Bestmate 1000

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HiJinx

253 posts

Ultimate Geek

Geekstore

#61828 24-May-2010 20:36

So as some of you may have heard, Vodafone announced they're changing Bestmate to Bestmate 1000, which includes 1000txts and 1000mins to your Bestmate.

Doesn't bother me too much as I don't send that many txts on Bestmate, but what are your thoughts?

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johnr

19282 posts

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#334220 24-May-2010 20:38

There is already a thread going somewhere and a thread on the Vodafone forum a few people complaining

http://forum.vodafone.co.nz/topic/5101-changing-the-bestmate-plan-defies-any-logic/

John

itxtme

2102 posts

Uber Geek

#334276 24-May-2010 22:49

Hmm a little disappointing I think. It will not effect me now as I use very little call time with my partner now. However when she was away studying I spoke to her quite a bit on the phone. I averaged out that I would have surpassed the 1,000 minutes!

On a 30 day month it equates to 33 minutes a day. Now that seems like quite a bit but not a lot! And the interesting thing is Paul stated on the Vodafone forum that they were changing the scheme to combat individuals misusing the system. The example he gave was as a baby monitor. Whole heartedly agree with that kind of use - but lets look at the minutes for this.

8 hour average (babies sleep more than this) on a 30 day month = 14,400 minutes

This is where I get a little annoyed as these minutes are VERY different - why not a little fairer something more like 2000 minutes ??

SteveON

1916 posts

Uber Geek

#334278 24-May-2010 22:51

I have been reading the forum, basically as far as I can tell the people who are complaining that they send more than 1000 texts to their best mates are really just a waste of time.

Unfortunately most of the people online who make the noise are just children. 1000 minutes is plenty for any common person. If your talking that much on a phone per week to your best mate, why not go see them or move in?

Really Vodafone may loose 500 customers, which I highly doubt because they are locked into the on-net texting and calling.

Its almost like the big time plan, just set a limit that only 5% of the customers will ever reach, that 5% who abuse the system should just accept it or move on.

I am waiting for the day, the one day that our market is competitive enough for semi-unlimited calling any network. But we do not have the population to sustain such a plan. Forgive me if I am wrong, but I was told that due to New Zealand's landscape; to service the same amount of population 2x the towers are needed to cover similar regions commonly seen overseas. Not to mention the rules set about the height of towers limits how effective each tower can be.

So what I am saying is that due to the cost of infrastructure and lack of population, such plans will be uneconomical for a long time and I believe Vodafone have done the right thing.

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#334347 25-May-2010 09:58

1000 minutes to only one number is huge.

One reason they are changing it IMO is so they can promote it along the same lines as other plans i.e. $x of value for only $6. where X is standard per minute rate x 1000.

with an unlimited plan they cannot do that comparison - it would be infinite value, which is silly.

SteveON

1916 posts

Uber Geek

#334368 25-May-2010 10:30

NonprayingMantis: 1000 minutes to only one number is huge.

One reason they are changing it IMO is so they can promote it along the same lines as other plans i.e. $x of value for only $6. where X is standard per minute rate x 1000.

with an unlimited plan they cannot do that comparison - it would be infinite value, which is silly.

Pay $12 and get 1Million dollars worth of value muhahahah... sound about right?

Delorean

651 posts

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#334385 25-May-2010 11:04

Typical, as mentioned before, if you say 'unlimited' everyone is happy, whilst 95% would never use it.

As soon as any company puts a 'cap' on it, then people complain. In most cases most people won't care, it's the 5% of the users who are complaining are the ones who are exceeding the 1000 mins.

whilst this is perceived as negative, I think its something that needs to be done, what's the old saying, if you give an inch, they take a mile ??

The reality is the 1000 mins for $6 is good value. if you need to talk for more than 1000 mins, go 'on account' which I understand is still 'unlimited'

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SteveON

1916 posts

Uber Geek

#334408 25-May-2010 11:35

Delorean: Typical, as mentioned before, if you say 'unlimited' everyone is happy, whilst 95% would never use it.

As soon as any company puts a 'cap' on it, then people complain. In most cases most people won't care, it's the 5% of the users who are complaining are the ones who are exceeding the 1000 mins.

whilst this is perceived as negative, I think its something that needs to be done, what's the old saying, if you give an inch, they take a mile ??

The reality is the 1000 mins for $6 is good value. if you need to talk for more than 1000 mins, go 'on account' which I understand is still 'unlimited'

I think its an amazing deal, when people have something taken away they see it as of right an complain even to the point of threatening to leave, but the deal is still bloody awesome and everyone knows it.

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johnr

19282 posts

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#334411 25-May-2010 11:43

If it was Bestmate 10,000 complaints would still happen (just less)

Delorean

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#334414 25-May-2010 11:46

johnr: If it was Bestmate 10,000 complaints would still happen (just less)

you are quite correct John. I always wonder why everyone wants something for nothing, they want the goods but are not willing to pay the price they are worth.

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Blindspot

58 posts

Master Geek

#334438 25-May-2010 12:15

There are always going to be that 5% ab-users that complain. I'd say be grateful you had it good for so long... and move on ;)

If I had my way, shortly after BestMate was launched there would have been a very clear fair use policy.

Part of my role is to ensure network quality. My early investigations showed a large increase in 4+ hr phone calls... and the internal resources required to police fair use was not practical. Sensible limits based on 95% of your customers is a step forward, one I was not aware was on the board.

We are trying to do best for our customers. These customers don't like network congestion, they don't like drop calls due to network congestion... .. I am grateful :)

simon14

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#334661 25-May-2010 17:42

Remember, you can still get Bestmates with no cap by going on account.

johnr

19282 posts

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#334663 25-May-2010 17:47

simon14:
Remember, you can still get Bestmates with no cap by going on account.

and it includes PXT

simon14

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#334665 25-May-2010 17:53

johnr:
simon14:
Remember, you can still get Bestmates with no cap by going on account.

and it includes PXT

And it's cheaper... $10 for 2 and $12 for 3 vs $12 for 2 and $18 for 3 on Supa Prepay.

Peppery

919 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#334858 26-May-2010 00:56

NonprayingMantis: 1000 minutes to only one number is huge.

One reason they are changing it IMO is so they can promote it along the same lines as other plans i.e. $x of value for only $6. where X is standard per minute rate x 1000.

with an unlimited plan they cannot do that comparison - it would be infinite value, which is silly.

30 days = 43,200 minutes * 89c/min = $3,844,800 worth of calling value.

Seems like a good deal to me!