..... such as cable TV providers....
cell phone providers (especially to receive euro calls)....
home contents insurance providers....
car insurance providers....
apartment rental agents / agencies.....
'honest' used car dealers.....

all in beautiful BC.

many thanks.

My experiences:

Cable TV/Internet - I use Shaw (only option where I live). Their customer service has ranged from average to atrocious.

Cell phone - my employer provides this, and is with Rogers. Had no problems.

Home contents - I used Interior Savings as my broker, having previously used HUB International. IS have been more proactive and offered better premiums. I suspect it's down to the individual you deal with rather than the company.

Car - ICBC is your only option for basic coverage. I use Canadian Direct for the optional elements, which saves a few hundred $. They've been very efficient.

Not much point in recommending a used car dealer to you 4hrs from Vancouver.

Here's me thinking this thread was going to be about beer....

such things are determined immediately. RICKARDS RED FTW!!!!

although we are still seeking a good sports bar. NHL starts soon enough you know....?

Shaw is the only option where I live.

I use Rogers as well. They seem to have a technical advantage. I live very close to the border and some other providers pick up phone signals on the US side so bill lots of roaming charges. The Rogers network seems to know I'm on the Canadian side. Their phones work in Europe too.

mine is with Dominion through a broker in Langley.

&^%*^@ ICBC, then Canadian Direct for the optional coverage.

I don't know any. Most people do it themselves.

Ha! You are having a giraffe?

Do they really? I have a rogers cell here, but I bought Orange PAYG phones to use in France. Was I dumb? (again).

If Rogers works there, how much do calls cost? (e.g local in France, France to UK? France to Canada?)

A link would be appreciated.

Mine worked fine in London and Burgundy last year. I called Rogers before I went. Their basic rate is $2.00 a minute but with the minimum of moaning they put me on temporary tariff of $1 a minute for 30 days. That was fine with me because I only intended to use it for emergencies. In my dumb moment I didn't consider that all sorts of people would still call me.

They also do pay in advance packs:

http://www.rogers.com/web/content/wi...tlvoiceroaming

Edited to add: That is still a lot to pay for everyday use. However, Rogers' phones use sim cards like European phones, so I guess you could get an account in France and just swap the cards over. Even better, get an up to date phone in Europe, and put a Rogers' sim card when you are in Canada.

Thanks Jon. I'll read with interest.