RevTel - a good deal on paper but be wary

[Ext User(filter365@analog2cd.co.uk)]

I recently was in Australia for 2 weeks and wanted a local low cost
mobile option. Compared all the networks and decided to go with revtel.
At the time it offered $20 credit for $5 and in two weeks the 50c
recharge and 15c a day network fee was not going to be a problem. On
paper that looked like a really good deal for a temporary account. I
seemed to be getting through more credit than I expected, and I
discovered that the credit was going down while receiving calls as
well, not what I expected. I got through $30 credit in just under two
weeks and only made about 10 Oz calls of less than 5 minutes and a 1
minute UK call and 20 or so texts. I received at least 1 UK call of
5-10 minutes per day, which seemed to be gobbling up the credit. The
giveaway was when I got cut off as the credit expired while receiving a
UK call. No way of checking call times or charges (as there is no bill
anywhere) so my advice is keep a track of your usage and compare it to
the expected rates. Left this as a customer comment on their site, but
as they moderate customer feedback before display, it is unlikely to
see the light of day (apart from here). I will be back in December so
will be looking at the deals again.

[Ext User(Michael)]

You dont get charged for incoming calls in Australia - looks like you werent
looking after your call costs accuratly

<filter365@analog2cd.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1147684211.197108.209840@v46g2000cwv.googlegr oups.com...
> I recently was in Australia for 2 weeks and wanted a local low cost
> mobile option. Compared all the networks and decided to go with revtel.
> At the time it offered $20 credit for $5 and in two weeks the 50c
> recharge and 15c a day network fee was not going to be a problem. On
> paper that looked like a really good deal for a temporary account. I
> seemed to be getting through more credit than I expected, and I
> discovered that the credit was going down while receiving calls as
> well, not what I expected. I got through $30 credit in just under two
> weeks and only made about 10 Oz calls of less than 5 minutes and a 1
> minute UK call and 20 or so texts. I received at least 1 UK call of
> 5-10 minutes per day, which seemed to be gobbling up the credit. The
> giveaway was when I got cut off as the credit expired while receiving a
> UK call. No way of checking call times or charges (as there is no bill
> anywhere) so my advice is keep a track of your usage and compare it to
> the expected rates. Left this as a customer comment on their site, but
> as they moderate customer feedback before display, it is unlikely to
> see the light of day (apart from here). I will be back in December so
> will be looking at the deals again.
>

[Ext User(Geoffw)]

<filter365@analog2cd.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1147684211.197108.209840@v46g2000cwv.googlegr oups.com...
> I recently was in Australia for 2 weeks and wanted a local
low cost
> mobile option. Compared all the networks and decided to go
with revtel.
> At the time it offered $20 credit for $5 and in two weeks
the 50c
> recharge and 15c a day network fee was not going to be a
problem. On
> paper that looked like a really good deal for a temporary
account. I
> seemed to be getting through more credit than I expected,
and I
> discovered that the credit was going down while receiving
calls as
> well, not what I expected. I got through $30 credit in
just under two
> weeks and only made about 10 Oz calls of less than 5
minutes and a 1


what was the call charge rate - 50 minutes of calls would
soon get through $30 credit



> minute UK call and 20 or so texts. I received at least 1
UK call of
> 5-10 minutes per day, which seemed to be gobbling up the
credit. The
> giveaway was when I got cut off as the credit expired
while receiving a
> UK call. No way of checking call times or charges (as
there is no bill
> anywhere) so my advice is keep a track of your usage and
compare it to
> the expected rates. Left this as a customer comment on
their site, but
> as they moderate customer feedback before display, it is
unlikely to
> see the light of day (apart from here). I will be back in
December so
> will be looking at the deals again.
>

[Ext User(alx)]

25 c flag fall for outgoing plus 9.9c per 30secs.

no charges for incoming (as per all Oz carriers).

30 day grace period once credits expire so incoming calls still OK with zero
credit...number still active...

Revtel website a useful resource....


<filter365@analog2cd.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1147684211.197108.209840@v46g2000cwv.googlegr oups.com...
>I recently was in Australia for 2 weeks and wanted a local low cost
> mobile option. Compared all the networks and decided to go with revtel.
> At the time it offered $20 credit for $5 and in two weeks the 50c
> recharge and 15c a day network fee was not going to be a problem. On
> paper that looked like a really good deal for a temporary account. I
> seemed to be getting through more credit than I expected, and I
> discovered that the credit was going down while receiving calls as
> well, not what I expected. I got through $30 credit in just under two
> weeks and only made about 10 Oz calls of less than 5 minutes and a 1
> minute UK call and 20 or so texts. I received at least 1 UK call of
> 5-10 minutes per day, which seemed to be gobbling up the credit. The
> giveaway was when I got cut off as the credit expired while receiving a
> UK call. No way of checking call times or charges (as there is no bill
> anywhere) so my advice is keep a track of your usage and compare it to
> the expected rates. Left this as a customer comment on their site, but
> as they moderate customer feedback before display, it is unlikely to
> see the light of day (apart from here). I will be back in December so
> will be looking at the deals again.
>

[Ext User(alx)]

oops...20c flag fall, not 25 cents...same rates to landline and mobiles.

