How to lose a telecom company in two easy steps: Rogers Edition
Kvetching about bad service from phone, TV and Internet providers is a national sport in Canada. Well, the rules for that sport got a little more interesting last week when one (now former) Rogers customer posted a curious note on Facebook. Anyone who’s been with one of the major telecoms—Rogers, Telus, Bell—for a while now knows that the companies have the ability to change the terms of a contract without notice. But, according to one Al McGale, there’s actually a remedy for consumers. His solution, after the jump.
I told her to slow down and read that again.
“If you do not accept a change to these terms, your sole remedy is to retain the existing terms unchanged for the duration of your commitment period. If you do not accept any other changes to aspects of the services, your sole remedy is to terminate.”
Really?! I’ll take that option. Don’t screw with my stuff.
“That option isn’t available, sir. The rate increases are coming.”
So our contract is void.
The language that makes this a possibility is apparently found in section 15 of the Rogers contract—and some Web sites advise that similar options are available to all Ontarians under the Consumer Protection Act (though we’d be careful about trusting legal advice from the Internet). We suspect that enterprising people might find similar language in the paperwork for other providers, anyway.
“Cord-cutting” is supposed to be all the rage right now, as cable customers opt to go Internet-only for their video needs. Hope this tidbit helps more people join a fashionable movement.
• How to quit Rogers TV, Internet, and Home Phone.. NOW. [Facebook]
 Rogers customer posted a curious note on Facebook. Anyone who’s been with one of the major telecoms—Rogers, Telus, Bell—for a while now knows that the companies have the ability to change the terms of a contract without notice. But, according to one Al McGale, there’s actually a remedy for consumers. His solution, after the jump.
I told her to slow down and read that again.
“If you do not accept a change to these terms, your sole remedy is to retain the existing terms unchanged for the duration of your commitment period. If you do not accept any other changes to aspects of the services, your sole remedy is to terminate.”
Really?! I'll take that option. Don't screw with my stuff.
“That option isn't available, sir. The rate increases are coming.”
So our contract is void.
The language that makes this a possibility is apparently found in section 15 of the Rogers contract—and some Web sites advise that similar options are available to all Ontarians under the Consumer Protection Act (though we’d be careful about trusting legal advice from the Internet). We suspect that enterprising people might find similar language in the paperwork for other providers, anyway.
“Cord-cutting” is supposed to be all the rage right now, as cable customers opt to go Internet-only for their video needs. Hope this tidbit helps more people join a fashionable movement.
• How to quit Rogers TV, Internet, and Home Phone.. NOW. [Facebook]){kind=link}