Extend mobile contract length to qualify for phone discount?

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Extend mobile contract length to qualify for phone discount?

wpcnz

94 posts

Master Geek

#119006 16-May-2013 21:42

Hey guys,

I'm about 16 months into a 24 month mobile contract with Telecom, and looking to buy a new phone.

Does anyone know if I can do something like commit to another 24 months with them to qualify for their phone discount with an associated plan?

I have not heard of this before but it would make sense imo.

Just thought I'd ask for experience / suggestions before I give them a call or pop into a store tomorrow

Cheers,

Wayne

riahon

946 posts

Ultimate Geek

#820831 16-May-2013 21:50

If you got a discount or free phone on a 24month contract that you are yet to finish, what makes you think you can get another discounted phone? I think there is a reason why you have never heard it before, as it makes no sense to me.

wpcnz

94 posts

Master Geek

#820838 16-May-2013 22:07

Perhaps to keep my business? Because if I get to the end of tlmy current contract I definitely won't be renewing it. I have a landline and broadband with Telecom as well, it's just good business

GBristow

178 posts

Master Geek

#820866 16-May-2013 23:20

They have to make their money back. So they let you out of eight months of your contract. They lose money. You expect that the next time. You tell others and they expect that. If I were Telecom I would deny you that request, even if you threatened to leave them. The truth is that most customers don't switch. You made a deal with Telecom. It seems unreasonable to try to welch now.

lucky015

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#820869 16-May-2013 23:30

I would imagine they'd have something like VF where you pay a decreasing break/resign fee wouldn't they?

Batman

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#820882 17-May-2013 00:19

If 3 mths left u can do it in oz not sure about nz definitely not 8 mths left

riahon

946 posts

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#820927 17-May-2013 07:33

riahon: If you got a discount or free phone on a 24month contract that you are yet to finish, what makes you think you can get another discounted phone? I think there is a reason why you have never heard it before, as it makes no sense to me.

So maybe if it makes sense to you to upgrade at 8 months, then it will make sense to someone else to upgrade at 9. A line is drawn in the sand, it's called a contract. Maybe if you Aaron Gilmore them they might realise how important your business is.

freitasm

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#820939 17-May-2013 08:21

The contract should have a clause with the amount to be paid in case of early termination. You can elect to pay that and be free. Then you can negotiate a new handset subsidy, which probably will require a new term contract. You have to them put in consideration the early termination fee as part of the cost of your new handset. It could have a resign clause as well.

You should read the contract to find out more as we don't know the specifics of the offer made when you accepted it.

Having said that, just leaving one customer off the hook because it's good business may not be a good enough reason for a breach of contract.

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mercutio

1392 posts

Uber Geek

#820942 17-May-2013 08:26

GBristow: They have to make their money back. So they let you out of eight months of your contract. They lose money. You expect that the next time. You tell others and they expect that. If I were Telecom I would deny you that request, even if you threatened to leave them. The truth is that most customers don't switch. You made a deal with Telecom. It seems unreasonable to try to welch now.

people are misinterpreting what he said, he says he wants to extend his contract, not replace his contract.

mercutio

1392 posts

Uber Geek

#820943 17-May-2013 08:27

riahon:
riahon: If you got a discount or free phone on a 24month contract that you are yet to finish, what makes you think you can get another discounted phone? I think there is a reason why you have never heard it before, as it makes no sense to me.

So maybe if it makes sense to you to upgrade at 8 months, then it will make sense to someone else to upgrade at 9. A line is drawn in the sand, it's called a contract. Maybe if you Aaron Gilmore them they might realise how important your business is.

most phones on 24 contracts will want replacing in 12 months time :/

16 isn't unresaonable.

russelo

328 posts

Ultimate Geek

#820979 17-May-2013 09:19

I've done this with vodafone but 6 months before my contract ends. I got a new phone for free in exchange for another 24months contract.

tripp

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#820990 17-May-2013 09:33

mercutio:
riahon:
riahon: If you got a discount or free phone on a 24month contract that you are yet to finish, what makes you think you can get another discounted phone? I think there is a reason why you have never heard it before, as it makes no sense to me.

So maybe if it makes sense to you to upgrade at 8 months, then it will make sense to someone else to upgrade at 9. A line is drawn in the sand, it's called a contract. Maybe if you Aaron Gilmore them they might realise how important your business is.

most phones on 24 contracts will want replacing in 12 months time :/

16 isn't unresaonable.

Only way i have been able to do is cancel my current contract (and pay a fee) and then sign up on a new 24 month contract, last time i did this it cost me $400 to cancel but I got a S3 for free so much cheaper than the $1000 to buy the phone outright.

freitasm

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#820992 17-May-2013 09:36

It's not "free" really. How much you pay in a contract over 24 months and how much would the open term plan cost over 24 months? The difference is the handset...

tripp

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#820995 17-May-2013 09:49

freitasm: It's not "free" really. How much you pay in a contract over 24 months and how much would the open term plan cost over 24 months? The difference is the handset...

Well yes, but still i wanted the S3 and was happy with telecom.
Best thing is after 12 months you can change to their lowest plan so next month my bill goes down from $120 to around 60 or 70 (that includes extra text and data) at no cost to change plan

Klathman

301 posts

Ultimate Geek

#820998 17-May-2013 09:53

I was told by Telecom that you can re-sign a contract 3 months before your current contract expires. So from 21 months on.

I'm in the same place in wanted to get something new but then looking at the open plans now I'm more likely to just buy a phone outright and get more minutes while paying less.

riahon

946 posts

Ultimate Geek

#821019 17-May-2013 10:49

mercutio:
riahon:
riahon: If you got a discount or free phone on a 24month contract that you are yet to finish, what makes you think you can get another discounted phone? I think there is a reason why you have never heard it before, as it makes no sense to me.

So maybe if it makes sense to you to upgrade at 8 months, then it will make sense to someone else to upgrade at 9. A line is drawn in the sand, it's called a contract. Maybe if you Aaron Gilmore them they might realise how important your business is.

most phones on 24 contracts will want replacing in 12 months time :/

16 isn't unresaonable.

Get a 12month contract if that is what you believe.