Starhub Contract Ripoff

[Watchman]

Starhub Contract Ripoff
- Yesterday, 11:18 AM

Today I was trying to terminate both my MaxOnline & Maxonline Mobile. I was told that I have to continue my MaxOnline Mobile till the end of my contract period at $68 per month or pay a termination charge of $200.

The current going for new takers of the MaxOnline Mobile is $34. But because I have a contract going on, I NEED to pay $64 till the end of contract.

This is a case which I believe many Singaporeans out there might have experienced but legally, nothing that we can do about it as we have signed a black and white agreement.

Is this ethical?? When a consumer signed a contract, they would have totally no clue of what the pricing plans will be in time to come. But when the pricing is down, you are already a "sung kot" (stuck) customer and you still have to pay the old price.

Beware my fellow Singaporeans... STARHUB MAY BE RIPPING YOU JUST LIKE ME!!!!!!!!!!

http://forums.asiaone.com/showthread.php?t=28675

 

[cooleo]

The poster also talk cock la. If I sell a service at say $50 one year ago, means I cannot sell today at $40? Idiot!

 

[gbomega]

Don't sign any contract next time. I believe users usually get some benefits for signing on a contract like computers, routers etc...

 

[shOUTloud]

but did the person "enjoy" the free modem, the free laptop or the free phone upgrade. Sign contract must respect lah.

 

[Cestbon]

never sign contract. If really need it sign the cheaper plan.

 

[krafty]

Btw,after IDA clamped down on the telcos,when exactly are they going to phase in the 1 year mobile contract instead of the current 2 years? They say in April but when?

 

[shelltox]

Such people reminded of a ex PM up north, signed a contract and then try to wiggle out of it.

 

[sadfcuk]

No sympathy for this guy. 2 years is long, but if you don't like it, don't sign it.
You clearly understood the terms of the contract before you penned down your name.

Not to mention you only hear people crying foul when such cases occur.

You don't hear of people crying foul when they've signed a contract for some long-term product for like $10 a month and when the next month the price rises to $20, they're still paying $10 a month.

"Aiyoh! It's $20/mth now! I MUST PAY $20 each month! I CANNOT pay $10/mth!"

 

[sadfcuk]

Also, when will people realise that for a market that small (like the size of Singapore), companies are better off focusing on getting NEW customers rather than RETAINING existing customers?

The customer base is simply too small and it is not worth it to pump in any more money to retain existing customers.

Anyone who's studied basic marketing and business economics will understand this concept when applied to Singapore's small market.

 

[jw5]

Also, when will people realise that for a market that small (like the size of Singapore), companies are better off focusing on getting NEW customers rather than RETAINING existing customers?

The customer base is simply too small and it is not worth it to pump in any more money to retain existing customers.

Anyone who's studied basic marketing and business economics will understand this concept when applied to Singapore's small market.

Of course the companies should try to get new customers, but it is also because the market is so small that makes it difficult.
With influx of foreigners, perhaps there are some new customers for them to get, but they are trying hard to retain also because there is quite a lot of cannibalisation among the 3 telcos. So if they don't make a great effort to retain, they may find themselves gaining say, 100 new customers but losing 200 existing ones.

And I agree with you about the customer complaining. I don't know what he's complaining about. He signed a contract at X terms, now that a promotion is ongoing and Y terms are being offered to others, does he expect for his contract to be torn up and be given Y terms as well?
If that's the case, why bother with contracts?

 

[tonychat]

Starhub Contract Ripoff
- Yesterday, 11:18 AM

Today I was trying to terminate both my MaxOnline & Maxonline Mobile. I was told that I have to continue my MaxOnline Mobile till the end of my contract period at $68 per month or pay a termination charge of $200.

The current going for new takers of the MaxOnline Mobile is $34. But because I have a contract going on, I NEED to pay $64 till the end of contract.

This is a case which I believe many Singaporeans out there might have experienced but legally, nothing that we can do about it as we have signed a black and white agreement.

Is this ethical?? When a consumer signed a contract, they would have totally no clue of what the pricing plans will be in time to come. But when the pricing is down, you are already a "sung kot" (stuck) customer and you still have to pay the old price.

Beware my fellow Singaporeans... STARHUB MAY BE RIPPING YOU JUST LIKE ME!!!!!!!!!!

http://forums.asiaone.com/showthread.php?t=28675

what will you do beside complaining. Do something to counter it. What the hell???

