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Cell phone contracts

3 Jun 2004 16:338 commentsBizLike
Contracts widely advertise - "only R9pm" and other specials, without disclosing the correct amount with compulsory additions.
Almost all cellphone distributers are guilty of this and ASASA must put a stop to this insult on the consumers' intelligence now!

Ads describe contracts ranging from R9 to R49 pm, immediately attracting the attention of the consumer. Later on, they disclose the mandatory billing for extras like "itemised billing", "caller ID" and other features. Suddenly the R9 turns into R69 and the R49 miraculously changes into R109! This is false advertising. The correct price should be advertised, with the words "including.... all the extras".
 
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    Price obviously bears no relation to value-
    If a company worked out the true value of their products or services and asked a fair, honest price for them then the prices they ask wouldn't end in '99' cents or rands.

    I also agree that there's something reprehensible in almost 'throwing' a cellphone at you and asking a 'pittance' for the first year of the contract only to hook you into an exorbitant monthly debt for the remainder.

    Bad advertising (done by bad companies) preys upon the public gullibility. Posted on 4 Jun 2004 14:03
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    Ugly(D)
    i agree..-
    Its funny this does not go for Cell Phone Advertising, it’s even to all the car specials... R899.00 per month for Corsa lite.... but hold on.... right at the bottom... fine small print... size of font is about +_[3] it says conditions apply... what’s the use... Companies need to be specific on what they are selling... or are we dealing with Crooks... Posted on 8 Jun 2004 16:36
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    MARKETING MAN
    Yes, what about Car Advertising?-
    As far as I know, any offer must include all the relevant costs or at least allude to the fact that there will be other mandatory costs involved with that offer. This is usually done in print ads by having the almost invisible line at the bottom stating "terms & conditions apply", but recently in some radio advertising they have only been stating the monthly payment without even mentioning the fact that other costs will apply. Could somebody who has any legal knowledge clarify whether I can walk into the relevant dealership and demand to pay the advertised price without paying any mandatory extras? Just wondering. Posted on 9 Jun 2004 10:20
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    Armadillo
    Contract rip off!-
    I agree that it is totally unacceptable that we are ripped off like this.

    I am currently paying R648 a month for a Nokia 7250 cellphone I got from Nashua Mobile (Midrand) on contract in August last year. It was advertised on the ProCall 300 package, and I was told i would pay R399 a month. Imagine my shock and horror every month on the 15th when I have to fork out R648! For the next 24 months! This amount does not even include calls over the "free" calls I am given every month. This equates to R15 552 in 24 months, which I am going to have to pay.

    People, please be warned! Posted on 9 Jun 2004 16:46
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    Nikki
    Enter Autopage-
    ...who are currently in breach of their own imposed contract. Despite the old contract still being in force, they started charging 'ordinary' prices. Several calls and faxes later, we have no result. So - what should one do. Go to court over R80/month. It's the principle of the matter. One could stop the debit order, but they would stop the calls. So, Autopage, here's a challenge. I dare you to mail me and resolve the issue!!!! Or we could get a whole bunch of unhappies together and launch a class action? Posted on 21 Jun 2004 15:34
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    Nkets
    What does ASA say about this?-
    I believe ASA as a body should be looking at such practices not waiting for a complaint to be lodged. Unless it has revised its rules.
    I think U are correct in every detail. Posted on 21 Jun 2004 19:43
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    Binzee
    ASA responded-
    That's the beauty of advertising! slightly faulse enough to attract an eye. they do write even though its in the smallest font that there are other charges and there is that ER... somthing that they write at the bottom of every such ads.
    An mtn customer once complained and the advertising agency then won the case. Posted on 1 Jul 2004 13:59
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    Sean Inggs
    UK providers are pro's at this...-
    Orange, Vodafone and T-Mobile in the UK are professionals at this, they phone you up on your home private line and say "... Mr. Inggs, you've one a new Nokia 8xxx phone!" later on after what seemed similar to getting a pig to fly, she comes out and says "all you have to pay for is the line rental" me, "yeah, and how much is that?" her, "it's only 30 pounds a month exlcuding VAT, itemised billing blah blah blah".

    It's amazing. Posted on 9 Jul 2004 19:32
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