Beware Bell Expressvu

Beware Bell Expressvu

SteveinBC

Nominee Member

#1Dec 12th, 2005

I've just taken the afternoon off (without pay) to meet the Bell Express Vu installer at our house. Naturally, he didn't show up. We have a Shaw HD box, and were going to change to Expressvu based on recommendations of the sales guy at Future Shop.

I tried to call their installation line -- a recorded message said the wait would be over ten minutes. I waited almost 40 before losing patience and hanging up. The only other company that's ever kept me on hold that long is Air Canada.

I'm just on my way out the door to return the Expressvu kit, and to get my money back. This is the worst service I've been subjected to in many years.....

Grrrrrr....! Getting grouchy in old age.....!

mrmom2

Senate Member

Re: Beware Bell Expressvu

Dec 12th, 2005

Do yourself a favor and stay away from their Cell phone service too

SteveinBC

Nominee Member

RE: Beware Bell Expressvu

Dec 12th, 2005

Will do -- with pleasure.......!

bevvyd

Electoral Member

RE: Beware Bell Expressvu

Dec 20th, 2005

Steve, last year when I was looking at Satellite companies, RadioShack advised that they had not sold a Bell ExpressVu package in about a year and a half due to their bungling of packages. I went with Star Choice, but you have to make sure the people before you pay their bill or no satellite service until that bill is paid.

Now that cheeses me off.

Finder

House Member

Re: Beware Bell Expressvu

Dec 25th, 2005

My friend works for them and they have a huge call centre. But I know when I tried to get a job there myself I had to go threw hoops of automated choices and or voice boxes. =-(

Guy Dumont

Nominee Member

Re: Beware Bell Expressvu

Jun 27th, 2006

If you have no choice but to go to Bell expressvu, make sure you buy their cheapest model.
I bought their 5800 model $500 18 months ago and it blew up on me yesterday. I went to their store yesterday and was told that they do not repair this model. That I have to buy another one since their guarantee was over. While I was there someone else came up with a 5800 that had blowned up also but lucky for me it was within a year.
On top of that, it also blew up my tv (transistors etc) because it heats up so much that the guy that came in at the store with his 5800 brought his powerbar that smelled burned rubber

I was using also a safety bar and I know there was no power surge because my dvd and vcr are still working

I had to buy another decoder but believe me the day that the cable company comes to my new house (new development) I will be switching eveything including the telephone to them.

Canucklehead

Moderator

RE: Beware Bell Expressvu

Jun 27th, 2006

Re: Power bars....

Do not buy the cheap ones, they are only effective against the large surges but useless against the smaller day to day ones and these smaller ones are the ones that over time will cut the life span of <insert electronic device here> drastically. $50 - $60 for a power bar may seem excessive and costly but keep in mind the thousands of dollars of equipment plugged into it and the math is pretty straigth forward.

tamarin

House Member

RE: Beware Bell Expressvu

Jun 27th, 2006

Star Choice is the only way to go. The company's been taken to court lately by a large cable delivery outfit in Ontario. Reason? Unfair competition! The charge does have a ring of truth. Because Star Choice allows a subscriber to purchase several receivers identically configured, more than a few Star Choice subscribers share their bills with their neighbours down the street or across town. All the 'neighbour' has to do is acquire a Star Choice dish, align it and the receiver he gets from the initial friend fires up the system immediately. How can you compete with a company that allows a subscriber to easily halve or third his monthly costs?

dekhqonbacha

Electoral Member

Re: Beware Bell Expressvu

Jun 27th, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by SteveinBC

I've just taken the afternoon off (without pay) to meet the Bell Express Vu installer at our house. Naturally, he didn't show up. We have a Shaw HD box, and were going to change to Expressvu based on recommendations of the sales guy at Future Shop.

I tried to call their installation line -- a recorded message said the wait would be over ten minutes. I waited almost 40 before losing patience and hanging up. The only other company that's ever kept me on hold that long is Air Canada.

I'm just on my way out the door to return the Expressvu kit, and to get my money back. This is the worst service I've been subjected to in many years.....

Grrrrrr....! Getting grouchy in old age.....!

I guess you are simply unlucky.

