Why are Skinny so cheap? Easily most competitive at the moment for data plans.

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Why are Skinny so cheap? Easily most competitive at the moment for data plans.

Jaxson

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#304670 27-May-2023 02:21

Hi,

I need to purchase my own cellphone and data plan for a new job.
Presently on Vodafone/One for current work cellphone and home internet.

Have checked all providers for a deal on handset payment options, and then associated monthly data plans and even home broadband if there is a discount option on offer there.

Skinny seems easily the best deal at the moment, with data plans at $50 instead of similar options from the other main 3 (Vodafone, spark and 2deg) all sitting at $60.

Max speed Home broadband fibre plans are $80 instead of $89

Question is what’s the catch here?
Is the service offering still good, is the support ok (can’t be worse than some others…)

Generally are there any gotchas with Skinny as these prices are well less than others.

Thanks.

Oblivian

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#3079930 27-May-2023 07:06

Discount arm of a big player. Less frills. Focusing on online support over call etc.

Think how jetstar is to qantas. The more you can rope in of a certain market. The more profit and opportunities to pass it on a little there is.

They target no frills people looking for cheap. Thats who they get. And if they don't, big brother still does to spread the profit anyway.

https://www.skinny.co.nz/about

Wakrak

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#3079951 27-May-2023 09:15

When I was on a prepaid plan a few years back, voicemail wasn’t free. Don’t know if that is still the case today.

rscole86

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#3079952 27-May-2023 09:26

I had no issues for the few years I was with them, jumped onto one of the Kogan deals when they came up.

Make sure you check their privacy policy. https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=39&topicid=304616

farcus

1554 posts

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#3080065 27-May-2023 14:47

have been a Skinny mob customer for over ten years. never had any issues and only had one price rise in that time - $16 plan went up to $17 last month.

Joined Skinny fibre broadband in 2017 for $68 a month - have never had a price rise on that (although new customers pay a little bit more I think) - this is on the 300 / 100 plan (was 100 / 20 when I joined).
No nasties like CGNAT.
Has phone and online help - although they try to steer you to online help first by making it hard to find their phone contact number on their website - just remember the number is 08004skinny

rugrat

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#3080072 27-May-2023 15:39

No catch, Spark just relying on brand loyalty for Spark and for people looking for lower price they have Skinny. That way they can charge people prepared to pay more without losing ones looking for better deal.

Spark has some exclusive services though like eSIM etc, but if for smart watch costs as an add on and with their higher prices starts to add up.

Haven’t needed support so can’t answer on how that is. Had Skinny mobile since 2018, no issues. Also 5G works on it, which is free at moment but maybe charged as add on in future.

Both use same network, under settings, mobile on phone network selection is Spark NZ.

Also Skinny webpage shows voice mail is free on $20 weekly plans, and on $40 or higher 28 day plans. Otherwise 18 cents per access.

sudara

7 posts

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#3080210 28-May-2023 09:00

Have you check out Kogan? Should be the cheapest

ajw

1932 posts

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#3080271 28-May-2023 10:40

sudara: Have you check out Kogan? Should be the cheapest

Kogan is the cheapest especially when they have a discount promo on their 12 month plans.

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Batman

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#3080295 28-May-2023 12:15

Jaxson: Hi,

I need to purchase my own cellphone and data plan for a new job.
Presently on Vodafone/One for current work cellphone and home internet.

Have checked all providers for a deal on handset payment options, and then associated monthly data plans and even home broadband if there is a discount option on offer there.

Skinny seems easily the best deal at the moment, with data plans at $50 instead of similar options from the other main 3 (Vodafone, spark and 2deg) all sitting at $60.

Max speed Home broadband fibre plans are $80 instead of $89

Question is what’s the catch here?
Is the service offering still good, is the support ok (can’t be worse than some others…)

Generally are there any gotchas with Skinny as these prices are well less than others.

Thanks.

on skinny since day 1. same as spark not 1 issue.

everywhere i go skinny >>>> kogan from poor voda coverage. galaxy S22 Ultra. no idea why. will not renew my 12m 15GB kogan plan when it's up as it's useless to me.

openmedia

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#3095823 28-Jun-2023 14:01

rugrat:

Spark has some exclusive services though like eSIM etc, but if for smart watch costs as an add on and with their higher prices starts to add up.

Given the rise of eSIM I don't understand why it would be restricted to Spark. I'd love to move my physical SIM to eSIM but that means moving off Skinny

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.