Spark finally killing the $19 music plan w/ free spotify (and other older prepaid plans)

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Spark finally killing the $19 music plan w/ free spotify (and other older prepaid plans)

steve98

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#248211 14-Mar-2019 17:40

I always knew this plan was too good to be true, and I've doggedly held onto it since it was grandfathered a couple of years back, but just got a text from Spark to say that the $19 Music pack w/ free spotify is finally being removed as of 15/04, along with a handful of other plans.

The $19 music plan has been perfect for my wife and I, we've very rarely gone over the data allowance thanks to the prevalence of wifi, and don't make calls via traditional mobile "minutes", and the free spotify was just a glorious cherry on top. Plus, we had the free socialiser which gave us an extra 1GB for free to use on Spotify / Facebook traffic.

I will sorely miss the plan, full info is here: https://www.spark.co.nz/prepaidpackchanges

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646 posts

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#2198154 14-Mar-2019 17:45

I got the message too and was gutted. Annoying as I and partner have both kept our plans renewed for this many years.

I am 100% against their 4 weekly renewals so I guess I’ll finally leave spark. A bit ironic they claim the new plans offer “more value” as you could not beat what we had.

steve98

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#2198157 14-Mar-2019 17:48

Nate001: I got the message too and was gutted. Annoying as I and partner have both kept our plans renewed for this many years.

I am 100% against their 4 weekly renewals so I guess I’ll finally leave spark. A bit ironic they claim the new plans offer “more value” as you could not beat what we had.

Agreed. Love this gem in the FAQ's: "We look over our packs and plans from time to time, to make sure you’re getting the best from us"

Should be followed by "We found you ARE getting the best from us, so we decided to put a stop to that."

Honestly, though, I think whoever came up with that original plan must have been on crack. $19 for a Spotify plan that is normally $15 *and* a mobile service with included data and minutes? How was there ever any margin??

KrazyKid

1238 posts

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#2198166 14-Mar-2019 18:14

I just got this text as well and laughed when the said the had reviewed to ensure the we giving me the best.
This plan was the best. I assume everyone on it still was never going to move so they kicked us off.😥

Spotify was the only reason I never moved providers and stayed with spark. Personally going to go elsewhere now. Not that they will mind. I'm sure they are not paying $15 a month for Spotify but it must be a low margin product for them.

antoniosk

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#2198170 14-Mar-2019 18:26

steve98:

I always knew this plan was too good to be true, and I've doggedly held onto it since it was grandfathered a couple of years back, but just got a text from Spark to say that the $19 Music pack w/ free spotify is finally being removed as of 15/04, along with a handful of other plans.

The $19 music plan has been perfect for my wife and I, we've very rarely gone over the data allowance thanks to the prevalence of wifi, and don't make calls via traditional mobile "minutes", and the free spotify was just a glorious cherry on top. Plus, we had the free socialiser which gave us an extra 1GB for free to use on Spotify / Facebook traffic.

I will sorely miss the plan, full info is here: https://www.spark.co.nz/prepaidpackchanges

Wasn't this also on some of their Pay Monthly plans?

________

Antoniosk

irpegg

142 posts

Master Geek

#2198176 14-Mar-2019 18:36

Yeah this is annoying, will be moving else where

Finch

2851 posts

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#2198177 14-Mar-2019 18:37

This sucks.

Bye Spark.

Edit: I read this.. "Any free offers like 10GB for Socialiser for 6 months, will also expire with your pack so we recommend you get a new Rollover Pack on or before your renewal date to keep enjoy them."

Does that mean the free 10GB per month Socaliser I signed up for a month ago, will be gone on 15th April as well?

KrazyKid

1238 posts

Uber Geek

#2198181 14-Mar-2019 18:56

I assume so. Unless you sign a new plan. Not feeling positive to spark right now so assuming the worst.

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cooljoo

89 posts

Master Geek

#2198191 14-Mar-2019 19:32

Family member was on the classic $19 plan and I got the free Spotify lol.
We were going to change the plan cuz the old plan only gave 500mb.

New $19 plan will have 1.25gb plus rollover + $6.90 for Spotify. Still the cheapest prepay deal if you want Spotify.

steve98

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#2198193 14-Mar-2019 19:33

Finch:
This sucks.

Bye Spark.

Edit: I read this.. "Any free offers like 10GB for Socialiser for 6 months, will also expire with your pack so we recommend you get a new Rollover Pack on or before your renewal date to keep enjoy them."

Does that mean the free 10GB per month Socaliser I signed up for a month ago, will be gone on 15th April as well?

Make sure you read it all properly. That only happens if you switch after your current pack has expired. If you make the change beforehand, “you’ll get to keep the extras you’re enjoying right now – like Socialiser.”

Nate001

646 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2198220 14-Mar-2019 20:32

steve98:

Agreed. Love this gem in the FAQ's: "We look over our packs and plans from time to time, to make sure you’re getting the best from us"

Should be followed by "We found you ARE getting the best from us, so we decided to put a stop to that."

Honestly, though, I think whoever came up with that original plan must have been on crack. $19 for a Spotify plan that is normally $15 *and* a mobile service with included data and minutes? How was there ever any margin??

I guess in their view we're no big loss as we probably made zero profit (even a loss?). But its not our fault someone in spark marketing decided to try undercut another company's product back when the $19 was hot competition and offer a product like this.

I never read any fine print but I just assumed if I kept paying it would continue to renew.

DjShadow

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#2198223 14-Mar-2019 20:35

Wouldn't it be easier for Spark to pull the pin on Prepay totally and move all their prepay users over to Skinny?

Nate001

646 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2198229 14-Mar-2019 20:45

DjShadow:

Wouldn't it be easier for Spark to pull the pin on Prepay totally and move all their prepay users over to Skinny?

Bigger overall market share.

Delphinus

611 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2198301 14-Mar-2019 23:09

I'm guessing the new plans don't include free Spark to Spark calling? Like Skinny & 2D offer.

Deamo

159 posts

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Inactive user

#2198356 15-Mar-2019 07:19

cooljoo:
New $19 plan will have 1.25gb plus rollover + $6.90 for Spotify. Still the cheapest prepay deal if you want Spotify.

If you stay on a $19 pack, sure.

I intend to move to warehouse mobile and pickup their 500MB data pack for $4/month, pay casual rates for texts & phone calls (2c/msg & 4c/min respectively) & pay for spotify - comes out cheaper than anyone else

netspanner

343 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2198382 15-Mar-2019 08:32

Just had a call last night from a Spark Rep. I didn't know about the change and he 'suggested' that I move to the $39.99 Rollover plan which still only gave 1GB of data.

However I think I will leave it and just get the next $19 with 50% off Spotify plan. I use spotify daily so don't want to lose it.

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