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First Cell Phone

Nova_CNova_C I have the needThe need for speedRegistered User regular
edited September 2007 in Help / Advice Forum
Today I got stuck in traffic and after months of consideration, I've decided it's time to cancel my land-line and get a cell phone. So I'm getting one probably in an hour. :P

Just quickly, anyone with Telus experience? My co-workers use Telus and they say Telus is better than Rogers around Calgary. Also, should I go with a three year plan? Or less? I'm wondering because I don't want to spend much money up front and Telus offers the LG 245 phone for $30 with a three year contract. Any advice would be appreciated.

Nova_C on

Posts

  • deadonthestreetdeadonthestreet Registered User regular
    edited September 2007
    Three years is awfully long.

    deadonthestreet on
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  • DjeetDjeet Registered User regular
    edited September 2007
    before signing a contract, find out what the ETF (early termination fee is). ask the rep, and then find it in writing, you will be agreeing to terms and conditions, and in the terms and conditions it will tell you exactly how to cancel and if you have a "grace" period in which if you are displeased with the service you can cancel early without incurring the ETF.

    if voice communications is crucial to you, get the wireless phone sorted first, and then once happy with it cancel the landline. sometimes new voice lines go smoothly and sometimes it's a freaking nightmare.

    Djeet on
  • alcoholic_engineeralcoholic_engineer Registered User regular
    edited September 2007
    I live in telus and have no complaints with their service in calgary. I sign up for 3 year plans just because I am lazy and dont want to go and re-sign up and such.

    My only gripe with them is that because their phones dont use sim cards, if you buy a new phone you have to take it in, pay like $30 and get them to register your new phone instead of transferring your sim card.
    But other then that I really have no problems at all with telus.

    Ask about special deals and stuff because you can probably try and haggle some free stuff or discounts out of them as well.

    alcoholic_engineer on
  • Nova_CNova_C I have the need The need for speedRegistered User regular
    edited September 2007
    Well, I went and visited a couple stores on my lunch break. The one Telus store had a $100 restocking fee on any returns and Future Shop said there was no way to avoid an early termination fee.

    I mean, I live in a basement suite and I refuse to pay for two phones. So this cell phone has to work in my basement. If not, it's useless to me. I want some kind of guarantee from a provider that it's going to work and it seems they're all "Give us money and fuck off".

    Nova_C on
  • RuckusRuckus Registered User regular
    edited September 2007
    Early termination for Rogers in Winnipeg was $20 per month of remaining contract up to $200 when I signed up two and a half years ago.

    I can't comment on their coverage in Calgary, but I've always had decent service in Winnipeg, including some sub-basement parking structures. It mostly depends on your proximity and line of site to the nearest cell tower, but in the end the only way to know for sure is to get somebody elses Rogers phone and see how well it works, wandering around your apartment while talking on it, see if there's good signal.

    Ruckus on
  • Nova_CNova_C I have the need The need for speedRegistered User regular
    edited September 2007
    Well, after further research, it's Telus or nothing. They all offer the 'same' plans. Except Telus' free evenings start at 6pm (5pm for an extra $2 a month) and Rogers and Bell both start at 9pm. I'm going to see about reception, but considering everyone I know who has a cell phone uses Telus, there's got to be something there.

    Anyway, I guess I'm waffling again and may end up not getting one at all. :P

    Nova_C on
  • embrikembrik Registered User regular
    edited September 2007
    Well, since everyone you know has Telus, can you get one of your friends to visit you to check coverage in your basement suite?

    embrik on
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  • tsmvengytsmvengy Registered User regular
    edited September 2007
    You might also be able to get some kind of deal to return it if it doesn't work in your home - I know that getting out of your contract if your phone doesn't work in your home can be a possibility.

    tsmvengy on
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  • Nova_CNova_C I have the need The need for speedRegistered User regular
    edited September 2007
    Okay, I went to a different Future Shop closer to where I live. I chatted with the rep there a while and voiced my concerns. He said that if I couldn't get satisfactory coverage in my basement, I can return the next day, talk to him personally, and he'll cancel my contract with no cost to me.

    Anyway, I went for a two year plan and there is absolutely no issue with coverage where I live. Actually, the phone works pretty much perfectly, so I'm satisfied. Thanks for your help, everyone.

    Nova_C on
  • Al_watAl_wat Registered User regular
    edited September 2007
    Well I dont know how their cell phone plans are, possibly not bad, but me personally I will never deal with Telus again.

    But my experiences with them are limited to land-line phone and internet.

    Al_wat on
  • LewishamLewisham Registered User regular
    edited September 2007
    3-years is insane. That's seriously pushing the lifespan of many of them, a lot of the phones I've had have pretty much failed in some very annoying way by 2.

    Lewisham on
  • Al_watAl_wat Registered User regular
    edited September 2007
    Lewisham wrote: »
    3-years is insane. That's seriously pushing the lifespan of many of them, a lot of the phones I've had have pretty much failed in some very annoying way by 2.

    He might be able to get a new cellphone within that 3 year span.

    You should figure that out before you sign up for anything.

    Al_wat on
  • Nova_CNova_C I have the need The need for speedRegistered User regular
    edited September 2007
    Al_wat wrote: »
    Lewisham wrote: »
    3-years is insane. That's seriously pushing the lifespan of many of them, a lot of the phones I've had have pretty much failed in some very annoying way by 2.

    He might be able to get a new cellphone within that 3 year span.

    You should figure that out before you sign up for anything.

    Like I said, I ended up paying the extra for the phone and getting the two year plan.

    Nova_C on
  • Al_watAl_wat Registered User regular
    edited September 2007
    Nova_C wrote: »
    Al_wat wrote: »
    Lewisham wrote: »
    3-years is insane. That's seriously pushing the lifespan of many of them, a lot of the phones I've had have pretty much failed in some very annoying way by 2.

    He might be able to get a new cellphone within that 3 year span.

    You should figure that out before you sign up for anything.

    Like I said, I ended up paying the extra for the phone and getting the two year plan.

    I see.

    Basically I need to "lern 2 reed nub".

    I hope the plan works out well for you.

    Al_wat on
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