Discussions

Was just gonna say the same thing...I just renewed 2-3 weeks ago. Would have been nice if they had known/told me then.

Looks like you get a free phone and can cancel contract with no penalty and go back to MTS without a contract then.

I got the letter yesterday. I have talked to MTS and Telus. Here is the rundown I got from both:  
 
I have 4 cell phones on my contract. 1 of them is off contract, the other 3 were new contracts in December.  
 
I can cancel with Telus for no charge for the phone off contract.  
I would have to pay $462.50 per phone for the other 3 stay with MTS. Essentially, cancelling 3 contracts and then go to MTS and get 3 new contracts.  
 
For all 4 phones I will receive the $60.00 credit per phone, spread out over 3 months.  
 
For the 1 phone off contract they will allow me to upgrade my phone, and have an offer of $200 off any phone. I would keep my current plan (which is over 3 years old, $60.00 a month, with unlimited data).  
 
The other 3 phones will keep their current plan.  
 
I was told for all 4 plans would remain as is for as long as I want, I would have to cancel them. So my current cheap old MTS plan could stay for 10 years (although I don't really believe that).  
 
I am a little ticked off that the Competition Bureau got to dictate where I spend my hard earned money, I really have no choice but to go with Telus, as I can't justify or afford to pay out 3 contracts.

Never_give_up said "I got the letter yesterday. I have talked to MTS and Telus. Here is the rundown I got from both:     I have 4 cell phones on my contract. 1 of them is off contract, the other 3 were new contracts in December.     I can cancel with Telus for no charge for the phone off contract.   I would have to pay $462.50 per phone for the other 3 stay with MTS. Essentially, cancelling 3 contracts and then go to MTS and get 3 new contracts.     For all 4 phones I will receive the $60.00 credit per phone, spread out over 3 months.     For the 1 phone off contract they will allow me to upgrade my phone, and have an offer of $200 off any phone. I would keep my current plan (which is over 3 years old, $60.00 a month, with unlimited data).     The other 3 phones will keep their current plan.     I was told for all 4 plans would remain as is for as long as I want, I would have to cancel them. So my current cheap old MTS plan could stay for 10 years (although I don't really believe that).     I am a little ticked off that the Competition Bureau got to dictate where I spend my hard earned money, I really have no choice but to go with Telus, as I can't justify or afford to pay out 3 contracts. "

This just shows that what one person said about telus getting customers from mts that don't have contracts anymore is wrong.

There shouldn't be any termination fees for people who don't want to stay with Telus. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/bell-mts-telus-transfers-1.4145469

And asking some very pointed questions switching over and then the scenario of what if we just ignore the letter what would happen.  
We were told eventually our phone would go dead and we would loose our number.  
Then we said if we took this leap of faith with Telus and we unhappy down the road in a month what would happen. We we told we would have to pay the residual value of our phone and It's 11 months remaining on contract.  
We expressed our dismay with this "hidden" item from their propaganda and all the news releases we have read from everybody and all she could offer was an opology.  
 
This whole deal is being shoved down our throats like it or not according to Telus.  
 
The people at Bell/MTS in the mall are now saying they aren''t allowed to say much about the process, just call the toll free Telus number.  
 
Edited by DarMar, 2017-06-16 09:47:30

I processed the transfer for my wife''s grandmother last weekend, and I have to say it was pretty slick overall. A few minutes of data entry on a website, insert the new SIM and enter the unlock code and you''re done.  
 
While Telus doesn''t have as many towers as Bell-MTS or Rogers, my understanding is that there is a roaming agreement in place so the coverage should essentially be the same, except in areas like Brandon or Winnipeg where Telus has it''s own towers.  
 
She had the same service before and after the change down in the middle of nowhere (Miami), so I wouldn''t expect anyone to run into much for coverage issues.  
 
And, as noted, she got a $60 bill credit ($20x3 months), Telus matched her old MTS plan, and she was given a free unlock code (which seemed more valuable to me last week before the CRTC news came out, but still).  
 
Edited by pudds, 2017-06-16 16:56:16

The mall location had switched to Telus signage when I went past it a few weeks ago, so I doubt their advice is unbiased.

My theory for why they are doing the changeover in waves: they pick a bunch, then uncooperative louts like me fight back and refuse to change and be told what to do by a telecom. Then they pick a new batch, compensating for the number that refused from the first batch. Eventually they will hit 100,000, but they might have to contact 10%, 25% or more extra over the target number to achieve it.  
 
I am still working on figuring out the details, but I will only be moving if it is a better deal for me, and they can actually deliver service where I need it.  
 
