Softbank/NTT/Yahoo BB Deal via Yamada Denki

[Wage Slave]

We went to buy a microwave the other day and ended up leaving without a microwave but having signed a contract to switch our telephone/TV and internet service to Hikari Flets via Softbank/Yahoo/Yamada Denki. I wouldn't have agreed to sign on the spot but they agreed a 7 day cooling off period.

In brief:

1. 1Gbs internet
2. 55,000 Yen cashback for installation and cancellation charges. NTT do the work outside, I can opt to do the work inside to save on costs.
3. ASUS 10" Quad core tablet (approx 30,000, payable in installments over 2 years) - I want a tablet anyway and ASUS will do. The model has good reviews.
4. Normal TV plus BS with the option to contract for more channels. Unlimited number of TV sets can be connected without any need for set top boxes
5. 300 bps wireless modem/router
6. NTT phone line with every conceivable extra which I don't want
7. Softbank wifi hotspot membership
8. Option to get softbank mobile internet hotspot for 300 Yen a month
9. Yahoo BB with lots of extras I don't want

Cost per month to start is about 8,300. Some of the extras can be cancelled after getting the cashback so the bill will drop to perhaps 6,800 or so. After two years the tablet drops out and the remaining extras can be cancelled. The bill should fall to 5,200 or so. Currently we pay about 8,300 per month for cable TV (with more channels), 40mbs internet and phone line.

We need a second TV and the current provider requires a new subscription and set top box. Or we could fit an antenna of course but they cost a fair bit round here as they need to be pretty big.

The telephone line we have is less than ideal. It doesn't have the normal area code, can't do freecall numbers and is generally a bit odd.

Any thoughts? Red flags? Experiences?

[IparryU]

Get the tablet elsewhere... you can find some brand new on the cheap from other places.

Router you can get elsewhere and on the cheap... don't get buffalo or linksys, so shitty IMO and there are tons of other routers that do the same, with less cluster fuck of shitty UI.

6 through 9 is just shit that should be of choice from the get go and not "cancel able after the first month plus money back blah blah blah", but TIJ.

[Wage Slave]

Get the tablet elsewhere... you can find some brand new on the cheap from other places.

Router you can get elsewhere and on the cheap... don't get buffalo or linksys, so shitty IMO and there are tons of other routers that do the same, with less cluster fuck of shitty UI.

6 through 9 is just shit that should be of choice from the get go and not "cancel able after the first month plus money back blah blah blah", but TIJ.

Thanks for the thoughts but:

The tablet and modem/router are part of the deal. Don't take them (via Yahoo) and you don't get the 55k cashback. Ditto 6 though 9.

Overall, it seems OK to me and meets our needs - hence we signed but I'm very open to persuasion.

Edit to add. Amazon sell the tablet for 29k so they aren't being ridiculous about it.

http://www.amazon.co.jp/ME301%E3%82%B7%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BA-TABLET-Android-10inch-ME301-BL16/dp/B00BMLIM4M/ref=pd_cp_computers_3

[Coligny]

Get the tablet elsewhere... you can find some brand new on the cheap from other places.

Router you can get elsewhere and on the cheap... don't get buffalo or linksys, so shitty IMO and there are tons of other routers that do the same, with less cluster fuck of shitty UI.

6 through 9 is just shit that should be of choice from the get go and not "cancel able after the first month plus money back blah blah blah", but TIJ.

That's a bit missing the big picture no ?

[IparryU]

Get the tablet elsewhere... you can find some brand new on the cheap from other places.

Router you can get elsewhere and on the cheap... don't get buffalo or linksys, so shitty IMO and there are tons of other routers that do the same, with less cluster fuck of shitty UI.

6 through 9 is just shit that should be of choice from the get go and not "cancel able after the first month plus money back blah blah blah", but TIJ.

Thanks for the thoughts but:

The tablet and modem/router are part of the deal. Don't take them (via Yahoo) and you don't get the 55k cashback. Ditto 6 though 9.

Overall, it seems OK to me and meets our needs - hence we signed but I'm very open to persuasion.