DurkaDurka

Internet Lawyer

#10

Re: RE: Beware Bell Expressvu

Jun 27th, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by tamarin

Star Choice is the only way to go. The company's been taken to court lately by a large cable delivery outfit in Ontario. Reason? Unfair competition! The charge does have a ring of truth. Because Star Choice allows a subscriber to purchase several receivers identically configured, more than a few Star Choice subscribers share their bills with their neighbours down the street or across town. All the 'neighbour' has to do is acquire a Star Choice dish, align it and the receiver he gets from the initial friend fires up the system immediately. How can you compete with a company that allows a subscriber to easily halve or third his monthly costs?

Account sharing is illegal, starchoice, expressvu whoever.

DurkaDurka

Internet Lawyer

#11

Re: Beware Bell Expressvu

Jun 27th, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by Guy Dumont

If you have no choice but to go to Bell expressvu, make sure you buy their cheapest model.
I bought their 5800 model $500 18 months ago and it blew up on me yesterday. I went to their store yesterday and was told that they do not repair this model. That I have to buy another one since their guarantee was over. While I was there someone else came up with a 5800 that had blowned up also but lucky for me it was within a year.
On top of that, it also blew up my tv (transistors etc) because it heats up so much that the guy that came in at the store with his 5800 brought his powerbar that smelled burned rubber

I was using also a safety bar and I know there was no power surge because my dvd and vcr are still working

I had to buy another decoder but believe me the day that the cable company comes to my new house (new development) I will be switching eveything including the telephone to them.

Do you leave your TV sitting on top of the PVR? I cannot think of any other way yuo would have heated your TV up with it. The PVR has a harddrive in it also, you should be giving it ample space to vent & cool.

I work for Bell ExpressVu's technology dept and I test the 5100,5800 & 5900 daily, next to the 3100, they are the most stable receievers in my opinion.

jazzzy bb

Nominee Member

#12

5900

Jan 28th, 2007

I have a 5900 model and have been using it for over 2 years now. It works great, doesnt overheat, records all my favorite programs, and cant complain. Customer service sucks, but I know how to get around that... Feel sorry for you whiney complaining customers, maybe you deserve ****ty service... lol

karrie

is seeking balance

#13Jan 28th, 2007

It always makes me chuckle to see these old threads dug up: I can just imagine being dead and gone twenty years from now, and people pulling up some old complaint I posted on the internet, to agree or argue with me about my faulty stove or some such thing. lol.

Toro

Senate Member

#14Jan 29th, 2007

I love Bell ExpressVu.

I have it to get Canadians TV in the States!

talloola

NHL Hockey Insider

#15Jan 29th, 2007

Quote: Originally Posted by SteveinBC

I've just taken the afternoon off (without pay) to meet the Bell Express Vu installer at our house. Naturally, he didn't show up. We have a Shaw HD box, and were going to change to Expressvu based on recommendations of the sales guy at Future Shop.

I tried to call their installation line -- a recorded message said the wait would be over ten minutes. I waited almost 40 before losing patience and hanging up. The only other company that's ever kept me on hold that long is Air Canada.

I'm just on my way out the door to return the Expressvu kit, and to get my money back. This is the worst service I've been subjected to in many years.....

Grrrrrr....! Getting grouchy in old age.....!

Well, maybe you could look at the positive side of that, as there are so many customers that, they
are that busy. As a very satisfied Bell ExpressVu customer for a long time, I suggest you don't give up, as it will be worth it.
I get top rate help from tech support anytime I have any trouble at all, which isn't much, and the
programming is the best.
I now have HD and their package is good too, and improving all the time.

MikeyDB

Council Member

#16Jan 29th, 2007

I've had a Bell phone (service) for fifty years. If there'd been anyone else with a similar utility,I'd have signed up with them.

With all due respect Durka Durka, Bell has enjoyed a monopoly on telephone service for so long it's made them forget what customer satisfaction and service really mean. De-regulation is a sham in Canada and Bell Canada if it can be avoided should be.

From their cell program to their internet service, it almost seems that Bell prefers an adversarial approach with its clients.

Anything to do with bells....churches,trolley cars, fire alarms....be careful!

mapleleafgirl

Electoral Member

#17Jan 29th, 2007

Quote: Originally Posted by MikeyDB

I've had a Bell phone (service) for fifty years. If there'd been anyone else with a similar utility,I'd have signed up with them.

