Stealth fees

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › Stealth fees

UncleArthur

197 posts

Master Geek

#194914 29-Mar-2016 23:04

So, I used to be on 100/20 UFB.

I decided I wanted to try 200/20 to see if I would notice much difference.

So, I put in the additional speed boost request, and after a while my speed increased to 200/20 (yay).

I tried it for a month, and concluded that although there was a good benchmark increase, in terms of real world experience it wasn't overly noticeable.

Thinking to myself, "Well, that was an interesting experiment, I think I'll go back to 100/20 again....", I put in the request only to be told there is a $50 fee for reducing speed.

Did I miss some fine print somewhere? Feels a bit rude to be honest, is that normal for other ISP's??

Just wondering.

UHD

655 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#1522530 29-Mar-2016 23:39

I imagine 2degrees are happy for you to pay them more per month and not charge you a plan change fee but as soon as you decide to pay them less per month a fee seems justified.

jnimmo

1097 posts

Uber Geek

#1522552 30-Mar-2016 07:14

Yeah it is in the fine print, an annoying fee but it does require some manual changes to be made so I can understand charging it

Things you should know

Early termination charge applies to 12 month term. Additional charges may apply to non-standard installations. See full terms and conditions.

*Fair Use Policy applies. Standard NZ & Australian landline calls
**Early termination charge applies to 12 month term
Additional charges may apply to non-standard installations
Stated speeds are based on theoretical maximums, and actual speeds will vary
Speed Boosts recur monthly until stopped. Removal/downgrade fee applies
See full terms and conditions.

andrew027

1286 posts

Uber Geek

#1522574 30-Mar-2016 08:54

You don't say in the OP whether when you upgraded to 200/20 it was for a fixed term, e.g. 12 months, but it's pretty standard practice for there to be early termination fees applied to any contract or plan. I'd be very surprised if it wasn't in the T&Cs.

keewee01

1737 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1522586 30-Mar-2016 09:11

When you upgrade or move to a different plan then you usually go onto a new fixed term contract - it would have been there in black and white somewhere when you requested the speed increase. The fees that you could have been charged for upgrading would have been absorbed as you were going onto a new 12 month contract.

There is nothing Stealth about it - this is how broadband contracts operate - fixed term.

IMO this is more about that you failed to do your due diligence

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#1522595 30-Mar-2016 09:18

its the nature of contracts.
That's why I will never go with an ISP who locks me in for a fixed term. There's just no incentive for them to keep providing good service once they've got you.

2degreesCare

1537 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

2degrees

#1522638 30-Mar-2016 09:40

Hey all,

There are wholesale fee's involved with moving between UFB speed profiles, to put it simply we absorb the cost of an upgrade (and recoup it through the new plan eventually) and charge part of the downgrade.

One thing worth noting here is that our contracts are for services with us and are irrespective of service type of speed plan, so no new contract term or anything like that would have been entered with a speed change, and there is no requirement to remain on the new speed for any period of time.

Please feel free to PM if you have any queries on this.

Thanks

Ralph ^JOB

UncleArthur

197 posts

Master Geek

#1522886 30-Mar-2016 17:12

Thanks Ralph for the clarification.

Might be good to make the point in bold flashing lights when upgrading, so people like me don't think "I'll just try it for a month and see if it's worth it" :-)

Understand fully the need to recoupe costs, just wasn't expecting it that's all.

(I'll sit back now and wait for everyone to harass me for not having the full T's & C's front and center in my mind 24x7)