False advertisement/bait and switch from Trust Power

Forums › New Zealand Broadband › False advertisement/bait and switch from Trust Power

zyo

513 posts

Ultimate Geek

#208570 17-Feb-2017 12:23

Hi Guys

Received a brochure from Trustpower in the mail (I am in Remuera) with offer of a Samsung TV (49 inch curved) if I sign up for 24months contract with power + UFB 200/20

https://www.trustpower.co.nz/samsung49

According to the offer page the eligible plan costs 79 dollars p/m (just for 200/20 UFB, I am sure power won't be as competitive as Flicks which I am currently using but for a new TV I am happy to fork out a little extra).

But when I tried to sign up on the phone I was told the plan costs 129 instead.

Just wondering if you guys experienced anything like this with Trustpower? If it's a website error I think they got ample time to fix it before sending out the brochure.

Time to lay a Comcom complaint?

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#1721785 17-Feb-2017 12:41

What did they say when you called them to ask?

zyo

513 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1721786 17-Feb-2017 12:42

After a quick forum search looks like there is a common theme with Trustpower, what a dodgy company, will probably stay clear.

zyo

513 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1721792 17-Feb-2017 12:45

timmmay:

What did they say when you called them to ask?

I was told the 79 dollar pricing is a "special offer" and does not come with the TV, I have to pay for "standard pricing" which is 129 for the TV offer.

Despite the fact it was listed under "Choose an Ultra Fast Broadband Plan & TV"

michaelmurfy

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#1721806 17-Feb-2017 12:57

Protip - don't accept the bait which can involve Microsoft Products, PS4's or TV's. Even though it is an appealing offer you're better to be with a provider that doesn't offer such things and offers a fair deal instead. You could then save the difference you'll otherwise be paying for such an offer (in my case with this Trustpower offer it would be around $140/mo) and grab something you really want like KFC.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
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vexxxboy

4243 posts

Uber Geek

#1721812 17-Feb-2017 13:05

Trustpower have already been taken to court and fined for misleading advertising , you would think they would have learned something.

Common sense is not as common as you think.

tripp

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#1721816 17-Feb-2017 13:09

Go over all the T&C's and if it does not exclude the $79 plan that it is offering to you then sign up and sue the pants off them for false advertising :)

tripp

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#1721818 17-Feb-2017 13:12

Man there T&C's are not even correct, it's not even the 20th Feb and they have the following in it.

Terms & Conditions Effective 20 February 2017

Equinox IT

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Coil

6614 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1721820 17-Feb-2017 13:15

Lol a $700-$1300 exit fee is applied if you terminate your power or broadband.

An additional exit fee of $59 per month will be charged till the remainder of the 12 months.

Apparently some $15 discount?

15% discount for power bill if paid prompt.

It seems the new way to acquire customers is deception. Also if you take this deal there is no chance you will ever break the contract as its super penalizing. So its just bait to get you through the door.

Hmm. Avoid...

zyo

513 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1721831 17-Feb-2017 13:38

michaelmurfy:

Protip - don't accept the bait which can involve Microsoft Products, PS4's or TV's. Even though it is an appealing offer you're better to be with a provider that doesn't offer such things and offers a fair deal instead. You could then save the difference you'll otherwise be paying for such an offer (in my case with this Trustpower offer it would be around $140/mo) and grab something you really want like KFC.

If it was 79 for 200/20 it's really not bad.

dacraka

766 posts

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#1721835 17-Feb-2017 13:49

I had the same thing with Vodafone, they said either select one special off or another special offer and can't combine both special offer (which actually sounds legit to me if you think about it).

GregF

52 posts

Master Geek

#1721858 17-Feb-2017 14:36

michaelmurfy:

Protip - grab something you really want like KFC.

Dinner = Sorted.

Linux

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#1721902 17-Feb-2017 16:05

Friends don't let friends join Trust Power Internet

Linux

mattwnz

20141 posts

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#1721930 17-Feb-2017 16:36

tripp:

Go over all the T&C's and if it does not exclude the $79 plan that it is offering to you then sign up and sue the pants off them for false advertising :)

Couldn't they just claim they made an error, and forgot to include that clause. eg if someone prices something incorrect on a website, supposedly they don't have to sell it to you under the contractual mistakes act, even though they are possibly breaching the FTA..

In this case I would ask them exactly where it says they can't sign up to the $79 plan, if it doesn't say that in the terms. However as it says it doesn't start until the 20th, then maybe this deal doesn't yet apply, so you may want to wait a few days and then sign up? It does look like quite a good deal on the $79 plan, if that does apply.

I have just tried the form, and it quoted me $119 for fibre to 200/20 unlimited, which looks to be the same price as the standalone broadband plan. It isn't showing any $79 plan for me. HOw is it show those $59 and $79 plans for you? Maybe they have fixed it?

tripp

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#1721935 17-Feb-2017 16:49

mattwnz:

tripp:

Go over all the T&C's and if it does not exclude the $79 plan that it is offering to you then sign up and sue the pants off them for false advertising :)

Couldn't they just claim they made an error, and forgot to include that clause. eg if someone prices something incorrect on a website, supposedly they don't have to sell it to you under the contractual mistakes act, even though they are possibly breaching the FTA..

In this case I would ask them exactly where it says they can't sign up to the $79 plan, if it doesn't say that in the terms. However as it says it doesn't start until the 20th, then maybe this deal doesn't yet apply, so you may want to wait a few days and then sign up? It does look like quite a good deal on the $79 plan, if that does apply.

If you can't get it on the $79 plan then it should not be on the website. Also if they can't get their own T&C's correct they should not be in business.

If it was me and i signed up I would be taking screen shots etc of everything now and once signed up you could cancel and be under their current as of the 17th Feb T&C's (whatever they are) with a new TV. If they tried to charge you the 1100 etc to cancel then you could always take them to the disputes tribunal saying those are not the T&C's you signed up under.

There have been a couple of companies I know of that have had "interesting" runs in with the Disputes Tribunal for not following or getting their own T&C's correct.

mattwnz

20141 posts

Uber Geek

#1721953 17-Feb-2017 18:03

I can't see any problems with the promo myself. Although I can't seen any plans that are $59 or $79. The cheapest UFB plan for me that is showing is $89, but it shows I need to signup to the $119 plan to get the 49 inch TV. IMO that is a pretty good deal and may take them up on it if I didn't have 8 months on my current contact with my current provider. 24 months is quite a bit of time, but for that speed of plan, I would be paying about the same amount, but end up with a free tv, which is never a bad thing. Maybe they have a problem with their website, and the plans it is displaying for certain addresses?

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