more of just an observation more than anything else.

So just got myself a GSM dialer to hook up to my home alarm, the GSM dialer directly emails using data or TXT preset numbers depending on what is happening with the house alarm, so I done a bit of looking around to see which phone company had what kind of offers regarding a prepay and a data allowance, Telecom was pretty much ruled out as it is a 2G GSM device, so it was vodafone or 2degrees

Both offer a prepay service, both have a 50MB $6 data add on that can auto renew as long as there is credit, Vodafone was a bit more expensive for TXT's but as I already have 2 phones on account and a prepay with them I thought I would go with them. Off to the vodafone store at Te Awa, Hamilton, 'Super Pre pay sim please", no problem sir $30...... ok does that come with preloaded credit?....no. Can you do a better price on that, 2Degrees  oppoisite them have sim's for $5 and cheaper rates. Sorry sir, ok I currently also run 2 on account phones, another pre pay, and my home line/broadband thru vodafone, can you do any kind of a deal?......no.

Ok see you, walk across the mall to 2Degrees, get a $5 sim and load some credit and i'm away.

Go figure, I tried to give my business to Vodafone, I tried the loyal customer bit, I tried the i'll go to the other mobile phone carrier threat, still no go.
To be fair, it's not going to exactly be a high earner for Vodafone, $6/month and the cost of any additional texts, but as an existing customer I'm already spending around $200 a month with them.

What it comes down to is customer retention, when it comes to getting a new phone plan I will quite possibly start looking somewhere else rather than just keep it rolling over with VF. Maybe the same will happen with my home line/broadband, wouldn't mind VDSL, other operators in the area can offer it to me, but VF can't (or won't)

anyway can't really figure out why VF don't want to compete, but it tends to turn off customers any make them go elsewhere.

BTW, VF if you would like to send me out a prepay sim card I will be more than happy to switch