[Elect] Fido - Retention Plans

[S.Chan]

Fido Retention Plans
Seeing as there is already a Rogers' Retention Plans thread, I thought I would post up the details for Fido's Retention Plans. I do realize that these plans are not as HOT as what Rogers offers, but I just wanted to share what Fido offers. So, you can classify this deal as WARM if you want.

Overview
When cusomters wish to cancel their account, they are directed to a special department that attempts to retain you as a customer by offering special incentives. What the Customer Relations department offers to people varies; some people may get a HOT deal, while others may get nothing.

Who Is Eligible?
Month-to-month Fido subscribers who have been a customer for at least 3 months are eligible for retention plans, special discounts, or recurring credits. Prepaid users are not eligible for these.

What Can They Give Me?
They can offer recurring monthly credits for options, special retention plans, and further discounted handsets. Do note, however, that what they offer you differs depending on several factors: the Customer Relations Representative you talk to, your account status, your monthly spending, and your account history.

How Do I Reach Customer Relations?
There are two ways you can reach Customer Relations. The first method is to directly phone Fido Customer Relations (1-888-259-3436) and select the cancel my account option from the menu. The second way is to dial Fido Customer Service (1-888-481-3436 or *611), then request to cancel your account when a Customer Service Representative picks up.

What Are The Retention Plans?
There are three Fido Retention Plans (which are NOT available on a Fido Agreement):

1. $10 Retention Plan
   - No minutes included
   - Additional minutes @ $0.30/min billed by the second
   - System Access Fee included
2. $15 Retention Plan
   - 50 daytime minutes billed by the second
   - Voice Mail included
   - System Access Fee included
3. $20 Retention Plan
   - 100 daytime minutes billed by the second
   - Unlimited Evenings and Weekends
   - System Access Fee not included

What About People Who Want To Sign An Agreement?
They offer various discounts on options or handsets to your regular plan. Here is what they have been known to offer:

• Recurring 12/24/36 month credits for plan options (ex. Call Display, Voice Messaging, System Access Fee, Fido to Fido, Bonus Minutes...)
• Recurring 12/24/36 month bill credit (ex. $5, $10...)
• Ability to use your Fido Dollars towards a new handset even when you're renewing/signing a Fido agreement (i.e. get agreement price for handset AND use your Fido Dollars)
• A further discount on the agreement price of a handset

As with all people who renews/signs an agreement, they also qualify for any renewal or new sign-up promotions such as 3 Months Unlimited Local Calling/SMS/MMS or a Free Tripack Accessory Kit.

So What's Hot?
As I stated above, what Customer Relations offers you varies each time you phone in. It depends on the representative you talk to, your account status, your monthly spending, and your account history. They can offer you a really good deal or they can offer you nothing and proceed to cancel your account. If you phone too much, your account does get flagged. So it is a gamble. Obviously, the more recurring credits you get, the better. The opposite is also true.
Here are some examples of plans people have been able to get when renewing their agreement (Note: people already had these plans, Fido only added the recurring credits; Fido cannot offer you plans that have already been discontinued):

• Unlimited Incoming Plan $25
  - Free Voice Messaging (12 months)
  - Free Call Display (12 months)
  - SAF Included (12 months)
• Unlimited Incoming Plan $25
  - $50 Additional Discount on Handset
  - Free Happy Hour (12 months)
  - Free Value Pack (12 months)
  - SAF Included (12 months)
• Fido-to-Fido Plan $30
  - $10 Monthly Bill Credit (12 months)
  - Free Call Display (12 months)
  - Happy Hour for $2 (36 months)
• Classic City Fido $45
  - Free Call Display (36 months)
  - Free Voice Messaging (36 months)
• Talk 'n Fun $30
  - SAF for $2.95 (24 months)
  - Free Voice Messaging (24 months)

As you can see from the above examples, the most common recurring credit Customer Relations offers is Free Call Display or Free Voice Messaging. More examples can be found in this thread as people post up their plans.

What Helps?
Sometimes mentioning that you want to cancel because of competitor plans does help. For example, EPP or Corporate Plans that you are eligible for. Other than that, it really is just luck. Some representatives have been known to offer you nothing and only proceed to ask for your final confirmation to cancel your account. While others have been able to offer many recurring credits.

Edit Log
EDIT #1: December 13th, 2006 @ 9:00AM (Fixed Spelling Typos)

[jq_jou]

What Is Saf?

[S.Chan]

What Is Saf?

SAF = System Access Fee

[Kasakato]

What Is Saf?

System access fee.

[nvr4geti]

Here is a retention plan I negotiated for my friend

150 Mins
Fido to Fido
Unlimited Evenings and Weekends
Call Display
Voice Mall
100 Texts Messages per month
50 Picture Messages per month

$20

Talked to retensions dept. - I was polite and never threated to quit. I just stated I was looking for a better plan similar to what rogers retension clients were receiving and was wondering what fido could offer.

[theinfamous]

I called Fido and threatened to cancel my account over the weekend in the hopes of getting a good deal on a new phone. Long story short, the retentions rep only offered to knock off $100 on any of their existing phones which is cold considering I've been with Fido for 6 years. Can't wait till March 14th when I can finally switch to Rogers and keep my number!!

[jimbojones]

I called Fido and threatened to cancel my account over the weekend in the hopes of getting a good deal on a new phone. Long story short, the retentions rep only offered to knock off $100 on any of their existing phones which is cold considering I've been with Fido for 6 years. Can't wait till March 14th when I can finally switch to Rogers and keep my number!!

March 14 is when we can keep our numbers and switch providers? That's good info, maybe I'll hold off signing another contract so I can switch come March.

[S.Chan]

March 14 is when we can keep our numbers and switch providers? That's good info, maybe I'll hold off signing another contract so I can switch come March.

Yes, March 14th, 2007 is the day WNP is introduced. More info at CRTC: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/NEWS/RELEA...05/r051220.htm

[qwertyuiop]

Here is the plan I was able to get:

200 Daytime mins
F2F
Unlimited E/W
100 text messages (unlimited F2F text messages)
Call display
No SAF

$30/month (no contract)

[mwong]

Can't wait till March 14th when I can finally switch to Rogers and keep my number!!

Ditto. Been using fido for 6 years too.

[KennyC]

qwertyuiop and nvr4geti: did you have to resign to a new term contract too (ie. renew a 3-year contract)? or is it mont-to-month (ie. no contract)?

thanks

[yylover]

Umm..I only wish this thread was posted before I talked to Fido CR (I really wanted to cancel) I didn't realize I could get a better retention plan.

Here is what I got:
3-year contract Couple's Package for $35/mo
Besides the advertised offer, they gave me:
- Let me use my Fido $ for 2 new phone (= 2 Sony Z710i free)
- 1 year SAF free for both lines (So I could actually get 3 year free!?!)

That's definately not as good as posted above. Sigh....

[hotstartup]

people with city fido able to negotiate anything?

[tjuzer]

So what is best deal?

[Elessar_44]

Damn. I renewed my 2 year agreement back in July and I got:

100 daytime
1000 E/W
Free incoming Texts
Call Display + Voice Messaging
$28/month
also got the Ericsson z520a for $50 but I couldnt use my Fido dollars. They threw in a 3-piece accessory pack for the phone but I would have much rathered use my Fido dollars.

I got the crappy end of this "deal" hehe