When signing up for any TPG Internet Service, why not get a paid incentive to do so ? Kickstart Computers has for the last 5 years been offering a cash back rebate when purchasing a TPG Internet Plan. As the plans consistently change we came up with a cash back that rewards the end user - YOU - on the plan chosen and the length of contract. The value is anywhere from $15 to $55; what a deal !
And before anyone comments - Yes, the site needs an update but it did look good some 7 years ago..
So is every ISP out there
There is bad, then there is TPG bad.
There is a VERY good reason why they are so cheap.
The even sadder thing is they own almost all of the ISP's that used to have good service (iiNet, Internode, Westnet etc.)
Speak For Yourself, ive had 3 Providers in my same apartment, Telstra, Optus & TPG.
TPG was by far the best out of all of them my speeds are consistent while i may have experienced problems with all providers the support with TPG is actually very good , they were able to solve my connection dropping and the engineers stabilized my line. Telstra by far was the worst.
Did i mention my internet dropped every time a train went pass the building when i was with Optus , LOL.
I've been in contact with iiNet the past few weeks. Every time I call I get stuck with an Indian on a crappy line. Support sucks no matter which ISP you're with these days.
iiNet is part of TPG. Not sure there's anyone else left that isn't a reseller.
Michael Malone would be disappointed with the direction that iiNet is heading.
Interesting you should say that as iinet don't have any call centres in India
Doesn't mean that they don't employ them. I was helping an elderly relative relocate their ADSL and had to call a number of times (usually after 7pm WA time on weekdays or weekend mornings) and in over 8+ times in calling I only received a person I could understand easily (where English was their first language) once - every other time it was somebody with a thick Indian accent.
If iiNet are hiring in Australia/NZ/South Africa why can't they hire people that are understandable? Is it the Australians don't want these sort of helpdesk jobs? I don't know but I don't like it at all.
@jelko: no but I just find it interesting that if you're calling after 7pm WA time (you're almost guaranteed to get someone from South Africa at that time) then you frequently speak to Indians. Indians make up only around 2.5% of the population of South Africa so statistically its just very unlikely at the scale you've said. What's more likely is that you can't identify an Indian accent.
@jobler: Well people from India only make up 1.2% of people in Australia yet if you catch a cab I can guarantee that it's going to most likely be an Indian. Regardless of their nationality, it's the accent that is off-putting. I don't care where you're from, if you're in customer service dealing with Australians then you should be Australian or at least not have an accent so thick that people need to ask you to repeat yourself when you speak to them.
crappy tech support is an unavoidable part of life. Just like death and taxes, you will forever have to put up with crappy tech support.
I beg to differ. Crappy tech support exists because big companies think they can get away with it.
People need to stand up and speak with their feet by not supporting companies that provide crappy support. Especially if they are a "premium" prices ISP (aka Telstra)
Big companies see tech support division as a cost centre. Shareholders also want more profits and less costs. But customers want better tech support, yet are unwilling to pay more for it. On the other hand, people are becoming more tech savvy and are comparing prices on the internet using tools like Whirlpool and Whistleout, and move to cheaper plans with other smaller ISP's, increasing the competition.
So in the end, the tech support ends up crappy as costs have to be cut, and some jobs have become automated — with some customer requests now fulfilled by computer software that talks to you over the phone.
It's simply not profitable for any company nowadays to offer top-tier tech support because of the above reasons. So, they automate and outsource.
One my mates used to work for Telstra (what most people consider a premium ISP) but in 2013 was given the axe and the work outsourced to the Phillipines. And they are still at it now: http://www.smh.com.au/business/telstra-slashes-411-jobs-from…
So unfortunately for those paying top dollar for their Telstra Residential ADSL2 plans, with the loss of over hundred call centre staff they'll have no choice but to end up calling an overseas call centre.
Why would I need support?
Status Connected
Connection Uptime 116 days, 17:30:28
what a deal
$15 back on a 24 month contract… Apparently we have different definitions of 'deal'
Damn straight. $79 x 24 = $1896. With a $55 cashback = 2.9% discont. No deal.
I'm sure TPG are paying kickstartcomputers a whole bunch more for the referral.
WOW $15 to $55 cash back ……I'll try not to spend it all in the one shop.
Wouldn't go for it even if it was $200
Hi All..
We dont get a huge percentage ourselves with signing up a client and if the person leaves within a short period we actually lose money..
We have been giving cash backs too the consumer for the last 9 to 10 years (different trading names that weve been under; about 7 years for Kickstart) — IF your HAPPY with what youre about to sign up too, THEN why not get a monetary amount back.. ??
I find that very hard to believe, if you guys happen to be losing money , why is this "deal" still going on.
nuff said.
You guys are rude. If you don't like TPG go elsewhere. If you do, then some $ back is better than none.
I stated " if the person leaves within a short period we actually lose money.." — however, IF the client i.e. yourself keeps the service then - YES - we make money i.e its on the assumption that you stay with the service - which most do..
Cheers..
ANYWAY - U either love TPG or hate them — last post!
Call or email if it requires personal discussion (and thanks MattP and others with their praise :-) ) — Cheers..
To be honest, I have been to pretty much all the 'good' ISP out there. I have been very good at listening to forum's advice to avoid TPG like a plague. Tried Telstra, Optus, Westnet, iiNet,Exetel, Some small boutique ISP and finally I'm with TPG
TPG isn't the best, hell, I won't even consider their support good either. That being said, their connection has been so far the most consistent followed by iiNet. Westnet has the best support services. Telstra has the most expensive services. Optus - don't bother…..
So if anyone complains about TPG, i won't be surprised because I had issues with them myself but my connection has been consistently good; credit where's due. TPG support is still below par. Most ISP hope to keep their customer long term as average usage will mean they earn money back - like any business these days.
Good on OP in keeping the cashback to consumers (though I didn't know u guys until now…missed the boat LOL)
Hi Rep,
Thinking of getting the high speed FTTB TPG offering soon as I can't get NBN, however, they are branded as Wondercom. Are these plans still eligible for cashback?
Hi,
Cheers bud, will use the promo code.
Appreciate you posting! Anything is better than nothing
Obligotary heads up to avoid TPG like the plague. HORRIBLE support.