I have also been told if you have service in certain areas, and lose it after moving to Telus, then Telus is essentially in violation of the contract. You may have to do a bit to show that this dropped call/no reception place exists, but it *may* let you out without penalty?

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY CANCELLATION FEES. If Telus is saying you have to pay a cancellation fee if you were under contract with MTS they are WRONG.  
 
Here is a quote right from the news.  
 
The company said they hope new customers will give them a chance but ultimately the choice will be up to the consumer and there will be no penalties for people who choose to cancel their existing contract.  
 
http://globalnews.ca/news/3485905/telus-begins-transitioning-100000-customers-from-bell-mts-in-manitoba/

Jessica08 said "YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY CANCELLATION FEES. If Telus is saying you have to pay a cancellation fee if you were under contract with MTS they are WRONG.     Here is a quote right from the news.     The company said they hope new customers will give them a chance but ultimately the choice will be up to the consumer and there will be no penalties for people who choose to cancel their existing contract.     http://globalnews.ca/news/3485905/telus-begins-transitioning-100000-customers-from-bell-mts-in-manitoba/ "

Who is telling the truth and what exactly Is the truth.  
When we pressed Telus on the perceived deceptive advertising of no cancellation fees down the road we were told the residual owing on your phone is not a cancellation fee but simply the balance owing on your phone with any carrier.  
So basically if we were unhappy with Telus in a month or two we still have a balance to pay Telus no matter where one goes after that. We didn't ask for this inconvenience but it appears to be forced upon us.  
 
Truth or not???

I too am a victim of "the letter" which stated I would be switched over in the next few days... and I did NOT want to switch over. We have a total of 3 cel phones, one land line and our satellite tv service through Bell MTS and it was only my cel phone that was 'selected'. The same day the letter arrived I tried live chat with an MTS rep and got no where.. I called MTS and went through a number of people (6 I think) before finally being told my info had already gone over to Telus. So I called Telus and was able to switch back because of our 'bundle' of services. Since then I have received one call from Bell MTS thanking me for staying on with them. Then on each of the last 3 days I have received calls from Telus (on my cel phone with an unpublished number) telling me it was in my best interest to switch over. During the last call (yesterday) they finally admitted I DO NOT have to switch over, that it is my choice. I gave them a piece of my mind as I will not allow anyone to dictate who I should do business with. They are all private, for-profit businesses. I've also sent a complaint to the competition bureau and have now messaged Telus to tell them to stop calling me. If I wanted to sign with Telus I would have done so on my own. This whole thing has been a huge fiasco. So frustrated.

I was one of 100,000 selected to move to Telus, and I chose not to go. If you are one of these customers and don't want to you have to first call Telus tell them your reasons, secondly Telus has to fill out a form , which is emailed to Bell Mts releasing you back to Bell mts , and in 3-5 days you will receive a call from Telus with a confirmation, that the switch back is complete. This has to be done by July 22 and cannot be ignored, as I was at first told to do or you will be forced to be a Telus customer! I am currently on contract with bell mts and am staying with the provider I'm happy with. Just calling mts won't get you anywhere if you were selected, you have to deal with Telus!

I don't know much about either company tbh but I'm considering asking to stay with MTS as it's what I know and for the most part, I'm happy with them.  
 
Are there any huge pros/cons to switching over to Telus that anyone knows about so far?

Hubby switched a week ago. He is extremely happy with the switch. Not sure if it's because he upgraded his phone or because it's now on Telus but he can actually text me from inside his work now instead of having to go stand outside.

My son's cell phone was selected to go to telus but mine wasn't because I have internet attached to me. Could I ask to switch to Telus?

is actually a money saver so stay with it if you have it. Instead of paying $25 + $25 + $73 = $123 I pay $97 for 2 cells with UNLIM canada wide data and 25Mbps for home internet. Good deal. Switching to Telus you will pay more (if you ever change from your transfer deal). The towers for both companies should all be the same now that Bell owns MTS.

Please people becareful with what telus in the mall is telling you. After talking with them for 5 minutes (clerk and manager) we were given the WRONG information according to the telus person we spoke with on the phone.  
 
The clerk in the mall stated that if we didn''t want to go to telus, we didn''t have to do anything. Big HUGE mistake. If you don''t contact telus by a certain time, you will lose your phone service.  
 
