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Welcome to Pearson Report.
I am participating in the 2015 A to Z Challenge.
Yes, I will be adhering to my THEME Calendar.
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Well, if we didn’t just stir the hornet’s nest yesterday, hmmm! I think that FEAST made my stomach queasy, though I did laugh at what came next…
OKAY… HERE WE GO…
Today I will be touching one the GREEDY ONES.
You know them, they’re all around us. Huge conglomerates, big box stores, Apple Inc. I’m stopping right there because my Apple has a worm.
You remember I accidentally dropped my precious in the toilet. Well, too bad I didn’t just flush, and end my misery.
Yesterday - around 8pm - I called Rogers, my mobile carrier. (Check out what they own - besides you and me.) I’ve been with them since the dawn of time, pretty much one of their first customers. (aka deep pockets)
My reason for calling was to see what kind of package I could get - phone and wireless. I always asked to be directed to the Loyalty Department.
Oh, and this little blurb, yeah, really, not feeling the love…
In light of yesterday's post, and all your outstanding comments, I thought you might enjoy this bit of Twitter banter. Take a gander, and giggle!
Click to enlarge, or zoom in.
Just so we’re on the same page - loyalty counts for squat these days with the big boys. They know they've got us by the short ones. (Yes, Al, short pants… what were you thinking?)
I don’t want a new phone for free - though that would be grand. (Instead of costing a grand.) I get it, these toys cost - and I’m not even opposed to markup on product. Let’s face it, if you’re in retail that’s where your butter is.
HOWEVER
I don’t think consumers of wireless services, and products, particularly here in Canada, need to be so severely gouged. (Nice G word, eh!)
Here’s a quick look at the PROFIT margins of the Big Boys! And yes, our beloved McDonalds is right there in the grease!
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| Source - Digital Trends |
I’m now going to be a good consumer and research all my options, from phones to carriers. It’s the least I can do for my pocketbook, and my sanity.
It’s all good, and quite well, though, sadly, there’s not much to GLOAT about when I realize my loyalty is garbage.
Are you loyal to a brand, or company?
Is your mobile carrier treating you well?
Cheers, Jenny
A special shout out to Arlee Bird, from Tossing It Out. He’s the Founder and Creator of the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge, As well as being a blogging friend, he is a great motivator and an inspiring leader. Thanks Lee - you rock!
Nice to see you're taking part in the A to Z Blog Challenge again this year.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Lass - I hope you're enjoying the A to Z also! :)
DeleteMy husband and I are pretty much loyal to a fault. Verizon, Comcast, you name it. And even though I have mentioned better deals with other providers, I think he enjoys calling them up, use a few bleeped worthy remarks and get our prices back down to an affordable amount. He can be quite scary when it comes to our money. He once was able to get our internet/cable from $245 down to $145. They jacked the price up on us and he called... feverishly.
ReplyDeleteGood luck in your quest for a better phone and reliable service!
Hi Dani - I think I need to borrow your husband! He's good!
DeleteIt's been a bit stressful, but in the end it all worked out.
Thanks for stopping by. Cheers, Jenny xo
Yes, I'm loyal to TELUS, and they treat me fine. I've reduced some options and I can do some of the changes online myself. They have a chat where I've been treated well, and never been asked to do anything like follow them. I've gotten free phones and ones that costs 700, but I only pay 100 or nothing if I sign up fo 2 yrs. I'm not a shopper that changes loyalty easily, so a contract bothers me not. It's a big boy too, but better than Rogers. I know, because one daughter deals with them.
ReplyDeleteHi DG - I'm a TELUS gal with my home (landline) and my office phone. But I've been with Rogers for 20 years. I'm not really one to switch. After all the haggling and waiting on hold I think I did okay - for the next two years anyway!
DeleteRogers has gotten lost in the profit game - real shame, but I managed to get my iPhone6 for $349 (reg $969) so that made me happy. Plus some excellent savings on my plan. I got the same deal for Miss CP. Sadly it was all so stressful - I really gave the fellow in the Loyalty Dept an earful.
I'm glad TELUS is good to you. I really should give them a chance to quote me a price. Might just do that!
Thanks for weighing in on this subject. Hugs, Jenny xo
My husband and I resisted the iphone buzz and found Consumer Cellular offered more affordable rates. They use AT&T lines, but we are mostly satisfied. There are NO contracts. I have an android smart phone (LG) (we had to buy). It's not great for storage, the only drawback we've discovered. But apparently we can now get iphones through them. Not sure if Consumer Cellular is in your areas, but rates are about half. It would be worth checking. Anyway, I share your frustration. This was our way to skirt the big guys. Enjoyed your post! A new follower today.
ReplyDeleteCome check out my Blogger blog....Inventions by Women A-Z
Hi Sharon, Welcome to Pearson Report.
DeleteYou folks in the US get some awesome rates. Canada sucks in this way, we pay premium for our data plans, and there's no reason for it.
Thanks for sharing your insights - and for Following. Great to have you on board. I hope you enjoy your visits here. With smiles, Jenny :)
We don't do contracts on phones. Kiddo has a phone and Honeyman has to have one for work and they are prepaid.
ReplyDeleteI have brands I like, but I don't know how much loyalty I have. The smaller businesses that are really a small business and not huge companies just calling themselves small business because the tax code says they are are more deserving of my loyalty. But, there are fewer and fewer of them all the time.
Hey Ruth - I think those prepaids are great. Problem here in Canada is our data rates are ridiculous, even on the prepaid phones. I do a fair bit of business on my phone and the unlimited Canada wide plan works… but I do pay for it whether I think I do or not.
DeleteI'm loyal to certain brands too. I try my best to shop local, and shop Canadian, that way the dollars stay here. Not always possible though.
