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Early termination of Starhub contract

Posted: Wed, 22 Aug 2012 11:59 pm
by fuel4mind
Hi,

We signed up for a Starhub Internet Connection to our place last Tuesday evening and we cancelled their contract the very next morning. The package was not even opened. We got an mail today asking us to pay an early termination fee of around 450 SGD. Do we really need to pay the fee for something we didn't even use it for a minute? Kindly advice.

Thanks in advance.

Posted: Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:06 am
by nakatago
Yes. You signed a contract.

Posted: Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:07 am
by zzm9980
Unless you can find an early termination provision in your contract, then yes.

Posted: Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:10 am
by fuel4mind
Thanks will read it. Singapore Networks doesn't have the 14 day return period policy??

Posted: Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:17 am
by zzm9980
fuel4mind wrote:Thanks will read it. Singapore Networks doesn't have the 14 day return period policy??
Only if it is in your contract.

Posted: Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:21 am
by fuel4mind
Thanks a lot guys. Will check my contract...

Posted: Thu, 23 Aug 2012 1:03 am
by offshoreoildude
The only way I have personally gotten around this is to return the equipment and cancel the bank account the giro was from (this was for a friend who left town in a hurry).

Posted: Thu, 23 Aug 2012 1:09 pm
by fuel4mind
Don't you think thats illegal?

Posted: Thu, 23 Aug 2012 9:59 pm
by durain
yes.

Posted: Fri, 24 Aug 2012 10:52 am
by offshoreoildude
Probably, but the friend had left forever so it was unlikely that SH would pursue the matter. I mentioned it in case the OP's problem was that they needed to leave Singapore.

Posted: Fri, 24 Aug 2012 11:07 am
by sundaymorningstaple
I realize you were relating what you actually did, but it is the policy of this board not to advise doing anything "illegal" in Singapore. Please refrain from suggesting an illegal activity as a solution for any of our readers problems.

Thanks - moderator

Posted: Fri, 24 Aug 2012 3:51 pm
by offshoreoildude
Closing a bank acc and returning equip is not illegal. Avoiding paying a debt maybe with a subsequent court judgement.

Posted: Fri, 24 Aug 2012 5:41 pm
by Strong Eagle
offshoreoildude wrote:Closing a bank acc and returning equip is not illegal. Avoiding paying a debt maybe with a subsequent court judgement.
Those that do it make life more difficult that stay behind. Why is it that Maxis, Malaysia, requires a RM 1000 deposit from expats? Because the cheat and cop out.

Legal or not, it is not ethical... you signed the ferking contract... honor it... or show that you are a person of little integrity.

Posted: Fri, 24 Aug 2012 11:12 pm
by offshoreoildude
Strong Eagle wrote:
offshoreoildude wrote:Closing a bank acc and returning equip is not illegal. Avoiding paying a debt maybe with a subsequent court judgement.
Those that do it make life more difficult that stay behind. Why is it that Maxis, Malaysia, requires a RM 1000 deposit from expats? Because the cheat and cop out.

Legal or not, it is not ethical... you signed the ferking contract... honor it... or show that you are a person of little integrity.
True enough. I believe that's the reason mobile phone contracts became difficult for foreigners to get without large deposits as well.

Posted: Mon, 27 Aug 2012 2:39 pm
by Travailes
Strong Eagle wrote:
offshoreoildude wrote:Closing a bank acc and returning equip is not illegal. Avoiding paying a debt maybe with a subsequent court judgement.
Those that do it make life more difficult that stay behind. Why is it that Maxis, Malaysia, requires a RM 1000 deposit from expats? Because the cheat and cop out.

Legal or not, it is not ethical... you signed the ferking contract... honor it... or show that you are a person of little integrity.
However, fair contracts defined under a proper consumer law ie 14 days to change your mind would resolve these issues for everyone.