Bell vs Eastlink
Oldtrout
Bell is offering a combo of TV, land phone and internet for $99 for one
year. That compares to Eastlink billing of $159 +/-
That is a saving of $720. Not to be sneezed at to a senior on a fixed
(and I mean
FIXED by the feds ) income.
Thanks
--
oldtrout - ąrsaidh-breac
Gum bi si\th leat
May today be the best day of your life so far -
and each succeeding day better still.
Oldtrout
> Pros and cons of Bell vs Eastlink? For TV and High speed.
>
> Bell is offering a combo of TV, land phone and internet for $99 for one
> year. That compares to Eastlink billing of $159 +/-
>
> That is a saving of $720. Not to be sneezed at to a senior on a fixed
> (and I mean
> FIXED by the feds ) income.
>
> Thanks
I forgot to mention that the glossy high priced pamphlet they sent out
in the mail
listed all their outlet locations but DIDN'T show any of the stores
telephone numbers.
I found that a bit strange for a phone company.
--
oldtrout - àrsaidh-breac
Oldtrout
> On 6/7/2010 10:08 AM, Oldtrout wrote:
>> Pros and cons of Bell vs Eastlink? For TV and High speed.
>>
>> Bell is offering a combo of TV, land phone and internet for $99 for one
>> year. That compares to Eastlink billing of $159 +/-
>>
>> That is a saving of $720. Not to be sneezed at to a senior on a fixed
>> (and I mean
>> FIXED by the feds ) income.
>>
>> Thanks
>
> I forgot to mention that the glossy high priced pamphlet they sent out
> in the mail
> listed all their outlet locations but DIDN'T show any of the stores
> telephone numbers.
> I found that a bit strange for a phone company.
>
Eastlink
$137.06 (taxes in).
I have had great service from Eastlink but it annoying to lose one's phone
during a power failure, but then again so are so rare around here. BS.
--
oldtrout - �rsaidh-breac
Halifax_Hooligan
>
> - Show quoted text -
I'm on the fence over this too trout. I like Aliant relaibility during
power outages, but a savings of ~ $500the first year to switch my
phone sevice to Eastlink is attractive.
Rick Walker
"Oldtrout" wrote:
>
> Pros and cons of Bell vs Eastlink? For TV and High speed.
>
> Bell is offering a combo of TV, land phone and internet for $99 for one
> year. That compares to Eastlink billing of $159 +/-
>
> That is a saving of $720. Not to be sneezed at to a senior on a fixed (and
> I mean
> FIXED by the feds ) income.
>
Yeah, but their promotion is only good for a year on the TV part - some of
the "perks" are only good for a couple of months too.
In a year, you'll be paying pennies within what you're paying now -
promotions work that way.
If I had the cash and could do it over, I'd have Eastlink for Internet and
Television and Bell/Aliant for cell phones and land line.
But I'm bundled with Bell for everything except television, and a one-year
promotion just isn't worth the bother to me. I'd be switching back after
the first year was up anyway.
Oldtrout
To or from?
--
oldtrout - ąrsaidh-breac
lharnish
Maybe call Eastlink and tell them you're considering switching and
give them the opportunity to meet the deal. They just might do that
to keep a customer. I'd leave for $500 in savings the first year even
if the pricing was a wash after the year was over. Problem is, this
offer won't be available in Sambro because Aliant/Bell doesn't offer
high speed or TV in Sambro, only phone service.
Halifax_Hooligan
> Gum bi si\th leat
>
> May today be the best day of your life so far -
> and each succeeding day better still.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
For telephone - from Aliant ---> eastlink.
I have TV & Internet with Eastlink now. I would keep my cell with
Bell, only because I have a special plan through my union.
Rick Walker
"Halifax_Hooligan" wrote:
>
Oldtrout wrote:
>
> To or from?
>
For telephone - from Aliant ---> eastlink.
I have TV & Internet with Eastlink now. I would keep my cell with
Bell, only because I have a special plan through my union.
------------
The cell plan probably can't be touched; break it and you'll most likely
never get another one for the same price; if you need a landline I'd say
stick with Aliant. I'm avoiding digital phones until I have no other
choice.
Call Aliant, let them know you're thinking of bundling your LL with Eastwick
and see what they have to say, Hools. Depending on the rep they might
sweeten the pot, but I doubt it. A lot of reps have a "leave us, no biggie"
approach with their customers.
Anything's worth a shot, though.
Halifax_Hooligan
I probably won't bother, the cell & landline aren't bundled , because
of the special plan I have.
