So my contract runs out in January and I recently got an email from my carrier Rogers to upgrade my phone for a discounted price and get a special data plan etc...etc...

I had already been looking into plans and phones since my contract runs out soon. I need to have a phone as I have just been hired to work a security job and plan to launch a website soon.

The email linked to the Rogers website and I looked at the deal. 199.99$ for the new Droid Razr the phone I was thinking of upgrading to. It said I was getting a 50$ off price, but that a renewal fee of 35$ would be charged when I renew my contract for another three years.

But then I remembered this sounds way too expensive. I had gone into Rogers to talk about signing a new 3 year contract and the plan and phone prices they gave me were far cheaper.

So I logged out of my Rogers account and looked at the Droid Razr, retail price with a three year contract only 149.99$ a full fifty dollars cheaper. Now they said I was recieving fifty dollars off hardware which made me wonder if maybe the renewal price was actually the 149.99$ but if that is true I'm not getting a dime off for renewing just the exact price everyone else pays. In fact after I pay the 35$ extra upgrade fee I am paying more.

My friend who just upgraded his contract realized today that the plan he was given was actually more expensive then it is advertised on the website.

So am I getting the wrong idea or is my carrier screwing me over for being a loyal customer? Why does a new customer get not only a better price on the phone itself but according to my friend a better 3 year contract as well? He is looking into getting his contract for the price advertised on the site.

I had a friend tell me to switch Carriers but I am at the best one in Canada. Bell is a disaster everyone I know who has had it got screwed by the small print and were screwed with by the staff, they all couldn't wait to bid them fairwell. Telus is supposedly the second best with way more towers and such but I have personally had problems with Telus home phone and while two friends love Telus another has had nothing but trouble.

The other mobile companies like Fido (Owned by Rogers), Koodo (Owned by Telus) and Virgin (Owned by Bell) are apparently all as good or worse then their parent companies.

Anyways any suggestions on how to avoid being screwed. Anyone know if I allow my contract to expire and then buy a new phone if I would have to pay the renewal fee and the more expensive hardware fee? Who has knowledge of how mobile carriers work? Preferably Canada but if you know how they work elsewhere it could be useful as well!

Here's what I got last 2 weeks and the deal should be still available.
$290 - Samsung Google Nexus S (3G)
$27.50 - monthly fee notable features are,
- Unlimited data
- Unlimited global sexting
- Unlimited Canada/US long distance calls

You probably can use your own 3G phone, just ask them to make sure it works on their network.
I bought my phone directly off them. They have other phones on their website. www.mobilicity.ca

The deal lasts for 1 year guaranteed. There's no contract, so you can cut it anytime.

I just had a deja vu. All that time traveling is messing up my mind.

I have heard horror stories about all carriers, so I think most of the stories a result of people making mistakes and blamming the carrier as opposed to taking the fault themselves.

Telus runs on Bell's towers, and Bell has the best coverage in my area. I use Bell and have never had a problem with them. Just shop around, and if you decide to stay with Rogers tell them you will switch to bell if they don't waive the renewal fee, they might say they can't but if you make a big enough of a fuss I am sure they will.

Personally, I am due to renew and am prob going to go with Telus as they have alot of early evening specials.

Hi Joelcool7, as you can tell from my username; my name is Darrell, I'm from Rogers and I'd like to help if I can :)

I think there is some misunderstanding in respect to your posted price of the Motorolla Razr. The current new activation price for the Razr is $99.99 after $50 Mail in Rebate on a 3yr Voice & Data plan.

In scenarios where a Term has come to an end; the customer is eligbile for the same discounted promotional pricing as a new customer. That being $99.99 after $50 Mail in Rebate on a 3yr Voice & Data plan for the Razr.

There is no renewal fee either. With all device activations or upgrades there is a $35 Administration Fee; which is an order processing/handling charge that covers the costs of activating the device on the Rogers network, managing inventory and tracking of inventory fulfillment.

Please feel free to PM or reach me via Twitter: @RogersDarrell or Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Rogers

Wow... now that's impressive... they stalked you all the way to this site... wasn't there something on the news that they can monitor what you're doing? >_>

anyway bit scary that you actually have 3 year contracts AND still pay for the phone... I don't even think that's possibly here in the Netherlands.. max is 2 years with a free phone.. most 1 year contracts have phones at a small price.. I think Canada is getting scammed not just you....

I was abput to post something along the lines of this. Either thats dedicated customer service or an explanation of why there is a renewal fee (got to pay the guys to track you). Or more likely, its a not so elaborate scam.

Your thread is questioning whether you carrier is trying to scam you, maybe this is the proof you need.

Holy crap. JC7 need to get the court to bar Rogers from stalking him :)

Customer service on vgchartz....0_0

omg

I work for Retention for T-Mobile USA and see this a lot. It's in the companies best interest to offer newer customers better deals, because new activation's bring in a lot more additional revenue. If Rogers is anything like us though, if you call in and get the retention department you can get a pretty sweet deal if your off contract. I give existing customers that have been with T-Mobile (especially if they have for a long time) a way better deal then new activation's. But then again I'm also commissioned of getting people under contract.