Bell, Rogers and Telus Are Ripping Off Customers
It started with Rogers’ outrageous plans for the iPhone (in video). They made a huge mistake and it seems that Bell and Telus think they should make a mistake as well, by charging for incoming text messages. Suddenly, Virgin Mobile and Koodo Mobile are looking very attractive.
I already posted about the mess Rogers caused, so I will not get into that again. What is new is the announcement that Bell and Telus will charge $0.15 for incoming text messages, starting on August 8 and August 24, respectively.
I can picture myself on Christmas sending a simple friendly text message that says “Merry Christmas” to someone who is on Telus or Bell. I would probably get a reply or a call that says “Screw you! Now I have to add $1.35 to my monthly bill instead of $1.20, because you had to be like the other eight idiots who had to wish my Merry Christmas!”
The worst part is that my message isn’t the last one this person is going to receive, and that +1.35 is actually an addition to what this person already has to pay for already having received SMS throughout the month.
Think of all the special and joyous days of the year and the text messages you receive during those days. Now, think about all the text messages you receive on other regular days. Finally, think about paying for all of that which you are not even responsible for!
If they really feel the need to rip off customer, they could increase the price for sending SMS. Of course, customers will be displeased, but at least, they will be responsible for what they pay for.
What about alternatives?
Rogers’ mistake concerns mainly the iPhone. If you don’t care about that, then it might be a good alternative.
Virgin Mobile and Koodo Mobile are smaller carriers that aren’t very well known, but they offer decent plans. Their evenings and weekends start at 7 P.M., they do not charge for system access fees like the big three. Virgin doesn’t even charge an activation fee. Both of them don’t charge for 911 access, so it’s good to know that you don’t have to pay extra to ask for help.
However, with all five carriers, you have to pay extra for caller ID and let it be known that Rogers is the only one operating on a GSM network.
Wait! There’s more! Both Virgin Mobile and Koodo Mobile offer unlimited browsing for only $7/month!
Let it be known that Telus owns Koodo.
As I am writing this, I am getting news that Rogers has a new iPhone 3G plan.
July 9th, 2008 @ 14:07:06
[...] I was typing my previous post, I got wind that Rogers came up with a promotion that will last until August 31st, for the iPhone: [...]