Telus CallerID RIPOFF

[DarkSky]

I'm paying $30/month for voice.
I'm paying $25/month for data.
I'll be paying $5/month for GPS.

Do you think the ODD time I get a phone call (maybe 2/day) they could tack on the incoming caller # to the packets that initiate the connection and just display the bloody number to me? NO!

They want to charge me *** $15/MONTH ** just to display the incoming # !!

I just witched over to Telus from Rogers where I was just on a prepaid plan, and I got caller ID *FREE*.

Time to unlock my phone and swap it for a Rogers 3G Droid me thinks.

I was really looking forward to doing long time business with a carrier that I was new to, and walked into it with a clean slate. But $15/month for caller ID is just absolutely joke-worthy. That little thing has really caused me to build up quite a bit of anger towards this company already

 

[The_Gnome_]

$15? I think they're REALLY ripping you off.

Check their site - shows call display as $7/month (still insane, but better than $15)

 

[Brendanmurphy]

I have the clear choice 65$ plan with double minutes + 15$ call display unlimited text package and it comes to 90.40$ per month. On rogers i had only 150 minutes now i have 500 and its not that much more i am paying

 

[DarkSky]

$15? I think they're REALLY ripping you off.

Check their site - shows call display as $7/month (still insane, but better than $15)

I think you might be looking at a plan different than the one I have,

see bottom of page here (I'm on the Clear 30 voice plan) :

Clear Choice? Plans for Phones*|* Plans for Phones*|* Plans*|* TELUS Mobility

But even $7 is too much - ANYTHING is too much. Prepaid gets it free! It costs the carriers $0.00 to display it on the phone (the #'s there anyway, it's not like they have to 'add' it on to the incoming packets).

 

[The_Gnome_]

I think you might be looking at a plan different than the one I have,

see bottom of page here (I'm on the Clear 30 voice plan) :

Clear Choice? Plans for Phones*|* Plans for Phones*|* Plans*|* TELUS Mobility

But even $7 is too much - ANYTHING is too much. Prepaid gets it free! It costs the carriers $0.00 to display it on the phone (the #'s there anyway, it's not like they have to 'add' it on to the incoming packets).

Ah, I see the difference.

The $7 I linked to is the call display add-on that can be added to any plan.

The $15 item you point out also includes unlimited text messaging in addition to call display.

That being said, you're right. Even $7 is crazy for call display.

 

[nmccallum]

I know it's ridiculous at any price, but I made a comment about it to a CSR and they dropped it down to $5 for me. It suprising what you can squeeze out of CSRs if you get the right ones.

 

[DarkSky]

I know it's ridiculous at any price, but I made a comment about it to a CSR and they dropped it down to $5 for me. It suprising what you can squeeze out of CSRs if you get the right ones.

Yah I could try... but just on principle I refuse to pay for that when it shouldn't even really be considered an 'service' anymore. It was a huge thing when it first came out 20 or whatever years ago, but now it's all digital and gets to the carrier anyway. They just cancel it there and tell you to pay in order for it to be put through. GRRR.

 

[DarkSky]

I got a reply from Telus cust. support:

I am unable to change an existing rate plan to include alternate features.

Please note that Caller ID is $7.00 per month. You most likely were viewing the cost of a "Package" that would include other features along with Caller ID.

If you would like to add Caller ID to your service you may reply to this e.mail, call Client Care at the number below, or add the feature on your own via your online account:

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my reply back :

Is there any reasoning as to why it costs extra to display the incoming call #? It's sent to the carrier (Telus) when someone calls, then from there they cancel it so I can't see it - why in this day and age do we still have to pay for something like being able to see the incoming caller # ? There is a thread about Telus on the android forums regarding this and I would very much like to 'enlighten' all of the other Telus customers on the forum with your reply as to why Telus disables their customers from seeing their incoming call #s.

------------

If I hear back as to how they justify charging $84/year to see your incoming calls, I'll post it..

 

[DarkSky]

Latest reply from Telus, as well as my reply back to them :

TELUS: In an effort to stay competitive, TELUS does not include the cost of Caller ID in the cost of our rate plans. This way, only those clients who feel that they would benefit from a particular feature, may choose to subscribe to it.

ME: I'm sorry, and I don't mean to be rude here at all, but that explanation doesn't make any sense at all. Making call display an included option with all packages would make Telus *more* competitive, as it would definitely be a feature that would attract customers. Could you please explain how 'not' including a feature makes Telus more competitive than say Rogers or Bell? I'm sorry but I just fail to understand the reasoning you've given. Thanks in advance!


---

The responses I'm getting back are making less and less sense as this email converse continues...

 

[DarkSky]

Ok, now I'm really angry with Telus. I just found out ROGERS OFFERS FREE CALLER ID AND NAME DISPLAY with their Smartphone data plans:

http://www.rogers.com/web/content/add-ons/valuepacks

'Anyone know if a Telus Milestone can be unlocked and used with Rogers? I bought my phone outright so I want to switch!

 

[Brendanmurphy]

Ok, now I'm really angry with Telus. I just found out ROGERS OFFERS FREE CALLER ID AND NAME DISPLAY with their Smartphone data plans:

http://www.rogers.com/web/content/add-ons/valuepacks

'Anyone know if a Telus Milestone can be unlocked and used with Rogers? I bought my phone outright so I want to switch!

Yes it can be used with rogers. That plan must be new. I had my dream with rogers and i was paying 12$ for all calling features ( Grandfathered package ). There plans are pretty cheap now im very surprised but i can see telus lowering there prices now. It seems that a price war is going to start.

