I saw a few recent posts "hinting" at this, however, I received a text today confirming the following: I've therefore started this thread on the topic.
1. Rogers (and Fido) Prepaid services will no longer be available after December 16, 2024.
2. I can switch to Rogers (or Fido) (assume Post-paid service) and keep my number
3. I can switch to Chatr Prepaid and keep my number.
They provided a phone number 1-844-235-3766, or say to visit a Rogers retail location...
I just finished pre-paying until July 25, 2025 (so 9 months still to go, value approximately $75). I also have a balance on my grandfathered anytime plan of about $95.
I guess I'll need to do some research and decide what I'll do and also find out what Rogers will do regarding the $170 or so in "value" that I still have in my Prepaid account.
***Edited Labels***
@57 according to this article, you will probably lose the entire amount as it appears that Rogers has decided to keep the remaining prepaid balance from your account:
https://mobilesyrup.com/2024/10/22/rogers-prepaid-no-balance-transfer/
Seems to depend on who you talk to and perhaps the plan(s) in question:
https://communityforums.rogers.com/t5/Pay-as-You-Go/Moving-to-Chatr/m-p/535832/highlight/true#M4033
Going from Prepaid to Postpaid is a manual process that can be time consuming and utilizes 2 different billing platforms, so I can see why they decided to update their policy and remove some items from it.
Chatr is still a prepaid service (owned by the same company) and they probably use the same billing platform as rogers and fido prepaid, so it would make sense they can allow it to happen.
If I had balance on my prepaid line and it was being shut down close to the end of the year then I would try to use it up, at least if you use it you are getting your own money's worth, you can always top it up again if you decide to migrate it over.
@Pauly wrote: If I had balance on my prepaid line ... I would try to use it up,
I see where you're coming from and this would work for a monthly prepaid plan, however, I currently have $95 in my grandfathered anytime account, which rolls over each month. I typically utilize less than $5/month. I'm not about to do a bunch of needless calling and texting to "throw away" $95, plus perhaps more "value", since my monthly payments are currently suspended until July 2025 having paid $100 for this in July 2024.
A few years ago, we prepaid grandfathered customers were asked to keep our balances below $150 and I have done that, even though Rogers did not go through with that "lose it threat".
Since the expiry date is beyond the service cutoff date, the expiry date might be downgraded to december 16. What you can do is inquire about migrating your service to Chatr wireless, Since Chatr possibly uses same billing platform as Rogers prepaid and is under the same corporate umbrella, you could potentially have your balanced transfer, if policy and the agent allows this to happen. plus you can keep your prepaid number. I also believe the Chatr SIM cards use the same Network Code and ICCID as Rogers SIM cards so there's a good possibility it could work in the same phone if your phone is not unlocked.
@Pauly : Thanks. Inquiries are in the works... Since I'm a very light user, I'm considering the Chatr $149/year plan which has:
Unlimited Canada-wide talk, Unlimited Canada, US and international text, 30GB of data at 4G speeds (assume for the year), Voicemail. I can handle the occasional pay-per-use charge outside those boundaries.
@57 wrote:
@Pauly : Thanks. Inquiries are in the works... Since I'm a very light user, I'm considering the Chatr $149/year plan which has:
Unlimited Canada-wide talk, Unlimited Canada, US and international text, 30GB of data at 4G speeds (assume for the year), Voicemail. I can handle the occasional pay-per-use charge outside those boundaries.
That actually looks like a pretty good plan, and I hope that you can get your $170 balance transferred. I still find it truly appalling that Rogers could even think of shutting down a service without refunding a customer's money.
@-G- wrote: I still find it truly appalling that Rogers could even think of shutting down a service without refunding a customer's money.
Agreed, but they raised our IgniteTV box pricing by 70%, so nothing surprises any more.
I called the phone number in post 1. There was only a brief wait to talk to an agent. They have excellent deals if you switch to Rogers Postpaid. These deals are exclusive to Rogers Prepaid customers. I now have to decide between Chatr and Rogers and wait until I'm actually switching to see what they'll do about my prepaid balance. I'll let people know if I was able to negotiate some sort of credit for the prepaid balance.
@CayugaD wrote:
Disgusting company- told today I will lose my balance. Not transferable and non refundable 280 bucks...
A few comments:
1. I agree with you but, years ago Rogers offered to suspend payments for a year if you used $100 of your balance. I've been doing that every second year since then to keep my balance "reasonable" (around $100). I have therefore averaged about $5/month for the past 15+ years.
2. In 2018, Rogers threatened to take away any balance over $150. In the end they didn't do that, but that should have been a warning. (links below).
(Ignore dead link in that post)
Good luck with the manager. I intend to do the same when I switch soon... I haven't yet decided if I'm going to Chatr, or Rogers Postpaid, or a different provider...
for those who want to keep Prepaid instead of migrating to a post paid account, try visiting a store that sells Chatr and see if they can transfer your balance.
@Pauly wrote:
for those who want to keep Prepaid instead of migrating to a post paid account, try visiting a store that sells Chatr and see if they can transfer your balance.
I'm not sure if postpaid or prepaid makes a difference. In the 2018 thread I linked earlier, they were allowing balances to be transferred to monthly prepaid or postpaid plans when they were trying to reduce their liability to a maximum $150 per "Anytime" user.
Of course, this time, they are not trying to entice, just wrap up the prepaid users. What probably matters is finding a rep that has the authority and willingness to provide a "goodwill" credit.
Make sure you call ahead if going to a store to discuss Chatr. The corporate stores may be a better bet than a franchised one.
Hello CayugaD
Pay As You go reps probably told you that because they know the policy does not allow for balance transfer to fido or rogers postpaid so they probably assume chatr is the same, but according to this article, a customer was successful to have their balance transferrred: https://communityforums.rogers.com/t5/Pay-as-You-Go/Moving-to-Chatr/m-p/535832/highlight/true#M4033
Sometimes its entirely possible reps can make "assumptions" that it is not possible to do something because it involves a sister company or different brand under the company umbrella and the rep you spoke to does not necessarily work for that brand, but it certainly may be allowed on the other company, but you just have to talk to the "right" people
Hello @CayugaD,
Thanks for your posts!
Just curious, is it the Wireless Migrations Team that you've been dealing with for your issue?
For anyone else who has prepaid services and have any questions or concerns about these changes, please be sure to reach out directly to our Wireless Migrations Team at 1-844-235-3766. They are ready and willing to assist. 🙂
Kind regards,
RogersYasmine
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