Comments on: Southern Phone Company – missed opportunity

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:04:30 +0000

I was told about Southern today after i argued with Telstra and told them to get lost after 15 years of service with them.

I personally compared the $49 cap mobile plan via the website and over the phone between southern and telstra. Here is my personal working out of the breakdown.

Southern is:

10 cents dearer per 30 secs for calls
2 cents cheaper for each call connection
Same price for text messages
No contract at all (Telstra is 12 months no matter what)when taking my own phone and number.

$50 more call credit with southern. I worked out for myself that this will balance the difference in call costs (40 cents per 30 secs with telstra and 50 Cents per 30 secs with Southern)

I found the guy to be friendly, honest and helpful. He mentioned that telstra are cheaper for call costs but southern provide more credit to compensate. I googled as well as i have heard nothing about them and i arrived here. Aussie owned is also a good one.

After watching that Sol fellow take that huge payout from Telstra and their lack of service i am moving.
I had a Telstra guy tell me after i complained about signing a contract when they cancelled my plan today “Suck it up and take the 12 month contract – Its only 12 months anyway”

Bye Telstra

By: Ron

Ron — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:32:24 +0000

“Mobile calls 4 times what you can pay elsewhere. Landline national calls 3 times.”

Colin you must have been reading a different website to me.

I got the mailbox ad today and I cannot see how it’s not good deal. I estimate my landline and mobile total monthly bill will drop from $110pm to $58pm

By: Jen

Jen — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 06:36:51 +0000

Thanks so much for some really helpful comments. I was keen as mustard to change to Southern Phone from Telstra. A mailout offering an incredibly great deal on a home and mobile contract sounded too good to refuse. I’ve never heard of them so I checked out the website. Then I got even more excited! Profits the community so on and so on… So how come something sooo good isn’t a houshold name? I don’t want to misss out on this “limited offer,” yet, I really want to find out more because I hate the sound of a 2 year contract. Hmmmm I think I’ll just try googling what do customers say…I have decided NO THANKS.
All your experiences have helped me to make an informed decision. Thanks for sharing them. Jen, Coffs Harbour NSW

By: Colin

Colin — Mon, 25 May 2009 03:46:43 +0000

Have just received unsolicited mail from Southern Phone advertising their Home Super offer. The advertising is full of so much free credit, free SMS’s, etc. Do they think we are idiots? Answer – YES!! Nowhere does the blurb in the post mention the call pricing which is extortionate. They say the rental is free bu of course it isn’t; it’s just part of the price not implicit itemised separately. With a 24 month term contract cost $19/month terminated early, this is no cheap offer. Mobile calls 4 times what you can pay elsewhere. Landline national calls 3 times. At these rates, you would use up your so-called “free” amounts very quickly and then be paying heaps more than elsewhere. Why can’t Australia put out honest marketing?

By: Bev

Bev — Wed, 06 May 2009 10:40:02 +0000

I wrote before but after the last comment it prompted me to put in a good word for them again as I am still with them after about 4 years – and they are still answering the phone – not a machine! Give me discount on my long distance – offered me the change as they noticed my usage changed and it was better for me – great broadband. (No I dont work for them!) I dont know how they are marketing now but they make up for any past mistakes with their actions as a business. Wish there were more like them – for instance Telstra have just given my Mum the worst run around after Dad died – and it is so hard to call them to account – horror story!

By: Sam

Sam — Fri, 01 May 2009 20:17:32 +0000

I’ve only been with Southern for 2 months (from Telstra), but I am very happy with the service. No trying to make a computer understand you and I have not been called “mate” once.

I learned about Southern from a flyer, mentioned it to a friend who said that his parents were customers and happy with the company so I decided to give them a go.

Just added signed up for their broadband.

Never go back to Telstra.

By: Satisfied

Satisfied — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 04:59:14 +0000

Moving to southern phone co was the best move I have made in regard to telco’s. We were approoached over 2 years ago via an aussie call centre. After originally moving the land line, I now use multiple mobiles and their internet. While you people are pretending to be consumer watchdogs and legislators, you obviously continue to use second rate providers.

By: samantha

samantha — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 03:46:13 +0000

just letting you all know that Southern Phone Company has not employed indian call centres for telemarketing for over a year now. all sales that are generated by southern phone company are inbound sales in response to either tv campaigns or mail outs. people need to get their facts straight when making outlandish comments on a small company that is trying to make a difference in regional australia. sure it costs more to service regional australia, but southern phone company is based in regional australia. in the bush, just like the customers we look after!!!

By: Widtmann

Widtmann — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 23:36:14 +0000

I was very much tricked by the marketing techniques from this company. No integirty at all, and very little regard for the customer. Unfortunately, I entered into a verbal contract, of which I am now trying to cancel – due to the breaching of the contract by the company (not me), however they want me to pay and excessive sum (which was not pointed out to me, and is not mentioned in their brochure. I am taking the matter to ‘fair trading’. I would go back to the mega-phone before signing up with SP.

By: Zern

Zern — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 08:56:26 +0000

It is good to hear that at least their customer service treats people well.

This is a classic example of the lack of congruence across an organisation. The marketing people uses a marketing technique that is clearly inconsistent with how customer service works.

This is nothing short of a fractured personality. Imagine what they could do if all hands knew what each other were doing, and they were all drumming to the same beat!

But it takes guts to do that. It is easier to to just let each department do what others have done before – in their own isolated silos.