Upcoming Changes to our Old Rewards Program

[J_PM]

Hey Community,

We have an important announcement to share with our subscribers who are currently enrolled in our old Rewards program.

We’re making changes to our rewards program and are sharing how these changes impact some of our subscribers. Starting in May, we’ll be retiring our old Rewards program and moving all subscribers to our Public Points™ program. 

We launched the Public Points™ program in January 2022 to provide our subscribers with more ways to earn and spend rewards, with greater flexibility. As part of our commitment to continuously evolve our products and services, it's time to retire our old Rewards program and shift our focus on enhancing our Points program.

To show our appreciation for your continued loyalty, subscribers on our old Rewards program will receive a special thank you. We'll send you a text message when it has been added to your account by March 31st. 

We’re excited to continue providing you, our valued subscribers, more opportunities to earn and spend rewards with Public Points™ moving forward.

To learn more about your move to Public Points, check out our FAQ here.

The Public Mobile Team

[RetiredGuy1]

Online dictionaries define “best value” as a term that is used to describe the most advantageous offer possible in a given situation. It can be applied to both tangible and intangible things, and is often determined by taking into consideration multiple factors such as quality, price, and convenience.
———

I agree that, in that context, its easy to understand how a reduced bill could be considered as more “advantageous” than a reduced add-on. In the interest of equal opportunity, the former also applies to ALL customers and the latter to only some.

[Wolfcore]

I was looking for your point of view though, that's why I'm asking. You consider cheaper addons to be the best possible value for customers?

[Public_Cust_17]

@Wolfcore  / @softech   value verb. - to calculate or reckon the monetary value of; give a specified material or financial value to; assess; appraise: 

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/value

[softech]

@Wolfcore  From your big number of replies, I certainly understand your point from a customer point of view 🙂

[Wolfcore]

"Best possible value" in this context, would refer to giving us something that we'd want more, above all else. It also implies that they weren't giving us the best value before, and this move is the way that will allow them to accomplish this. It's pretty straightforward if you ask me.

Do you believe that the vast majority of customers would prefer cheaper addons, instead of $7+ off their bill each month? Nobody would honestly believe that.

[softech]

HI @Wolfcore possible value does not equal to most savings, right?

Also, since people can use the points to buy add-on as discounted price (like a $30 US bundle only cost 25 points, a $5 saving), it is a definitely "possible" value change as you highlighted.

[Wolfcore]

Fair enough, so how about this?

It says that we're being moved to ensure we're getting the best possible value. How do you interpret value in this case, and do you believe that they're going to give us more value than before? (but they just haven't announced it yet because they like losing customers, enjoy their reputation being attacked, and are happy with fighting/paying CCTS?)

[RetiredGuy1]

Agreed @kb_mv and I would just add that that style of politics has now become prevalent here in Canada too (unfortunately)

[RetiredGuy1]

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@softech wrote:

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@eyes wrote:

👌glad that you are tickled pink with the PM enhancements. 👌

I may be wrong— but have noticed that  only the Oracles seem to be supporting and defending this reward to points change. 

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@eyes 

not maybe, but you are wrong

you might not be following this thread closely.  As far as I know, NONE of the Oracle supports this move.

I was just presenting the facts here.  My point is simple, it affected myself, I will loss $7 per cycle like most people here.  And I have multiple accounts with PM so I am paying more than $7 more per month

But at the same time, I don't waste time with the complaints as there are no solid ground for subscribers to put in the complaints.    PM has the right to make change and even cancel the rewards system with sufficient advanced notice.  Rewards affect the amount you are paying every renewal but reward savings are NOT part of the plan price.  So, at the end of the day, there is no price hike here.     CRTC also has no suggestions/guidelines/rules for mobile providers that a rewards system is needed for the operation, and hence many providers choose not to provide their subscribers with any kind of discount from rewards system.

