No iPhone for you!
I recently walked into my local Rogers retailer to pick up my shiny new iPhone when I was told by the salesperson that “there is no way [I] could get an iPhone”.
“No way?” said I.
“No way.” said he.
After a long conversation with their corporate support team, I found out that he was / is correct.
I am told that it is not possible for anyone on the first year of their contract with Rogers to switch to, upgrade to, or buy an iPhone.
Last December I signed up for a three year contract with Rogers – after 15 months of refusing to get on a long-term contract because I was sure they would try to screw me (imagine!). Seven months later I learn that they have a STRICT rule that a customer cannot upgrade your phone during the first year. Lose your phone to get a replacement iPhone (I tried to while talking to support) – they have a “lost, stolen phone” program… and the iPhone isn’t an option on that program.
Seriously? Is Rogers seriously not allowing their customers to switch phones and data plans? No matter how much my Apple-addicted wallet is willing to spend?
Seriously.
Solution? Rob from Rogers said the only solution is to cancel my current plan, pay the early cancellation cost of $450, and sign up for a new 3-year plan.
Because of this, I’ve decided to take my business elsewhere, and I’m switching to _ _ _ _ _ _ _!
(photo cred. to loliphone)
By Scott Annan
Jay Lawrence on July 24th, 2008
I’m in the *exact* same boat. I don’t really care why – this is the case, I just want the phone. In fact, I ditched Bell last fall for the reason that I expected Rogers to get the iPhone at some point.
One other alternative you might want to consider is to sell off your contract. Someone else can assume your contract while you start a new account with Rogers to get your iPhone. I’ve offered a $50 incentive to someone who’s willing to take over my 27 months remaining. They can upgrade to any phone they like for a reasonable fee and pick any plan they want. Call Rogers Customer Relations to see how you can execute this maneuver.
Nick Desbarats on July 24th, 2008
Well now, I think you’re being a bit unfair to Rogers. You ARE allowed to upgrade to an iPhone. It costs $450 + the cost of the phone + whatever “activation fee” they’re charging to their EXISTING customers these days. Let’s ballpark it at $700+tax. And you’re stuck for another 3 years. Go right ahead… they aren’t stopping you.
Friggen’ ridiculous.
Heri on July 24th, 2008
I was recently with Telus, with a 3-year contract. Wanted once to change the phone, was told the same story. To protest, I immediately paid $450 in cancellation feeds… even if I hadn’t any other number. right… a couple of months without a cell phone.
got a “shiny” one from fido now… their contract terms are more friendly than Rogers’
Phil Hodgen on July 24th, 2008
Wow, Scott. Rogers sounds like they hate their customers. Yeah, business is fun ‘n stuff except for these stupid customers we have to deal with.
When the revolution comes they’ll be the first ones to be lined up against the wall. Or something.
In the meantime, you’ll survive just fine without an iPhone (I have an iPhone and a BB Curve and left to my own devices I pick up the Curve first) and the upside is that you’ll have more time to devote to that cunning CRM project of yours.
Scott Lake on July 24th, 2008
I have a first gen cracked iPhone, and I did the same thing. I asked Rogers if I could upgrade to the new iPhone. I’m already a client so what’s the problem. They told me no and that it was Apple that was keeping them from allowing the switch. What bullshit. Apple makes its money from selling phones and Rogers makes it money for selling plans. The fact that Rogers can even put together a logical argument is a joke. They should just say: “You went with Rogers in the past, so you are a sucker. Now we want to use the iPhone to lure a whole new bunch of suckers to go with Rogers”. At least I would respect that.
zchamu on July 24th, 2008
Wow. Just… wow. Unbelievable. Why does Rogers hate their customers so much?
Craig Fitzpatrick on July 24th, 2008
So if I understand correctly, the wireless spectrum bid in Canada has been concluded, resulting in what will be “5 new wireless companies” (did I get that right?)
Who wants to bet that after these new companies get running, Rogers starts buying them up to protect their monopoly. And I wouldn’t put it past our government to turn around and approve the mergers! :S
Jay Godse on July 24th, 2008
I’m with Craig Fitzpatrick.
Rogers and Telus are acting exactly like Bell Canada used to act 20 years ago with long distance phone service.
What the consumers really need is the unbundling of the local phone loop, local cable loop and local wireless loop just like in the ILEC/CLEC days of 1996 in the USA (with the phone loop anyways).
