Retention offers from Spark

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Retention offers from Spark

gmball

568 posts

Ultimate Geek

#248821 11-Apr-2019 13:52

Has anyone been offered any retention offer to stay with Spark?

We have come off our 12 month Fibre contract and now being charged $104 per month for 100/20 Fibre.

Everyone I have compared are significantly cheaper, with the likes of Big Pipe being far cheaper without even taking into account their offer of 3 months free.

I can’t fathom any reason to stay with Spark, however they provide a good service so would stay if there was a sweeter deal available to better match the competition.

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428 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2215035 11-Apr-2019 14:08

Have you looked at the Unplan?

https://www.spark.co.nz/shop/internet/unplan/

jonathan18

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#2215042 11-Apr-2019 14:30

I am (or was) in the same position as you - our 12-month contract with Spark ended last week. In preparation for this coming around, a few weeks ago I asked whether there was anything enticing that would encourage me to remain, given the monthly fee is comparatively high.

Essentially, as linked above, the best they could offer was the Unplan, as linked to above; TBH, that's a pretty good deal, especially if you're already paying for Netflix ($95 for unlimited 100/20, Lightbox and Netflix). Overall, I calculate we'll save $125 over the year by shifting to 2Degrees, which really isn't a huge amount.

Also, don't forget the 30 days' notice if you decide to shift from Spark...

gmball

568 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2215043 11-Apr-2019 14:35

Looked at the unplan, but given we use around 200gb per month, their 100/20 plan is $89.99 per month.

Comparing Bigpipe which runs on the same equipment, they are $79.99 per month which with the 3 months free works out to be approx $59 per month.

I’m not sure I can justify an extra $30 per month for basically the same thing? Or am I missing something?

hio77

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Lizard Networks

#2215045 11-Apr-2019 14:40

With the existence of unplan, we do not have rolling credits.

It's one of the differentiators in that product offering.

Skinny and Bigpipe offer no frills options on the spark network.

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

jonathan18

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#2215046 11-Apr-2019 14:44

Well, personally I'd not go back to Bigpipe - they were fine when I first started with them, but their service certainly deteriorated. I'd also not look again at an ISP that doesn't provide a phone-based call centre as that can really be a 'mare.

Have you checked out the 2Degrees offering? On a one-year contract - $200 credit, $85 a month, includes Amazon Prime.

gmball

568 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2215069 11-Apr-2019 15:06

jonathan18:

Well, personally I'd not go back to Bigpipe - they were fine when I first started with them, but their service certainly deteriorated. I'd also not look again at an ISP that doesn't provide a phone-based call centre as that can really be a 'mare.

Have you checked out the 2Degrees offering? On a one-year contract - $200 credit, $85 a month, includes Amazon Prime.

Thanks, will take a look at 2Degrees as sounds like a great option.

rendezvous

194 posts

Master Geek

#2215070 11-Apr-2019 15:07

I assume if I change providers (my term is coming to an end too), then I’ll have to give 30 days notice to avoid getting billed for nothing?

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gmball

568 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2215071 11-Apr-2019 15:09

rendezvous: I assume if I change providers (my term is coming to an end too), then I’ll have to give 30 days notice to avoid getting billed for nothing?

From what I understand, you sign up with the new provider first, and ask them to connect you in say 25 days, then phone Spark and provide your 30 days notice. You end up paying for 5 extra days of Spark but avoid being without service.

gmball

568 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2215075 11-Apr-2019 15:13

Seems a shame for Spark that given their new Unplan doesn't stack up with the competition, many of those coming off their 12 month terms are looking to switch.

The Unplan sort of makes sense for wireless users and low volume usage, but I can't imagine many Fibre users using less than 120gb per month, so most will be comparing the most expensive Unplan option.

Its almost like the idea of Unplan flys in the the face of Fibre and most moving to unlimited plans.

rugrat

3106 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2215107 11-Apr-2019 16:06

If you are streaming Netflix, Light Box unlikely to drop below 120 GB a month, so Unplan benefits unlikely to kick in.

Spark seem to lose a few customers once year is up on the $10 discount for 100/20 and now they won't negotiate as Unplan seems to be the ultimate deal in their eyes.

They were real professional when I left, as I wanted to keep my phone number, Spark said they'd wait until they get the port order from 2degrees before they do anything and they'd count the 30 days from my phone call.

I think there was a 5 day overlap in that 30 days but from what I can tell they just charged me 25 days.

If subscribe to Netflix and can get 1 year of free Netflix from Spark (+$10 month Entertainment), that is a good deal, it was only 6 months when I left.

jonathan18

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#2215110 11-Apr-2019 16:12

You can tell Spark to close your account, which starts the 30 day clock, but ensure you arrange provisioning with the new ISP for a date that is prior to when that 30 day period is up. Eg, my new connection will be happen on May 2, but the 30 days will be up on the 5th, so I ”waste” only three days.

I got helpful replies to the same q on this thread: https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumId=81&topicId=248651

lookout

626 posts

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#2215147 11-Apr-2019 16:13

I'd recommend jumping on the online chat. Ask what they can offer you before leaving.

jonathan18

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#2215150 11-Apr-2019 16:17

lookout:
I'd recommend jumping on the online chat. Ask what they can offer you before leaving.

As I already mentioned I did this a 2-3 weeks back and was told Unplan was as good as they could offer. A Spark employee has essentially confirmed this too.

jonathan18

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#2215157 11-Apr-2019 16:21

Interesting piece on Unplan, making the same point made above, that the data caps are really low, given the current average monthly usage, which is continuing to grow.

https://www.noted.co.nz/tech/spark-unplan-dead-on-arrival/

loceff13

1065 posts

Uber Geek

#2215196 11-Apr-2019 18:19

The Unplan Entertainment 12 month offer seems decent value to me, think we will take another 12 month term when our current one ends.

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