False Verbal Contract leads Bell-Aliant to Bad Service

Until today, I would have praised Bell-Aliant to anyone who asked. I use them for wireless, home phone, and Internet, and have recommended them above competitors to everyone who asks. That all came to a screeching halt today.

I was on a family mobility plan with my mother for the past five or so years. Two cell phones, separate contracts, one bill. My contract had ~20 months remaining and hers was over as of January (or so she thought).

I recently decided I wanted to upgrade to a smart phone. I did the research, picked a phone, and due to my positive experience with Bell, decided to stick with them. My mother offered to take over the final 20 months of my family plan contract and cancel her own, then I’d start a brand new contract in my own name. Three years, plus the cost of the phone. She would take my old phone.

We went to a local Bell-Aliant store and I explained the situation to the employee, who claimed it would be no problem. We filled out necessary paperwork and things went fairly smoothly. I was informed I’d have to pay a $20 fee to swap numbers on the old phones. Fair enough. I was then informed that to keep my own number and carry it to the new account, it would be another $40. So, $60 total just to swap the numbers around. I was really skeptical and taken back by such exorbitant fees to move a number within the same provider, but reluctantly agreed to pay it. I was also informed that the now abandoned account would still sit there for a month and I’d have to pay that as well. Another $35. Ouch.