iPhone 3gs - Buy on $40 plan, disconnect straight away

Forums › One New Zealand (including Vodafone, WxC, Farmside) › iPhone 3gs - Buy on $40 plan, disconnect straight away

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3196 posts

Uber Geek

#233229 9-Jul-2009 21:30

webup:

but for me it's the 3GB of data... I'm going to tether that to my Macbook Pro and use it!

Hopefully you find some reliable 3G spot on Vodafone so you are not surfing the web on GPRS

LOL

typical iPhone.

If you live in the city (major that is) then you should be fine.

Kanz

29 posts

Geek
Inactive user

#233231 9-Jul-2009 21:31

http://forum.vodafone.co.nz/index.php?showtopic=2956&st=0&p=24146&#entry24146

careful^ with your 'strategy'

Raile

46 posts

Geek

#233259 9-Jul-2009 22:31

mikec241: Hey as I just mentioned on a related thread:

"If you do sign up for the pre-registration offer, and then break the contract, I understand that you will lose a pro-rata amount of the account credit (if you qualify for it).

From the Vf T&C's:

(f) At our discretion, if you terminate your Agreement prior to the expiry of

the Term for any reason other than our default:

(i) you will repay to us any credit we have given against your account,

pro-rated to the length of the Term remaining; and (ii) any credit

remaining on the account will not be used to set off any Charges or

early termination charges.

The $100 pre-reg bonus is an account credit, so by cancelling after a month you will probably forfeit 23/24 remaining months of this, i.e. you will get about $4 credit.

That is the way I understand it anyway, any other thoughts?"

But I think as far as the $350 fee is concerned, that is the only fee you will be due..

Oh your right, it is account credit, not a discount. Thats an important distinction if your not intending to use the phone on vodafones network.

Thanks for that link Kanz, obviously vodafone isnt happy about people expoiting this (possible) loophole.

On the vodafone David (vodafone) says: "Just above the space for the serial number of the device, in the small print it states that you agree on paying a disconnection fee up to $650 upon the early termination of the contract. When I get into work tomorrow I will update you on the exact wording."

The early disconnect fee for the iPhone $130 plan is $780. $650 < $780. It could be that the $650 is for the iPhone $40 plan only. If so David has a very impressive memory. Or what hes saying is BS. Or the vodafone webiste is BS lol.

He is right that we dont really know until we see the contract. I hope there is a copy of this available tonight when they 3gs goes on sale online. If there is no terms and conditions/contract to view, surely even if you pay for the phone and sign to a term, they couldnt hold you to the contract they have instores. You must view and sign the contract for it to be binding right? The worst thing would be if they have a tick box to say you agree to the contract, but dont have a copy for you to view. Hope they cant do that.

inarush

31 posts

Geek

#233271 9-Jul-2009 22:53

Dezroy:
down grade that to iPhone 40 (for free).

Do you speak the truth?

I might see if I can do this.

You can only down grade for free after 6 months

Raile

46 posts

Geek

#233273 9-Jul-2009 23:00

inarush:
Dezroy:
down grade that to iPhone 40 (for free).

Do you speak the truth?

I might see if I can do this.

You can only down grade for free after 6 months

Not true

"Plan transfer fees only apply if you downgrade your plan within the first 6 months of your current term." (here Switching iPhone plan fees)

This means that you will pay the fee if you change within 6 months. If its been more than 6 months then the stated fees do not apply, and i assume there is no charge whatsoever. The fee for changing from iPhone $60 to iPhone $40 within the first 6 months is $0. So it is free.

mikec241

17 posts

Geek

#233274 9-Jul-2009 23:01

As far as I am aware that $650 thing is a general disconnection disclaimer - the "up to" implies that it is variable, and the fact is they have stated a ETC of $350 on the website.

I don't really support the idea of signing up to break contracts, but in some circumstances you have to. I personally intend to sign up to the plan (iPhone $40) tomorrow for at least 6 months - whereby I would be due a fee of $280 if I were to terminate early (7-12 month fee). I have no intention to terminate, but if I need to, I am aware of what fees I will be due.

imadog

107 posts

Master Geek

#233275 9-Jul-2009 23:03

The VF website explicity mentions the disconnection charges.

I expect you would have a strong case if VF tried to go after you for more than that stated on the website. Read the contract and make sure the T&C do not change between now and then.

You are taking a gamble but I think the odds are in your favour.

If vodafone dont play nice then you could be in for a lot of problems. If you refuse to pay what they think you owe them you will end up with a bad credit record.

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mikec241

17 posts

Geek

#233277 9-Jul-2009 23:06

Well without getting into specifics about this (or any other) case, if a company decides to not "play nice" and the customer has genuinely be mislead, 2 words - Disputes Tribunal

oldmaknz

536 posts

Ultimate Geek

#233278 9-Jul-2009 23:08

Gollie do you really want to go to the Disputes Tribunal over a phone? Just pay the $90 more for the legit price...

mikec241

17 posts

Geek

#233289 9-Jul-2009 23:15

@maknz - As I said, I was not talking specifically about this case, but more generally if you feel you have been unfairly commercially bullied

But I do completely agree with you, it does not sounds like it is worth the hassle to save $90 - but if you are thinking of staying on the plan, and then need to leave the contract for an unexpected reason, i.e. moving permanently overseas, it pays to know where you stand with any contracts that you have against your name.

imadog

107 posts

Master Geek

#233290 9-Jul-2009 23:15

Yup another $30 for the disputes tribunal + all the hassle / anger. No thanks.

If you have to resort to scheming to save $90 on a $1179 phone...

Raile

46 posts

Geek

#233294 9-Jul-2009 23:21

I think your right, im not sure if its worth the hassle and risk. If the information was clearly available online it would be simple. I think that vodafone has a disinformation campaign on the go to discourage these workarounds hahaha.

mikec241

17 posts

Geek

#233301 9-Jul-2009 23:37

@Raile - you may be right. However I don't think it is in their interest to comment on these rumours one way or another:

- If they confirm it is a valid workaround, there is a potential loss of profit, not to mention administrative hassle with people jumping on the bandwagon for this
- If they say it won't work, there is a potential reduction in future revenue, as some people won't sign up for plans as they would be scared of future penalty fees

BozzaMad

26 posts

Geek
Inactive user

#233302 9-Jul-2009 23:42

It's not a bad idea though. I must say I did consider this option however I feel there is Just too much to lose and its a lot of risk for buying an iPhone. Especially since alot of people are wanting the iPhone outright but using this method they they will have to sign a contract. I'm looking forward to hearing from people who did try these workarounds though.

spazz

266 posts

Ultimate Geek

#233306 10-Jul-2009 00:08

Can't seem to buy one yet..? Nor use my "voucher" thing?

http://walkingisoverrated.com

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