At this morning’s Vodafone announcement of new postpaid plans Ben McIntosh their Consumer Business Unit Director said they weren’t interested in plans with slippery interest or leasing fees.
Taking a shot at his competitors Optus and Telstra, who both offer leasing options to their consumer and business customers, McIntosh told media attendees that:
“We’re not going down the leasing path, which is the equivalent of paying off someone else’s mortgage and never getting to own the house,” said McIntosh. “We simply think it’s a waste of money and telcos shouldn’t be trying to turn mobile phone plans into something like the Australian property market, where for many ownership is a long-lost dream.
I’ve been dubious about the value of leasing a mobile phone. I wouldn’t do it myself or recommend anyone do it.
At the end of the lease the telcos take back leased phones which don’t get recycled, they get sold on the wholesale market for several hundred dollars.
What do you think?