"alx" <alx@swiss-invest.com> wrote in message
news:e4dsa8$o5q$1@otis.netspace.net.au...
> 25 c flag fall for outgoing plus 9.9c per 30secs.
>
> no charges for incoming (as per all Oz carriers).
>
> 30 day grace period once credits expire so incoming calls still OK with
> zero credit...number still active...
>
> Revtel website a useful resource....
>
>
> <filter365@analog2cd.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:1147684211.197108.209840@v46g2000cwv.googlegr oups.com...
>>I recently was in Australia for 2 weeks and wanted a local low cost
>> mobile option. Compared all the networks and decided to go with revtel.
>> At the time it offered $20 credit for $5 and in two weeks the 50c
>> recharge and 15c a day network fee was not going to be a problem. On
>> paper that looked like a really good deal for a temporary account. I
>> seemed to be getting through more credit than I expected, and I
>> discovered that the credit was going down while receiving calls as
>> well, not what I expected. I got through $30 credit in just under two
>> weeks and only made about 10 Oz calls of less than 5 minutes and a 1
>> minute UK call and 20 or so texts. I received at least 1 UK call of
>> 5-10 minutes per day, which seemed to be gobbling up the credit. The
>> giveaway was when I got cut off as the credit expired while receiving a
>> UK call. No way of checking call times or charges (as there is no bill
>> anywhere) so my advice is keep a track of your usage and compare it to
>> the expected rates. Left this as a customer comment on their site, but
>> as they moderate customer feedback before display, it is unlikely to
>> see the light of day (apart from here). I will be back in December so
>> will be looking at the deals again.
>>
>
>

[Ext User(mabs)]

I'll never go near these guys again (RevTel), when I ported to them
about 6 months ago I was happy with the charges, until I found the
charges stated on the internet were wrong, and all their customer
support said was "Yep, it's wrong", and when I asked them to refund me
all I got was that their terms and conditions can change without
notice. After a week of stuffing around, I ported back out, and their
website still wasn't updated so I lodged a complaint with the ACCC (the
right guys for misleading advertising, as was this case).

[Ext User(filter365@analog2cd.co.uk)]

I got cut off from an incoming call. My credit went down to zero (from
about $4) during that call so I will leave it up to you to judge what
happened. I definately did not use all that $30 credit on calls I
initiated. I think there are shady or shoddy practices here and I would
actually pay a bit more next time for something that is a bit more open
and honest, but then, I only wanted this number for 2 weeks and yes,
mobile numbers have become that expendable). The problem is that there
is absolutely no bill or record of calls that you can access with this
company. The only reason that I did this is because I get charged UK
incoming calls roaming rates and was hoping to save that. Admittedly
Revolution Telecom were charging me slightly less to accept a call, but
I was expecting to get incoming calls for free and pay for the outgoing
ones. Bored now, its here for posterity, argue on if you wish....

[Ext User(Rod Speed)]

filter365@analog2cd.co.uk wrote

> I got cut off from an incoming call. My credit went
> down to zero (from about $4) during that call so I
> will leave it up to you to judge what happened.

Most likely their accounting system runs periodically to debit
the daily charge and that happened during that incoming call,
so you got dropped when the balance reduced to zero.

No one charges for incoming calls in this country.

> I definately did not use all that $30 credit on calls I initiated.

Sure, but there is a daily charge too.

> I think there are shady or shoddy practices here

Only in the sense that the web site doesnt
necessarily state the current charges correctly.

> and I would actually pay a bit more next time for something that is a
> bit more open and honest, but then, I only wanted this number for 2
> weeks and yes, mobile numbers have become that expendable).

Any of the prepaids would work fine for that use.

> The problem is that there is absolutely no bill or record
> of calls that you can access with this company.

Just as true of most of the prepaids too.

> The only reason that I did this is because I get charged UK
> incoming calls roaming rates and was hoping to save that.

> Admittedly Revolution Telecom were charging me
> slightly less to accept a call, but I was expecting to
> get incoming calls for free and pay for the outgoing ones.

And that is what you got.

> Bored now, its here for posterity, argue on if you wish....

[Ext User(Tom N)]

Rod Speed wrote:

> filter365@analog2cd.co.uk wrote
>
>> I got cut off from an incoming call. My credit went
>> down to zero (from about $4) during that call so I
>> will leave it up to you to judge what happened.
>
> Most likely their accounting system runs periodically to debit
> the daily charge and that happened during that incoming call,
> so you got dropped when the balance reduced to zero.

Why did he get cut off in mid-call, if what alx posted is correct "30 day
grace period once credits expire so incoming calls still OK with zero
credit...number still active..."

He was only here 2 weeks (I assume he got the SIM while in Au, not before).

