Unison - recommendation?

[Alfons]

I've followed a few past threads on Unison, and see that some people have
had some dissatisfaction. What's the current opinion of their standard
mobile plan at present? Is it still the best alternative for someone who
wants a mobile for only very occassional (rare) outgoing calls, and
probably no incoming?

I note from their website a local call charge of 22¢ for 30 seconds, but
also a Connection fee (Flagfall) of 18¢. I guess this means a total of 40¢
per local call?

Also, what kind of phone (probably secondhand) should I be looking to buy
if I wanted to start off on this plan? Obviously nothing "locked in" to
another company I guess, but anything else to consider?

As you may have gathered, I know next to nothing about mobiles, so please
forgive any obvious/ DUH questions.

cheers
Lyra

[Rod Speed]

Alfons <someone@somewhere.com> wrote

> I've followed a few past threads on Unison, and see that
> some people have had some dissatisfaction. What's the
> current opinion of their standard mobile plan at present?

Its decent value, particularly if you dont like prepaid.

Isim is worth considering if you dont mind prepaid.
http://www.isim.com.au

> Is it still the best alternative for someone who wants a mobile for only
> very occassional (rare) outgoing calls, and probably no incoming?

Harder to say. They do use the vodafone network, and
that isnt ideal coverage wise outside the bigger citys.

> I note from their website a local call charge of 22¢ for
> 30 seconds, but also a Connection fee (Flagfall) of 18¢.
> I guess this means a total of 40¢ per local call?

For a call that lasts less than 30 secs, yes. Dunno where
you are getting that 'local call' bit from tho, it isnt relevant.

> Also, what kind of phone (probably secondhand) should I be looking
> to buy if I wanted to start off on this plan? Obviously nothing "locked
> in" to another company I guess, but anything else to consider?

The cost of the batterys. You may need one with a second hand phone.

> As you may have gathered, I know next to nothing about
> mobiles, so please forgive any obvious/ DUH questions.

[kyte]

I'd have to agree with Rod. I make very rare calls, and mostly get
incoming. iSim is probably the best. You will get expired credits at
180days, bad luck, but you can recharge with as little as $10 and that
does not affect what you pay per call, its a 39c flat rate. So, you
can theoretically get away with having your mobile plan cost $20 p/a
whic I suspect is probably as cheap as it gets.

Bear in mind if you do sign up (and it has to be an online signup and
costs $20) you also get $20 worth of calls to start with, but IIRC they
expire in something like 30 days unless you recharge pretty much right
away. You can also preset your account to auto-recharge when the
balance falls under a certain amount (decided by you)... so really, its
a very easy way to manage your mobile calls.

I've been happy with them.

cheers
Sue

[jb]

>So, you can theoretically get away with having your mobile plan
>cost $20 p/a whic I suspect is probably as cheap as it gets.
>

Unison, $0/month if you dont use it, no expiry as it's post paid, direct
debit, no credit checks.
I've got one in an old Nokia in the glovebox, has never cost me a cent, with
the odd call when I have forgotten mine - cheaper than a payphone.
You also get up to $5 a month free calls/sms, check the website for details.

-mark

[Michael]

What an interesting topic.

Last year in July, I made a TIO complaint against Unison re: some
overcharging, and the TIO response was:
The TIO is not able to begin investigating your complaint at this time,
because Unison Mobile has not joined the TIO Scheme.
Part 6 of the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service
Standards) Act 1999 ('the Act') requires that carriers and eligible
carriage service providers be members of the TIO scheme. Membership is
not automatic, and companies must apply to the TIO to become members.
Unison Mobile appears to be required to join the TIO Scheme, but our
records indicate that it has not yet done so. Therefore, the TIO will be
writing to Unison Mobile to advise it of its obligation to join the TIO
Scheme.

Finally, in NOVEMBER, the TIO advised that Unison had joined, and I was able
to progress the complaint. Through a gent named Dion

Since then I have been overcharged a number of times. Repeated (3 or more),
emails to Unison and "Dion" went unanswered.

Finally I was contacted by "Dion" on the fourth email. He staggered me by
advising he was a part-OWNER of Unison. I was staggered than an employee and
part-owner would have such disregard for customer emails. He apologised,
eventually, and the complaint was sorted.

I advised him that I found his company to be sneaky, by changing its rules
several times along the way, specifically regarding email billing rebates
and direct debit rebates.

I encourage all Unison customers to contact Dion directly on 0424 224 001
should they have ANY complaints with the company.

You have very little to lose with a SIM only offer, but they are sneaky
arseholes.


