How to cancel service with Bell

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It's no secret that canceling your phone contract can be a nuisance. Carriers want to keep your business, so they'll often try to negotiate a reason to stay. But if you're intent on leaving for another carrier, or just to get off the grid completely, here's how you can do it with Bell.

Let's break down how you can cancel your contract with Bell without a potential migraine!

Do I cancel my account over the phone or online?

According to Bell's terms of service you can either call or go online to cancel your contract or give them a call depending on your region. It's easier to give them a call.

If you're from Ontario or Québec, the phone number is 310-BELL (2355) to cancel. If you're from anywhere else, the number is 1-800-668-6878. If you're looking to cancel online, visit bell.ca. While the technical support desk is available 24/7, Bell's contact information is only available weekdays between 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., weekends between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Holidays: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

What kind of fees will I have to pay when I cancel my service?

Since June 2015, The Wireless Code created by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission's (CRTC) laid out rules for all cell carriers across Canada. The most important parts you need to know about when cancelling a cell contract include:

  • No more cancellation fees (just device subsidy fees).
  • No more three-year contracts (even if you signed a deal before June 2015).
  • No more 30-day notice required before cancelling your contract.

Whether you are with Bell, or any other Canadian carrier, these rules will always apply. The only thing you will have to pay when you cancel is the remaining balance of your phone's device subsidy– but this is only if you have had it for less than 24 months.

What is a device subsidy?

Awesome question! The simplest way to explain it would be with some math:

  • Device subsidy = phone cost - initial payment

For example, you decide that you would like to buy a new Samsung Galaxy S7 for $1,000– that's a bit pricey! Bell will sell you a brand new Galaxy S7 for a $500 initial payment and give you a $500 subsidy to make up the rest of the cost of the phone if you sign a two-year wireless plan. In this case, the device subsidy would be $500 dollars.

Does the subsidy always stay the same?

Nope.

As per the CRTC rules, the device subsidy needs to go down in equal increments every month up to 24 months. After two years time, the device subsidy must be $0. That means you can figure out exactly how much your device subsidy will go down each month.

  • Subsidy per month = device subsidy / 24

Using the numbers from before you would get something like this:

  • $20.83 = $500 / 24

How much will I have to pay in order to cancel my service with Bell?

Knowing that you will have to pay the remaining device subsidy on your phone, you can use this equation to figure out exactly how much you should have to pay.

  • Remaining device subsidy = subsidy per month x number of months left on contract

Using the same numbers from the example above, let's say you are trying to cancel your plan after six months which mean you still have 18 months left on your contract.

  • $374.94 = 20.83 x 18

Is there any way that I can avoid paying these fees?

Chances are slim that you can avoid paying these fees but there are a few things you can try.

Billing charges

After deactivation, a final bill will be sent out, but some charges like long distance and international roaming may take longer to process. This means a separate bill would be sent out, too.

Poor Customer Service?

If you're having troubles cancelling your contract over the phone, some people have recommended calling the office of Wade Oosterman, Bell's President of Mobility and Brand Recognition at (905) 282-4944 or emailing wade.oosterman@bell.ca for much smoother, much less frustrating help.

Within a day, you should get a call from an executive customer service department representative who will hopefully help you a bit better!

Can a new provider pay your fees?

While there is no evidence that leaving Bell and heading to, let's say, Telus, would entitle you to have Telus pay for your remaining Bell bill, asking a customer service rep if there's a chance it could happen never hurts! You may get lucky and they could offer you a deal.

What is the easiest way to get out of a contract?

Some people have used the whole 'I can't pay if I'm dead or in a coma!' excuse before. This will backfire on you, as the company will ask for a death certificate or an obituary.

The easiest way to get customer service to stop hounding you and pressuring you to stay with them is to tell them you're moving to another country. They won't push if they know you're leaving Canada for Madagascar.

At the end of the day...

No matter what route you take to try and cancel your contract with Bell, don't expect for it to take two seconds, or for your to simply send in an email, or check a box online. Companies have customer retention services for a reason, but don't get frustrated! Those people are just doing their jobs by trying to get you to stay on. If the person on the other end of the phone is pushy or unnecessarily rude, don't be afraid to ask for their name and their employee number– it could help your case for cancellation!

Good luck!

Cella Lao Rousseau
Cella Lao Rousseau