Edit : This does not include calling minutes. You need to add an additional voice plan

 

[DarkSky]

Yes it can be used with rogers. That plan must be new. I had my dream with rogers and i was paying 12$ for all calling features ( Grandfathered package ). There plans are pretty cheap now im very surprised but i can see telus lowering there prices now. It seems that a price war is going to start.

Edit : This does not include calling minutes. You need to add an additional voice plan

Yah I noticed that after my post. That was ON TOP of your regular voice plan, so it looks like Rogers is gouging their customers just as badly as Telus is. It's a real kick in the teeth to because the incoming caller's # is sent to the carrier (it shows up in voice mail) - they're just purposely BLOCKING it from you unless you pay.

 

[Brendanmurphy]

Yah I noticed that after my post. That was ON TOP of your regular voice plan, so it looks like Rogers is gouging their customers just as badly as Telus is. It's a real kick in the teeth to because the incoming caller's # is sent to the carrier (it shows up in voice mail) - they're just purposely BLOCKING it from you unless you pay.

Welcome to Canada

 

[NOVA]

I've got the Hero with Telus and I personally have no complaints on my plan. This is what I signed for:

65$ a month gets me:

- Smart 65 w/ Double minutes (400 minutes total)
- 50 bonus minutes (so 450 mins in total)
- 1 GB data/month
- Loyalty Package 15 free for 3 years (this is the 15$ a month thing that includes Call Display, Unlimited Texting and Voice Mail)
- Unlimited Evenings and Weekends starting at 6PM

so yeah, everything up there for 65$ a month is an awesome deal (for Canada).

I agree though...15$ a month for the call display package is ridiculous...

 

[DarkSky]

I've got the Hero with Telus and I personally have no complaints on my plan. This is what I signed for:

65$ a month gets me:

- Smart 65 w/ Double minutes (400 minutes total)
- 50 bonus minutes (so 450 mins in total)
- 1 GB data/month
- Loyalty Package 15 free for 3 years (this is the 15$ a month thing that includes Call Display, Unlimited Texting and Voice Mail)
- Unlimited Evenings and Weekends starting at 6PM

so yeah, everything up there for 65$ a month is an awesome deal (for Canada).

I agree though...15$ a month for the call display package is ridiculous...

I'm on the $30/month voice plan with the pick 5 numbers (unlimited voice/text/media messaging to 5 specific numbers) + $25 data (500MB/month). But get no call display. But I'm not locked into a contract at least. As soon as any carrier offers call display as a regular feature I'll switch.

 

[Brendanmurphy]

I've got the Hero with Telus and I personally have no complaints on my plan. This is what I signed for:

65$ a month gets me:

- Smart 65 w/ Double minutes (400 minutes total)
- 50 bonus minutes (so 450 mins in total)
- 1 GB data/month
- Loyalty Package 15 free for 3 years (this is the 15$ a month thing that includes Call Display, Unlimited Texting and Voice Mail)
- Unlimited Evenings and Weekends starting at 6PM

so yeah, everything up there for 65$ a month is an awesome deal (for Canada).

I agree though...15$ a month for the call display package is ridiculous...

I have everything the same as you except i have 9pm free and i have to pay the 15$. Im a new Telus customer thow.

 

[NOVA]

To get that package, I had to deal with retentions. Forgot to mention, they also threw in 3 months free.

Only problem I have with TELUS now is the fact that their 3G network kinda sucks. I sometimes lose connection for no apparent reason...

 

[The_Gnome_]

Only problem I have with TELUS now is the fact that their 3G network kinda sucks. I sometimes lose connection for no apparent reason...

Where abouts are you in Canada?

SW Ontario here, no issues yet.

 

[Brendanmurphy]

To get that package, I had to deal with retentions. Forgot to mention, they also threw in 3 months free.

Only problem I have with TELUS now is the fact that their 3G network kinda sucks. I sometimes lose connection for no apparent reason...

Yea i know retentions/loyalty they have amazing deals for customers. Ill wait a year and see what they can do for me .

Im in Richmond Hill, ON and the 3g network is amazing. 1000x better then rogers. In my school i was lucky to get edge with rogers now i get 4 bars 3g with Telus.

 

[NOVA]

Where abouts are you in Canada?

SW Ontario here, no issues yet.

I'm actually in Ottawa...so it should be fairly fast, you'd think...

 

[The_Gnome_]

Actually, in Telus' infinite wisdom, Ottawa/Quebec is served by a slower HSPA network currently, with upgrades coming in Spring 2010 (that was the original plan - not sure of current status).

All this is fine, but one thing eludes me entirely. Bell and Telus have chosen to offer tomorrow access to the network almost anywhere in Canada except Quebec and the Ottawa area to be served until the first quarter of 2010 by a slower HSPA network.

Link to article

 

[Enygma]

Yea i know retentions/loyalty they have amazing deals for customers. Ill wait a year and see what they can do for me .

Im in Richmond Hill, ON and the 3g network is amazing. 1000x better then rogers. In my school i was lucky to get edge with rogers now i get 4 bars 3g with Telus.

I was on Rogers in Lethbridge, Alberta and just recently switched to Telus. On Rogers I got zero reception anywhere 5 minutes out of town. Since I frequent lakes and dirtbike tracks, this was kind of a hassle. Now on Telus I get at LEAST 2 bars in the same areas Rogers dropped out. I haven't had any issues with 3g either.

Also Telus has a tower up around Waterton and Rogers lost receprtion before I even got close.

I would have to say that each carrier has areas that offer more coverage but as for Lethbridge county, I wouldn't suggest anything else. Although their customer service is WAY worse then Rogers...WAY worse.