Vodafone on Campbell Live: priceless
"They have not launched yet" (even though prices are online)
"This phone changes everything, people can connect to the Internet" (even though other devices already do it on their network)
"It costs a lot of money to bring that data down to New Zealand" (even though the data is already there for all the other devices in the network)
Mark even says that it costs a lot to "bring that data down to New Zealand". He forgets to mention most ISPs offer 1 GB for one dollar - but Vodafone is obviously very different. Forget they are providing mobile data. It couldn't cost more than 50 times the fixed line data. Or could it?
Link to 3 News website with the interview is now live.
You will certainly laugh on Vodafone's attempt to justify this joke.
Truth is... You can buy the phone outright, no discounts and use with your choice of plans. It's there in the Vodafone site.
But Vodafone wanted to "hype" and announced the "iPhone from $199". When they finally disclosed the "$199 is with a $250 monthly two year contract" then people got all mad.
Vodafone is getting a lot of attention. More people want to know what's this iPhone. Vodafone says "it connects to the Internet", forgetting the Nokia N95 already in their network has been doing this for months. Some old Windows Mobile devices have been connecting for three or four years.
But they want the hype... And people will buy. Some will be smart and buy full price and get out of a $ 6000 contract. Others will simply sign up for the low allowance contract and won't fully explore the device.
Customers lose, Vodafone wins. Making a fool of themselves to sell. Great move.
Other related posts:
What copyright really means in New Zealand
The Internet: bad and good according to Jeff Jarvis
Migrated to Microsoft Online Services at the end
Comment by Mark T, on 8-JUL-2008 18:30
Yes, it's ashamed to Vodafone that Maketing Director Mark Rushworth couldn't defend on what Campel disputed about VFNZ overcharging its valuable customers comprared to other 20 countries :) Get Lost VFNZ
Comment by TechnoGuy001, on 8-JUL-2008 18:31
hahaaha, sounds funny, can't wait for it to come online :)
Comment by NewTeach, on 8-JUL-2008 18:46
Ohh the arrogance of Vodafone, I think I'll stick with my Windows mobile machine and skin it to look like the iphone, (actually on second thoughts why would I want to), with all the free apps now available you can actually do more on a windows mobile smart device anyway.
It was interesting that approx a month ago Voda'Ka-ching got me to do a survey asking the question that if another cellular opperator was to offer a service in NZ for a cheaper rate would I consider changing to them...then they asked which one of three Vodafone plans I'd choose as an alternative....answer for all questions...bring em on, your bedside manner is terrible, you have done nothing to build up a good customer relationship with me so as soon as there is a viable alternative...I'm gone.
And by the way, lets see an Iphone produce a word document or an excel doc on the train to work.
B. Abbott
Comment by stuartm, on 8-JUL-2008 19:05
Some people will be smart and just not buy it.
Comment by Scott Morton, on 8-JUL-2008 19:24
Why is it that the rest of the world has got the Iphone with the $199 price as the entry price on there low end contract and the becoming free with higher priced contracts and we as always have to pay through the nose.
Comment by TechnoGuy001, on 8-JUL-2008 19:28
Definitely worth the watch! :)
PS, I had a look on the 3new.co.nz site and they have a pole up asking if your going to buy the iPhone and 73% say NO and only 16% say yes...Just a interesting fact.
Comment by Lipex666, on 8-JUL-2008 20:01
Maketing Director Mark Rushworth a embarrassment to Vodafone and there is no denying Vodafone is using their monopoly on their data plans.
Commerce commision should look into this as price gauging.
Comment by MattyB, on 8-JUL-2008 20:56
The cock said on several occasions "plans start at $50.00 per month" but unfortunately Cambo didn't pick up on it.
$50.00/month is a bit more like it.
Comment by DjShadow, on 8-JUL-2008 21:08
I just watched the interview again and it feels to me Mark was side-stepping most of the questions John was asking, e.g John would compare to O2 and mark would dive right into the features of the phone which were not very relevant, its almost like asking an oil exec why the super high profits, no direct clear answer.
Comment by tr3v, on 8-JUL-2008 21:39
Its easy to resolve this one... just don't buy one.
