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Bad News: Rogers Pushes Back Hardware Upgrade Eligibility To 30 Months
Rogers really had me fooled for a while. For about the last 12 months, they have managed to stay out of the negative light and basically stopped changing their policies for the worse. Well, I guess they just couldn’t wait any longer to make some horrible changes.
Effective today, Rogers is changing their hardware upgrade (HUP) eligibility to 30 months. In other words, customers will be eligible for new device (promotional) pricing at month 30 since their initial activation or upgrade.
So now customers must wait until the 30th month in their 3-year contract to receive a new device at promotional pricing.
It is worth pointing out that Rogers used to have HUP eligibility at 12 months, where customers could get a discounted or promotional priced handset. About two years ago, the company bumped that up to 24 months and now even further to 30 months. It is only a matter of time before it is one device per 3 year contract.
For comparison, Fido has had their HUP eligibility at 30 months for many years, but Fido also has Fido Dollars, which many Fido customers can use to essentially get a free device (iPhone 4).
But fear not! Rogers has some answers to your most asked questions:
FAQ’s
Q: I’ve been waiting months to get the (recently launched device) and now I can’t because I’m not eligible. Why did the HUP policy change?
A: We’ve recently made some changes to the Hardware Upgrade program that reflect the higher cost and advanced functionality of today’s feature phones and smartphones. These changes ensure our customers can continue to upgrade to the newest devices. We constantly review our plans and policies so that we can continue to offer the best devices at the best value to all of our customers in a timely manner.
Q: Why are you doing this without any notice to customers?
A: Device pricing, Hardware Upgrade policies and eligibility are promotional in nature. Therefore, like all promotions, the upgrade program is subject to change and may be cancelled at any time. Hardware upgrade pricing and policy cannot be guaranteed beyond the time of initial quotation..Q: How will customers be notified of these HUP changes?
A: Customers who want to determine their device eligibility should visit a Rogers retail location or go to Rogers.com
As a note, I was hardly impressed with the previous answers.
Now it is worth noting that the recent iPhone 4 promotional program is still around until the end of 2010. So if you are with Rogers or Fido, the chances are still very good that you will get an iPhone 4 at promotional pricing.
However, for everyone else (and for iPhone devices in January 2011), 30 months is your new hardware upgrade eligibility date.
Thoughts?
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But we will still be able to get early upgrade eligibility in summer 2011 for a new iphone! (i hope as my iphone 4 got stolen)
This is a stupid change. I would personally be fine paying a higher price for a smartphone every 2yrs. Even if the iPhone 4 was priced at $300 for a 3yr contract I would of still got it, and I am sure many others would of as well.
They are already charging us at least $50/month to operate the thing anyways!
With a fragile device like an iPhone 4, and technology changing so much this a terrible change.
But one I saw coming since Fido changed their policy……
Fuck you Rogers.
Anybody know what the policies at Telus or Bell are?
Are you fucking kidding?!?! I am so pissed I just resigned with those crooks. Once i can I’m done with them. My dad was smart and left to bell. Dammit
Are you really surprised? They have an oligopoly that the government protects with their outdated foreign policy act … I say screw it! These Canadian companies have done nothing but rip us off … We need foreign competition …
Bell is pretty much the same hup policy, and don’t worry Retetention can get you a new phone ever year I upgraded from the 3G to the 3GS to the 4 every year at new pricing and admin fee waived
So in a odd way is Rogers promoting that buying the new iPhone at full price is a better choice all around for their customers?
*
The promotional pricing ended on Sept 30. I called retention to get a better plan and said I had to resign so I said in that case I want the iPhone 4. They said no. I had to wait for the 24 months (now 30). So I said F them and bought one unlocked from Apple. I’m keeping my old plan until I can leave them or get a better plan than $20 off as they offered me. I’ve been a customer for over three years. I had two lines activated and my monthly bills were at least $250+. I even had some as high as $500 (don’t ask). That’s how they treat their customers. I wish Wind Mobile had gsm. 🙁
This would mean something to us iPhone users if they didn’t offer early upgrades each year for iPhones. In all likelihood, that promotion will return for future releases as it has done for the past 2 years.
