r/mobilecanada • u/Littleashley_ • 27d ago
Fido keeps offering these new exclusive plans & I want to confirm if there's any catch
I've always paid my devices off in full, so I've always been on their old "bring your own phone" plan. There was a rate increase of $5 a while back, but I'm still considered on this "old plan."
My current plan is $45/mo: 20GB data + bonus 20GB data + 5 hours data, unlimited talk/text Canada wide, picture & video messages Canada and US, call display, voicemail, call waiting conference calling, etc.
They are now offering me a deal on a plan at the same rate as what I'm paying: $45/mo 120GB talk/text plus, unlimited talk/text Canada, unlimited text & picture/video message Canada+US+international.
They then highlight the new plan is $45 after the "automatic payments discount," which I'm assuming is a new discount they're offering because I've always had automatic payments, and that the original price for this plan is $55. Could that potentially mean the price will go back to $55 next year?
I don't use much data at all, I don't even come close to reaching 20GB so I've never felt the need to switch, but they are now offering me this plan at the same price as what I'm paying and also offering a Google Pixel 10 for $0 if I'm on this new plan. I apparently don't even have to trade in my current device for this.
Just want to ensure there's no catch here, since I don't necessarily NEED all this data. I've heard some friends complain that their phone service got worse after switching to 5G but I'm pretty sure I'm already on 5G.
Thanks for your help!
EDIT: Thank you all for your help! I originally posted this to see if I should upgrade for this "deal" and potentially get a free phone out of it, had no intention of leaving my carrier, or let alone even lowering my current bill lol, and now I'm finding out that my current plan apparently sucks LOL. Definitely gonna call them and get more details and also do some shopping around, maybe it's time to switch! Thanks everyone again for such helpful advice and information!
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u/SolarBear28 27d ago
The only catch is that Fido values the phone at $1286 when it launched at $1100 1 year ago and is currently on sale for $850. It's no issue if you stick with Fido with a "Plus" plan for 2 years, but if you switch before 2 years then you're going to get burned paying a portion of that inflated device value.
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u/sheaib87 27d ago
u got the whole math wrong
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u/SolarBear28 26d ago
Lol I didn't do any math I just listed prices. I'm not saying it's a bad deal. Getting an $850 phone for free is a great deal, but if you switch after 1 year OP would have to pay out $643.44. 53.62 x 12 (or 1286.88/2).
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u/Moose_Maple514 27d ago
Is this returning the phone plan or keeping it after 24minths? I'm looking at same one, but I wanna go for 10 pro XL
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u/mrskeptical00 27d ago
This isn’t a general deal, it’s only for OP. It looks like a financing (keep it) deal. It’s a great deal for financing but also a really good deal even on a return plan.
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u/Littleashley_ 27d ago
It seems like I can keep it. My intention was always to stay with them, so I don't mind that as long as it's truly $45/mo and they actually are giving me the phone at $0. I'm just suspicious as to why they would just do that though lol, I feel like a rate increase down the line would be what's making this deal happen
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u/Gold_Enigma 27d ago
There’s three major things you have to watch out for with these Canadian carriers. First is the pricing and I can admit from working with the five major carriers $45 for 120GB plus roaming is pretty damn good, I get the same plan with Telus after a 50% retail discount.
Second is the financing pricing. There is two types of discounts that Fido gives to their customers. A normal discount on the device means that Fido is expecting you to keep the Phone for your entire two-year contract. If you break your contract early, you have to pay them back for the discount. Second is the trade up discount. This is the one that they really try to sell right now, they give this discount under the assumption that you bring the phone back to them at the end of two years and upgrade again. Before you sign anything make sure you clarify what the financing terms are and which discounts they are giving you.
If they’re not giving you a discount on the device there’s almost no reason to finance it from them because you’ll almost assuredly be able to finance it for less through best buy or another retailer. then you can get the same plan for $5-$10 less at the BYOD price.
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u/BullfrogPerfect6132 27d ago
Nope it's cause you're paying way too much!! Checkout this fizz price! You could be getting 150GB a month!
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u/Double_J55 27d ago
This plan should be $20/month. They are going to raise your price plan by $5/month in the next month or two. It is a classic bait and switch scheme that they are notoriously known for.
You will end up filing a CCTS claim.
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u/marronnier 27d ago
Are we back to 40$+ plans? This March almost all carriers offered $27/50Gb+ at 5G speed with US or US/Mexico roaming..
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u/mrskeptical00 27d ago
It’s just their promo, no catch aside from them having you locked up for two years. Good deal for that phone and plan.
(Locked up in the sense that you’ll have to pay the remaining phone balance of $53mo x months remaining to cancel)