$100 voucher discontinued?

[Shagedorn]

I went into the store yesterday to purchase a $100 voucher for our Android phone for next year.

The store person told me that that program that lets you make one purchase to last a year is now discontinued.  However, for $180, he said I could purchase a voucher that would do the same thing.

So by discontinuing the program and starting another identical program, they can't be accused of an 80% increase in cost???!!!

I came home and tried chatting because I couldn't believe he got his facts straight.  I was directed to the "self care customer line" for pay as you go.   Can't talk to anyone there, either.  If this "increase" is true, I'm done with Rogers.  We cut off our TV and changed internet providers long ago.   Now it looks like the phone will go, too.

***Edited Labels***

[OLDYELLR · Accepted solution]

@Shagedorn Thanks for the feedback. That's about what I surmised.

Times change and so do people's expectations from their cellphone plans. While the original "anytime minutes plan" may be perfect for occasional use by us old timers, I doubt it would interest the selfie generation who text all day long.

[barndoor]

Did you buy a $100 card last year  .... so you are buying another card to renew an  old plan  ?

[RogersZia]

Hello @Shagedorn,

Welcome to the Community!

It’s not unusual for us to review our products and pricing; it’s our way of continuing to make sure that we’re giving customers the best service possible. For a list of available plans, please visit this page.

Happy Holidays!

RogersZia

[57]

@RogersZia :  Just as an FYI, the "Review PAYGo FAQs" link doesn't work on that page.

I did reply to @Shagedorn regarding his issues with contacting someone in his other thread/post (link below).  There seems to be some confusion as to what's available in PAYgo now, but certainly $180 is not the only option, unless that's for a different plan from what he had before.

http://communityforums.rogers.com/t5/Account-Support/How-do-I-reach-a-live-person-to-speak-to-at-Rog...

[barndoor]

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@Shagedorn wrote:

I went into the store yesterday to purchase a $100 voucher for our Android phone for next year.

The store person told me that that program that lets you make one purchase to last a year is now discontinued.  However, for $180, he said I could purchase a voucher that would do the same thing.

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@the problem here is that  @ Shagedorn   's wording here suggests this is a voucher to renew a plan already in place.  Which means it has been in place for a year and therefore should be grandfathered  and a one hundred dollar voucher  should work for it just fine . 

If it is a new  plan purchase then yes indeed I'm afraid  you better start shopping @Shagedorn  ...otherwise ...shame on the  Rogers staff for trying to mislead you about  the $100 voucher and what it can be used for and pushing you toward an unneeded plan  .

[OLDYELLR]

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@Shagedorn wrote:

I went into the store yesterday to purchase a $100 voucher for our Android phone for next year.

The store person told me that that program that lets you make one purchase to last a year is now discontinued.  However, for $180, he said I could purchase a voucher that would do the same thing.

So by discontinuing the program and starting another identical program, they can't be accused of an 80% increase in cost???!!!

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Is the $100 voucher for a year the plan you have always used? If so, you can top up $100 on line and get 365 days. I just checked.

Edited to add:

I would always buy the $100 vouchers at the Rogers store. I would even get the agent to update my account because I didn't trust myself to enter the 14-digit code without messing up.  But the last time I tried 2-3 years ago, the Rogers agent at the store told me they don't sell the vouchers, never did, which was not true. After that I always renewed on line or by calling the PayGo number if I wanted to use $100 from my balance. 

[OLDYELLR]

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@RogersZia wrote:

It’s not unusual for us to review our products and pricing; it’s our way of continuing to make sure that we’re giving customers the best service possible.

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How is replacing a $100/year plan with a $180/year plan "giving customers the best service possible"?

Could you enlighten us on the status of the original basic prepaid plan where you can buy a balance of $20 to $95 for 30 days or $100 for 365 days? Will I still be able to stay with it, or is it just being withheld from new customers or those wishing to switch from another plan?

[barndoor]

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@OLDYELLR wrote:

I would always buy the $100 vouchers at the Rogers store. I would even get the agent to update my account because I didn't trust myself to enter the 14-digit code without messing up.  But the last time I tried 2-3 years ago, the Rogers agent at the store told me they don't sell the vouchers, never did, which was not true. After that I always renewed on line or by calling the PayGo number if I wanted to use $100 from my balance. 

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I had basically the same experience  except that that it was 4 or 5  years ago when I tried  buy a voucher in a Rogers store  ... the other 9 times including that year  I just bought the vouchers at a variety store and then called them in  ...  and there were two years that I called in to do the $100 rollover .   ... sad to see that  Rogers feels it is not worth keeping the "Anytime Plan " because I think  it was great for older people and those  that just needed an emergency  phone once in a while . I can certainly  understand though  how it certainly won't  be adding anything to Rogers profit margin  and why it is being phased out .   

[barndoor]

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@OLDYELLR wrote:

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Could you enlighten us on the status of the original basic prepaid plan 

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Since you are a " resident expert " does  Rogers not grant you  access to that info from a reliable source  ? 

I know I got snarly about the content of someones post and  in response a Rogers staffer sent me an email stating  that the plan you are referring to was cancelled a few months ago  .... but those already on the plan were being grandfathered.  

That and I phoned in to Paygo  and asked. 

I  don't understand why Rogers doesn't grant you easy access to that information in your position  .

[Shagedorn]

We were not informed of any such grandfathering.  Just that the plan was ending and every other option was far more expensive.  We use the cell phone for emergency calling only so we have built up a substantial balance.

After my frustrated post, I was reading that someone was able to use their balance as payment for continuing their annual plan.  I'll call to see what our options are.

Thanks!