Spark not even attempting to retain customers?

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quickymart

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#2624657 20-Dec-2020 17:31

Some are just happy with what they have. I have Unplan with Spark at the moment and it works fine for what I need it for - I don't have time for Netflix, etc etc...and the connection I have is reliable and stable. That's all I need.

firewire

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#2624672 20-Dec-2020 18:37

networkn:

firewire:

caveat emptor: you get what you pay for

That isn't always true in the RSP/ISP space. I pay next to nothing for my connection with Orcon, and it's been stable, fast and troublefree from day one. Best ISP I have been with personally (as opposed to used for professional purposes etc) and I have a wide experience in this area.

Not what I've heard of late so they must've improved.

Handle9

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#2624745 21-Dec-2020 01:44

HiddenChin:
Just had an interesting live chat on the Spark website.

I'm nearing the end of my BB contract with Spark, and doing what any intelligent person would do by shopping around to see what other ISPs offer.
For $86 per month via 2degrees I can get fibre at 900/400 + Amazon Prime Video.

So I hit up Spark, just to see what they would offer to retain a customer.

900/400 + Netflix for $120.

I asked the guy if that's the best they would offer to retain a customer, was told in no uncertain terms that Spark cannot offer a better deal than this.

Anyone else find that weird, that they wouldn't even attempt to keep a customer?

Why would they want to pay for you to stay? If you are the type of customer who wants a discount every year you are worthless to their business. It's better for you to leave and not waste resources on you. They are much better off by investing in valuable customers.

IMO it's totally fine for you to ask for a discount and leave if you don't get it, just don't get offended when they say no.

catspyjamas

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#2625012 21-Dec-2020 15:47

Well I'm with Spark for all my services and am happy. It really comes down to use case. I have Spotify premium, Netflix and Neon paid for through Spark (well, discounted Neon - I received Lightbox through Spark and was paying a full subscription for Neon before Lightbox and Neon became one), and as I work from home I need very little mobile data. If I didn't value the streaming services or I needed more mobile data then maybe I'd be better off with an alternative. I would want to remain with all those streaming services if I left Spark, so those costs have to be added on to a competing providers plans. Oh, and an excellent modem that cost me a courier fee.

While I wouldn't mind having Amazon Prime as well, that is actually the cheapest of all four streaming services above at $8.99 a month, and 2D only pay for that for a year.

You can keep the Spark Sport stuff though. Would rather watch paint dry.

peterxxmeme

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#2625093 21-Dec-2020 20:39

DjShadow:
peterxxmeme:

They are beyond a joke even for new customers. I walked into a Spark store saying I would move over if they can match Vodafone's pricing or even at least, come close, they couldn't/wouldn't and just said what's on the website is final, no wiggle room - which I know is a load of bs.

40GB Vodafone $80 / +Sharer $30 / Hotspot included = $110
40GB Spark $100 / +Sharer $30 / Hotspot $10 = $140

Sales guy was a bit of a moron and just said they have a "premium network" and they don't care about what Vodafone is offering. (lol)

Not really that concerned about $30 a month, but that is quite a significant difference, and its more just the principal of it. So stuck with Vodafone. Their loss. But makes me wonder how they manage to sell anything with that attitude.

Even $10 off would of maybe seen them a new customer.

One thing to factor in when comparing pricing to Spark is what are you currently paying for both Netflix and Spotify, I found it does narrow the pricing gap a bit.

In terms of mobile plans I've found you have to shop around for what you need, with Spark only having the option of a 40gig endless data plan before it lets you have addon shares then it only suits the people who need a ton of data. I found 2degrees best for me with with the 10gig plan as 2 out of the 3 connections I have live mostly on Wifi.

Yeah I'm already on VF 100g endless. Downgrading to half the data and paying more for it feels ridiculous. I really wanted to change for a couple reasons. My mum's place only gets Spark reception is one, my work phone is Vodafone so I'll still have their coverage and we send widescale SMS alerts and trying to find a customer with Spark to troubleshoot with is always a pain, thus being able to do it myself would be great. But yeah just felt like a rip off so decided not to.

Their Netflix is HD only, I already have 4K multi-user which I don't want to downgrade from. Also spotify isn't great for me as I'm not a big enough music person, I also have YouTube premium so YouTube music pretty much fills that gap for me anyway....

snnet

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#2625097 21-Dec-2020 20:56

You can get the 4K netflix if you really want it for $5 on the bill. I only have it to add more users

tims

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#2626189 24-Dec-2020 08:47

I live rurally and and pay $105/month for wireless BB: 120GB/on peak, 50GB/off peak and a wireless landline. Up to now, pretty typical of what's available for my location, I think.

However, just got a Spark wireless broadband flyer though the mail that significantly beats my current ISP - $65 up to 60GB; $75 for 60GB-120GB and $85 for 120GB-300GB+ plus an extra $10/month for a wireless landline. Also comes with a bonus $10/month credit for life of the plan (new customers only).
For me, Spark is offering a very competitive deal to get/poach new customers.

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freitasm

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#2626208 24-Dec-2020 09:29

peterxxmeme:

They are beyond a joke even for new customers. I walked into a Spark store saying I would move over if they can match Vodafone's pricing or even at least, come close, they couldn't/wouldn't and just said what's on the website is final, no wiggle room - which I know is a load of bs.

I do not understand this argument.

If you go to JB HIFi and see a TV for $ 1000 then walk into Noel Leeming and say "I see this TV is $ 1000 somewhere else, can you match the price?" you could get the same product with a same price (no advantage really) or a small discount (yay!)

If you go to an ISP and know one is cheaper because they don't offer phone support, the service uses CGNAT when you need a public IP (not even static) then asking a provider to match the cheaper service is just asking them to lose on their already thin margin.

On the other hand, if you see a service on ISP A for $ 50 and similar service (including speed, add-ons and whatever) on another ISP for $ 75 then the obvious choice is ISP A - why even bother with trying to negotiate seeing you already found the cheaper one for the same product? Sure you can haggle but if you get nowhere there is no reason to complain. The company has no obligation to enter a deal they don't want to.

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