Change in Early Termination Charges?!?!

Forums › One New Zealand (including Vodafone, WxC, Farmside) › Change in Early Termination Charges?!?!

Ham

462 posts

Ultimate Geek

#55590 6-Jan-2010 17:02

I'm not saying I want to change telcos just yet (waiting for 3GB deal to finish) but I've noticed someone at Vodafone has increased the ETCs for iPhone plans (possibly others aswell?). When I signed up for 2 years the fee was $350 for my plan (iPhone 40) including GST, they then added excluding GST, and now have blatently increased the prices.

See this older GZ thread about the GST... http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=40&topicid=39526
I specifically saw "all prices above include GST" on the site before I signed up.

So does this mean if I am to terminate then I pay the price as at when I signed up? and who has a record of that? or have I just been tucked?

Not happy with the lack of transparency and the sneaky tactics at Vodafone!

Ham

462 posts

Ultimate Geek

#287496 6-Jan-2010 17:09

Just to clear it up a bit 0-6 months was $350, now it's $450+GST

I'm now in the 6months+ bracket so will be less, but it should be A LOT less than this new/modified pricing

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/iphone/plans.jsp#expander5

z2k

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#287499 6-Jan-2010 17:22

Can they do this?

bazzer

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#287500 6-Jan-2010 17:28

Of course they can, but they can't (I wouldn't think) retroactively change the ETC you agreed to. Presumably you get that in writing?

Ham

462 posts

Ultimate Geek

#287501 6-Jan-2010 17:28

Shouldn't be able to... Why not just make it $5000 Vodafone? have you realised your pricing/customer service is that bad thatyou have to trap people like this?

I've been with VF pretty much since they started here in nz, I'm pretty sure I will never sign another contract with them again now

Ham

462 posts

Ultimate Geek

#287502 6-Jan-2010 17:37

bazzer: Of course they can, but they can't (I wouldn't think) retroactively change the ETC you agreed to. Presumably you get that in writing?

No I wasn't given it in writing. If this is the case I won't be too upset, but somehow I doubt it is...

sbiddle

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#287503 6-Jan-2010 17:44

When you signed your contract you would have been advised of the termination charges. Vodafone can't change these.

They can change them however for anybody who signs up now.

Ham

462 posts

Ultimate Geek

#287504 6-Jan-2010 17:48

This is what I would think sounds fair but I'm suspicious about there being something buried deep in the t&c's somewhere saying they can change at anytime without notice

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sbiddle

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#287505 6-Jan-2010 17:48

The ETC's seem fine to me - if you cancel within 6 months you're paying an ETC that equates to approximately $50 less than buying the handset outright.

Regs

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Snowflake

#287506 6-Jan-2010 17:49

maybe there were too many ppl terminating in the 0-6mth bracket. the cost of the ETC added to the purchase price of the phone loosely equals the cost of the phone if you buy it outright. if you're planning on buying one and moving it to another network, you probably shouldnt be signing a term contract anyway.

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sbiddle

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#287507 6-Jan-2010 17:49

Ham: This is what I would think sounds fair but I'm suspicious about there being something buried deep in the t&c's somewhere saying they can change at anytime without notice

When you signed your contract you would have been presented the list of ETC's and the prices. From memory you also sign a section on the form agreeing to these. it's be highly unlikely Vodafone could change these!

Ham

462 posts

Ultimate Geek

#287508 6-Jan-2010 17:52

Regs: maybe there were too many ppl terminating in the 0-6mth bracket. the cost of the ETC added to the purchase price of the phone loosely equals the cost of the phone if you buy it outright. if you're planning on buying one and moving it to another network, you probably shouldnt be signing a term contract anyway.

Exactly, but thats not the bit I'm not happy about.. as per my first post, I'm not changing right now but who knows whats going to happen in the next 18 months

Ham

462 posts

Ultimate Geek

#287509 6-Jan-2010 17:53

sbiddle:
Ham: This is what I would think sounds fair but I'm suspicious about there being something buried deep in the t&c's somewhere saying they can change at anytime without notice

When you signed your contract you would have been presented the list of ETC's and the prices. From memory you also sign a section on the form agreeing to these. it's be highly unlikely Vodafone could change these!

Don't recall seeing anything like that, I verbally confirmed it with the CSR before I signed. I think I'm probably worried about nothing I just like to know where I stand.

sbiddle

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#287539 6-Jan-2010 18:51

Ham:
sbiddle:
Ham: This is what I would think sounds fair but I'm suspicious about there being something buried deep in the t&c's somewhere saying they can change at anytime without notice

When you signed your contract you would have been presented the list of ETC's and the prices. From memory you also sign a section on the form agreeing to these. it's be highly unlikely Vodafone could change these!

Don't recall seeing anything like that, I verbally confirmed it with the CSR before I signed. I think I'm probably worried about nothing I just like to know where I stand.

Look at your contract.

I was just speaking to somebody who pretty much confirmed the scenario being what Reg mentioned above - lots of people signing up on contracts to get cheap iPhones and then cancelling their plans which was in many cases significantly less than the outright costs. In that context what Vodafone are doing seems pretty reasonable.

Dharil

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#287546 6-Jan-2010 19:02

I haven't got an iPhone, but I know that other plans I have signed up for with vodafone (vodem, wireless landline etc) they certainly handed me a copy of my signed T&C with the termination charges outlined. I don't believe they have an out clause on the charges you agreed to at the time. If worried, perhaps go into the local vodafone store and ask to view a copy of your contract (they should be able to reprint a copy from their systems).

Ham

462 posts

Ultimate Geek

#287548 6-Jan-2010 19:05

No values mentioned on my contract (the part i have anyway).. Meh,I don't care that much, I'll worry about it if/when the time comes...