I use minimal long distance, so my only reason for sticking with
aliant has been it's reliability during power outages.
my work place switch to Eastlink last year, and service has been
pretty good so far.
Rick Walker
"Halifax_Hooligan" wrote:
>
"Rick Walker" wrote:
>
> The cell plan probably can't be touched; break it and you'll most likely
> never get another one for the same price; if you need a landline I'd say
> stick with Aliant. I'm avoiding digital phones until I have no other
> choice.
>
> Call Aliant, let them know you're thinking of bundling your LL with
> Eastwick
> and see what they have to say, Hools. Depending on the rep they might
> sweeten the pot, but I doubt it. A lot of reps have a "leave us, no
> biggie"
> approach with their customers.
>
> Anything's worth a shot, though.
I probably won't bother, the cell & landline aren't bundled , because
of the special plan I have.
I use minimal long distance, so my only reason for sticking with
aliant has been it's reliability during power outages.
my work place switch to Eastlink last year, and service has been
pretty good so far.
I had Eastwick's phone service at a place I worked before... right on my
desk and it never failed me either. However from what I've heard around
different places I've been, Eastlink's going to go out before Aliant does
during a storm; I have a relative that's suffered through that, and people
in this building have told me the same thing.
Bundles always look better than what they turn out to be, and Eastlink's LLs
are digital so I really can't compare the two services without having one of
each here. I do know there's generally a back-up source of power with
digital phones that give you X number of hours before the service dies, and
the copper-wired landline of mine hasn't gone out for years now.
Halifax_Hooligan
>
> - Show quoted text -
With traditional landlines the line voltage is generated at the CO, so
as long as your CO has power and you have n active line. I haven't
really looked at the Eastlink setup, but I know their digital to
analog converters generally only have a short term battery backup, not
a generator like you would find at an Aliant CO.
Rick Walker
"Halifax_Hooligan" wrote:
>
With traditional landlines the line voltage is generated at the CO, so
as long as your CO has power and you have n active line. I haven't
really looked at the Eastlink setup, but I know their digital to
analog converters generally only have a short term battery backup, not
a generator like you would find at an Aliant CO.
>
I'd say it comes down to how important your landline is to you in your
case... we've got both phones bundled with Aliant's LL and Internet, and
although I'd love to have Eastlink's Internet it doesn't make sense to blow
the grandfathered cell phone plans. And our email addresses would have to
change too. So I'm partial for more reasons than just the security of
having a landline at all times.
Haggis
"Halifax_Hooligan" <skepti...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:156f7d71-92a6-4d27...@y4g2000yqy.googlegroups.com...
if you notice the big grey boxes up on the telephone poles labeled "Alpha"
...those are the backup boxes for Eastlink ...you just never know how long
they will last ..
Rick Walker
"Haggis" wrote:
>
> if you notice the big grey boxes up on the telephone poles labeled "Alpha"
> ...those are the backup boxes for Eastlink ...you just never know how long
> they will last ..
I heard the backup time's supposed to be "up to" 8 hours... but that's what
I've heard.
Al Smith
> Pros and cons of Bell vs Eastlink? For TV and High speed.
>
> Bell is offering a combo of TV, land phone and internet for $99 for one
> year. That compares to Eastlink billing of $159 +/-
>
> That is a saving of $720. Not to be sneezed at to a senior on a fixed
> (and I mean
> FIXED by the feds ) income.
>
> Thanks
Might be just right for me, when I go where the cable doesn't run.
Probably be over by then, though.
-Al-
Oldtrout
> On Mon, 07 Jun 2010 11:27:40 -0300, lucreti...@fl.it wrote:
>
>> On Mon, 07 Jun 2010 11:22:10 -0300, Donna Whitman
>> <NSBoo...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>> That's the one advantage that Aliant has but it's a minor
>>> inconvenience to me. I have a cell phone that I can use when we're in
>>> a power outage. The bundles savings just isn't enough to make me want
>>> to switch.
>>
>> I agree - as you know, I don't lose my 'phone during power failures
>> for reasons we can't understand lol - but in the event it did go, I
>> would use my cell 'phone.
>>
>> I'm even contemplating dropping the land line anyway but waiting until
>> my need for international calls is through. There is no Aliant rate
>> for those as reasonable as Eastlink.
>
>
> I look at the whole package. My long distance calls are within North
> America and Eastlink's plan serves me well for that. I also like the
> fact that their other services (internet and cable TV) don't require a
> long term contract so I can make changes if and when I see fit. If
> there was more of a price difference, I might take a second look but
> there isn't except for that special package that OT mentioned which,
> as Rick mentioned, runs out after a very short time.
