Optus Sport $24.99 / $6.99 was 'FREE' thoughts.

ozf1 on 20/09/2022 - 19:37
Last edited 20/09/2022 - 19:46 by 1 other user

Hi all,

So old news for many, I know.
Optus now charging me $6.99 for Optus Sport.
I've been told - 'Optus have been offering Optus Sport in a complimentary basis, to continue our great …' we will now charge you $6.99 instead of $24.99.

In my head it's like, Lucky me you haven't decided to charge me $19.99 etc!

Am I wrong in thinking they are breaking a contract agreement.
When I signed my 3 year contract in December 2021 contract says $14.99, Optus Sport subscription discount -$14.99

Thoughts? (I already know I'm a tight wad, so no need to highlight that).

• 

  garetz on 20/09/2022 - 20:01

  +3

  You need to tell them it was not on a complimentary basis, but a condition of your contract that you would get Optus Sport free for the term of the contract.

  See what they say. Maybe talk to retentions and state you are not happy with the change and since the terms of the contract have changed you would like to cancel.

  Make it more than a threat and be prepared to cancel the service otherwise they will walk all over you.

  • 

    sjj89 on 20/09/2022 - 20:10

    +2

    But check the terms of the contract you signed. Can bet there’s a clause saying they “reserve the right to… blah blah”

  • 

    ozf1 on 20/09/2022 - 20:49

    Cheers, I pretty much have done that, waiting for an expert to get back to me (up to 48 hours).
    I am prepared to walk away, with the least hit in my wallet as possible. I am awaiting this contact and see what resolution they offer.
    I simply cannot afford more than what I currently pay, actually stretched to get the Iphone13 at the time I was waiting for the Note 21 or 22… never came (my Note 8 would no longer hold more than 1/2 days charge). 3 months later or so Galaxy Ultra with Stylus comes out!, would've been too expensive anyway.

    I am prepared to give up my EPL watching, I was more interested in UCL anyway and I am not paying same to Stan for UCL.
    Highlights on youtube it is!
    At least then wife will be happy to not see me watching yet another mini match!

  • 

    iguana on 20/09/2022 - 21:55

    +2

    I think you'll find that all Optus 'contracts' are on a month to month basis. Optus would be free to change the conditions at any time. The OP is probably on a 3 year payment plan for the phone.

    It might be worth calling Optus, as I've heard some users have been given $6.99 monthly credits when they complained.

    Good luck.

• 

  Gervais fanboy on 20/09/2022 - 22:20

  Something similar happened to me too..
  I was on a prepaid plan with them paying $40/month and I had negotiated(over the phone) to get free Optus subscription (only 12 months or something)
  After the 12 months. I called them again to renegotiate. I spent about 40 minutes to finally find the right person in their ‘billing’ department. Like a supervisor or something.
  They flat out told me that they can’t hand out Optus subscriptions anymore to ineligible customers but they were atleast happy to price match with a market competitor (I had quoted boost, lyca etc) and just so they could retain me, they gave me 20% off i.e. $32/month.

• 

  mitt on 21/09/2022 - 00:17

  Ahh so thats what happened. I signed up for 12 months with free optus sport & when i finally got around to setting it up I couldn't find out how to access it without paying.

  So they have changed the terms of the contract. Good to know. Perhaps I can terminate early.

  • 

    SimAus007 on 21/09/2022 - 09:08

    They haven't changed the terms of the contract, it's in the contract that pricing can change.

    All telcos can increase pricing, you'll find this in the terms and conditions, unfortunately.

    Take a look at Telstra's conditions, as an example…

    "We want to be upfront about our plan pricing so you know what to expect and when.

    Our mobile plans include an annual price review and may increase by the Consumer Price Index (also known as CPI) in July each year."

    Whilst it may be annoying, they haven't done anything wrong.

    PS: I just cancelled my Optus Sport as I don't watch enough EPL to justify it (and I am tight also)

    • 

      ozf1 on 21/09/2022 - 11:06

      Unfortunately $14.99 to $24.99 (or $6.99 from Zero is not CPI). It was 8.3% over the last 12 months.
      Therefore a maximum of $2.07. The CPI at the time of the charge increase was 2.8%.

      • 

        SimAus007 on 21/09/2022 - 11:08

        That was and example, for plan increases.
        Optus can charge for a bolt on service, if they want to. Let me see what I can find in their conditions ;)

        • 

          ozf1 on 21/09/2022 - 11:13

          @SimAus007: Fair enough, I await their communication after escalation to an expert.

          • 

            SimAus007 on 21/09/2022 - 11:15

            +1

            @ozf1: Here you go, from their conditions.

            "Special Promotions, extras, add-ons and subscriptions.
            Additional terms and conditions (including charges, changes
            and cancellation rights) may apply to such special promotions, optional
            extras, add-ons and subscriptions."

            and…

            "We may make changes to your plan, including to the price or inclusions.
            This could include moving you to a new plan, which may cost more. We’ll
            give at least 30 days’ notice of any increase to monthly plan access fees,
            any decrease in data inclusions or any plan moves. If you don’t like the
            change, you can choose a new plan (once per payment cycle) or cancel
            (see Cancelling your plan)

            Cancellation.
            If your plan is cancelled you won’t receive a pro-rata refund for the remainder of your
            payment cycle. Any related device payment plan will be cancelled and you’ll need to pay
            out any remaining device payments in full and any other charges owing, as a one-off
            payment. Subject to your consumer law rights."

            • 

              ozf1 on 22/09/2022 - 11:30

              @SimAus007: Thanks for bothering to post this, Ive not had a chance.
              Of course unilaterally looking at the issue, I still believe I signed for 3 years based on the conditions remaining the same. I'll see how I go.
              Cheers

• 

  MastermindJapan on 23/09/2022 - 13:10

  Just cancelled Optus sport because of the latest change and am moving my entire family including my in laws away from Optus because of this change.

  Similarly, the main draw when we signed up with Optus was for the included Optus sport access.

  Looks like they’re losing 12 customers at one go. Shame as I’ve not had any other issues with Optus as a network - but this change really disappoints.

  • 

    ozf1 on 26/09/2022 - 11:36

    They are certainly losing associated services.
    Ive just ordered 3x Boost SIMS for wife and daughters.

• 

  ozf1 on 27/09/2022 - 13:10

  -1

  Hi all,
  Last update I guess.
  Customer service called and the best they could do was to extend the subscription at no cost for another 12 months (+6.99, then -$6.99 Similar to what already was on my contract OS14.99, then -14.99)
  She said the higher ups gave this direction to charge the $6.99.
  She also quoted the T&C as per @simaus007 above.
  I will be sticking it out for the remainder of my contract, but I doubt I will ever sign up to anything like this in the future. I still Think it's wrong for Optus to do this. I will be lodging a complaint with Telco Ombudsman even if it serves to only have a complaint against these practices. IMO if you don't make a noise then we are saying we accept this behaviour.

• 

  drhip on 15/10/2022 - 22:47

  Ahhh, another victim here. I was with Optus for 6 years and optus sport was there with Fetch in my $80 internet bill. Last month they increased to $85 for internet and then also charged $6.99 for optus sport. Took me 6 chats, 2 store visits and a call and still then cant cancel my optus sport. Great!