Oh and they said it had ended on Sept 30 so I had to buy the phone at full price (not even one dollar discount). Why pay full price for a locked phone???
Oh and they said it had ended on Sept 30 so I had to buy the phone at full price (not even one dollar discount). Why pay full price for a locked phone???
The promo was extended until end of 2010
Promo was extended
A big step in the wrong direction.
I thought that the purpose of cancellation fees was to
What a bunch of bastards!!
Can this change be used as a cancellation motive ? Since I switched to Rogers, I don’t stop see these kind of things that make me wanna go back to Telus who, at least, got a better 3G coverage in my hometown area! (Abitibi, Quebec)..
Unfortunately no.
Ah, thanks for clearing that up. Oh well, I’m better off in the long run having an unlocked iPhone.
Agreed.
I know people are saying the promotion has been extended but I just went through the HUP process and I spent at least 4 hours being passed around on the phone from department to department and NO the promotion was not extended as of yesterday. I was told the promotion ended on Sept. 30 and now I have to pay full price. My argument was that the stock availability for the iphone 4 should have extended the program. Finally after many hours of phone calls I got the upgrade for the promotional price but only after speaking to a manager.
What a Bunch of Thieves! Rogers, the Evil Empire!!
There’s no way Rogers pushes the HUP all the way to three years, as that would allow people to switch carriers when they are buying a new phone. The point of offering them a new phone before their contract is up is that they can only get a new phone if they stick with Rogers.
That’s negated if they start having longer than 3 year contracts, but I don’t see that happening either.
I will never own a locked phone again. I bought my iPhone 4 unlocked from Apple.
You know, the only thing that bother’s me about these 3 year contracts, and now, Roger’s 30 month upgrade policy, is the fact that sometimes cell phones just don’t last that long. Now, if they would increase their warranty period to cover an entire 30 month period, I wouldn’t be so pissed off.
Disgusting! F@#KING DISGUSTING!! people do something about this! this is really F@#KED UP! we are already being ripped off! nowhere in the world is like CANADA, this should be illegal!
we SHOULD do something about it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! because the F@#KING government doesn’t do anything for us accept generously taking our tax money!
called again today and they say no the promo is NOT extended
it sure didn’t happened for me or my friends! i’m not sure what you are talking about! unless you know someone or you work there. if not be kind and give me that phone# that you called. because i’ve being ripped off big time! and I hardly believe its possible since i’m in my second year in to my contract.
For all those who do not take part in the iPhone HUP every year now have an extra reason to hold out those extra months. Let your contract laps, then lay it on the line “give me one hell of a retention plan, or I’m switching carriers” with wind mobile now here in BC (one opening up in surrey place actually ^_~.) there will be a lot more healthy competition, make Rogers sweat it out a little. Don’t ask them for service, ask them if they want you as a supporter and if so how bad? Let it reflect on my new retention plan please.
This is pathetic! We already pay the highest price in the world for cell phone service. Never though it could get any worse. Also contracts are 2 years everywhere else, not 3 like in Canada. This really sucks. And noone says or does anything about it. I hope the skype and line2 improve their voice quality so I can send Rogers to hell.
The law has to change. We really need foreign competition here. They will keep on ripping us off for ever if nobody does anything about this monopoly.
The telephone tag you experienced is pretty standard. The promo has been extended but you essentially have to make your way to loyalties/retentions.
On the phone now switching to Bell
Apple is working on an iPhone that uses the same technology as wind mobile. Can’t wait for that! i will switch for sure.
*sigh*
Just for comparison, I checked out Vodafone UK to see what they had going on with the iPhone 4. I’m not sure what their hardware upgrade policy is, but their 18 month contracts were nothing to get excited about. After conversion, the iPhone 4 ranged from about $353 for a 16 gb model on their basic plan at $48 per month, to a free phone for signing on to a plan for $105 per month (with only 1 gb of data included, by the way).