>
It is for 12 months with a saving of $720
After 12 months the rates are basically the same.
Long distance isn't a factor for me as I have a plan for unlimited calls
anywhere in Canada for less that $5.00 per month and I use calling cards
for all calls outside of the USA.
No one has yet to mention the Eastlink TV vs Bell TV.
--
oldtrout - ąrsaidh-breac
Oldtrout
The trouble is that you can't get through the first line of the
telephone answering folks
and they are very basic and could care less if one switched.
--
oldtrout - àrsaidh-breac
Rick Walker
"Oldtrout" wrote:
>>
> It is for 12 months with a saving of $720
>
> After 12 months the rates are basically the same.
>
> Long distance isn't a factor for me as I have a plan for unlimited calls
> anywhere in Canada for less that $5.00 per month and I use calling cards
> for all calls outside of the USA.
>
> No one has yet to mention the Eastlink TV vs Bell TV.
>
I believe that's because the majority of people responding either have
Eastlink or don't watch TV at all, troutie. The only thing good I've ever
heard about Bell TV is that the channels change Eastlink's. Whoopie! };-{)
Rick Walker
"Oldtrout" wrote:
>
> The trouble is that you can't get through the first line of the telephone
> answering folks
> and they are very basic and could care less if one switched.
>
A short-cut I learned from working at call centres is to ask for Accounts
Receivable once you've verified your account to the first rep -- they'll be
more than happy to dump a billing question into the hands of the AR.
Once there, they don't want another argument with a dissatisfied customer
either, and they'll happily transfer you to the sales department, just
because you're not calling to complain. Tell them you asked for "sales" and
must have been transferred to the incorrect department. Sales is where the
hunger for new customers really is, and they'll tell you everything you want
to know.
Good luck!
Picasso
> On 6/7/2010 10:31 AM, Oldtrout wrote:
>> On 6/7/2010 10:08 AM, Oldtrout wrote:
>>> Pros and cons of Bell vs Eastlink? For TV and High speed.
>>>
>>> Bell is offering a combo of TV, land phone and internet for $99 for one
>>> year. That compares to Eastlink billing of $159 +/-
>>>
>>> That is a saving of $720. Not to be sneezed at to a senior on a fixed
>>> (and I mean
>>> FIXED by the feds ) income.
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>
>> I forgot to mention that the glossy high priced pamphlet they sent out
>> in the mail
>> listed all their outlet locations but DIDN'T show any of the stores
>> telephone numbers.
>> I found that a bit strange for a phone company.
>>
> The rate after 12 months is $122.95 (plus taxes $ 15.98 = $138.98) vs
> Eastlink
> $137.06 (taxes in).
>
> I have had great service from Eastlink but it annoying to lose one's phone
> during a power failure, but then again so are so rare around here. BS.
>
Eastlink looks like 121.95/mo (137.80) but that is stated as the
introductory rate? What is it after the "starting" price? or are they
stating the additional is the digital box rental, dig. packages, etc??
How does the channels with the basic package compare from eastlink to bell?
"Bundle packages starting at stated price, per month, plus taxes. For
Bundles with cable, the Digital Box rental, Digital Packages, Premium
Services, and Pay-Per-View are additional. Installation charges are
additional"
Picasso
> On 6/7/2010 10:31 AM, Oldtrout wrote:
>> On 6/7/2010 10:08 AM, Oldtrout wrote:
>>> Pros and cons of Bell vs Eastlink? For TV and High speed.
>>>
>>> Bell is offering a combo of TV, land phone and internet for $99 for one
>>> year. That compares to Eastlink billing of $159 +/-
>>>
>>> That is a saving of $720. Not to be sneezed at to a senior on a fixed
>>> (and I mean
>>> FIXED by the feds ) income.
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>
>> I forgot to mention that the glossy high priced pamphlet they sent out
>> in the mail
>> listed all their outlet locations but DIDN'T show any of the stores
>> telephone numbers.
>> I found that a bit strange for a phone company.
>>
> The rate after 12 months is $122.95 (plus taxes $ 15.98 = $138.98) vs
> Eastlink
> $137.06 (taxes in).
>
> I have had great service from Eastlink but it annoying to lose one's phone
> during a power failure, but then again so are so rare around here. BS.
>
It appears Eastlink charges for box rental? does bell? i think its no
charge isnt it?