"Alfons" <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in message
news:8ing47tforbe.jjl5q5el93rq$.dlg@40tude.net...
> I've followed a few past threads on Unison, and see that some people have
> had some dissatisfaction. What's the current opinion of their standard
> mobile plan at present? Is it still the best alternative for someone who
> wants a mobile for only very occassional (rare) outgoing calls, and
> probably no incoming?
>
> I note from their website a local call charge of 22¢ for 30 seconds, but
> also a Connection fee (Flagfall) of 18¢. I guess this means a total of
40¢
> per local call?
>
> Also, what kind of phone (probably secondhand) should I be looking to buy
> if I wanted to start off on this plan? Obviously nothing "locked in" to
> another company I guess, but anything else to consider?
>
> As you may have gathered, I know next to nothing about mobiles, so please
> forgive any obvious/ DUH questions.
>
> cheers
> Lyra
>

[Michael]

"jb" <abuse@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:42df1c4d$0$783$61c65585@un-2park-reader-02.sydney.pipenetworks.com.au...
> >So, you can theoretically get away with having your mobile plan
> >cost $20 p/a whic I suspect is probably as cheap as it gets.
> >
>
> Unison, $0/month if you dont use it, no expiry as it's post paid, direct
> debit, no credit checks.
> I've got one in an old Nokia in the glovebox, has never cost me a cent,
with
> the odd call when I have forgotten mine - cheaper than a payphone.
> You also get up to $5 a month free calls/sms, check the website for
details.

These discounts were DISCONTINUED in May.

[jb]

Haven't used mine in god-knows-how-long, I would hope my rebates are still
continuing as I haven't recieved anything to say they won't!
Nor have I recieved anything relating towards a bill in >6 months, so I
assume I can use it and not be charged as the SIM is still connected.

-mark

[Ext User(Rod Speed)]

jb <abuse@hotmail.com> wrote:

> Haven't used mine in god-knows-how-long, I would hope my rebates
> are still continuing as I haven't recieved anything to say they won't!

Yeah, I havent either, tho I cant see any mention of them
on the web site now and its been revamped extensively.

> Nor have I recieved anything relating towards
> a bill in >6 months, so I assume I can use it

Yes.

> and not be charged as the SIM is still connected.

You'll be charged. They appear to not send out a bill unless there
is something owing. Thats not uncommon and is completely legal.

[Ext User(Michael W)]

"Alfons" <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in message
news:8ing47tforbe.jjl5q5el93rq$.dlg@40tude.net...
> I've followed a few past threads on Unison, and see that some people have
> had some dissatisfaction. What's the current opinion of their standard
> mobile plan at present? Is it still the best alternative for someone who
> wants a mobile for only very occassional (rare) outgoing calls, and
> probably no incoming?
>
> I note from their website a local call charge of 22¢ for 30 seconds, but
> also a Connection fee (Flagfall) of 18¢. I guess this means a total of
> 40¢
> per local call?
>
> Also, what kind of phone (probably secondhand) should I be looking to buy
> if I wanted to start off on this plan? Obviously nothing "locked in" to
> another company I guess, but anything else to consider?
>
> As you may have gathered, I know next to nothing about mobiles, so please
> forgive any obvious/ DUH questions.
>
Their website doesn't seem to exist.

[Ext User(jb)]

> Their website doesn't seem to exist.

www.unisonmobile.com.au

works fine

-mark

[Ext User(Michael)]

"jb" <abuse@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:42df82f2$0$779$61c65585@un-2park-reader-02.sydney.pipenetworks.com.au...
> Haven't used mine in god-knows-how-long, I would hope my rebates are still
> continuing as I haven't recieved anything to say they won't!

Neither did I, and thats why I told him his company was shonky :-)

> Nor have I recieved anything relating towards a bill in >6 months, so I
> assume I can use it and not be charged as the SIM is still connected.

Apparently you need to use $15 before they send you a bill. Its coming :-)
>
> -mark
>
>

[Ext User(Alfons)]

On Thu, 21 Jul 2005 04:48:55 +1000, Rod Speed wrote:

> Alfons <someone@somewhere.com> wrote
>
>> I've followed a few past threads on Unison, and see that
>> some people have had some dissatisfaction. What's the
>> current opinion of their standard mobile plan at present?
>
> Its decent value, particularly if you dont like prepaid.
>
> Isim is worth considering if you dont mind prepaid.
> http://www.isim.com.au
>
<snip>

Sorry to be late in replying. Thanks for the advice Rod. Looks like there
are more things to consider than I'd originally thought of. But now, at
least, I have a rough idea of the playing field.

cheers
Lyra

[Ext User(Alfons)]

On Thu, 21 Jul 2005 08:28:22 +1000, kyte wrote:

> I'd have to agree with Rod. I make very rare calls, and mostly get
> incoming. iSim is probably the best. You will get expired credits at
> 180days, bad luck, but you can recharge with as little as $10 and that
> does not affect what you pay per call, its a 39c flat rate. So, you
> can theoretically get away with having your mobile plan cost $20 p/a
> whic I suspect is probably as cheap as it gets.
>
> Bear in mind if you do sign up (and it has to be an online signup and
> costs $20) you also get $20 worth of calls to start with, but IIRC they
> expire in something like 30 days unless you recharge pretty much right
> away. You can also preset your account to auto-recharge when the
> balance falls under a certain amount (decided by you)... so really, its
> a very easy way to manage your mobile calls.
>
> I've been happy with them.
>
> cheers
> Sue

Thanks for the advice Sue. I'll certainly be looking at iSim as a viable
alternative.