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I agree both you and @ShawnC13 have presented facts to allow people to make informed decisions. As the Aussies say “good on ya”. With regard to you don’t “waste time with the complaints as there are no solid ground for subscribers to put in the complaints” that reads to me as one taking one specific point of view. By that, I’m assuming you mean “solid ground” as the legality of the matter. However, many feel there is an ethical point of view which has every right to be considered and are expressing their reaction to that in a wide range of emotions including frustration, disappointment, upset and even anger. They obviously don’t feel its a waste of their time to do so.  When all is said and done, the terminology chosen to describe the “enhancements” of the points program has a legal standing. Having said that, one could argue they are weasel words nonetheless.

[ShawnC13]

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@eyes wrote:

👌glad that you are tickled pink with the PM enhancements. 👌

I may be wrong— but have noticed that  only the Oracles seem to be supporting and defending this reward to points change. 

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@eyes , you are wrong.  I don't know one Oracle who is supporting this change.  I wouldn't consider presenting information and facts as defending but more like making sure everyone can make a fully informed decision.  Have always said everyone needs to do what is best for them financially especially now as times are getting tougher for a lot of people.

[softech]

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@eyes wrote:

👌glad that you are tickled pink with the PM enhancements. 👌

I may be wrong— but have noticed that  only the Oracles seem to be supporting and defending this reward to points change. 

---

@eyes 

not maybe, but you are wrong

you might not be following this thread closely.  As far as I know, NONE of the Oracle supports this move.

I was just presenting the facts here.  My point is simple, it affected myself, I will loss $7 per cycle like most people here.  And I have multiple accounts with PM so I am paying more than $7 more per month

But at the same time, I don't waste time with the complaints as there are no solid ground for subscribers to put in the complaints.    PM has the right to make change and even cancel the rewards system with sufficient advanced notice.  Rewards affect the amount you are paying every renewal but reward savings are NOT part of the plan price.  So, at the end of the day, there is no price hike here.     CRTC also has no suggestions/guidelines/rules for mobile providers that a rewards system is needed for the operation, and hence many providers choose not to provide their subscribers with any kind of discount from rewards system.

[kb_mv]

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@eyes wrote:

👌glad that you are tickled pink with the PM enhancements. 👌

I may be wrong— but have noticed that  only the Oracles seem to be supporting and defending this reward to points change. 

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@eyes I think you are wrong. I haven't seen one Oracle try and sell these changes as a good idea. They are simply offering the other side of the argument, whether it's Terms of Service or showing that the term enhancement doesn't necessarily preclude the changes made. From there it's up to the user to decide what they are going to do but they can do it having all the info. Too often we are falling into American style politics and blaming or finding fault with or attacking anyone who we disagree with.

Edit to add: My intent was not to single you out @eyes  but to comment on the direction the thread takes in general.

[softech]

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@ShawnC13 wrote:

@eyes no that isn't how threads work here.  We still want it to stay on the topic, but even though many think that this thread has been heavily edited.  I see it as a thread that has been given more leeway in the discussion.

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I agree it was given more leeway.  Even some previously banned members are allowed to express their concern on this topic

[softech]

@eyes even better is a subjective thing.

I don't earn as many points as before, it's not better for me

but it is true that there are more ways to earn and more flexible to spent, so it is an enhancement still

So, saying "Enhancement" is a false claim has no solid ground

[softech]

Enhancement does not necessary mean you are getting more points with the change, so there is no false claim here

As the announcement said: "more ways to earn and spend rewards, with greater flexibility." 

More way to earn: the old system does not allow you to earn points/savings if you buy add-ons, but now you do
More way to spend: you can use points to redeem add-ons (discounted price as well) and you can use it for Jackpot

So, with the "enhancement", there is no false claim at all

[G_Pomzz]

Doesn’t the math proves that PM is making a false claim by stating that switching us to the point system will be an enhancement. 

Exactly, and that's the point that should be emphasized in your CCTS complaints 

[edsou]

@Antonio_Almeida I also received this email.  It was interesting, on March 19 I received an email from CCTS saying they accepted Public Mobile's Objection then the next day I received another email saying they changed the decision and they reject PM's Objection.  Was it similar for you?

Still not expecting much to change but nice to know it isn't completely closed out.