Check their plans out here: “http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/iphone/pay-monthly.html”
Outstanding! I bought a 3GS a year before the iPhone 4 was released so I guess I’ll now have to wait and get an iPhone 5 instead!! You have to love Robbers and their customer friendly policies.
How long until Bellus changes their policies to match (if they don’t already)? Seems like one of them makes a change for the worse and eventually the others follow…
rogers retentention number is 1(866)604-4248 and i had no one working there i actually been a customer for 5 years and was with fido and been with them for 2 years so i been a 7 year customer and i bring that up, and i always say im gonna cancel and go over to bell,i got all in ret plan as well, 350 day,my5,6pm evenings,1000 cdn ld min,unlimited incoming,cid.vm.2500 text,and 6gb data for 35.75 plus taxes 40.40 a month taxes in,the most recent one was calling tech support filling a network problem and esclation and they said it was my phone so i went and said send me a new one and i got the 4 and before that i got the xperia x10 but didnt like it so sent it back
I did eventuly get mine, when I got through to retentions, but was told they were making an exception and that the program did expire on the 30. Now they may have been just paying me lip service as my monthly bill is substantial and they would like to keep it that way.
wonderful… just wonderful. My phone recently started dropping calls, losing texts and having no signal probably an hr a day, and instead of only waiting another 2 months before I can upgrade, its 8 total…
maybe the HUP will become 3 yrs and the contracts become 5 years “to ensure our commitment to service excellence”
How these Canadian companies get away changing policies like this whenever they feel is beyond me. This is a classic bait and switch, when I first signed up with Rogers I was clearly told that this was one of the advantages of signing up with Rogers. I didn’t quality for the 3GS promo because they extended it out to 24 months, and if I had banked on getting it now, I would be out an iPhone 4 by another 4 months. I hate you Rogers, your untrustworthy and constantly changing policies are exactly the reason I bought my iPhone unlocked. You can shove any contract you may offer me up your big fat righteous ass, because I don’t trust your company will honor any agreement we have.
Wow… that is a great plan. 6GB data is already $30. How do I get a plan like that? I’ve been with Rogers for a long time…over 10 years.
I bought mine locked to Rogers. Reeeeeeally starting to regret that decision…
As a Rogers customer I am sad I have to wait an extra 6 months. But being an ex-Telus customer, I ALWAYS had to wait 30 months to upgrade. Always – no questions asked.
Rogers recently let us hardware upgrade at 18 months (instead of 24) – and this is not un-common. 4 of my friend’s also recently upgraded with 18 months or less into their contracts.
Yes it sucks, wah wah wah. But everyone company is like this – and at least from what I have seen Rogers has a better track record of letting people upgrade early.
I am still a happy Rogers customer, even if I have to wait an extra 6 months.
I have a question regarding my 3 Yr smartphone contract with Rogers.
I upgraded to the iPhone 4 on Aug 28th on the Rogers HUP at a retail outlet. We signed an agreement of which the retail agent gave me a true copy of.
Now when I was going through the fineprint later it said that the Early Cancellation Fee for my data plan is max $ 100 + Tax. I think the DECF for rogers was changed to $ 200 + TAX about a year back but yet the contract I got stated $ 100. Could it be that the hardcopy contract I have is from an older lot of Rogers stationary?
Will Rogers honor the written contract I have or the standard DECF policy for everyone else?
BTW the contract was signed by me but the Rogers agent forgot to sign on this section.
Please advise.
Thanks!
Data cancelation fee with Rogers:
The greater of $100.00, minimum $25 at $5/month for months remaining in the term.
Examples:
Cancel with 2 months left: you pay $25
Cancel with 35 months left: you pay $100
Cancel with 8 months left: you pay $40 ($5*8 months)
Yeah, it is very frustating and I regret my decision to not had bought an unlocked one beside of this crappy locked phone. But I am very satisfied with the iphone 4, of course. Looks like I’ll jailbroke it soon to have it unlock.
I had all kinds of issues with a jailbroken 3gs. Lots of dropped calls, and crashes. After one really bad crash, the phone would not recover, and I had to restore it from itunes. I really don’t want to go that route again…