Lion Heart

Hey guys!

Recently moved to Nova Scotia from the UK and need some advice on mobile phones (pay as you go).

We don't use our mobiles much AT ALL in the UK. We'll each probably top up £30 over a whole year.

Imagine our shock arriving in Nova Scotia and finding out the following shocking and anti-pay as you go facts:

1) Bell charges for outgoing AND INCOMING (!!!) calls
2) Bell's credit runs out after 30 days!!!

We're used to no expiry date, and you only pay for outgoing calls, never incoming!!!

Can anyone here recommend a pay as you go service where either the credit does not run out, or at least lasts longer than 30 days, and ideally also don't charge for incoming calls?

ADDITIONALLY, does anyone know if Bell charge for incoming calls to your landline phone as well?

dbd33

Loblaws offer PAYG phones on a more reasonable basis though I would not be surprised if Bell billed you for looking at them in the shop.

Atlantic Xpat

Shocking but sadly true. Mobile phone service (like internet connectivity and car insurance) is very expensive in comparison to UK. Big country, small population, effective duopoly of providers (Rogers and Bell). All, I believe charge, for incoming calls to your cell. Bell don't charge for incoming calls to your landline though - least they don't here in NL so I'd be surprised if they do in NS.

BristolUK

Heavens to Betsy. I've seen loads of people complain about the cost of a cell phone but paying to receive a call?
Imagine Canada Post charging to receive a letter.

Atlantic Xpat

Imagine Canada Post delivering to your door instead of a community mailbox? That'd be an innovation.

Partially discharged

Its all using airtime. Most people have called ID to screen out the critters/scam artists etc. We still have a landline just to save money on the bundle and of the last 25 incoming calls none were from people we wanted to talk to.

BristolUK

We get that It's not quite as good as coming through the letter box (although a letter box does limit package size) but ours is one of those on the wall next to the door so I only have to open the door and reach for it.

They were talking about changing to community mailboxes but that nice Mr Trudeau stopped it happening

scilly

We have mail to the house, through a letter box

I also have a simple flip cell phone that I bought last year from a local dealer, has a camera, I can send and receive texts, receive and send phone calls, and a host of other things that I don't know how to use, but it is simple. I have a plan from Telus, the major phone company here .............. incoming calls are free, incoming texts are free

Lion Heart

Is that pay as you go or monthly subscription???

Lion Heart

Agree with this! Too many companies send follow up surveys to check you are happy with their service. At 50c per minute wasting my time and money he'll no!

Called Bell to check. Pay as you go incoming calls are charged at 50c per minute!! So two people are paying for the same call, outgoing and incoming. That's just plain wrong.

Bell confirmed on land lines incoming are not charged.

Lion Heart

Also remember that if not on pay as you go that your monthly minutes allowance gets eaten by incoming as well as outgoing calls.

This company does pay as you go, credit lasts 365 days instead on 30, and incoming calls charged at 30c instead of 50c per minute:

https://www.speakout7eleven.ca/

Lion Heart

We'll definitely be leaving Bell. Just searching for the best alternative. The 7 11 is the best so far, but still charges for incoming calls. That should be illegal. Two people paying for the same call is wrong.

Atlantic Xpat

Have you purchased a used car/boat/rv/motorcycle yet in Canada? I fear you are in for a shock on the application of sales tax everytime something you need to register is sold....

scrubbedexpat091

Most of the companies don't want people on pay as you go, so they make it unattractive so people either switch to a post paid contract plan, or a pre-paid monthly plan.

Some of the plans at places like Freedom Mobile and Public Mobile are pretty low for pre-paid monthly with Canada Wide talk.

Silverdragon102