[IanP]

Personally speaking I will be watching closely for the offers from competitors as they are probably going to target May . They will hope to profit from this debacle, I may even wait for the black friday type of offerings. No rush, bide your time and do what's right for you in your particular circumstance. 

[Antonio_Almeida]

Got an email back from CCTS.

On March 15, 2024 Public Mobile objected to {my name} complaint because Public Mobile believes that we did not have the authority to accept the complaint under our Procedural Code. After reviewing the complaint and objection, we are rejecting the objection. The complaint remains open for the reasons explained below.

….. email goes on to explaining their assessment!

[hTideGnow]

HI @Antonio_Almeida 

nice to know, but where you got the info from?

[Antonio_Almeida]

Some good news, for now anyways… CRTC/CCTS is objecting Public Mobile’s Objection to the complaint a lot of people have filed.  
File your complaint with CCTS if you are not happy with this change.

[icee]

Changes are expected over time, but to advertise the new rewards system as an enhancement and a way to ensure "the best possible value to our subscribers" is completely false.  The value of being a loyal customer is inherently lost with the new rewards system.  What once once an automatic credit is now a reward system with friction.

[RetiredGuy1]

I’ll even go this far:

In the interest of recognizing PM’s point-of-view, and in case a Telus Suit is reading these posts, I offer the following as a counterpoint to my Paul MacCartney parody “Loyalty” should that Suit be so inclined to do a karaoke set of their own. Naturally, its based on a John Lennon song.

Ev'rybody's posting about

Criticism, Cynicism, Capitalism, Activism, Ethicalism,

This-ism, that-ism, is-m, is-m, is-m

All we are saying……is give Points a chance

All we are saying……is give Points a chance

C'mon

Ev'rybody's talking about Oracles

Telecoms, Data Plans and the Posters

Telus and Public and all the other guys

And bye bye, bye byes

All we are saying……is give Points a chance

All we are saying……is give Points a chance

[Hollister]

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@ShawnC13 wrote:

@HALIMACS and @Wolfcore on your original anniversary date (if there has been not break in service) you get the 10 points.  It is the same for everyone 12 consecutive months or 84 consecutive months you get 10 points on your anniversary date.

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There can be a break in service….your account does not have to be active in those 12 months. I am on the points system and only activate my account every 2-3 months and still got the 10 points on my anniversary date.

“Stay a Public Mobile subscriber for 12 consecutive months (including time spent with service on hold)”

[fixin]

@RetiredGuy1 - Yeah... I see where you are going.

[RetiredGuy1]

I agree. The vast majority of posts have either directly or indirectly addressed an aspect or individual reaction to the thread’s announcement. Discussions about what other options are available with competitor telecoms is certainly on topic given the circumstances. I think the Oracles have recognized all of this as well. Its generally beneficial to entertain other points of view or perspectives as it helps broaden the discussion as a whole.

[fixin]

@Wolfcore - Just saying that you could just make a post... oracles are moving some posts about other carriers to the Lounge from this thread.

But I do see where you are going.

[Wolfcore]

I don't think talking about US roaming is off topic, because just like any discussion, branches will form. At the end of the day, everything that I've seen is in relation to us losing our rewards and our disappointment in that. Whether that's talking about alternate phone plans, competitors, PM's intentions with this company, where to file complaints, the future of telecom, doesn't really matter, it all stems from the original topic.

If we were to start talking about our favourite movies, or space exploration, then i'd say that people are going off topic, but I haven't seen any of that whatsoever.

[ShawnC13]

@HALIMACS and @Wolfcore on your original anniversary date (if there has been not break in service) you get the 10 points.  It is the same for everyone 12 consecutive months or 84 consecutive months you get 10 points on your anniversary date.

[fixin]

@computergeek541 @ShawnC13 - Yeah I agree with you both about the off-topic situation.

First it went on topic with the backlash

Then it went to who are we going to for a new carrier

Then it went really off topic with US roaming 🤔

But if you want to talk about anything @eyes you could honestly just use The Lounge as a single thread or if you have questions use the Get Support.