Why only for new activations?

[Dolphin12]

Some of the new plans are for new members only which means loyal customers cannot take advantage of them. Circumstances can change meaning a member needs to change their plan, so why are they penalized by not being able to switch their plan?

I understand it is not advantageous for the carrier for customers to downgrade but should it be allowed within reason? Should a downgrade only be allowed every 60, 90 or 120 days? Could there be a reasonable rule put in place to assist existing customers?

[tracies1111]

But if another provider is offering the same deal,  what is to stop PM users from going to them? I'm currently a legacy with a $25 1024mb 3G subscription and would love that $20 3Gb plan.  Not fair to be stuck with paying so much more for so little data. Granted I don't use much data so I didn't care but still I feel ripped off. 

[AK32]

Speaking from experience, you can get one of the "new activation plans" if you are an existing member. I got it. I just asked a customer service agent, and after some back and forth they eventually gave it to me. It wont always happen and its up to their discretion, but its worth a shot if you are thinking of leaving, just explain the situation to them and ask if you can be put on whatever plan is being advertised, you can message them here:

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/notes/composepage/note-to-user-id/22437

[will13am]

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@Dolphin12 wrote:

@will13am I'm not speaking for myself, as I was lucky enough to obtain the $21/90 day plan. I have seen many write about getting this plan and it's not available. 

I also have a friend who has the legacy $15 plan and wanted to change to the new $15 unlimited calling plan. This should be able to be done even though in essence it is just a move over on cost.

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@Dolphin12 , the new $15 unlimited calling plan was available for some time.  In fact an account that I manage is on that plan.  Depending on usage, extra minutes is better than a tiny bit of slow data.  I digress.  As good shoppers we have to be on the lookout for deals and take advantage right away on the expectation that sales do not last forever.  I believe that the $15 plan will make an eventual comeback because of competition.  

[golfball]

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@Dolphin12 wrote:

@golfball yes they can but if they have referrals they will lose out.

Letting members change once or twice a year, without being penalized, would be an incentive for members to stay. Many members have talked about porting out and his could help stop that by being more competitive.

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The referrals/rewards and any add-ons you have serve the purpose of an incentive to stay. If they're willing to port out then they can already get the new activation plans, so there is no incentive for PM. Ideally they would just open the plans up for everyone.

[Dolphin12]

@will13am I'm not speaking for myself, as I was lucky enough to obtain the $21/90 day plan. I have seen many write about getting this plan and it's not available. 

I also have a friend who has the legacy $15 plan and wanted to change to the new $15 unlimited calling plan. This should be able to be done even though in essence it is just a move over on cost.

[will13am]

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@Dolphin12 wrote:

@Rastin it's not always a downgrade. 

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@Dolphin12 , what plan do you have now and what plan did you want to switch to?  In the past 12 months, there have been a ton of deals, most of which were available to all customers and offer much better value than the legacy plans from the past.  I think the only low cost plan that remains out of reach of existing customers is the $21/3GB plan.  I sense it won't be long before it will be available.  Competition breaks down a lot of price barriers.  

[Dolphin12]

@golfball yes they can but if they have referrals they will lose out.

Letting members change once or twice a year, without being penalized, would be an incentive for members to stay. Many members have talked about porting out and his could help stop that by being more competitive.

[Dolphin12]

@Rastin it's not always a downgrade. 

[golfball]

PM wants added friction to discourage downgrading. Anyone that really wants to switch to a new activation plan can port out and then port back in to get one of those plans.

[Rastin]

1 reason money. They don't want you to downgrade