It's almost too late, but I have just discovered a thread on an other forum 'washingpool' or something (sic).

Apparently Optus have this clause in their T's & C's:

'Changing the Agreement"
Optus can change the agreement by giving notice in writing and 21 days notice. This then allows the customer to cancel the service within 42 days without paying fees or charges.

A few Optus customer received an interesting note on the bottom of their letter that they received re the $2 paper bill fee, saying if they were not happy with the fee then they could break their contract and only pay the remaining handset cost. ie) I'm only paying $4 per month!

But you had to call between 1st of May and the 21st of May.

A number of people on the other forum who didn't receive the same letter, ie break contract for free, rang Optus earlier this month and were about to get out of their contract for free, apart from approx $90 for the remaining phone instalments!

With the new iPhone just around the corner this is an awesome discovery!

Although, I rang today and was told - "we can waive the fee and then your contract hasn't been altered, so you can't cancel your contract for free".

I might try round two tomorrow.

Has anyone else been successful?

Oh, and I'm very annoyed I didn't learn about his earlier.

I contacted them and they gave me some bollocks - so I contacted the TIO (which seems to be the successful way...)

Let's see what happens.

Originally Posted by fompsweeva

I contacted them and they gave me some bollocks - so I contacted the TIO (which seems to be the successful way...)

Let's see what happens.

I'm worried that I'll run out of time if I contact the TIO and wait for a response. as the 42 days is up on the 21st of May.

When did you lodge a complaint with the TIO and what did you say?

I've got the $2 fee this month because the three times I attempted to change my billing lead me to 'sorry, your request could not be processed' then I forgot about it. 100% frustrating. Good luck to anyone getting out of their contracts on this.

You're too late. go read the discussion on whirlpool. I was lucky to get it done within the first couple of customers, but they aren't doing it anymore because they seem to have trained their incompetent operators. The cancellation is only for people on $19 iPhone plans since they are the only ones substantially affected. Most Optus will do now is waive the paper fee for you. There's a lot more to contract law than merely stating clauses.

Originally Posted by chaosboi

I'm worried that I'll run out of time if I contact the TIO and wait for a response. as the 42 days is up on the 21st of May.

Contracts mean nothing to the TIO. :-) If you've attempted to take them up on the exit clause in the contract legally and within the specified timeframe the TIO can still tell them to rip it up.

As always with the TIO, make sure you take down dates/times of calls and the names of people you spoke to so you have proof that you attempted to do it before the 21st.

Yes! You are one of the ones that should have a letter from Optus telling you you can do so!

If they give you trouble, refer them to the letter.

The double standard here is Optus assume $19 customers aren't going to be happy about it, and that higher spend customers can just absorb the fee because they're already paying a lot to start with.

This is how to screw them. People are still having success cancelling through the TIO.

I have been told I would be looked after by Optus, never to be called back. I have noted this in my complaint with the TIO.

Call 1300 555 241

Yes - ring cancellations directly, don't waste your time with the minions from customer service in stupid indian call centres. Also, they are now asking people to fax through the letter you received - so if you do that you should be fine.

are they cancelling the mobile # attached to that contract as well?

transfer to optus pre-paid so you can keep the number. after that you can immediately switch to whatever the hell you want

Can someone show me what the letter looked like? Was it just the original letter that they sent me stating that there would be a fee change?

I'm on the $19 cap, paying $25 a month for the phone. And an extra $8 a month for insurance.

I didn change the service over though. Reckon it's worth a try? Can someone give me a way of going about this?

yes it's the same letter advising you of the fee change - it has a cancellations provision at the bottom saying "you can cancel yada yada".. today ist he last day though so i guess hurry your ass up!