[TelstraClear] Bait and Switch

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networkn

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# 95905 16-Jan-2012 16:45

Hi There!

Recently I agreed to sign up for a 20/20Mbps fibre connection through TCL resold through another ISP.

Installation was $1250 and term 1 year. Got a rate from them accordingly.

They have done a "site scope" and after nearly 8 weeks said they won't complete until I sign a 3 year contract with them.

This is the 4th time in a row I have had this happen (We also provision on behalf of clients) for other services as well.

Is anyone else experiencing this whole forcing 3 years thing happening?

Seems like it started half way through last year.

I am not particularly impressed to say the least. Seems questionable to me.

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# 569536 16-Jan-2012 16:50

Telstra have been pretty nasty around UFB area's, We've seen many people being signed into 2-3 year terms with Telstra via door to door salesmen on streets where fiber has been laid but isn't active yet.

It's rather sneaky

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freitasm

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# 569538 16-Jan-2012 16:54

networkn: Recently I agreed to sign up for a 20/20Mbps fibre connection through TCL resold through another ISP.

Instead of going on TCL, why not name and shame the ISP that's actually doing the deal?

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mattwnz

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# 569540 16-Jan-2012 16:54

networkn: Hi There!

Recently I agreed to sign up for a 20/20Mbps fibre connection through TCL resold through another ISP.

Installation was $1250 and term 1 year. Got a rate from them accordingly.

They have done a "site scope" and after nearly 8 weeks said they won't complete until I sign a 3 year contract with them.

This is the 4th time in a row I have had this happen (We also provision on behalf of clients) for other services as well.

Is anyone else experiencing this whole forcing 3 years thing happening?

Seems like it started half way through last year.
?
I am not particularly impressed to say the least. Seems questionable to me.
?

Locking in for that amount of time isn't good. Prices are only going to come down.

networkn

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# 569545 16-Jan-2012 17:13

freitasm : Because it's not the ISP who has changed their mind. TCL agreed to provision and then have said they will only do so on a longer contract (citing higher installation costs blah blah). Even when I have dealt with TCL myself directly for other customers, they have done the same thing.

snnet

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# 569604 16-Jan-2012 19:39

networkn: freitasm : Because it's not the ISP who has changed their mind. TCL agreed to provision and then have said they will only do so on a longer contract (citing higher installation costs blah blah). Even when I have dealt with TCL myself directly for other customers, they have done the same thing.

...so....
you went with TCL as a provider after knowing they do this type of thing because... ? is it their fibre?

networkn

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# 569667 16-Jan-2012 21:42

...so.....

I went with the only provider available to me, because they OFFERED me a contract of 12 months. It wasn't till after this, what seems a little strange became entirely suspicious.

Thanks for your unhelpful sarcasm.

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# 569668 16-Jan-2012 21:44

I don't read it as sarcasm, but a valid question.

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networkn

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# 569670 16-Jan-2012 21:47

The use of a drawn out .... so.... is most definitely sarcasm.

It also adds nothing to the discussion, IMHO.

freitasm

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# 569671 16-Jan-2012 21:48

Only if you want to be always right about everything ;)

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networkn

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# 569672 16-Jan-2012 21:49

freitasm: Only if you want to be always right about everything ;)

You can agree with me, or you can be wrong :)

snnet

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# 569694 16-Jan-2012 22:48

networkn:
freitasm: Only if you want to be always right about everything ;)

You can agree with me, or you can be wrong :)

I'm sorry if you think I'm being sarcastic, I was just trying to work out how a seemingly intelligent (I've read your other posts) ended up in this situation! Did you really not expect it, though?? Can you go with anyone else? Did you know you'd be dealing with TCL?
That was all I was trying to work out. Yes I realise you've answered the only provider question.

networkn

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# 569700 16-Jan-2012 23:00

Well at the time I logged my case, (October) I had this happen only a few times, and put it down to difficult installation, but in the meantime another few instances occurred, then it happened to me as well. It seems to be that TCL is providing quotes they have no intention of honouring, in the hope they can get 3 year contracts from people using a bait and switch type arrangement. There isn't another cost effective alternative in my area for Fibre and if there was I would have picked them.

My ISP has gone to bat for me and I should hear back tomorrow but honestly I don't hold out much hope. The reason they gave was the installation was more than they expected, but originally access to the Fibre was coming via a much longer route so it should actually be cheaper.