Closing account partway through month but getting charged for full month

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lokhor

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Topic # 113412 16-Jan-2013 12:46

So I rang Slingshot to cancel my account with a final date of 2 February 2013. My billing cycle is on the 18th of each month so the person on the phone told me I will have to pay for a full month of service even though I wish to cancel partway through the month.

I'm not sure if this is normal, I've been told Telecom will bill you pro rata if you cancel partway through a month.

Anyone have ideas on what I can do? I really don't see if being fair to pay from 2 February to 18 February when I won't even be living at the residence anymore.

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All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.

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Reply # 745666 16-Jan-2013 12:47

Not still in a contract term by any chance?

lokhor

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Reply # 745667 16-Jan-2013 12:53

Paulthagerous: Not still in a contract term by any chance?

Nope not as far as I am aware. Been with Slingshot since October 2011.

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johnr

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Reply # 745670 16-Jan-2013 12:56

Read the T&Cs

Behodar

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Reply # 745681 16-Jan-2013 13:28

I was briefly with Xnet a couple of years ago and their policy at the time (not sure whether this has changed since) was to charge for a full month. In my case they actually waived it as I was only about two days into the month but typically you had to pay for the whole month.

Telecom, you're right, you just pay for the partial month.

NonprayingMantis

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Reply # 745682 16-Jan-2013 13:28

yes, what does the contract you signed say. if it says you must pay a full month for any part month used then thats what you have to pay.

Batman

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Reply # 745692 16-Jan-2013 13:36

Re: "anyone knows if there's anything I can do"

you can close it at the end of your cycle

cgreenwood

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Reply # 745737 16-Jan-2013 15:18

This happened to me when switching from Vodafone to Orcon, I got stung because I was only a couple of days into the billing month but had to pay for the whole month anyway. I was doubly annoyed becuase the switchover had been handled by the new ISP (orcon) who had assured me everything would be fine, I had even enquired here on geekzone and was told by a well meaning geekzoner that I would be billed pro rata for the part used month.

I think the only way around it would be to try to time your switchover so that it is right at the end of your billing cylce, not easy when there is never any hard assurance from the new ISP of how long it might take to connect you. So to play it on the safe side you would then have to be prepared to be without internet for an unspecified period of time. Sucks either way.

macuser

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Reply # 745742 16-Jan-2013 15:23

Switch to a cheap plan if possible to reduce cost

mattwnz

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Reply # 745743 16-Jan-2013 15:26

ISPs will be different and have different terms. All the ones I have used though prorata it.

cgreenwood

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Reply # 745773 16-Jan-2013 16:06

Perhaps we could do a poll then, for those out there looking to switch so they know what they will have to do when leaving?

So far we have:

Whole Month:
Vodafone
Slingshot
Xnet

Pro Rata:
Telecom

Anyone wish to add to the list?

lokhor

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Reply # 746076 17-Jan-2013 07:24

cgreenwood: This happened to me when switching from Vodafone to Orcon, I got stung because I was only a couple of days into the billing month but had to pay for the whole month anyway. I was doubly annoyed becuase the switchover had been handled by the new ISP (orcon) who had assured me everything would be fine, I had even enquired here on geekzone and was told by a well meaning geekzoner that I would be billed pro rata for the part used month.

I think the only way around it would be to try to time your switchover so that it is right at the end of your billing cylce, not easy when there is never any hard assurance from the new ISP of how long it might take to connect you. So to play it on the safe side you would then have to be prepared to be without internet for an unspecified period of time. Sucks either way.

Sucks to hear you had the same thing happen with Vodafone.

Unfortunately I can't switch at the end of the billing cycle. I am moving house on 2nd February and don't want to have to pay another extra installation fee.

Lead Consultant @Intergen
All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.

trig42

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Reply # 746119 17-Jan-2013 08:56

Unfortunately it is just part of your moving costs.
Are they charging you to move your service/setup a new one?

lokhor

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Reply # 746121 17-Jan-2013 09:00

trig42: Unfortunately it is just part of your moving costs.
Are they charging you to move your service/setup a new one?

I'm setting up Telecom at the new place as they have better deals.

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trig42

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Reply # 746137 17-Jan-2013 09:21

AT least Telecom pro-rata your monthly bills if you change something.

lokhor

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Reply # 746191 17-Jan-2013 10:37

I contacted Slingshot about this and received the following response

As we are charged in advance to supply customers internet and homeline services, we need to pass that charge on. We can cancel the account at any point but we cannot re-rate for cancelling within a bill date sorry.

Which I guess is understandable and probably the reason why only Telecom charge pro rata.

Lead Consultant @Intergen
All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.

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