While we don't verify specific claims because reviewers' opinions are their own, we may label reviews as "Verified" when we can confirm a business interaction took place. Read more

To protect platform integrity, every review on our platform—verified or not—is screened by our 24/7 automated software. This technology is designed to identify and remove content that breaches our guidelines, including reviews that are not based on a genuine experience. We recognise we may not catch everything, and you can flag anything you think we may have missed. Read more

Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Considering 77 reviews, most reviewers were let down by their experience overall. Consumers frequently complained about terrible customer support, extremely long waiting times, and frustrating automated phone bots that made resolving issues nearly impossible. Many people also mentioned unexpected billing errors, unannounced monthly charges, and difficult contract terms. However, some reviewers were happy with the cheap pricing and affordable plans offered by the provider. A few individuals also pointed out that certain interactions with staff members provided genuinely helpful assistance. Despite these occasional bright spots, the overwhelming consensus remains deeply negative due to persistent communication failures and poor reliability.

What people talk about most

Customer service

Clients share negative opinions on customer service, frequently struggling with unresponsive automated chat... See more

Service

Reviewers highlight negative aspects of service, reporting that phone plans and travel eSIMs frequently fail... See more

Price

Consumers find price to be ambiguous, with reviewers praising the cheap plans and good rates, while others... See more

Payment

Reviewers express deep dissatisfaction regarding payment issues, frequently reporting that funds were... See more

Customer communications

Customers felt deep dissatisfaction regarding customer communications, reporting that phone calls constantly... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Skinny as a provider are one of the cheapest but it really is counter productive when their app has major issues with loading and conectivity. I can never seem to load credit, update card info, renew... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Purchased 52 week plan. Have had difficulty porting number across. The online portal doesn't work. Unable to talk to someone the message always says you have contacted us after hours but it absolut... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

The customer service is horrendous, and that's saying it lightly. I recently went to Melbourne and purchased the 3 day roaming plan which did not work the entire time I was away. I attempted to contac... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

This company has been going downhill for the last three years I have been with them for 10 years but their customer service is terrible they don't return no calls. There customer service hours have re... See more


Company details

  1. Telecommunications Service Provider
  2. also in
  3. Cell Phone Store
  4. Internet Provider
  5. Internet Service Provider
  6. Mobile Network Operator
  7. Phone and Internet Service

Information provided by various external sources

Skinny does award winning prepay mobile at great prices across NZ, it's that simple. Find out more here today. Skinny is a division of Spark New Zealand.


Contact info

1.3

Bad

TrustScore 1.5 out of 5

512 reviews

5-star
4-star
3-star
2-star
1-star

No history of asking for reviews

This company hasn't invited their customers, so reviews may not be representative

How this company uses Trustpilot

See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.

1.3

All reviews

(512)

77 reviews in the last 12 months

Write a review
Companies on Trustpilot aren't allowed to offer incentives or pay to hide reviews. Reviews are the opinions of individual users and not of Trustpilot. Read more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Sunshines & Rainbows

Its been a Week now that iv topped up my skinny phone and never received the data the asked for a waste of $20 ! I finish work at 5pm so i only had 2hrs to sort it out as Skinny closes at 7pm (as it says on there website) I tryd ringing up and had to wait 1 hour as it said on call... 1 hour and 30minutes go still no awnser and at this point its its nearly 7pm 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ i hung up and messaged them on facebook the situation and it stated back itll get back to me 4days later im still waiting 🤦‍♂️ so overall my experience was a waste of my time and im never useing skinny again!!!

24 March 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Re Broadband problem… Nine days without…

Re Broadband problem… Nine days without internet and still waiting to get the problem resolved. Forget emailing or using Messenger - no one responded. After four days I phoned - reluctant as working and can’t be on the phone - then three call-backs (due to nearly hour-long wait times), many lost minutes on hold and still, now entering second weekend without internet, I don’t know if I’m going to receive a new modem in 3 - 5 days. All we need is a new modem! Get an outlet that I can go to! Can only hotspot for work, gaming, streaming TV. We’re being forced to look at Starlink :-( Edit note: Received modem after 12 days. Thanks Skinny. Won’t be going to Starlink. Biggest lesson: only phone Skinny - don’t bother with email or Messenger.

15 March 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I’m sick of this company.

I’m sick of this effing company. I can’t even check my effing voicemails despite having plenty of data and minutes because it just goes: “whoops! Looks like you don’t have enough minutes”. This has been a consistent issue for MONTHS and I’ve always just been too busy to bother changing providers but missing a relative’s emergency phone call was the last straw. This company is interfering with people’s lives! I know they’re cheap but they’re not worth pinching your pennies for! Go to a different provider!!!!

4 March 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

we recently joined 4G wireless with…

we recently joined 4G wireless with skinny, to our surprise the speed is well below their advertised one (average 65mps download), our speed is mostly between 12-32mps, we understand there could be some differences in speed at user end, however it should not be such a big gap, we are disappointed.

1 March 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Horrendous customer service - go somewhere else.

Horrendous customer service. They claim to have an award for it - 10 years ago!!!! I endured a person who did not know the answer, to enquiring and coming back to tell me it was essentially nothing to do with them and it was my fault despite that I have been with Skinny for more than 10 years. She refused to put me through to someone more senior and then I entered into a pointless email conversation when I tried to complain. It was generic and obviously AI was responding based upon key words it had picked up. I have tried to find their head office to complain but it is well hidden online and no street address is available. I think they are one mistake away from collapse or being bought out - thank goodness. Either way. I'm out.

