Consumers beware

[cyborg30]

I am starting this thread to talk about the hidden charges or traps that some electronic/technology companies have. With rare exceptions these are not disclosed upfront but you are slapped with the unexpected charge when you try to return/exchange an item, downgradade or cancel a service, etc.

Some of these may have a reason behind, but many are simply a cash grab. I will try to list a few that I have encountered and I hope with the help of the community we can enrich the list so that a deal can really be a deal

Please feel free to add on to the list. TIA

[cyborg30]

If you downgrade your internet service from Bell you will be slapped with a $25 downgrade fee. (not $35 as the title states, sorry)

Note that the fee can be waived if you call to complain or threat to cancel the service.

[cyborg30]

To subscribe to cable and/or satellite services a Set Top Box is usually required. Most companies in Canada SELL or RENT the required equipment.

No company will currently allow consumers to use their own third party equipment regardless of compatibility.

Notes:

The equipment you RENT will be billed (at ridiculous prices equivalent to several times their real value) if not returned when you cancel or change (upgrade/downgrade) the service. In fact it will ALWAYS be billed and a credit will be provided once you return the unit in reasonable condition.

The equipment you PURCHASE is "yours" but there might be limitations to what you can do with it. You may not be able to resell it and no other person may be able to subscribe with it. Keep in mind that the same service is not available in all areas.

Most cable and satellites companies are currently engaged in the upgrade of their systems to more advanced AV (MPEG-4) and/or security encriptions, HDTV compatible equipment, etc. It is very likely that many customers will discover soon that their hardware requires upgrade and that there will be costs associated to that upgrade if you purchased your equipment.

Contrary to some theories you normally do not require STB to watch Over The Air (OTA) programming, a simple antenna would suffice except in remote locations or where the geography or surroundings limit reception. Similar content is mandated by CRTC and all TV providers include it in what they call "basic" packages (examples CBC, CTV, etc). In other words: if you subscribe to cable or satellite TV you have to pay for that (otherwise free) service.