You might think the worst thing that can happen if you sign up to change telephone companies with a door-to-door caller or a persuasive telephone salesperson is less-than-ideal rates. The ABC’s Four Corners last night documented how thousands of Australian small businesses got scammed by telephone bundle deals which promised free TVs and other equipment as well as cheaper calls, but left them liable for large bills after the phone providers went broke.
You can check out the full episode below, or read a transcript here. The big lesson? Any deal that promises loads of free equipment and requires you to sign multiple contracts should be treated with extreme, extreme caution.
Jack Cola
Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at 10:39 AMBigpond rang me up one their telemarketing calls about 7 years ago, and I think it was the best move that I done – considering to using dialup.
Although I never shopped around for a better deal when I signed up, where I lived, there wasn’t much other choice apart from Bigpond anyway.
Even though that was a one off, if I need a product or service, I only go out looking for it, I dont wait for people to offer it to me now.
ubetido
Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at 5:46 PMJust who in their right mind would sign any deal with “Dodgy Tel” or indeed any version thereof ?
Luke
Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at 10:59 PMBusiness 101 – Read the contract carefully before signing it.
Typical case of buyer beware.