Ok, So I've had an Optus Fetch Mini box since World Cup 2018, when they screwed things up and gave everyone(?) a fetch mini box… It was on an account unattached to anything, no bank details, no phone, no internet… So I've had the box for the last 5 years and have never paid a cent… and randomly they're asking for it back…
Anyone else received the same email?
I do plan to play dumb… lol
Yes also got the email, which came out of the blue without warning. It's also worded like I'd initiated the return!
Parts of the mini have also been disabled (e.g catch up services, optus sport), haven't tried other apps. Still useful for free to air TV.
They don't have any payment details recorded so not sure how they'll charge me $150 if I don't return it.
Classic Optus. Now I have no excuse to keep then as my home NBN provider.
Oh i haven't tried optus sport… i've been using it for free premier league for years (even last weekend)… i'll have to turn it on and see if I still have it… if not i guess i'll send it back lol I have no other use for it except free premier league.
I don't have anything from them… have to scam free premier league elsewhere.
They don't have any payment details recorded
They'll probably find them on the dark web.
That made me laugh - about the only thing I have gotten from Optus - a new Drivers License due to their poor security
I just turned it on, still getting all the optus sport channels.
I take that back lol "fetch box not activated"
Just had the same email and a text and an email saying my subhub is cancelled. Had subscribed through the website for Optus Sport for $199 per year and got told by Optus that would be the way to keep watching on the Fetch box, this was in October. After chatting to them and saying the Fetch Box was free they wanted me to prove it, I asked them for proof of any contract I signed. They couldn't find one. But I can't now watch the subscription I paid for except on my PC. They told me I should pay more money to get the subhub - after I refused and told them they can't just prevent me using a subscription I paid for they went away to investigate. These people are crooks.
Same here got the email , I don't understand after 5 years they have woken up and start collecting the boxes . My box stopped working and I threw it away :O
The dream is over boys (and girls). I received the same message from optus. Turned on the fetch box this morning to receive the error "This Fetech box is not activated". It was good while it lasted.
about 2 years ago I moved to a new place where there wasn't a NBN connection so haven't used the box since & now couldn't find it :( Anyway to get away with paying them $150 in my situation?
Did you sign anything that said you had to return it or pay for it when you got it?
it was forever ago I couldn't remember unfortunately - I would sign anything if they give me a free box to watch the EPL for free! :(
Update. Optus have sent SMS saying fetch box does not need to be returned and that the email was sent in error.
Just got another Text from Optus saying the email was sent in error and I don't have to return the Fetch box.
Hi, we're getting in touch about an email you may have received titled 'Don't forget to return the Optus device'. Please disregard this email as it was sent in error. Your Fetch box does not need to be returned. We're sorry for any confusion this may have caused, if you have any questions, message us 24/7 in My Optus app app.optus.com.au/msg-us or get in touch via optus.com.au/contact
Yes but I pay through the website which is different to having an Optus account. Just tell them you got the Fetch box free and it is yours and that they need to provide evidence you had any agreement that it needed returning.
After getting the email to disregard this email…
Please update if anyone have got it working again lol as mine still says "fetch box not activated"
You may be able to activate it as a retail non Optus box. I saw something on whirlpool about that. Not sure though, could be a different bunch of Optus boxes
Wish I never returned mine - didn’t want to get charged - been conservative definitely turn out good
Next time gadget !
I've had the same messages, asking for return of the Fetch Box and then the second message saying to disregard the first one. I too have had the Fetch Box since the 2018 World Cup. I've still got the original contract. It was for "Fetch Standalone plus Optus Sport" for 12 months at a cost of $0. Like everyone else, I've had these services for nearly five years without any charge! I did lose Optus Sport about 3 months ago - I couldn't access it on my devices using the Optus Sport app - but I could still watch the live Optus Sport channels through the Fetch Box. But I like to watch replays etc on demand, so I was happy to subscribe then to Optus Sport for $6.99 per month.
So today I spent 30 min on the phone to Optus, asking why my account was cancelled and the Fetch Box was no longer activated. They had no idea, clearly confused by the fact that I ported my mobile service out from Optus in 2019. But they did re-activate my Fetch Box. I got the new activation code through Optus Chat and I am up and running again. The good thing is, it is like having a new service and I have a free month of the Ultimate package (all the extra channels), one free movie rental, and one free month of Disney+. This required having a new Optus account number, and I won't know if I'll be charged for the Fetch TV service until the next billing cycle. Here's hoping!
Nice maybe i'll try that.
It gets better. I was able to link my new account to SubHub (which I had lost access to) and get the free 6 months of Amazon Prime offer, and when I activated this I got a further $10 Amazon credit.
Hi Just checking whether your access is still valid .
They’re asking for it again today! How ridiculous!
Yes, I too was asked again today.
Yep i was asked again today, contacted them via optus chat and they said they will charge me $250 non return fee. I said no chance, "i threw it out" and i said I was happy to return the box 4 years ago when the 12 month period was over (i said i never used optus box since the world cup, which was a lie, it was free for 5 years), they ended up agreeing to not having to pay for it.
"what box?"
"from my ip? what does it look like?"