Starhub (internet and cable) early cancellation fee S$762.38

[cw1483]

It's my own fault for not reading the contract thinking I would never leave Singapore before 2 years....but unfortunately, I haven't found another job and my employer is shrinking their Singapore office and I got the boot....and will leave Singapore if I or spouse do not find a job soon.

A word of advise for anyone planning to sign up for Starhub.

I am at a bit of sticker shock at my Starhub early cancellation fee for Broadband and Starhub TV. Turns out there is early cancellation fee for each. After just six months, my early cancellation fee is $508.25 for broadband and $254.13 for internet.....meaning to close my account, I need to pay $762.38.

http://www.starhub.com/content/support/ ... gpack.html

[taxico]

you can appeal for the amount to be reduced. don't pay that amount yet, unless you're leaving urgently.

ask to talk to a team leader or duty manager and explain your'e an expat that is leaving for reasons beyond your control (or whatever mitigating circumstances you have) and you request for them to waive or reduce the ETC.

they'll have to call you back. so sit tight and hope for the best. meanwhile, make sure whatever subscription fees that due for the remainder of the contractual period on your cell and/or cable tv account does not exceed the ETC (some times it's cheaper).

[cw1483]

Thanks. My ETC is 18months x $86.27 = $1522.86 for time to complete. The person on the customer service phone just said that I was getting a better deal with $762.38 cancellation fee. Since I wasn't cancelling today, she asked that I call back at least 1 week before cancelling to then speak to a supervisor. I will definitely give that a try.

Thanks again!

[Wd40]

See if you can find anyone to transfer the connection. Put out ads in all classifieds websites and also in your company message board. Offer to pay like 1 or 2 months bill, people will be willing to take it up. In my company chat room I always see people wanting to the their connection as lots of people are moving back to India.

[offshoreoildude]

See if you can find anyone to transfer the connection. Put out ads in all classifieds websites and also in your company message board. Offer to pay like 1 or 2 months bill, people will be willing to take it up. In my company chat room I always see people wanting to the their connection as lots of people are moving back to India.

Good advice.

[taxico]

i don't think there're that many people willing to take up someone else's contract in singapore...

not especially when they can get the latest cell phone and channel freebies with a fresh sign up.

my tenant (that had to leave the country because of a better job offer) laid out 6 months of free internet and cell phone service and a free cell phone and free cable modem to no avail (starhub tv and mobile contract with about 20 months left).

he paid an ETC of about $500 after i negotiated with starhub on his behalf.

i know of LOTS of singaporeans that would be willing to pay a few months subscription if their contract can be reassigned.

[Wd40]

i don't think there're that many people willing to take up someone else's contract in singapore...

not especially when they can get the latest cell phone and channel freebies with a fresh sign up.

my tenant (that had to leave the country because of a better job offer) laid out 6 months of free internet and cell phone service and a free cell phone and free cable modem to no avail (starhub tv and mobile contract with about 20 months left).

he paid an ETC of about $500 after i negotiated with starhub on his behalf.

i know of LOTS of singaporeans that would be willing to pay a few months subscription if their contract can be reassigned.

Actually there are people who are looking out for contracts transfers primarily because of the shorter duration of contract remaining. Imagine you are planning to remain in Singapore for just 8 months will you not like to a have contract does expires in the next few months rather than taking up a brand new contract for 1 yr?

I am talking from experience as in our company we have like an internal messaging chat room where everyone posts deals related to stuff like contract transfer and short term room rentals without contract or agent etc. works great in this rigid country like singapore.

[offshoreoildude]

i don't think there're that many people willing to take up someone else's contract in singapore...

not especially when they can get the latest cell phone and channel freebies with a fresh sign up.

my tenant (that had to leave the country because of a better job offer) laid out 6 months of free internet and cell phone service and a free cell phone and free cable modem to no avail (starhub tv and mobile contract with about 20 months left).

he paid an ETC of about $500 after i negotiated with starhub on his behalf.

i know of LOTS of singaporeans that would be willing to pay a few months subscription if their contract can be reassigned.

Take over contract is pretty common here actually. I see it a lot with motorbikes as well.

[the lynx]

Wd40's advice is actually good. Usually it is easier if it is someone that you know who is taking over your contract. But I've seen people advertising for strangers to take over the contracts.

[dpot]

Somewhat related, two weeks after we had cable broadband installed in our new place, the condo was fitted with fibre...wanting higher speeds for the money, I called Starhub to ask if I could 'upgrade' to the fibre...I think it was like $10/mo more than we were already paying. The answer? Sure, but you'll need to pay $800 to cancel the cable. After trying to explain why this was silly given the future value of the respective income streams--namely, that I would be paying more with fibre but would not switch unless they agreed to not charge the cancellation fee--I realised I was banging my head against a wall. Still have cable today. When Singapore gets a hold of lateral thinking, they will dominate the world...I fear, however, that I may not live to see the day.

[zzm9980]

Somewhat related, two weeks after we had cable broadband installed in our new place, the condo was fitted with fibre...wanting higher speeds for the money, I called Starhub to ask if I could 'upgrade' to the fibre...I think it was like $10/mo more than we were already paying. The answer? Sure, but you'll need to pay $800 to cancel the cable. After trying to explain why this was silly given the future value of the respective income streams--namely, that I would be paying more with fibre but would not switch unless they agreed to not charge the cancellation fee--I realised I was banging my head against a wall. Still have cable today. When Singapore gets a hold of lateral thinking, they will dominate the world...I fear, however, that I may not live to see the day.

Funny, Singtel asks me every time I go in if I'd like to upgrade to Fiber, just have to agree to a new term. I always tell them SURE, knowing my location doesn't have fiber yet, but they don't Fun way to waste 20 minutes.