Lyra

[Ext User(Alfons)]

On Thu, 21 Jul 2005 10:41:18 GMT, Michael wrote:

> What an interesting topic.
>
> Last year in July, I made a TIO complaint against Unison re: some
> overcharging, and the TIO response was:
> The TIO is not able to begin investigating your complaint at this time,
> because Unison Mobile has not joined the TIO Scheme.
> Part 6 of the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service
> Standards) Act 1999 ('the Act') requires that carriers and eligible
> carriage service providers be members of the TIO scheme. Membership is
> not automatic, and companies must apply to the TIO to become members.
> Unison Mobile appears to be required to join the TIO Scheme, but our
> records indicate that it has not yet done so. Therefore, the TIO will be
> writing to Unison Mobile to advise it of its obligation to join the TIO
> Scheme.
>
> Finally, in NOVEMBER, the TIO advised that Unison had joined, and I was able
> to progress the complaint. Through a gent named Dion
>
> Since then I have been overcharged a number of times. Repeated (3 or more),
> emails to Unison and "Dion" went unanswered.
>
> Finally I was contacted by "Dion" on the fourth email. He staggered me by
> advising he was a part-OWNER of Unison. I was staggered than an employee and
> part-owner would have such disregard for customer emails. He apologised,
> eventually, and the complaint was sorted.
>
> I advised him that I found his company to be sneaky, by changing its rules
> several times along the way, specifically regarding email billing rebates
> and direct debit rebates.
>
> I encourage all Unison customers to contact Dion directly on 0424 224 001
> should they have ANY complaints with the company.
>
> You have very little to lose with a SIM only offer, but they are sneaky
> arseholes.

Well, thanks for that preemptive warning. Hard to believe in this day and
age, isn't it - a shifty, shadey telco? :-)

Lyra

[Ext User(Michael)]

"Alfons" <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in message
news:c6vyza19z531$.1vvc8lvi7ql73$.dlg@40tude.net.. .
> On Thu, 21 Jul 2005 10:41:18 GMT, Michael wrote:
>
> > What an interesting topic.
> >
> > Last year in July, I made a TIO complaint against Unison re: some
> > overcharging, and the TIO response was:
> > The TIO is not able to begin investigating your complaint at this
time,
> > because Unison Mobile has not joined the TIO Scheme.
> > Part 6 of the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service
> > Standards) Act 1999 ('the Act') requires that carriers and eligible
> > carriage service providers be members of the TIO scheme. Membership is
> > not automatic, and companies must apply to the TIO to become members.
> > Unison Mobile appears to be required to join the TIO Scheme, but our
> > records indicate that it has not yet done so. Therefore, the TIO will be
> > writing to Unison Mobile to advise it of its obligation to join the TIO
> > Scheme.
> >
> > Finally, in NOVEMBER, the TIO advised that Unison had joined, and I was
able
> > to progress the complaint. Through a gent named Dion
> >
> > Since then I have been overcharged a number of times. Repeated (3 or
more),
> > emails to Unison and "Dion" went unanswered.
> >
> > Finally I was contacted by "Dion" on the fourth email. He staggered me
by
> > advising he was a part-OWNER of Unison. I was staggered than an employee
and
> > part-owner would have such disregard for customer emails. He apologised,
> > eventually, and the complaint was sorted.
> >
> > I advised him that I found his company to be sneaky, by changing its
rules
> > several times along the way, specifically regarding email billing
rebates
> > and direct debit rebates.
> >
> > I encourage all Unison customers to contact Dion directly on 0424 224
001
> > should they have ANY complaints with the company.
> >
> > You have very little to lose with a SIM only offer, but they are sneaky
> > arseholes.
>
> Well, thanks for that preemptive warning. Hard to believe in this day and
> age, isn't it - a shifty, shadey telco? :-)

In most cases, even the smallest telco are fine.

Unison seem to be an exception

[Ext User(Alfons)]

On Sat, 30 Jul 2005 08:09:40 GMT, Michael wrote:

<snip>
>>> You have very little to lose with a SIM only offer, but they are sneaky
>>> arseholes.
>>
>> Well, thanks for that preemptive warning. Hard to believe in this day and
>> age, isn't it - a shifty, shadey telco? :-)
>
> In most cases, even the smallest telco are fine.
>
> Unison seem to be an exception

OK, thanks. I've taken that on board.

Lyra