Plan Change = Breaking Contract......

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › Plan Change = Breaking Contract......

BTR

1527 posts

Uber Geek

#224068 1-Nov-2017 08:40

So I got in touch with MR last night to see what my options where to upgrade to a higher plan as I'm currently on their UFB 100/20 plan. I wanted to know could I move to a higher plan and if I decided that it made no difference (highly unlikely) to what I'm going could I change it back the next month.

I was told you can't change your plan without paying early termination fees (I am in a contract until Aug 2018) even though the plan I was wanting to change to would cost me an extra $20 per month....... This was because the plan I was looking at was a promo plan so I asked is there a compatible plan thats not a promo plan and the answer I go was "All of our plans are promo plans"

The option I was given was to purchase a "Speed Boost" which I can add and remove whenever I want for an extra $30 a month.

I'm sorry but this seems like really cr*ppy marketing practise and this has 100% confirmed I am switching ISP's once my contract ends. I was about to spend more money with them but instead they bit the hand that feeds them........

I get the impression MR have no idea how to run a business and will not exist within the next 5 years due to poor speeds in the past, dodgy sales techniques that other people have mentioned and general stupid rules around plans.

I have the full chat transcript if anyone is interested.

rb99

3423 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1893450 1-Nov-2017 09:01

Doesn't sound very impressive and just plain dumb to me if they're getting more money out of you. Think I could understand about break fees if you signed up for a faster plan and then changed your mind after a month. Don't think it depends on who you spoke too ?

I've been on MR since a few months after they came out and it's been fine for me, speeds have generally always been fine (though maybe not for other people) and seem to have got better according to TrueNet. Also think marketing may have been dodgy and they've been pulled up for it, but doubt if they're unique in that respect.

“The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.” -John Kenneth Galbraith

rb99

ITStuff

14 posts

Geek

#1899633 12-Nov-2017 15:21

~Fully sympathise with you - I've just posted my own experience with MR and how they could not fulfill what was originally asked for and now heading for the hills.

I plan on approaching the commerce commission regardng their practices I'd be happy toi include your deatils if you are interested in adding some weight to the cause.

Nil Einne

469 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1903074 17-Nov-2017 02:16

Do you mean they wouldn't even let you upgrade, or it's just downgrading afterwards that's the problem?

If they wouldn't even let you upgrade. Have to agree this is poor practice. Other ISPs generally seem to let you upgrade (i.e. pay more), just not downgrade during the contract. Although I think it isn't uncommon they will treat the upgrade as permanent, meaning even if your contract was actually for a lower cost plan and it still exists, they often won't let you move back. (A bit silly but whatever.) Many even let you sign up for a new contract effectively extending the current contract although this isn't universal. And I think we all know sometimes they only give their best deals to new customers (regardless of whether the existing customer has or will accept a new contract) albeit I guess at least in part since people will just move otherwise, this happens a lot less with ISPs than it does with Sky.

Actually MyRepublic did seem to suggest I could upgrade while under contract when I asked last year before joining up. I did briefly consider it today since GB plans have come down recently. But since I don't want CGNAT and am not willing to sign up for another 12 months at this time (especially given recent price fluctation), it would be $30 more whether Pure Fibre Pro, or Gamer to move to GB which is a little too much. So not going to have to argue with MyRepublic that they said I could before.

BlinkyBill

1443 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1903076 17-Nov-2017 02:57

When you signed the contract, you agreed to pay a fee if you change the contract within a specified timeframe. You want to change the contract within the specified timeframe. Situation seems pretty clear.

Bung

6486 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1903085 17-Nov-2017 06:17

The My Republic general terms and conditions has this to say about changes or additions to your service "There may be an early termination charge to you if you cancel or downgrade your Services."