Third time’s a charm holds true as this time Rogers sent 2 guys and the cable was successfully run from the road to the house.  All services – land line, internet and one television, were switched with no re-configuration required, which was a very pleasant surprise.   Rogers did not have the second television on their work order, so a 4th visit was scheduled for two days later.  This was completed without incident – and hopefully when my first Rogers bill arrives – it will confirm that the $49.95 installation fee usually levied was waived.

Now on to Bell to cancel all services.  On hold for 29 minutes and counting.  First unpleasant surprise:  There is a required 30 day notice period for cancellation.  Funny that when I called and spoke to a “Retention Agent” I was offered $15.00 off a $300.00 monthly bill – and what a shocker – no mention whatsoever that if I opt to leave – there would be a 30 day notice period imposed.  How convenient they forgot to tell me that as I now have to pay two providers for a month.  Given that I am saving almost $2,000 a year – still on the upside!

Next blog about some significant differences in PVR’ing between the 2 providers.

With a 2pm-5pm “window” on a Holiday Monday, a Rogers tech rolled in at 4:30pm.   Tells me the exact same thing as the first guy that was here 5 days prior:  ”Can’t do this job today – there are too many trees.”   Well this is Guildwood, and it’s famous for two things:  Trees and No Phone Wires in the air.

If this keeps up, the whole neighbourhood will be full of white slack lines running through the air, hanging in the trees.   He goes on to ask for a complete description of the first guy – accusing him of bailing on a difficult job and leaving it for him.  Obviously, I have no idea who he was, nor am I able to provide a physical description that’s the least bit helpful.  I say he was Asian with a brushcut.  Betcha there are thousands just like him.

Rogers wants to come back again, this’ll be the 3rd visit.  No word on who’s going to cut the tree.

Update # 1:   Civic Holiday Monday 4pm.   Despite repeated warnings to two Rogers reps over the phone that  my home has never had cable run to it, they sent a technician last week to “hook me up.”  He took one look at the pole – two backyards away – and said, “I can’t do this.”   Rescheduled for today.  A Holiday Monday?  Yes, no problem was the reply.  We need 4 hours, so we have booked you in from 1pm-5pm.

Over the last 4 days there have been automated reminder phone messages, the most recent this morning.

It is now 3:50pm and not a soul in sight.  Fun to sit home on a Holiday Monday waiting for the Rogers crew.

The apprehension level grows, the ‘savings’ seem less and less important.

The Numbers:
We were early adopters, getting our first sympatico email address in 1996. My first ‘land line’ in 1973 was at a time when there were no choices, only Bell. A conservative estimate of how much money I have paid to Bell in almost 40 years: $47,000. Amount of discount offered by Bell when I inquired about the probability of switching: $15.00 per month off my $300 per month bill. 5%. Um. No.
The Big Switch to Rogers Narrative:
Monday July 23: My trusty BlackBerry Bold 9000 starts freaking out. It was over 2 years old – which in technological terms is ancient – and I am probably guilty of abusing it. .. Everytime I hit the a key it would type ‘ou’, which doesn’t sound too major until you try to write a msg. I couldn’t hang up from a phone call. Would just have to wait until it said “Call Disconnected.” Finally. Thankyou.
I own a media consulting firm, so there was no time to fart around – need a new phone right away. No time to research. Lord knows the Rogers retail staff (God Bless Them) can’t answer too many questions: “If I get this Samsung Galaxy III phone, can I sync to Outlook?” “Um” came the reply. So I stuck with Blackberry. Besides, I own some shares (Purchased 2006: $90.00. Value Today: $7.00) and so on some level, I feel disloyal to switch.
In a conversation with the Rogers rep at the Call Centre, she (rightfully) pitches me Internet, TV, Home Phone. As it happens, I have a new second television. Bell tells me they have “activated” it, but it sits on that message: “Searching for the Transponder.” If I subscribe to an HD PVR at $10 additional per month, Bell will send someone out. If I don’t agree to that, well, tough. My reply is that well actually – Rogers has offered me everything at 1/3 less> After 39 years, what are you prepared to offer?”
Transfer to the Loyalty group – or something. No problem, $5.00 of your internet and $5.00 off tv and $5.00 off the landline. Great, instead of $300 per month it will be $285. And still no-one out here to fix the new second television.
So, about 90 minutes on the phone (TV theme packs !?!) The time had come to say the words: “Yes, I’ll switch.”
July 25th:
Off to my nearest Rogers store to pick up a new phone. Settle on the BlackBerry Torch. Oddly, it is No Charge to me, whereas the latest BlackBerry Bold (9900) would cost me $99.00. When I ask why, I’m told it is due to inventory. Tons of Torches. Okay, I’ll take the Torch. Be a great opportunity to get “used to” touch screen – but still had my physical BBY keyboard. “Ah, I’m Sorry. We don’t have any.” Came the reply from the Rogers boy – who looked about 17 years old to me.
Off to the next closest Rogers store. Thankfully, they had a Torch. I asked for white, they brought me grey. I asked for white again, and this time, they got the white. Then, it was on to the pitch querying my other Rogers services. “As a matter of fact,” says I “I just took the big plunge and signed up for the whole works not more than 2 hours ago.” “I bet I can get the price down” says the Rogers Plus retail boy.
Now at this point my entire day has been about Rogers, but there is only one answer when someone says they can get you the same stuff cheaper: Sure.
ANOTHER 2 hours later: I do have a better priced package.
Dear Rogers Senior Executives: This decision point has been in the making since Ted owned CKFH. Do Not Pit your retail staff against your head office staff. Don’t take 4 hours of my time one day ! And please don’t screw it up when you come on Civic Holiday Monday, August 5th – to bring cable to my house from a source that is hundreds of feet away.
As they used to say on Johnny Carson: More To Come