Rick Walker
"Picasso" wrote:
>
> It appears Eastlink charges for box rental? does bell? i think its no
> charge isnt it?
>
Yeah, Eastlink charges about $12-$13 bucks per month for the box. I bought
mine outright about a year and a half ago - grabbed a Motorola, the same one
Eastlink uses, so I wouldn't have to pay an extra fee.
I'd be interested to know if Bell gives their digital box away should you
subscribe. Maybe that's calculated into that bundle price somehow...
someone's gotta pay for it.
Halifax_Hooligan
> On Mon, 7 Jun 2010 22:14:42 -0300, "Rick Walker" <R...@WR.com> wrote:
>
> >"Picasso" wrote:
>
> >> It appears Eastlink charges for box rental? does bell? i think its no
> >> charge isnt it?
>
> >Yeah, Eastlink charges about $12-$13 bucks per month for the box. I bought
> >mine outright about a year and a half ago - grabbed a Motorola, the same one
> >Eastlink uses, so I wouldn't have to pay an extra fee.
>
> with just digital cable, you get one free box. Not sure what the
> charge is if you want more than one for additional sets. Anything less
> that digital and you don't need a box of any kind.
>
>
>
> >I'd be interested to know if Bell gives their digital box away should you
> >subscribe. Maybe that's calculated into that bundle price somehow...
>
> - Show quoted text -
I paid $50 for my digital box when Eastlink first introduced digital
cable. I haven't upgraded to PVR, but if I could by one rather than
rent, I might do that.
Halifax_Hooligan
> On Tue, 8 Jun 2010 02:44:43 -0700 (PDT), Halifax_Hooligan
>
>
>
>
>
> <skepticalm...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >> That's the HD DVR that you have and it's $14.95 to rent. For someone
> >> with just digital cable, you get one free box. Not sure what the
> >> charge is if you want more than one for additional sets. Anything less
> >> that digital and you don't need a box of any kind.
>
> >> >I'd be interested to know if Bell gives their digital box away should you
> >> >subscribe. Maybe that's calculated into that bundle price somehow...
> >> >someone's gotta pay for it.- Hide quoted text -
>
> >> - Show quoted text -
>
> >I paid $50 for my digital box when Eastlink first introduced digital
> >cable. I haven't upgraded to PVR, but if I could by one rather than
> >rent, I might do that.
>
> Not sure if you can buy them from Eastlink any more but FS sells them
> for a LOT more than $50 ...around $300, I believe.
>
> Renting does have its perks. If this puppy develops problems, I just
> call up Eastlink and they swap it out for me. If a FS model has an
> issue, you have to bring it back to FS and cross your fingers.
> Considering the bottom line for purchasing the DVR is $563.87 ($499.00
> + tax), you would have to have an Eastlink DVR for over 3 years before
> it would start costing you more.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
I've had my digital box close to 10 years, and it's never failed.
Motorola makes quality gear.
It locked up once after a powe failure, but Eastlink reset it.
Rick Walker
"Halifax_Hooligan" wrote:
>
I've had my digital box close to 10 years, and it's never failed.
Motorola makes quality gear.
It locked up once after a powe failure, but Eastlink reset it.
>
When I purchased my Motorola HD DVR from Futurama it was combined with the
new 42" TV, glass stand and Blu-ray... I still have the itemized receipt.
The guy had to play with the numbers in order to come in under the
predetermined amount I was willing to spend, so he shaved off a little here
and a little there.
So, one and a half years ago I paid $399.99 for the DVR (plus tax, but
that's on everything you rent or buy) - which is well worth the purchase
price to me Hooligan, because not only have I not had a problem with it but
by this Christmas I would have spent $360 to *rent* a DVR from Eastlink...
and that's close enough to the purchase price for me.
But what kind of DVR does Bell TV use? It can't be the same one, can it?
Halifax_Hooligan
No idea Rick.
Ther eis no info on models on the Bell website, but it doesn't
resemble the Eastlink reciever.
Rick Walker
"Halifax_Hooligan" wrote:
>
> "Rick Walker" wrote:
> "Halifax_Hooligan" wrote:
>
> I've had my digital box close to 10 years, and it's never failed.
> Motorola makes quality gear.
> It locked up once after a powe failure, but Eastlink reset it.
>
>
> that's on everything you rent or buy) - which is well worth the purchase
> price to me Hooligan, because not only have I not had a problem with it
> but
> by this Christmas I would have spent $360 to *rent* a DVR from Eastlink...
> and that's close enough to the purchase price for me.
