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mattwnz

20141 posts

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  #587904 28-Feb-2012 16:20
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codyc1515:
mattwnz:
codyc1515:
mattwnz: My last experience buying a telecom sim last year, it cost $30, but it came with $30 credit, so effectively the card was free.
Also 2d used to sell $2 and $5 sims, but now only sell $10 ones, and when I got a $2 one a few years ago, I believe it did have $2 credit on it. So what was the difference between the $2, $5 and $10 cards? I thought the $10 sim would at least come with something, say $5 and the webpage did imply free credit, but that was obviously a mistake.

If you don't want to pay $10 for the SIM nobody is forcing you to buy it.


You missed my point. I assumed, because the welcome page implied free credit, that it would come with some free credit. They have now removed that text after I pointed it out to them, so it was obviously a mistake, as it was misleading to customers. But $10 just for a card, when they were $2, or $5 not that long ago, is quite a huge price increase, if they don't include some credit on it too. I think it should say if it includes credit on it or not, it doesn't mention what it actually covers.
I probably wouldn't have bothered switching from vodafone if I had known it would be quite a hassle (eg not working on my nokia 1100 phone due to the firmware), and effectively it cost me $10 to switch.

If it said on the packet $10 credit when you brought it and that was not the case and it did not have a clause saying they could change it then you might have a case. Otherwise, tough luck.


It was on the welcome page, that mentioned the free credit. I didn't see any packet prior to purchase, as it was purchased through their website, so I was referring to their welcom page.



talisker
65 posts

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  #588371 29-Feb-2012 15:20
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It's astonishing that any operators actually charge you for the SIM card. Even it they're not 5c, they are still very cheap items for the operators. Customers get SIM cars so they can spend money on your network - why on earth would you charge them for that? Doh!

johnr
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  #588374 29-Feb-2012 15:24
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talisker: It's astonishing that any operators actually charge you for the SIM card. Even it they're not 5c, they are still very cheap items for the operators. Customers get SIM cars so they can spend money on your network - why on earth would you charge them for that? Doh!


Some customers don't spend any $$$ per year



Toiletduck
119 posts

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  #588375 29-Feb-2012 15:26
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I suppose people could get the free SIM, activate them for the free credit and then discard them after using  the credit. There would be a cost in that case.

ajw

ajw
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  #588376 29-Feb-2012 15:27
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That's why they have casual rates.

codyc1515
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  #588391 29-Feb-2012 15:57
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Toiletduck: I suppose people could get the free SIM, activate them for the free credit and then discard them after using  the credit. There would be a cost in that case.

I'll admit that I have on occasion done this. In return I don't mind paying the full price. This is, I would guess, the reason why the SIM on a Contract is free.

ajw: That's why they have casual rates.

Doesn't really matter if they never top-up.

keewee01
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  #588429 29-Feb-2012 16:35
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codyc1515:
Toiletduck: I suppose people could get the free SIM, activate them for the free credit and then discard them after using  the credit. There would be a cost in that case.

I'll admit that I have on occasion done this. In return I don't mind paying the full price. This is, I would guess, the reason why the SIM on a Contract is free.

ajw: That's why they have casual rates.

Doesn't really matter if they never top-up.


+1

 
 
 

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SaltyNZ
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  #588432 29-Feb-2012 16:38
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talisker: It's astonishing that any operators actually charge you for the SIM card. Even it they're not 5c, they are still very cheap items for the operators. Customers get SIM cars so they can spend money on your network - why on earth would you charge them for that? Doh!


Alright, let me break it down again --

SIM:
  • Manufacture & Programming ICC
  • Screenprinting ICC
  • Print packaging
  • Shipping to NZ

Distribution:

  • Warehousing
  • Picking & Packing
  • Shipping
  • Dealer commissions

Network:
  • HLR hardware capacity & software licensing
  • IN (prepay & postpay) hardware capacity & licensing
  • Other network element hardware capacity & licensing, operator dependent

Then you have all the indirect costs involved with managing those things. It's NOT 5c a SIM. Ultimately the retail price is 'whatever marketing want it to be' but the above are just the items I can think of off the top of my head that contribute to the wholesale cost. Some of those - especially dealer commissions - are often larger than the retail cost of the SIM, even at the 'outrageously expensive' price points.
 




iPad Pro 11" + iPhone 15 Pro Max + 2degrees 4tw!

 

These comments are my own and do not represent the opinions of 2degrees.


ajw

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  #588545 29-Feb-2012 20:43
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Slightly OT but watch the price of SIMS, handsets, and pricing drop prior to CDMA switch off  on  30 July.

codyc1515
1598 posts

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  #588622 29-Feb-2012 23:14
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ajw: Slightly OT but watch the price of SIMS, handsets, and pricing drop prior to CDMA switch off  on  30 July.

This seems inevitable.

keewee01
1737 posts

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  #588689 1-Mar-2012 09:00
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codyc1515:
ajw: Slightly OT but watch the price of SIMS, handsets, and pricing drop prior to CDMA switch off  on  30 July.

This seems inevitable.


+1

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