[Ext User(Rod Speed)]

Tom N <me@privacy.net> wrote
> Rod Speed wrote
>> filter365@analog2cd.co.uk wrote

>>> I got cut off from an incoming call. My credit went
>>> down to zero (from about $4) during that call so I
>>> will leave it up to you to judge what happened.

>> Most likely their accounting system runs periodically to debit
>> the daily charge and that happened during that incoming call,
>> so you got dropped when the balance reduced to zero.

> Why did he get cut off in mid-call, if what alx posted is
> correct "30 day grace period once credits expire so
> incoming calls still OK with zero credit...number still active..."

True. Presumably the call just dropped out for the usual reasons
that can cause any call to drop out, the caller didnt call back
for the usual reasons that any caller doesnt/cant, and since
the balance had dropped to zero, he couldnt call them back etc.

> He was only here 2 weeks (I assume
> he got the SIM while in Au, not before).

Sure, but it wouldnt be hard to consume
the balance with calls outside the country.

[Ext User(Michael)]

"Tom N" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:Xns97C881EC11455ndt601946x@127.0.0.1...
> Rod Speed wrote:
>
> > filter365@analog2cd.co.uk wrote
> >
> >> I got cut off from an incoming call. My credit went
> >> down to zero (from about $4) during that call so I
> >> will leave it up to you to judge what happened.
> >
> > Most likely their accounting system runs periodically to debit
> > the daily charge and that happened during that incoming call,
> > so you got dropped when the balance reduced to zero.
>
> Why did he get cut off in mid-call, if what alx posted is correct "30 day
> grace period once credits expire so incoming calls still OK with zero
> credit...number still active..."
>
> He was only here 2 weeks (I assume he got the SIM while in Au, not
before).

Because you pay a 15c fee PER DAY to use the network.

Seems to be debitted once a week.

[Ext User(Michael)]

explain where the charges were wrong

"mabs" <mrmabs@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1147928270.031349.93360@u72g2000cwu.googlegro ups.com...
> I'll never go near these guys again (RevTel), when I ported to them
> about 6 months ago I was happy with the charges, until I found the
> charges stated on the internet were wrong, and all their customer
> support said was "Yep, it's wrong", and when I asked them to refund me
> all I got was that their terms and conditions can change without
> notice. After a week of stuffing around, I ported back out, and their
> website still wasn't updated so I lodged a complaint with the ACCC (the
> right guys for misleading advertising, as was this case).
>

[Ext User(Rod Speed)]

Michael <michael@yahoo.com> wrote:
> "Tom N" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
> news:Xns97C881EC11455ndt601946x@127.0.0.1...
>> Rod Speed wrote:
>>
>>> filter365@analog2cd.co.uk wrote
>>>
>>>> I got cut off from an incoming call. My credit went
>>>> down to zero (from about $4) during that call so I
>>>> will leave it up to you to judge what happened.
>>>
>>> Most likely their accounting system runs periodically to debit
>>> the daily charge and that happened during that incoming call,
>>> so you got dropped when the balance reduced to zero.
>>
>> Why did he get cut off in mid-call, if what alx posted is correct
>> "30 day grace period once credits expire so incoming calls still OK
>> with zero credit...number still active..."
>>
>> He was only here 2 weeks (I assume he got the SIM while in Au, not
>> before).
>
> Because you pay a 15c fee PER DAY to use the network.
>
> Seems to be debitted once a week.

He shouldnt have exceeded the 30 day grace
period tho if he was only here for 2 weeks.

[Ext User(Michael)]

"Rod Speed" <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:4d7nj8F198ckfU2@individual.net...
> Michael <michael@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > "Tom N" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
> > news:Xns97C881EC11455ndt601946x@127.0.0.1...
> >> Rod Speed wrote:
> >>
> >>> filter365@analog2cd.co.uk wrote
> >>>
> >>>> I got cut off from an incoming call. My credit went
> >>>> down to zero (from about $4) during that call so I
> >>>> will leave it up to you to judge what happened.
> >>>
> >>> Most likely their accounting system runs periodically to debit
> >>> the daily charge and that happened during that incoming call,
> >>> so you got dropped when the balance reduced to zero.
> >>
> >> Why did he get cut off in mid-call, if what alx posted is correct
> >> "30 day grace period once credits expire so incoming calls still OK
> >> with zero credit...number still active..."
> >>
> >> He was only here 2 weeks (I assume he got the SIM while in Au, not
> >> before).
> >
> > Because you pay a 15c fee PER DAY to use the network.
> >
> > Seems to be debitted once a week.
>
> He shouldnt have exceeded the 30 day grace
> period tho if he was only here for 2 weeks.
>
>

True

[Ext User(mabs)]

> explain where the charges were wrong

In my case, GPRS charges, when Vodafone changed to $1 per 5min, they
did to (plus a little more), but didn't change their site for over a
month. I ported out pretty close to a month after the pricing change.