That would enable competition on the basis of customer value rather than the current quasi-monopoly caused by having monopoly access to the cable and wireless local access loops.
As for buying up competitors (Craig), the US government allowed that in exchange for opening up some other monopolized resource or for building out modern infrastructure. For example, Bell South was, I believe, allowed to get into long distance in exchange for building out high-speed access to the rural areas. A prudent Canadian government could do the same…
infz on July 24th, 2008
Rogers is a horrible company and a monopoly. The iPhone was a crazed scam to sign up new customers; and no, they’ve never cared for their existing ones.
Also notice their recent DNS hijacking:
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20080720/1055151734.shtml
Please, refuse to hand Rogers a dime, and get a different phone/tv service/isp with other providers. For those who want an iPhone… I’m sorry, but it’s not worth it for the hell they’ll put you through. Just get an iPod Touch and a normal cellphone.
Nicolas BOZEK on July 24th, 2008
Howdy Scott,
I’ll throw a crazy idea out there…
If you don’t need 3G, why don’t you get a 1st gen iPhone on eBay.
Now that the 3g version is out, I’m sure that with the you’ll be able to find 1st gen iphones with the latest firmware at bargain price.
My 2 Euros,
Nicolas
Greg on July 26th, 2008
Hi Scott!
I agree with Mr Zek, and what’s more, just for having this kind of answers from my cell phone plan provider, I would cancel right away my contract, whatever is the price.
Bye,
Greg
Andrew Milne on July 28th, 2008
Scott, i think the bigger issue is getting the “deal”. getting the phone in from the US, cracking it, transferring your sim card…. that is a snap. The hard part is getting the G3 deal.
I am sure you could convince one of your cool Iphone touting buddies to “loose” theirs and get a replacement. The question would be about getting the G3 for your new phone.
I think Rogers has screwed this up… but what do they care, Every morning at 10 to 10:15 the new boxes arrive and they have a line up of people looking for an iPhone…. Do not even get me started on Mobile Me. (a distant cousin of .Mac).
May be you are destined to be a Black Berry user… i hear there is a new one coming out that plays music.
Kelly Rusk on August 8th, 2008
Hey little update on this– On August 24, I know Fido at least is going to let up and let existing users get a iPhone, even if they are locked in a contract. I would assume since Rogers owns Fido, it’s going to be the same deal.
Chris Smith on August 8th, 2008
I was recently in Toronto and decided to visit my favourite tech. spot, the Pacific Mall.
The new iPhone 3g can be bought there without contract. The iPhone 3g is selling at $750 (8GB) and $850 (16GB). After looking around, this seems to be standard price for the new 3g without contract.
Since both Rogers and Fido carry the iPhone, there is no longer a need to unlock these phones. Simply sign up for the new contract, insert your SIM card and go.
Although spending $750 seems hardly cost-efficient when you can cancel your current plan and purchase the new phone (with contract) for $650, this could be a solution for those people who are not interested in signing up for a new contract or are interested in creating their own custom plan.
This is also a solution for those people who have recently bought the new 3g with contract and have dropped in the toilet (or destroyed it in some other method). Since both Apple and Rogers do not cover this damage in their warranty, the only option they offer is to sign up for another 2 year contract and purchase another iPhone (Ouch!)
I should also mention that the original iPhone is selling in stores at $400. This model will need to be unlocked, a fairly simple task for the average computer user. I’ve been using my original iPhone on Rogers for over a year now without a problem.
So for all of you who have lost hope in having an iPhone, there is still light at the end of the tunnel.
Sean Higgins on September 6th, 2008
Rogers has recently removed their 1 year rule for an upgrade, strictly if you are upgrading to the iPhone 3G. I upgraded to the RAZR2 in April (what a piece of junk…) just before the iPhone 3G was announced, and when July rolled around I was also told that there was no possible way to get one through Rogers.
Then about two weeks ago, low and behold, I’m on the Rogers website managing my account and there’s a link on the main Wireless page just teasing me: “Upgrade to the iPhone 3G” so I click it, and sure enough it told me I was eligible and to call customer service, or visit a local retailer! Naturally I ran as quickly as possible over to my local Rogers store and they had one 16GB left! (though it was white..) Ten minutes later I was out the door with my new iPhone.
If you haven’t already switched to _______ I would recommend you give Rogers a call regarding this to confirm. Good luck!
Sean