Edit to add. Amazon sell the tablet for 29k so they aren't being ridiculous about it.

http://www.amazon.co.jp/ME301%E3%82%B7%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BA-TABLET-Android-10inch-ME301-BL16/dp/B00BMLIM4M/ref=pd_cp_computers_3

Well... not much you can do if it is required (I ASSuMEd so... but was just critiquing it a bit.)

My brother has an ASUS tablet and it does wonders. No need to root or flash custom ROMs either.

[Wage Slave]

Well... not much you can do if it is required (I ASSuMEd so... but was just critiquing it a bit.)

Yep, and thanks. Actually, on reviewing it, it appears that they claim the tablet is free but you have to contract Yahoo BB for 24 months at 2,500 per month. After that, I suppose if you do nothing the bill will remain at 2,500 and they will stay quiet. Presumably though you can, if you remember, negotiate a new rate/package threatening to go to a new ISP if necessary. Or have I got that wrong?

My brother has an ASUS tablet and it does wonders. No need to root or flash custom ROMs either.

That's good to know. I think it is safe to say the thing is worth 25k to me as I was planning on buying something anyway. All in all, I think it is a take but it is so hard to assess accurately.

How long before we get the cashback? Exactly how much can we save by cancelling extras at that point? What kind of new deal can we get when the contract expires?

I also wonder a bit about Softbank. They have pulled some stunts over data charges in their time.

[Wage Slave]

Get the tablet elsewhere... you can find some brand new on the cheap from other places.

Router you can get elsewhere and on the cheap... don't get buffalo or linksys, so shitty IMO and there are tons of other routers that do the same, with less cluster fuck of shitty UI.

6 through 9 is just shit that should be of choice from the get go and not "cancel able after the first month plus money back blah blah blah", but TIJ.

That's a bit missing the big picture no ?

But the big picture is deliberately complex and translucent at best. Unless you have good Japanese, lots of time, tech knowlege and decent commercial experience it's hard to be sure. I have two of those but not the other two. My other half has a different two.

A bit of me says we should just tell them to get stuffed because it is just too complex and convoluted to commit to. But it does meet our needs and isn't more than we are paying now even at the outset.

[legion]

I also wonder a bit about Softbank. They have pulled some stunts over data charges in their time.

I don't wonder about Softbank, they are crooks, they get away with misleading advertising because they are part of the cozy cartel that keeps this country stagnant.

Mind you the alternatives aren't much better, wife went to get her phone changed the other day (AU), new one cost a fortune and they wouldn't even transfer her phone numbers over for her.

Communication companies are extracting rent.

[Coligny]

But it does meet our needs and isn't more than we are paying now even at the outset.

Which is the big picture...

[IparryU]

I also wonder a bit about Softbank. They have pulled some stunts over data charges in their time.

I don't wonder about Softbank, they are crooks, they get away with misleading advertising because they are part of the cozy cartel that keeps this country stagnant.

Mind you the alternatives aren't much better, wife went to get her phone changed the other day (AU), new one cost a fortune and they wouldn't even transfer her phone numbers over for her.

Communication companies are extracting rent.

you should have walked down the street to another AU shop and asked them. sometimes the people are just assholes and dont want to do a service for you.

[GomiGirl]

Is that HikariTV as well - on every TV in the house for no additional charges? Or is that just BS in every TV? Where is the list of stations that are included.

For that alone, it is almost worth is. I would love to get cable in the bedroom TV but I am not going to pay for two contracts.

Am looking around for an option for two TV's on cable that includes Discovery Channel and CNN. Hikari TV has gone to the dogs over the last 3 years or so.

We don't have a home phone (I am the keitai goddess after all ) but I have almost wanted one from time to time.

[Wage Slave]

Just BS on every TV in the house. You can get more, but it costs more. Currently we get a lot more channels via cable so we will have to sacrifice them. I am deeply indifferent to this, but expect to hear some protests from the teenagers when it happens.

I know what you mean about a landline but I run a business from home and people expect to be able to call a landline at landline charges. I also have to send the occasional fax (thanks a lot Benesse et al) and I couldn't get internet fax services to work or they seemed a bit dodgy or they wanted too much money for doing it. And the youngest hasn't got his own phone yet and won't for about 3 years so he needs access to one, so he can make and receive calls independently of mum and dad. So we're stuck with that for a while I think.