Thanks for dropping in. Hope life's happy and sunny! Hugs, Jenny xxoo
I have a $10 a month pay as you go phone and I am happy with that as I don't need any more. I have heard from countless people the huge issues they have had will cell phones so it must be quite frustrating to say the least. People could have group gatherings to bitch about this alone. I would look up the Ministry of Consumer Services at www.sse.gov.on.ca (I believe that is right) to see if there is anything on your side:)
ReplyDeleteWow - $10/mo that's awesome. I'm jealous! :) :) I will say that since my phone is also for my business it is a business expense - that does help.
DeleteCurrently there is a class action lawsuit against Apple, the maker of the iPhone, because of false advertising, but that's got nothing to do with the actual service carriers. I just read about it though and thought it was interesting.
Thanks for the link - I'll check it out. With smiles and hugs, Jenny xxoo
I could do without my phone, no problem. The wife? She would rather die. Facebook Junkie.
ReplyDeleteWe have been with Sprint, I call them Sprunt, since the dinosaurs carried cell phones. I think the service is about the same, but it's too expensive to switch now.
I wonder how much short pants cost?
Bushman
2015 A to Z Challenge Ambassador
@jwb81074
You and me both - no phone would be a blessing.
DeleteIn fact, I was saying to a friend, that beauty pageant girls always ask for world peace when given one wish - me, I'd be wishing for the end of ALL technology - that would give us world peace as a bonus. LOL
Short pants are very expensive! hahahahaha Maybe Al has connections.
I have a few brands I am loyal to, but they are mostly food!
ReplyDeleteCoffee...
DeleteI'm with both of you - I won't buy food just because it's on sale. I'm loyal to certain brands. As for coffee - that's a definite. Not that's I'm a coffee snob because I don't drink fancy drinks, but I do have strong brand loyalty here.
DeleteThanks for sharing! Hugs to both of you… xxoo
I have no loyalty what so ever anymore. They don't give a crap about us, so they can go piss up a rope. I'll take the best deal and that is that.
ReplyDeleteIs there a brand of rope you prefer? LMAO
DeletePat - too true, I'm getting to that point now. After this last fiasco I may just chuck it all the next time renewal comes up.
DeleteJeff - Would it matter - hahahaha
I've remained loyal to my phone carrier (called Optus) because of three situations, two which happened to me and one to someone else.
ReplyDeleteI called asking to be put on a monthly plan and they asked a few questions about my usage and then suggested a plan which was far cheaper, gave me more and had no lock-in contract.
I called to inquire about how my credit had run out so quickly and after they read out the bill to me, I mused about how it seemed to disappear so quickly, so they offered to refill my card for free.
A friend accrued a huge overseas bill (around $2000) completely by accident (I think he forgot to set the phone to "roaming" or something). He called in a panic to see if there was anything that could be done and they offered to just drop the bill completely.
WOW - you and your friend have friends in high places - or horseshoes in other places. LOL
DeleteThanks for stopping by Michael and sharing these stories - it's great reading about companions that care about their clients. :)
I have to say, our mobile carrier is Verizon and they have treated us pretty darn good. Son was on a different plan with his ex girlfriend (I told him not to do that, but LOL do they ever listen) so when we put him back on our plan, we forgot to do unlimited texting. We got a HUGE bill with his texting and I called Verizon, explained the situation and they basically wiped that off the bill which I thought was very nice. Son also had phone problems, they arranged it to have him pay for phone insurance which he didn't have and then a few days later put in the claim for a new phone. So they have treated us right, but we've been with them since 1998 (oh my gosh that's a long time).
ReplyDeletebetty
Hi Betty - hahaha my daughter wants to stay on her own plan - it's better than her guys (common law) and she likes being independent with their bills. She's a better money manager.
DeleteIf a carrier treats you right that's big - and worth showing loyalty. Mine has been great in the past, and they did come through this time, but it was like putting teeth through a pin hole - not necessary and a huge waste of my time.
I will be shopping around well before this term (2 years) expires.
Thanks for stopping by - always a nice treat. :) :) xo
Once again, laughing hysterically. Your posts are literally one of the best "little moments" of my day this month! We recently switched to Republic and pay $10 a month per cell phone, and it's been great!
ReplyDeleteYou're too cute, Anne Marie - I love reading your comments. You've been such a ray of sunshine here at Pearson Report.
DeleteThat sounds like a great plan! $10 a month - wow. I'm a tad bummed now, I'm paying way more than that. Here in Canada it's pricer than anywhere else in the world - so I read!
Thanks for dropping by and adding to the chatter! Hugs and Smiles, xxoo
Great post. I have to give credit where credit is due and Verizon Wireless is pretty good to me (jinxed myself now). I've been with them since the late 90s and have paid a lot of money to them over the years when I was making enough money not to worry. When I had to go on Social Security disability I called them and they had a "loyalty" plan that was not advertised and it brought my bill from $110 a month down to $69 a month with more features. Their service is pretty good too. At least I can't complain but then again I do not live on my phone 24/7. I use it often but I'm not glued.
ReplyDeleteI agree, credit where credit is due. Seems lots of folks that have commented here have had good luck with their carriers, you included. That makes me happy to read.
DeleteLike you, I'm not on my phone 24/7 but I still want to know I'm not paying through the nose. Up here we don't get the great rates and option you folks in the States get - not fair, I'm pouting. LOL
Thanks Barb, for stopping by - love seeing your bubbly smile - really beautiful Avatar by the way! Hugs and love, xxoo
We used to say, "Have you by the short and curlies."
ReplyDeleteBut...we were...uh...pigs.
And pigs have short and curly… tails! LOL
DeleteWe are sooooo bad! Love it!
We do the no fees, no contract no bullshit, plan.
ReplyDeleteWay to go Miss Ivy - that's the way it should be! :) xo
Delete