How to cancel service with Bell

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?
- What kind of fees will I have to pay when I cancel my service?
- What is a device subsidy?
- Is there anyway I can avoid paying the charges?
- Billing charges
- Poor Customer Service?
- Can a new provider pays your fees?
- What is the easiest way to get out of a contract?
- At the end of the day...
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!
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I lost my phone number for 7 days when I could only change my plan over the phone on Three UK. I had to hang up after 40 minutes 4 times, twice when stating I am ending my contract, because I couldn't take anymore. The last person sent a follow up text that my 30 day plan will continue through the next billing period until I call them back, having acknowledged cancellation earlier that month. Wouldn't give me a PAC code saying it will reset the contract. Being able to do it online or email confirmation is the only way. Elsewise you're at the mercy of what cs agents write on your account. Rant over.
Losing your number is a big deal. Apart from friends and work offers missed, parking apps (most), banking, email verification, everything is tied to your number. ..... no I haven't read the article, sorry. I will :p -
This is a good article to write but it has a very bad information. If you are leaving to go to another carrier, you need to NOT cancel your contract. If you do, you will lose your phone number. You have to call the new carrier and they will transfer the number and close your old account. After that, the usually fees and last bill applies. Posted via the Android Central App
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As per usual carrier tactics they'll try all sorts of silly stuff to get you to stay. Like why would I want to transfer my plan to a family member or friend, if I did I'd have called about that. Or "upgrading" and getting on a contract when it was month to month and I had stated that I was already with a new carrier and new phone. It takes time but eventually you'll get it cancelled.
If you simply want a deal though retentions can sometimes hook you up with one, some sites have pretty good discussion regarding this, like for Bell for example http://forums.redflagdeals.com/merged-bell-mobility-retentions-customer-... -
Yes I have found the best way is to port your number to your new carrier and they will handle the rest. You just have to pay your final bill when it comes in. Posted via the Android Central App
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his is good information just one is missing as for "subsidy" the original cost of the device ? as the derive cost changes and at the same time who sets it /
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What? You still with Bhell??? Vade retro!
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I went to best buy. And I honestly love them they helped both me and my mother switch from virgin mobile. Go Bell and Telus (Bell had a killer deal. She got a good work deal from telus) Best buy got everything taken care of, we both got to keep our numbers. Plus they usualy meet or beat Carrier store deals (Got a new tablet for free with a whole set up package and a free case. Tablet was about $150 less then telus was offering) Honestly I don't even walk Into carrier stores anymore. I just go there. They tend to deal with upgrades or any problems better. Posted via the Android Central App
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How would someone cancel with Rogers, month to month plan, no contract? Posted via the Android Central App