So after two phone calls and a misinformed visit to telus in the mall, HOPEFULLY they will have cancelled what they term as our "migration" to telus. We have been calm and polite with them thus far, but if things aren''t switched back to Bell/MTS after this last phone call, my next call will be heated. I don''t like getting the run around and I am sure nobody does. Lol  
 
Edited by FML, 2017-06-19 19:24:29

So you can refuse to Telus? Do you have to have a reason or just want to stay with MTS?

So should I wait until I get the package from Telus or can I call now and voice that I want to stay with MTS? July 22nd is the date to have it all done by?

cotr said "So you can refuse to Telus? Do you have to have a reason or just want to stay with MTS? "

Yes you can refuse with no reason. But make sure you contact telus saying you don't want to switch.

sammy said "So should I wait until I get the package from Telus or can I call now and voice that I want to stay with MTS? July 22nd is the date to have it all done by? "

You got the letter stating you would be getting the package?  
 
I'm not sure if you can call before you get the package or not. But it doesn't hurt to call and check and see.  
 
Yes July 22nd is the date, from what I have been told.

Thanks! Yes, so far I just have the letter. I'll wait another week or so and then call if I haven't received the package. I just don't want to forget and then get stuck with no service!

When we moved from MB to AB then to SK. In all honesty, I hated the lack if service in MB and fully planned to switch when we moved back to MB last year.  
However, the service has gotten so much better that I'm staying right where I am. I am the only one with Telus on my staff and the only one that gets strong, uninterrupted service in all areas of the building.  
I am very happy with the increased number of service areas and rarely have 'no service' when travelling in various areas of SK and MB.  
From comparing to others' experiences, I'd say Telus is the best option right now.

Has anyone successfully bartered with a Telus rep. Instead of getting $20 off for 3 months, were you able to maybe get $40... or $20 for 6 months? Some thing along those lines.

How do you switch online. I was told I had to go to store to do. Problem is im never in Brandon much

NEW DAD said "How do you switch online. I was told I had to go to store to do. Problem is im never in Brandon much "

The details were in the welcome package they sent, but I don't have it so I can't give you the exact url, sorry.

For the person told that they have to pay out their contracts if they want to go back to Bell/MTS after the switch - the 'down the road' is what is key. If you don't want to switch you can stick with Bell without penalty, but if they are telling you to give Telus a try and you don't stay THEN it will cost you to pay out your contract, that is true. What they aren't telling you (or maybe you are not interested?) is that staying with Bell now will cost you nothing.  
 
If you accept the switch to Telus now, they will have your contract, and they can make you pay it out if you cancel it in a month or whenever. BUT if you don't agree to move your contract over there is nothing they can do about it, and you certainly don't have to pay to keep your contract with Bell.  
 
As for the phone numbers thing, I suspect that is something they are trying to use to convince people to accept the switch. "Oh, sure you can keep Bell, it doesn't cost you anything BUT you will lose your number!" Which seems to be a thing that happens often when you switch cell phone companies, so whatever. Maybe the '100,000 contracts' that are supposed to migrate are done by phone number? Who knows?

Starhc said "For the person told that they have to pay out their contracts if they want to go back to Bell/MTS after the switch - the 'down the road' is what is key. If you don't want to switch you can stick with Bell without penalty, but if they are telling you to give Telus a try and you don't stay THEN it will cost you to pay out your contract, that is true. What they aren't telling you (or maybe you are not interested?) is that staying with Bell now will cost you nothing.     If you accept the switch to Telus now, they will have your contract, and they can make you pay it out if you cancel it in a month or whenever. BUT if you don't agree to move your contract over there is nothing they can do about it, and you certainly don't have to pay to keep your contract with Bell.     As for the phone numbers thing, I suspect that is something they are trying to use to convince people to accept the switch. "Oh, sure you can keep Bell, it doesn't cost you anything BUT you will lose your number!" Which seems to be a thing that happens often when you switch cell phone companies, so whatever. Maybe the '100,000 contracts' that are supposed to migrate are done by phone number? Who knows? "

Facts-  
 
1) -I renewed my contract with MTS/Bell last month (6 months early as I needed a new phone) - so not out of contract.  
2) - Received letter to say being transferred to Telus  
3) - Called Telus said I did not want to move - Telus took me off the list.  
4) - Received welcome pack - called Telus again to check I was not on the list to move, they confirmed I was no longer on the list and I would be staying with MTS/Bell  
5) - I still have the same ph number.  
 
Obviously I cannot comment on what other people are being told but this is what has actually happened in my case.

NEW DAD said "How do you switch online. I was told I had to go to store to do. Problem is im never in Brandon much "

There is a phone number in the welcome package that you can call to get the process started whether it be to go to telus or stay with bell/mts.