Fido Snuck In Activation Fee For Upgrading Tablet!

You really only have 3 options:

1) Tell them you have a disability and they'll extend the return to 30 days
2) Ask to speak to Office Of President (highest escalation dpt) and explain situation. They'll likely refund the charge but will take time
3) Pay the charge and move on.

This hardware upgrade free is nothing new.

I used to work for Fido from 2008 to 2015 and it's been there at least since 2013.

Back in the days, we (CSR) sometimes had to power to wave as more the time went, the less credit CSR were able to give to clients.

Maybe threaten to cancel everything. That used to sometimes work although these days, even retention don't offer much.

This is another reason why I don't upgrade phones. When I will replace my Pixel 5 this year, I will wait for the Black Friday deal and port out. Not only you get no extra fee and on top of that you get a giftcard with a new activation.