Comment by bonkiebonks, on 8-JUL-2008 21:53
What he meant was, you can buy the iPhone 3G outright at $979 for the 8GB version or $1129 for the 16GB and use it on any of their current You Choose + Mobile Broadband plans, hence the $50 (You Choose 20 $19.95 + 200MB $29.95). Pretty stupid if you asked me. Why would anyone pay that price, and use it on-account, when that amount is what you pay for a iPhone 3G outright in other countries, and free to use it pre-pay, or whatnot.
Comment by ben, on 8-JUL-2008 22:10
Just wondering whether you would get a handset subsidy with the iPhone if you sign up for a You Choose plan instead of an iPhone plan.
Comment by KiwiOverseas66, on 8-JUL-2008 22:49
wow - watching the developing controversy in NZ from overseas its amazing to see the depth of the negative public reaction to this! Speaking of depth, wasn't Mark Rushworth out of it in the interview. Must be a new experience for him - going from being a speed dial commentator on everything that is wrong with Telecom, NZ internet, etc - to being on the receiving end of the media's and public's anger.
Speaking of commentators, is it just me or is Ernie and TUANZ lack of comment on this issue a possible indication of which red colours they've nailed to the wall (industry representatives......my a*se)!
The tragedy here is that this is such a missed opportunity. The device was so hyped, so much promotion - this would have been a great chance to boost online mobility, get people used to any time, anywhere access (mobile data devices have been around for ages - but nothing like the sort of publicity this device produced). Unfortunately - regardless of how you look at it - the price puts it out of reach (low purchase, high monthly - or high purchase and low monthly) - and 1gig of data inclusive on the most expensive plan is not going to promote rampant online usage any time soon.....<sigh>.
Comment by dpw, on 9-JUL-2008 07:15
I finally saw the Campbell Live footage - what a hoot! Does Mark Rushmore's repeated chiming of "...but remember, this is an amazing phone which can do blah..blah...etc...." remind anyone of Michael Palin's lines in Monty Python's dead parrot skit? Norwegian Blue....beautiful plumage!
Comment by Lee Majors, on 9-JUL-2008 08:50
Mark Rushmore actually did amazingly well. He could have been trying to convince john that the sky isn't blue and still kept smiling like that and repeating the Vodafone approved message that he wanted to say. So funny.
Well it is funny until you realise we are still going to have to pay hugely to have an iPhone. Come on Telecom.... where is your GSM network?
When are they going to realise that they should be competing against landline and DSL prices not their own prices from last year.
Comment by Jelly, on 9-JUL-2008 09:26
They had the perfect opportunity to ride the IPhone hype and lock in many many MANY people who otherwise won’t consider signing up to a data plan, but now they sort of blew it. I myself was very excited, particularly after seeing the email from Vodafone on Monday stating that pricing for the IPhone “starts at” $199 for the handset. To me, that was false marketing as “starts at” means entry level, not the most expensive premium level.
Comment by eLoka, on 9-JUL-2008 14:49
New Zealand is the backwash of the Internet, and Vodafone can get away with whatever they want to charge. Maybe the iPhone will finally motivate the complacent natives to expect more than hand-me-down networks running at 2000% margins?
As for the device, the iPhone *is* awesome, but M$ fanbois obviously don't get it, won't get it, and are still using the CLI.
Comment by MattyB, on 9-JUL-2008 16:04
What also really disappoints me is the fact that Steve Jobs stood up on the stage during the Keynote in which he announced the iPhone 3G and put a big green tick next to "More Affordable".
Apple may have delivered on this front in the USA but I think they should be kicking Vodafone's behind with regard to the plan pricing.
How would we as consumers draw our concerns to the attention of Apple?
Comment by Andy, on 10-JUL-2008 12:15
I dont even know why apple has gone exclusive to vodafone. They dont offer the customer anything that would assist apple in selling the device (Small subsidy if you sign your life away). Now we have not only a duopoly in our mobile phone market, but a monopoly in the iphone market letting vodafone milk us. If apple released the iphone to both carriers I wonder if we telecom or vodafone might not be tempted to give us a free (fully subsidised) iphone as an incentive to sign up for the exorbitant plans.
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Comment by Paul, on 8-JUL-2008 18:28
Great post.
It was a terrible interview. How much viagra and prozac did that man need to take before the interview to maintain that smile, even when confronted with the "worst plan in the world" statement from John.
Not too many times I wish I was a Pom (apart from when Everton is playing) but boy, get on O2 plan and go with their roaming, it's gotta be cheaper than vodafone.
Cheers