Spark downgrading support options...

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nunz

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#248170 13-Mar-2019 10:04

I've been notified by Spark that "Soon you'll need to use MySpark to make payments, add data, roaming and other extras. Check it out..."

While I'm delighted making payments is now an optional extra he he he .. it raises some concerns.

Many people , especially the elderly and less affluent, don't have smart phones. (I personally wish I didn't as the screen doesn't respond to my fingers owing to work I do)

the ability to pay using vouchers is already being removed -- and as Spark have closed stores in locations there is no store to front up to and get top up vouchers or payments made.

To further complicate that many folks don't have a credit card as their either cant get one or are trying to stay out of debt.

This move will make NZ a place where the haves and have nots now include 'technology access.

Making your customer payments based on forcing expensive and unreliable technology (the nokia brick is 12 years old and still running but no smart phone over 4 years old is) and forcing them onto non required data plans is biased towards the more affluent and younger folks.

I personally think this is a bad move. Any one from Spark care to comment?

hio77

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Lizard Networks

#2197062 13-Mar-2019 10:20

Myspark does not require a smartphone. It is also available on the browser from any device.

I'll pass the feedback to the relevant teams before commenting further however, as this isn't my domain.

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

nunz

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#2197134 13-Mar-2019 10:59

hio77:

Myspark does not require a smartphone. It is also available on the browser from any device.

I'll pass the feedback to the relevant teams before commenting further however, as this isn't my domain.

Most don't do the internet or have connections. They have noted that buying a top up voucher to load via dial tone menu is gone or being phased out.

Case in point Linwood - no Spark there - nearest is 5.4 KM away in Shirley ... for New Brighton it is worse. another 4 - 5 km on top of that.

stinger

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#2197150 13-Mar-2019 11:04

nunz:

the ability to pay using vouchers is already being removed -- and as Spark have closed stores in locations there is no store to front up to and get top up vouchers or payments made.

You can still buy top up vouchers from your local dairy, service station or super market.

nunz

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#2197151 13-Mar-2019 11:06

stinger:

nunz:

the ability to pay using vouchers is already being removed -- and as Spark have closed stores in locations there is no store to front up to and get top up vouchers or payments made.

You can still buy top up vouchers from your local dairy, service station or super market.

folks are being told to expect it to phase out.

rugrat

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#2197251 13-Mar-2019 12:55

Do ATM machines have a top up phone option? Just be a follow through menu like using a voucher on phone.

I haven’t used one for ages, but from memory I think I saw it on the ATM menu, if so another way.

There’s probably a non credit card way of doing it on internet banking?, there is on my phone banking application.

snnet

1410 posts

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#2198239 14-Mar-2019 20:53

While it may be a change still, elderly customers could get a debit card and use that instead if that was their only way of making a payment. Banks still offer touch tone phone banking so they could do it that way as well if they didn't want to pay the surcharge.

Unfortunately it's just how the world is changing. Everyone adapts eventually in some way. Years ago Vodafone started sending e-mail invoices instead of posting them and I know of a lot of people who always paid their paper bills immediately got cut off for non payment because they were only being e-mailed instead (or maybe changed to e-mail only on mass by default)