Telus vs Shaw

We moved to Alberta about 35 years ago and one of the many things we came to love about the place was the phone company. Back then, it was calls AGT or Alberta Government Telephone and after having lived with Bell Canada in Ontario, it was a breath of fresh air. They actually seemed to care about the service they provided, unlike “Ma Bell” whose attitude seemed to be “If you don’t like the service, then use the other phone company! Oh…that’s right. We are the only phone company… hahahahahahahahahaha” The rates were cheaper, if you did have a problem it was like talking to the next door neighbour and it was cleared up right away. The service personnel would bend over backwards to make sure you were happy. They offered all sorts of different phone styles unlike Bells black or beige. As I said, it was like a breath of fresh air.

Over the years, AGT has changed it’s name to TELUS and has grown to rival Bell Canada. Unfortunately, they have also become more and more like Bell over the years in regards to service or lack thereof. I suppose they are still a better phone company that Bell, but that is sort of like saying that Napoleon was a better world conqueror than Hitler. With the advent of cell phones and cable companies taking more and more of the business they have cut service to the point where their people will seldom do anything other than flip a switch. It isn’t even a good company to work for anymore from what I am told. I guess that all good things must come to an end.

In our last months cable bill we received an offer to switch to the cable companies phone service. I don’t particularly like the cable company. But they made me an offer that I couldn’t refuse. I get more cable channels than I had before, phone service (same number) with all of the bells and whistles and for the first six months I will save $70 a month and after that $40 per month. It is really a no brainer. I do feel bad though because I am a loyal person at heart and this change took a lot of soul searching for me as to what is the right thing to do. Up until this morning, I still wasn’t convinced that I did the right thing.

This morning I received a call from Telus to verify that I was switching phone service providers and I told them that yes I was indeed changing to another company. They couldn’t even say the name. The guy then asked why I was changing companies after being a loyal customer with Telus for so long and I told him that it was a financial decision. He then said that they would give me phone service for $50 per month with all of the bells and whistles. I was stupefied! I thought “You fucking son-of-a-bitch!” I said to him “Why did it take me leaving the company for Telus to offer me a deal? Like you said, I have been a loyal customer for 35 years and never was offered a deal, but for some stranger you will give them deals that we as customers can’t get. That’s why we are leaving!”

He told me that the company will be here if we change out minds and said goodbye. I suppose that is good to know in case the cable company was lying to me, which is a very real possibility. The change takes place next Wednesday and I look forward to saving money and filling J. R. Shaw’s over large pockets with the cash I don’t save.