>
> But what kind of DVR does Bell TV use? It can't be the same one, can it?
>
No idea Rick.
Ther eis no info on models on the Bell website, but it doesn't
resemble the Eastlink reciever.
----------------------
My guess would be that it's not the same. It's Bell's service, and Bell's
DVR to rent. Well, that's just another reason for me to stay with Eastlink
for television. I'd like to see someone's set-up with Bell TV, but everyone
I know is with Eastlink for TV. LOL.
Picasso
>
> "Oldtrout" wrote:
>>
>> Pros and cons of Bell vs Eastlink? For TV and High speed.
>>
>> Bell is offering a combo of TV, land phone and internet for $99 for
>> one year. That compares to Eastlink billing of $159 +/-
>>
>> That is a saving of $720. Not to be sneezed at to a senior on a fixed
>> (and I mean
>> FIXED by the feds ) income.
>>
>
> of the "perks" are only good for a couple of months too.
>
> In a year, you'll be paying pennies within what you're paying now -
> promotions work that way.
>
> If I had the cash and could do it over, I'd have Eastlink for Internet
> and Television and Bell/Aliant for cell phones and land line.
>
> But I'm bundled with Bell for everything except television, and a
> one-year promotion just isn't worth the bother to me. I'd be switching
> back after the first year was up anyway.
Why would you be switching back, do you prefer eastlink?
i prefer bell/aliant for cell and internet, plus landline... i'm on the
fence with television... havent tried bell ... so
Rick Walker
"Picasso" wrote:
>
> Rick Walker wrote:
>>
>> If I had the cash and could do it over, I'd have Eastlink for Internet
>> and Television and Bell/Aliant for cell phones and land line.
>>
>> But I'm bundled with Bell for everything except television, and a
>> one-year promotion just isn't worth the bother to me. I'd be switching
>> back after the first year was up anyway.
>
> Why would you be switching back, do you prefer eastlink?
>
> i prefer bell/aliant for cell and internet, plus landline... i'm on the
> fence with television... havent tried bell ... so
>
Bell/Aliant is a phone company, so naturally that's what they do best. We
had one cell and a landline when we took the bundle package for the
Internet, realised the savings immediately and got a second cell phone. I
don't think Eastlink even offered support for cell phones then; they were
always a cable company, going back to when they first started up as
Dartmouth Cable way back in the 70s.
We bundled with Aliant back in 2002 - before that, I had dial-up with Sprint
Canada so Aliant seemed pretty fast to us... until we both tried Eastlink's
Internet service. I was using it at my place of work, and my wife was using
Eastlink where she worked too. We both noticed the difference in speed
immediately (and this was before Eastlink's "15"), but by then the bundle
price couldn't be touched. Email addresses we didn't want to change, all
that stuff.
Yet both Internet providers have had their share of problems over the years.
Bell/Aliant's phone/cell phone service has always been great, and their
Internet speed is acceptable enough - but Bell Television? I've never seen
it, don't know anyone who has it and I'm happy with Eastlink's TV. I've had
the same television provider since cable TV first made it's way into my home
during the early/mid 70s. When I moved out in the early 80s, I was quick to
grab Pay TV and had that converter/star base on top of my set until 1990.
It's not out of loyalty that I stay with Bell/Aliant for everything but TV,
it's the price. Yet I suspect sticking with MT&T/Aliant/Bell over the years
has played a part in keeping that price low (grand-fathered cell packages
come to mind).
But as far as TV goes? To me Picasso, there's only one choice for
television. And that's Eastlink.
AllenWhite
> Pros and cons of Bell vs Eastlink? For TV and High speed.
>
> Bell is offering a combo of TV, land phone and internet for $99 for one
> year. That compares to Eastlink billing of $159 +/-
>
> That is a saving of $720. Not to be sneezed at to a senior on a fixed
> (and I mean
> FIXED by the feds ) income.
>
> --
> oldtrout - àrsaidh-breac
> Gum bi si\th leat
>
> May today be the best day of your life so far -
> and each succeeding day better still.
I just upgraded my Talk-and-Surf (Phone and internet only) bundle to
include cable. I did consider Bell, but when I looked into it Bell
ends up being slightly more expensive after the promotional period, so
I decided to just get Eastlink rather than change my phone and get a
worse internet connection. When I called I got a nice surprise -
Eastlink told me they were also running a $99/month promotion (it must
be a secret) and also included the DVR, HD, etc so it ends up being
cheaper than Bell for what I think is a better service.