Big increases for MTN contract customers

Big increases for MTN contract customers

Many MTN contract customers were stunned when they opened their May 2022 bills. MTN has increased many contract product prices by over 20% — much higher than its subscribers expected or what the company communicated.
That's pretty illegal, one thing to adjust prices in contract but it is provisioned by the fact that it requires accurate communication.
 
Absolute fking bollocks!

The “base cost”, just like a Takealot RRP, has nothing to do with reality. Base cost R1299 for 30gb data plan, wtf is that no one pays rates like that so why even factor that in to the price hike.
I’m pretty sure this was all pre-planned and we signed up like lambs to the slaughter. MTN even have the audacity in the article to say you can’t cancel as a result of these price hikes. So how long is a piece of string now, what’s stopping them from gouging even further.

And what about us suckers that are locked in for 36 months, are we going to see another hike before the contract is over?

The truth is the guy who was paying R199 and now is paying R255 is paying 28% more and not 5% which is madness, how can a fixed contract suddenly be hiked like that, I can’t see how that could possibly be legal.
 
So whats the point of a contract if the prices change during the contract duration?

Is there a price lock clause in the contract?

The law is very clear on explicit and understandable communication in regard to contracts. MTN won't care unless there is mass protest, there needs to be an aggrieved party. Knowing that it could be a costly exercise, the best the customer can do is to change service.

Though I am aware about this, I haven’t looked at my own bill in detail, but this could urge me to move to Vodacom. An over 20% increase is irrational, and so is the board when they voted on that decision.
 
Not illegal, just unethical. MTN subscribers agreed to the terms in the contract they didn't read.

It is up to a test. The question is whether the increase is reasonable, remember this increase will also impact the cancellation penalty.

Mind you,


MTN has announced price hikes for its contract packages which will come into effect from 1 May 2022.

The company said an inflationary environment has significantly contributed to increased input costs, compelling it to react to sustained market pressures.

“We have tried to keep the price increases to a minimum in a bid to provide our customers with quality telecommunications services as cost-effectively as possible,” said MTN SA chief consumer officer Mapula Bodibe.

“The tariffs will be an average increase of 5%, which is in line with inflation and comparable to the market.”

I can tell you straight up that a reasonability test won't be succeeded by MTN.
 
Mtn's communication didn't state anything about base prices or discounts taken into account and they also didn't state the specific increases for everyones contract and pricing.
They are in breach of contract because their communication vs what they charged are different.

I've attached the mtn communication in case they try pull a fast one and update the page.
A web page is mutable so easy for them to pull a fast one.
 

Attachments

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Not illegal, just unethical. MTN subscribers agreed to the terms in the contract they didn't read.
Always noticed those that can afford it the least are always first ones to sign a contract for everything.
Ranging from a TV to the newest Smartphone…

People say the Banks are bad but these guys take the cake. Apply the increase on a pie in the sky number nobody has ever seen:ROFL::sick:
 
Contracts I have copies of, mention the reduced rate pm. There is no mention of the base price nor the discount to bring it down to the reduced PM amount signed for. Therefore MTN don't have a leg to stand on.
 
Contracts I have copies of, mention the reduced rate pm. There is no mention of the base price nor the discount to bring it down to the reduced PM amount signed for. Therefore MTN don't have a leg to stand on.

Could you post a pic of that section of your contract?
 
The way the article is written it's a Nice advertorial for MTN.

This story with base cost is just a CYA exercise and is dishonest and unethical.

Thank goodness I'm on pre-paid.
Changed to pre-paid about 7 years back after MTN messed up my bill (in their favour). Once bitten, twice shy.
 
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Absolute fking bollocks!

The “base cost”, just like a Takealot RRP, has nothing to do with reality. Base cost R1299 for 30gb data plan, wtf is that no one pays rates like that so why even factor that in to the price hike.
I’m pretty sure this was all pre-planned and we signed up like lambs to the slaughter. MTN even have the audacity in the article to say you can’t cancel as a result of these price hikes. So how long is a piece of string now, what’s stopping them from gouging even further.

And what about us suckers that are locked in for 36 months, are we going to see another hike before the contract is over?

The truth is the guy who was paying R199 and now is paying R255 is paying 28% more and not 5% which is madness, how can a fixed contract suddenly be hiked like that, I can’t see how that could possibly be legal.
Mtn can state whatever they want, you are allowed to cancel a shortterm contract with a month's notice, that law came into effect a while ago. Only a reasonable Canandaigua charge may be levied and that is restricted to either one month's subscription and in the case of a device, the value is the device for the remaining term.

 
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