Videotron or Bell?

[Tankdriver]

Current situation: It's been a fun day. At first my Bell PVR wasn't working properly so I did the recommended tests and contacted Bell. After following their directions: unplug the receiver from the wall and unscrew the incoming dish wires; I was no further ahead. The help guy told me that I would have to send it in for $164 repair bill since it's past the 90 day guarantee. But now there's a twist. I have no satellite signal as well. I think my switch got blown when he had me unplug from the wall or one of the cables broke inside when I tried to unscrew them. So after all the discussions, my options were I could have a technician come out and check why I have no signal for an additional $75. For shiets and giggles, I tried using an old regular satellite box that I had to see if I could get a signal, but no luck. Still at 0.

So now I've lost my signal and am considering my options. No matter what, it's going to cost me. I am thinking of switching to Videotron. They have two offers. The HD PVR multiroom system and the HD terminal(Not sure if this PVR's or not). Is it worth it to do so? I'd have to buy a new terminal, with installation and to be honest I am not a big fan of their box's/cable selection.

So do I bit the bullet and shell out the money to repair the old, or go with something new? It there any other tests I can try to save some heart ache?

Let me know which service you got and price points.

Thanks

[blny]

Is satellite your only option?

[PTH]

I'd at least price out the replacement option, they're always eager to get sales and it's easier to get flexibility from the initial sales department than at any other point...

I had to do that when I moved: Videotron had a 50$ moving fee, and a 100$ new customer fee for initial hookup, and I know there were a couple of months when I'd barely be home. So, disconnect and get it reconnected at the new address. And to gain me back as a customer, I got the 100$ fee waived...

Once the new option is priced out, call Bell and get the customer retention office and ask them what they can offer you as an incentive to stay with them... if you've done your homework it's pretty easy to make it seem like you're about to change over, and depending on what they can offer you, you either switch, or you don't.

Don't be surprised if there's a runaround... their business is to tire us out so we just stop arguing...

[blny]

All good points PTH. There are 'key words' you can use to get discounts as well. Mention the competition, and you're thinking of leaving for a deal, and your provider will knock money off (or give you more for no fee).

[Tankdriver]

Thanks for the advice. I decided to stay with Bell and shelled out the $75 Service call + $150 for the replacement (refurbished box). Not thrilled about it but I figured the amount it would have cost to switch over would of been the same or if not more. It sucks that we have to pay or rent the hardware to watch their services that are overpriced to start with.

A thing I found unethical: After the guy came over and checked the box to confirm that it was indeed dead and exchanged me another one, he had me sign the form. I figured since I was paying for a service call, I'd have him replace the cable that goes to the bedroom, since it was damaged and was a product of bad installation by a previous Bell technician. He ended changing it out and when he left gave me a copy of the work order. I started to rearrange the furniture back into place (Habs game was starting) and looked at the work order. The guy added a $50 fee to bill for the cable swap. If he would of mentioned this before hand that it would cost more/not covered, I would of just said no. Since I had signed the sheet before this work was being done, they had my signature attesting to this work, so I have a bad feeling I am going to be charged the $125 on my next bill... Side note: Bell had agreed to charge me 50% on the service call before the guy came out. So it should be interesting on how this is going to be applied on my next bill. I am sensing another phone call in the works.