Labour will crack down on unfair charges on bills

Labour will stop companies charging loyal customers more, end nasty surprises when deals finish, and ban fake discounts.

“This election is about the cost of living. Household bills have gone up under National, and every dollar counts,” Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said.

“Too often, people who stay with the same phone, internet or insurance company for years end up paying more than a new customer.

“Many find their bills go up when a deal ends, or that a sale wasn’t the bargain it looked like.

“You shouldn’t have to spend hours comparing prices, reading the fine print or changing companies just to get a fair deal. Labour will make sure companies treat their customers fairly,” Chris Hipkins said.

Labour will:

• Stop companies charging loyal customers more: Phone, internet and insurance companies won’t be able to charge longstanding customers higher prices than new customers just because they haven’t switched.
• Stop nasty surprises when deals end: Companies won’t be able to shift customers onto unjustifiably expensive plans when an introductory deal ends, and will have to tell you clearly what you’ll pay and whether there’s a cheaper plan.
• Ban fake discounts: Advertised discounts will have to be based on the lowest price charged for that product in the previous 30 days.

“Some companies save their best deals for new customers, while people who’ve been with them for years pay more,” Labour Commerce and Consumer Affairs spokesperson Arena Williams said.

“Labour will change the rules so companies can’t charge loyal customers more just because they haven’t switched.

“We’ll also stop companies quietly moving people onto expensive plans when a deal ends. They’ll have to tell you clearly what you’ll pay next, and whether there’s a cheaper plan.

“And when a shop says something is on special, it should be a real saving. The Commerce Commission has had to take supermarkets to court over misleading specials. Labour will make it simple: advertised discounts will have to be based on the lowest price charged in the previous 30 days.

“Kiwis work hard. They deserve fair prices, honest deals, and more left over at the end of the week. Labour has a plan to tackle the cost of living and make sure Kiwis get a fair go on their household bills,” Arena Williams said.