18 February 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

If I could give a zero star I would

If I could give a zero star I would. I’ve been with skinny since 2016. Recently I contacted customer service based out of the Phillipines to move my old skinny number to a new phone, the CS person Tony was very rude - patronising, impatient and very unhelpful., the questions to validate my identity were impossible to answer and I had to call back 3x and spend hrs on the phone just to keep my number. I’ve unfortunately had to call back a couple of other times, been hung up on with no apology and no resolution. One skinny CS person I talked to was great, but couldn’t help due to the ridiculousness of skinny policies around ID confirmation.i can’t go into a skinny store and show them my ID. Once I’ve used up all the credit I’ll be switching to one nz or another provider and I won’t be looking back. I’ve told everyone I know not to use skinny.

15 February 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Customer Service Team Manager,

Dear Customer Service Team Manager,

I am writing to express my frustration with the recent customer service experience I had with your company, specifically with Miguel from Skinny customer service. A few days ago, I placed an order for a replacement modem, which has still not arrived. I have been without internet for several weeks now due to this delay, and I was unable to escalate my complaint at the time.

When I spoke with Miguel today, I tried to explain my concern, but instead of resolving the issue, the call ended abruptly when he hung up on me. This is the worst customer service experience I’ve had, and I find it unacceptable.

Additionally, I want to clarify that I no longer wish to receive the replacement modem and will not accept the courier handling fee of $10 unless I am compensated for the poor service and delay. I expect a prompt response regarding this complaint and a satisfactory resolution to the matter.

Thank you for your attention to this issue. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

28 February 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

No communication with skinny

I bought on the 21 of February a skinny prepaid card and I took a plan of $ 50.
There came no connection and after a few hours I took again a plan of $ 50 and there was a connection.
I sent a complaint about it to skinny but no reply.
After that I send a few webmail’s to skinny which aren’t answered.
But I want my money back!

21 February 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Bad customer service

Bad customer service. Tried to cancel a number sent emails to different addresses no response nothing then after three months I needed to wait nearly an hour in that hotline to cancel just a number Worst customer service ever

24 February 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Don't buy

Worst customer service. Don't get a solution, don't get help. I didn't get my pants. $75 put on fire..
Don't buy!!!

6 January 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

After switching my mobile plan to other…

After switching my mobile plan to other providers, all my broadband and other linked mobile accounts became inaccessible but auto payments going through as is. Add or linking accounts process are crap, too complicated….
Very stupid, dumb system.

20 February 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Impossible to easily get support.

Impossible to easily get support.
The only way to get support is using Facebook Messenger.
I do not have a Facebook account.
Their "support" email address only handles - wait for it - COMPLAINTS!
Good 4G router and broadband but hopeless customer support.

20 February 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Completely useless

Completely useless. Been trying to get in contact with them all day regarding somthing which should be a simple fix but with no luck of getting through to them. Just going to change providers instead.

19 February 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Just getting worse, used to be good. Customer service the issue.

Just getting worse. Too much complication in managing account. Just can't find where to see historical usage data on modem. Just go in circles, very non user friendly dashboard. Manage your modem section gives no options apart from send your device back.
!!!!!!! Idiotic.

Under help on website and wireless 4g broadband help, which is one of my issues, it's useless. Does not help if you have a service outage. Says If you still don't have a connection please chat with us below. Ha ha. No links to chat.
Whoever is writing these help pages needs to be fired. !!

Android app forces you to use it vs desktop webpage and thus you can't view or manage your account and analytics via the mobile.

Used to be good. Now I'm just not impressed.
Spent hours on help desk, giving me 0800 numbers to call to sort a account issues to then just go in circles. Shame on you Skinny. What happened to the simple easy old skinny.

13 February 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Look elsewhere

After accepting the most terrible service for the last 9 years because I couldn't afford another provider, I've had enough. On par with all the other reviews, the chat service spans days, sometimes weeks with one question being answered per day and eventually them just simply not responding. I have been through the process many times and never had resolutions but have had to accept terrible internet. While studying and working it's been terrible and caused many issues for me with work and study. Over covid it was probably the worst, working from home, studying from home and my children trying to learn from home. Now it is at the point when I can't get a day of consistent internet, even just to check my emails and turning off every other device. I end up switching off WiFi and using my phone data hotspot. So unsurprisingly I have decided to leave. A really disappointing situation, made worse by the fact that our bad reviews and me leaving the provider will have no impact on them and they'll continue to take advantage of people who cannot afford better. If you can, try to find another provider, don't get caught up in this. I have found that "One" is not considerably more expensive and am going to try them. Wish me luck.

6 February 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Appalling service

Appalling service. Despite them saying that they normally reply immediately they don't.
Had to repeat myself numerous times when they kept telling me to do things i had already done.
After 4 hours of messaging back and forth they then stopped responding altogether and my problem was never resolved

2 February 2025
Unprompted review

Is this your company?

Claim your profile to access Trustpilot’s free business tools and connect with customers.

Get free account

The Trustpilot Experience

Anyone can write a Trustpilot review. People who write reviews have ownership to edit or delete them at any time, and they’ll be displayed as long as an account is active.

We use dedicated people and clever technology to safeguard our platform. Find out how we combat fake reviews.

Learn about Trustpilot’s review process.

Here are 8 tips for writing great reviews.

Verification can help ensure real people are writing the reviews you read on Trustpilot.

Offering incentives for reviews or asking for them selectively can bias the TrustScore, which goes against our guidelines.

Take a closer look