With all due respect Durka Durka, Bell has enjoyed a monopoly on telephone service for so long it's made them forget what customer satisfaction and service really mean. De-regulation is a sham in Canada and Bell Canada if it can be avoided should be.

From their cell program to their internet service, it almost seems that Bell prefers an adversarial approach with its clients.

Anything to do with bells....churches,trolley cars, fire alarms....be careful!

we have expressvu. i dont think my mom has any problems with it.

MikeyDB

Council Member

#18Jan 29th, 2007

Mapleleafgirl

Wonderful! You can thank hard workin grunts like Durka Durka for that...

I just which he'd get off his duff and take over the business office....

Toro

Senate Member

#19Jan 29th, 2007

Quote: Originally Posted by MikeyDB

I've had a Bell phone (service) for fifty years. If there'd been anyone else with a similar utility,I'd have signed up with them.

With all due respect Durka Durka, Bell has enjoyed a monopoly on telephone service for so long it's made them forget what customer satisfaction and service really mean. De-regulation is a sham in Canada and Bell Canada if it can be avoided should be.

From their cell program to their internet service, it almost seems that Bell prefers an adversarial approach with its clients.

My sentiments are the same. When I first lived in Ontario, in 14 months, Bell screwed up 11 times, from losing my deposit to installing the jacks in the wrong room. I couldn't believe it.

temperance

Electoral Member

#20Jan 29th, 2007

Too Bad ,Iagree with your riff with the auto mated system but I have learned to find out the by pass number like press "0" to get operator

We have the whole bundle ,its ok some people out in the middle of no where have'nt much choice ,I think I might of asked for a discount ,and they might offer it if communication between the contracter and bell express vu was astray ,Im surprised they didnt ask for cell number and or you got a call directly from the installer -also I remember a special number we had to call that day they came if there was a problem -before hand to confirm --I mean they are a
"communications company "

Dont they contract out the service install techs ?--

the next time we moved
we hook it up ourselver --not that bad ,in the summer --lol

DurkaDurka

Internet Lawyer

#21Jan 30th, 2007

Quote: Originally Posted by Toro

I love Bell ExpressVu.

I have it to get Canadians TV in the States!

Your violating the end user agreement! quiet.

DurkaDurka

Internet Lawyer

#22Jan 30th, 2007

Quote: Originally Posted by MikeyDB

With all due respect Durka Durka, Bell has enjoyed a monopoly on telephone service for so long it's made them forget what customer satisfaction and service really mean. De-regulation is a sham in Canada and Bell Canada if it can be avoided should be.

The reason for deregulation of bell is so they can be competitive in the VOIP market, which they are currently are not due to excessive regulation. Bell has lost a large chunk of their land line business to the cable companies, they just want a level playing field in new markets.

DurkaDurka

Internet Lawyer

#23Jan 30th, 2007

Quote: Originally Posted by MikeyDB

I
With all due respect Durka Durka, Bell has enjoyed a monopoly on telephone service for so long it's made them forget what customer satisfaction and service really mean. De-regulation is a sham in Canada and Bell Canada if it can be avoided should be.

I agree with you about the customer satisfaction, I get frustrated my self when I have to deal with the various departments as a customer of their services.

Dalreg

Electoral Member

#24Feb 5th, 2007

Quote: Originally Posted by DurkaDurka

Account sharing is illegal, starchoice, expressvu whoever.

Actually according to Star Choice you can have multiple hook ups, up to five in different locations before any questions are asked. In fact having recently given my system away, Star Choice actually encouraged me to give it away to someone in the family and split the bill with my parents instead of turning the system completely off.

DurkaDurka

Internet Lawyer

#25Feb 5th, 2007

Quote: Originally Posted by Dalreg

Actually according to Star Choice you can have multiple hook ups, up to five in different locations before any questions are asked. In fact having recently given my system away, Star Choice actually encouraged me to give it away to someone in the family and split the bill with my parents instead of turning the system completely off.

I was under the impression that account sharing was a CRTC thing, i guess I could be wrong.

