Forced to move to new packages?

[chaz78]

I received a letter from karoo this morning stating that their packages are changing etc and also stating that as I am on an old internet package the price is going to increase by £2.50 per month unless I change to one of the new ones. I am currently paying £19.98 per month ( I think it's maybe the Max 1 package I'm on?) and I get unlimited usage. I have not changed in the past as the packages on offer back then were rubbish and I would have had to pay far more in order to get a usage allowance suitable for me. My usage ammount is quite variable , in the last 3 months it's been around 16GB but previously has been somewhere around 25GB and I can only see 1 occasion in the last 8 or 9 months where it has slightly exceeded 30GB.

I'm wondering whether to stick as I am with the unlimited usage for £23 per month or to switch onto one of the new packages, perhaps the Mid2 at £19.99 would be the best one at 30GB? I do not want to have to be restricted to how much I can use the internet but I also want value for money.

I really have no idea about the speeds I receive etc, I have noticed that on occasion streaming can be very slow of late. I did have a problem with losing my connection 1 weekend about 6 weeks ago which they tried blaming on other factors than themselves, my router, interference etc but it magically resolved itself once the weekend was over.

Obviously if I call KC to discuss this they will be keen to sign me up to one of the new packages but I would appreciate any impartial advice as I feel I am being pushed into changing. Will I benefit at all from changing over in terms of better service or will I just be restricting myself and be no better off?

cheers 

[stormy]

Lo,

I think you are on Max Option 2 at £19.98.

Karoo never fail to amaze me. So in one breath they say you can keep the old package but face a degredation in service, now they are actually asking for more money for a WORSE and degraded service? Whats even more odd is when they started to impose the FUP in February/March I got a letter urging me to upgrade then, and its only July and now they are hiking the prices. Unreal. Absolutely unreal.

I guess I should expect a letter soon also then and like you I will be screwed because my usage if very variable, sometimes like less than 10Gb, usually around 20Gb but sometimes in excess of 30Gb. So Mid would be no good for me. I currently pay £16.99 for Max Option 1 so wonder if I will also be asked to pay £2.50 more or if on Option 1 they ask you to pay more?

No idea what I will do. Hmmm.

Mike

[chaz78]

Well it's more a leaflet than a letter to be honest, it's also stating that the call packages are changing too but I guess that's another story!

It says that as older technology is more expensive to operate it will go up by £2.50 per month with effect from September 15th...but call us to discuss one of our new packages etc etc etc...

I don't wanna rush in and change as once I do that will be the end of that and no going back, plus it says you have to sign up for another 12 month contract. why do I have to do that when I've been with Karoo for around 7 years now! I think for users with a variable usage rate it's a real dilemma, really unsure what to do

[chaz78]

Oh and it says the extra £2.50 increase will affect ALL older packages so I guess it will also affect your package.

I forgot this little nugget too...if you go over your usage limit you will be charged £3 per GB on karoo lite and £2 per GB on mid & pro packages

[richardmyers]

More expensive to operate, what a joke.

[stormy]

More expensive to operate, what a joke.

Karoo are just that, what total bull. Treating customers like arse wipe. Its almost like extortion because what choice do we have but to pay any fee they feel is appropriate?

[MickyByte]

I simply cannot believe this, can KC sink any lower at this point. I refuse to pay an extra 2.50 a month for a terrible service which has gotten worser since its introduction back in 2006 i believe .

This is actually making me feel sick.

[chaz78]

I simply cannot believe this, can KC sink any lower at this point. I refuse to pay an extra 2.50 a month for a terrible service which has gotten worser since its introduction back in 2006 i believe .

This is actually making me feel sick.

Exactly. They're forcing us into changing.

I either:

A) stay as I am and pay extra for the same deteriorating service
B) change and pay the same to limit myself to 30GB usage
C) pay more for a larger package. £24.99 for 50GB

Either way I can't win really

[MickyByte]

A spokes-person on Kingston Communications behalf stated that "we want everyone to switch to the new packages and enjoy the very best that our broadband service can offer. Feedback from customers tells us customers on our new packages are more satisfied with their broadband than those on older packages, and by increasing the price difference between our older packages and our latest range we hope customers who haven’t already switched will be encouraged to now."

This says it all really doesn't it.

[richardmyers]

Shouldn't they be saying they're decreasing the price difference?

Max Option 2 - £19.98 p/m
Pro 1 - £29.99 p/m

Increased Max Option 2 by £2.50 to £22.48 p/m

That's a decrease in the difference between the two package prices... :-S

[stormy]

An spokes-person on Kingston Communications behalf stated that "we want everyone to switch to the new packages and enjoy the very best that our broadband service can offer. Feedback from customers tells us customers on our new packages are more satisfied with their broadband than those on older packages, and by increasing the price difference between our older packages and our latest range we hope customers who haven’t already switched will be encouraged to now."

This says it all really doesn't it.

Could you please tell me where is that quoted from?

Thanks.

[MickyByte]

I acquired this information by talking to one of KC's technical advisors on-line.

I guess there live chat service does come in useful from time to time.  

[chaz78]

What are people gonna do about this? Stay as they are and pay the extra £2.50 or move onto a new package?

[stormy]

Not sure yet, to me if I upgrade and am forced to I am not sure how I should be expected to agree to a new 12 month contract, especially when Karoo have quite clearly changed the terms and conditions of the service.  

Also why has this change not been advertised somewhere? I have received no letter yet but would expect there to be some details on the website, or are they trying to keep it low key? Might be worth an email to the HDM although until I get my letter not much I can do.

[chaz78]

Not sure yet, to me if I upgrade and am forced to I am not sure how I should be expected to agree to a new 12 month contract, especially when Karoo have quite clearly changed the terms and conditions of the service.  

Also why has this change not been advertised somewhere? I have received no letter yet but would expect there to be some details on the website, or are they trying to keep it low key? Might be worth an email to the HDM although until I get my letter not much I can do.

I spoke to one of their advisors earlier today on the phone and she told me it was all new to them today too. Regarding the 12 month contract she said if you take the free router which would come with some of the packages (from mid 1 upwards) which incidentally would cost you a fiver for them to send it to you, then you would be liable for the contract. If you do not take it then "that may be negotiable".

In other words....we'll make it up as we go along