Double Talk Time

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Double Talk Time

scooby101

59 posts

Master Geek

#44738 29-Oct-2009 10:33

http://store.telecom.co.nz/mobile/special-offers/double-your-minutes-offer

At first glance I'm pretty sure this offer is only available to customers who sign to a new plan.

I understand that it's an offer to drive new customer connections, but it is really a pretty huge offer and it annoys me that anyone signing up from now gets double what I as an existing customer do. I signed to a 24 month One Rate 250 plan in June, and pay $99.95 a month. A new customer signing up can pay just $49.95 a month and get almost as many minutes (200).

I wouldn't have a problem if it were, say, double your minutes for 3 months - but the fact of the matter is that I've been a Telecom customer for YEARS, and now someone who hasn't been can come along and pay half what I do for a very similar plan for their ENTIRE contract term. It's a great offer for people joining the network, but what about helping out those of us who are already loyal customers?

Is anyone else in the same situation p*ssed off about this, or am I just being a sad sack?

Behodar

7007 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#268011 29-Oct-2009 10:56

The terms are very brief and vague. It says "sign up to any 24 month One Rate double talk time plan" yet I can't find any plan called "One Rate double talk time". Another page says "sign up to any 24 month One Rate plan". You've already done that, so by the letter of it I'd think you were eligible for the promotion as you've fulfilled its requirement.

Having said that, the terms and conditions don't typically mean anything to Telecom. Shortly after joining XT, I was overcharged. When I contacted Telecom about it, their response was to amend the T&Cs to match my bill, rather than charge me as the terms had originally stated. I can picture them doing something similar here.

sbiddle

28947 posts

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Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#268192 29-Oct-2009 17:16

The plan is only available to new customers, not existing signups.

For many people it would be worth the effort to cancel your contract and resign.

exportgoldman

1200 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#268219 29-Oct-2009 18:26

Does it apply to post pay casual customers as well? It's almost worth it for me, but I'm still a bit hesitant to sign another Telco contract. 2 Years... Hmmmm, Perhaps if it was for a year.

Whats more interesting is their...

NON-STOP TEXT
$12.00

Anyone, any NZ network, anytime
Telecom terms & Fair Use Policy apply

Now thats a good deal! Stops people carrying two phones (one Telecom, one Vodafone.)

Tyler - Parnell Geek - iPhone 3G - Lenovo X301 - Kaseya - Great Western Steak House, these are some of my favourite things.

friendlymonkey

176 posts

Master Geek

#268226 29-Oct-2009 18:45

The terms and conditions for the double talk time are so vague.
If you read them you would think that existing customers would get the bonus minutes also.
The conditions do not say for new sign ups only.

I think this is very very misleading... trots off to comcom

BAD ON YOU TELECOM

[Update] Complaint lodged with Commerce Commission.. why not lodge one online as well?

nzbnw

2369 posts

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Spark

#268268 29-Oct-2009 20:42

Ok here's the deal for clarity;

Double your minutes is available to new and upgrading customers committing to a 24month contract term on a Combo or One Rate plan.

friendlymonkey; How is this misleading? The website states you need to signup for 24months. If you are currently in contract you would be unable to sign a new contract as your existing one had not run it's course unless you paid disconnection fee's?

nzbnw

scooby101

59 posts

Master Geek

#268308 29-Oct-2009 21:58

friendlymonkey: The terms and conditions for the double talk time are so vague.
If you read them you would think that existing customers would get the bonus minutes also.
The conditions do not say for new sign ups only.

I think this is very very misleading... trots off to comcom

BAD ON YOU TELECOM

[Update] Complaint lodged with Commerce Commission.. why not lodge one online as well?

Telecom's offer terms are always ambiguous to the point of frustration and confusion. I wouldn't necessarily say misleading, as what they DO say tends to be pretty black and white, but I think they could be a lot more specific than they are as it's more about what they DON'T say. At the very least it should state that the offer is eligible to new and re-signing customers only.

scooby101

59 posts

Master Geek

#268312 29-Oct-2009 22:01

sbiddle: The plan is only available to new customers, not existing signups.

For many people it would be worth the effort to cancel your contract and resign.

To be honest I'm more likely to cancel my contract and not re-sign!

I think they've gone about it the wrong way - it marginalises existing loyal customers when you offer something with so many benefits to people who aren't on the network yet. If the offer was for a portion of the contract term as an incentive I'd have no problem with it, but it's essentially a cheaper set of plans for new customers than what current customers get. If it's going to be an entire contract term worth of benefits, either offer it to everyone or no one.

nzbnw

2369 posts

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Spark

#268321 29-Oct-2009 22:07

Without knowing the details of your contract, you may have been offered something (i.e. handset etc) that is not on offer currently. Offers change, usually every month or two. As such you signed to a contact that suited you at the time.

You can of course take the matter up with 123, 126 or your account manager.

nzbnw

scooby101

59 posts

Master Geek

#268332 29-Oct-2009 22:17

nzbnw: Without knowing the details of your contract, you may have been offered something (i.e. handset etc) that is not on offer currently. Offers change, usually every month or two. As such you signed to a contact that suited you at the time.

You can of course take the matter up with 123, 126 or your account manager.

nzbnw

I got a $299 voucher, but I don't consider this to be terribly special because a voucher of significant value towards a new handset was offered to every customer. Irrelevant now anyway, as I'm using an iPhone purchased outright while still being locked in for 2 years due to using the voucher.

I'm not going to bother to take it up with anyone, because Telecom is entirely in the right here as per their terms. I'm not saying I'm owed anything from the offer. I'm saying that I find the offer itself is a kick in the face to existing customers, but I can't do much about that because the offer is what it is.