ExpressVu differs from Star Choice in that regard. With ExpressVu, you cannot have receivers active at 2 different location at the same time, not that it stops people though. The way they will find out if you are account sharing, is when your receiver dials in for a Pay Per View etc, if the phone number you are dialing from doesn't match the one on the account, you will probably get a call from their customer service department to verify all receivers on the account.

eh1eh

Blah Blah Blah

#26Feb 5th, 2007

Quote: Originally Posted by DurkaDurka

I was under the impression that account sharing was a CRTC thing, i guess I could be wrong.

ExpressVu differs from Star Choice in that regard. With ExpressVu, you cannot have receivers active at 2 different location at the same time, not that it stops people though. The way they will find out if you are account sharing, is when your receiver dials in for a Pay Per View etc, if the phone number you are dialing from doesn't match the one on the account, you will probably get a call from their customer service department to verify all receivers on the account.

I knew there was a big brother angle to that phone line crap! When I first got my system they went as far as to tell me it would not function without being in a phone jack. I was ROFL as at that point my system was in Bancroft with no phone access. Bell want $7500.00 per cottage to run in cable for phone service. I told them the were ful of s*** as my system worked fine without it. Ten years later it still works with no phone line. As for pay per view, I don't know because I've never got one. Will the ppv work without phone connection?

DurkaDurka

Internet Lawyer

#27Feb 5th, 2007

Quote: Originally Posted by eh1eh

I knew there was a big brother angle to that phone line crap! When I first got my system they went as far as to tell me it would not function without being in a phone jack. I was ROFL as at that point my system was in Bancroft with no phone access. Bell want $7500.00 per cottage to run in cable for phone service. I told them the were ful of s*** as my system worked fine without it. Ten years later it still works with no phone line. As for pay per view, I don't know because I've never got one. Will the ppv work without phone connection?

You can order ppv through bell's website and via phone as well.

westmanguy

Time Out

#28Feb 10th, 2007

I am a Bell Express Vu customer. Due to it being a big company with nearly 2 million people it offered me above and beyond service compared to my cable comapny in a rural area. And the HD content is great.

Their installation process is ABSOLUTELY AWFUL.

They contract installers, and I had and awful installer.

Came to my house put the dish up in a stupid place and refused to put it where I wanted it.

Very messy wiring, and to get to one room, he threw, yes threw a line over the roof.

Then he had none of the receivers working, and he had to go home for supper, leaving my house in a mess.

I eventually got the receivers going. But had to get a re-install for the awful mess.

I called in for a reinstall, requesting a different guy. Same guy calls: asks why, I tell him it was a disgrace. Says he will come.

2 weeks later, no one shows up

Call again, request different installer, same guy calls, I try again, he sets the date for a Friday. On Friday morning he said his van was broken down and he couldn't come. He said he would come monday. Come Monday, no one, 1 week later, I take it up to the top at the CSR center, and that time I finally get a different installer who rewires the mess.

I am now enjoying Bell, and its great. But the installation process could make anyone go mad.

zoofer

Council Member

#29May 13th, 2007

Haha. Googling for Bell ExpressVu I hit this thread. I am about to tell them to shove the dish I bought almost 3 years ago.

Bell Ex works fine. The remote is crap. It is cumbersome to get around all the pay channels.

But it is driving me crazy. I watch Fox News. (THE BALANCED NO SPIN NEWS CHANNEL!)

When a commercial comes on it is twice as loud as the previous audio level. I don't believe they can legally do it. I should check with the CRTC but I detest those buggers too.

I guess they 'compress' the ExpressVu commercials to effectively raise the volume. I hit the mute button and miss half of the next news item.

eh1eh

Blah Blah Blah

#30May 13th, 2007

You can make a favorites list so when you scroll through on the guide you only see the channels you put on the list.
If you just noticed the commercials are louder than the show all I can say is 'Did you just get TV service recently?'

Similar Threads

BELL EXPRESSVU help
by bell | May 13th, 2010

Home of Big Ben and the Liberty Bell: Britain's oldest bell foundry
by Blackleaf | Nov 8th, 2009

I Hate Rogers - Should I Get Bell ExpressVu?
by Hey Man | Apr 26th, 2007

Bell ExpressVu General Chat
by westmanguy | Apr 13th, 2007

NHL partners with Bell Mobility and Bell Canada
by Technology Bot | Dec 9th, 2006