDysfunction http://www.scottblogs.com/switch-from-shaw-direct-to-bell/comment-page-1/#comment-1053 RealityDysfunction Mon, 10 Oct 2011 19:53:44 +0000 http://www.scottblogs.com/?p=861#comment-1053 @ Calvin Smith, The Reason SD wants you to send back the equipment or pay that cancellation fee is because when they set up a customer they are roughly 700 dollars in the hole for the actual cost of the dish and installation that you don't pay for. Each time they send out an installer it costs the company roughly $200 for the installer (Time/Labour) Roughly about $100 for the dish and $100/Per line and thats at 2 free receiver installs so $200 thats a lot of money and if you cancel your service within a year they need to get that money back some how. SD subsidizes the cost of their equipment just like any other company. The actual cost of acquisition is far more money than customers realise. @ Calvin Smith,

The Reason SD wants you to send back the equipment or pay that cancellation fee is because when they set up a customer they are roughly 700 dollars in the hole for the actual cost of the dish and installation that you don’t pay for. Each time they send out an installer it costs the company roughly $200 for the installer (Time/Labour) Roughly about $100 for the dish and $100/Per line and thats at 2 free receiver installs so $200 thats a lot of money and if you cancel your service within a year they need to get that money back some how. SD subsidizes the cost of their equipment just like any other company. The actual cost of acquisition is far more money than customers realise.

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