Dear Mr. Rogers,
I’ll try to keep this short, as I suspect (and truly hope) that are you receiving a lot of letters like this one.
From a business standpoint, you shot yourself in the foot today. You had an opportunity to corner the market for smart phones in Canada by dropping your rates to a reasonable amount (where a reasonable amount is the same rate that is available from AT&T in the US, just as an example). But you blew it. Instead, you’ll (still) be taking advantage of those of us who wish to exchange data on the go.
Thanks to your so-called “new” rates, you just sold one less iPhone. In actual fact, you should know that our staff all carry brand new Blackberry Curve devices with Rogers voice/data service. We were chomping at the bit to replace them with a fleet of iPhones, but with your rates that would just open a bottomless pit of data costs for our software company. We’re not falling for it.
Your move,
–
Jordan Behan
Vancouver, BC
More sources: Brendon compares AT&T to Rogers. FuckyouRogers.com.
Update: FWIW the rate drop (to a data plan that includes 6GB for $30/mo) wasn’t enough to convince me to enter into a 3-year contract for the iPhone. Still iPhoneless, still content.
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Pingback on Jul 9th, 2008 at 6:12 am
[...] “We’re the early adopters of technology- we’re supposed to be a slam dunk to buy an iPhone and then evangelize until the whole world has one. At least, that’s likely what Steve Jobs would have hoped. Trouble is, without any unlimited plan to speak of, the iPhone will remain a luxury toy and not the useful, widely-adopted communications device it’s meant to be.”– JordanBehan.com [...]
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June 27, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Um, they lost an iPhone, but they still have you as a customer .. so does Ted care? Probably not.
Switch up your ‘berries to Bell and then you have something that makes him hurt.
BTW, he didnt sell one less iPhone, he sold 2 less. I’m gonna stick with my SonyEricsson on Fido and get me a Touch
June 28, 2008 at 1:46 am
Amen, my friend!
I will NOT buy an iPhone
June 28, 2008 at 4:43 am
This disaster is quickly turning into an international embarrassment for Rogers… Thanks for spreading the word!
June 28, 2008 at 9:50 am
Well you’re right Buzz- the only thing Rogers will be losing from us is the retail sale of a few iPhones. Since we’re on what is supposed to be *cough, choke* a decent enterprise rate in Canada, we’ll probably keep our Berries and continue to take it in the hoop from Rogers.
But we’re the early adopters of technology- we’re supposed to be a slam dunk to buy an iPhone and then evangelize until the whole world has one. At least, that’s likely what Steve Jobs would have hoped. And if we’re ready to replace our brand new phones, then just think of how many other companies must be waiting in the wings for a new batch of handsets. Trouble is, without any unlimited plan to speak of, the iPhone will remain a luxury toy and not the useful, widely-adopted communications device it’s meant to be.
Thanks for commenting, Andrew (and you too, Hummingbird). That’s a neat idea, having FriendFeed “feed” your blog, and not the other way around.
June 28, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Although this sucks, and the rates are WAY too high, its important for us to realise that Rogers has in essence dropped their data rate plans by 50% this month. If you look at how their Flex Plans work etc, and what was in place before. I know my company will be saving at least 300 / month on our smart phones. My feeling is that this COULD spark a price war between Rogers & Bell in regards to data rates, which in my view can only help all of us!
June 28, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Part of me is tempted to share in your optimism, howardrabb. Wake me up when the price wars include unlimited plans.
June 29, 2008 at 11:29 pm
I’ll be canceling my contract. They’ll be losing almost 3 full years of my contract, other than the freakin’ $500 of free money — Hey, I’ll make that up with a better, unlimited contract and a decent phone with a CDMA provider who’ll happily make me a great offer. The ECF will be made up in no time, and Rogers will lose out on almost $4000 of *my* money.
I hope more people stand up and fight back by pulling their business. This is complete crap.
Thanks for this blog post, Jordan!
June 29, 2008 at 11:30 pm
ps: I forgot to add my blog post on this subject.
June 30, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Here, here!
July 2, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Stop whining IT IS SUPPOSTO BY A LUXURY ITEM IT IS NOT MEANT FOR THE MASSES I REPEAT IT IS NOT MEANT FOR THE MASSES!!! It’s like owning a Ferrari the cost of ownership is significantly more than a Toyota because IT IS A LUXURY ITEM so stopp whining!!! (besides they suck anyway).
July 3, 2008 at 11:19 am
I’m sure Mr. Jobs and Apple shareholders would be inclined to disagree with you, Aaron. And not just because you’re yelling unnecessarily and have trouble with spelling.
It’s not the cost of the iPhone that anyone is taking issue with here, it’s the fact that Canadians pay as much as 10x as much for data plans, with no proper explanation as to why. Maybe it takes a bit of whining to draw attention to the fact that Canadian telcoms are taking advantage of their customers. It is, after all, the only thing that will ever affect change.
July 3, 2008 at 11:31 am
How about the access and 911 fees that they add on to the bill every month.I don’t mine paying the 911 fee, but the $6.95 its just another kick in the ass and on top of that we pay the GST.
The access fee should be dropped.
July 3, 2008 at 11:35 am
Not only that Joe, but if you take a close look at the “new” rates from Rogers for the iPhone, there are additional costs for things that we’re starting to take for granted as being bundled in, like call display, for eg.
July 6, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Seriously…and aren’t *we* supposed to be the target market? Sticking with Bell and my crap-o cell until it breaks or we get what we’re waiting for. Sucks to you Rogers!
July 14, 2008 at 10:45 am
So did you end up with an iPhone after the rate drop?
July 14, 2008 at 10:50 am
Good question Jeremy, and the answer is no. I’veupdated the post to reflect this as well.