 

[balajii]

hello thailand pimp,

u pay your army fren the $ already? don't be so 'chow kwan' ok.

 

[Leongsam]

Is this ethical?? When a consumer signed a contract, they would have totally no clue of what the pricing plans will be in time to come. But when the pricing is down, you are already a "sung kot" (stuck) customer and you still have to pay the old price.
http://forums.asiaone.com/showthread.php?t=28675

Had the price gone up, how would this twit like it if Starhub imposed the higher price on those who were contracted at a cheaper rate?

Sinkies can't have it both ways. Freakin' cheapskate losers the whole damned lot of them.

 

[Ramseth]

Is this ethical?? When a consumer signed a contract, they would have totally no clue of what the pricing plans will be in time to come. But when the pricing is down, you are already a "sung kot" (stuck) customer and you still have to pay the old price.

Beware my fellow Singaporeans... STARHUB MAY BE RIPPING YOU JUST LIKE ME!!!!!!!!!!

He has also totally no clue of what a contract is and what a ripoff is.

 

[fenwick]

Lucky for me also, the Starhub sales person suddenly came knocking my door giving 40% discount on my current cable tv package if i sign for another new contract. Understanding Singtel is also fighting hard for EPL telecast rights, i decided not to renew contract and yes!!!! A week later, it was announce that Singtel got the EPL's rights ( I think Starhub already knew this before hand , nabeh!!! )

 

[Cestbon]

Not rip off only stupid consumer. Signing plan to get free modem/laptop. Many youngster are cashless so they have to sign plan because they have no money/credit card to buy laptop. The only choice they have that can pay installment is thru telco/service provider. That what really happen.
Those have money sure not going to sign with whole package.
I only sign for internet one year plan no any freebie. Cost less than $12/month broadband on mobile.
Those sign 2 year plan that cost about $50~$80/month are the most brainless.
Actual internet plan cost only $20 and the rest are for the laptop/modem installment. After one year if the modem/laptop malfunction they have to pay for themself because warranty is expired.
Imagine $50x 24 month can get you better laptop where telco given free only cost from $399~$899 depend on the plan package.

 

[sadfcuk]

Of course the companies should try to get new customers, but it is also because the market is so small that makes it difficult.
With influx of foreigners, perhaps there are some new customers for them to get, but they are trying hard to retain also because there is quite a lot of cannibalisation among the 3 telcos. So if they don't make a great effort to retain, they may find themselves gaining say, 100 new customers but losing 200 existing ones.

And I agree with you about the customer complaining. I don't know what he's complaining about. He signed a contract at X terms, now that a promotion is ongoing and Y terms are being offered to others, does he expect for his contract to be torn up and be given Y terms as well?
If that's the case, why bother with contracts?

Frankly, they don't need to spend any (or much) resources on retaining existing customers.

Because the market is small (only 3 telcos), the problem faced by each of the telco is the same. Each month, there is always a fixed number of customers who have their contracts ending and move on to either of the 2 telcos (or sign back again with them). The same goes the other way: There are customers who come over from a recently-ended contract with another telco.

Whether they do anything to retain existing customers, there will always be a fixed number of customers "rotating" around the 3 telcos each month.

Since we are talking about a small market, the only way for the telco to break out of this viscious cycle and increase their market share, is to attract new customers.

Not to mention the fact that existing customers have to serve out at least 2 years of their contract before their contract expires. Unless of course, the customer is willing to pay the penalty for a premature termination of their contract.

Lastly, the cost of retaining an existing customer is MUCH HIGHER than attracting a new customer. But that is a discussion for another topic.

Cheers!

 

[elephanto]

Bro Watchman pasted this post from the original thread in asiaoneforums. See Post 1.

Out of curiosity, I check out the original thread at asiaoneforum.

Whereas here overall people blame the writer for 'lack of logic' & reject that it was a contract ripoff, the majority of contributors at the original thread identify with the writer & extrapolate to say Starhub like PAP, CEO paid millions & pricing contract unfair to consumers.

Interesting.

I thought our PAP haters & rabber rousters here are #1.

 

[mercbenz]

Many Singaporeans fall for these freebies deals all the time; whenever ST or SH say free comp or free console, you just go and see the queue! Makes you think how come no one realized that whatever 'gifts' or 'discounts' they were offering were already worked into the monthly charges.