The NERVE of some people........
By AnnieOakley1
@AnnieOakley1 (5596)
Canada
November 26, 2008 11:15am CST
I am sick of dialup internet, so I have been searching for a High Speed Provider, but since Bell hasn't had the decency to upgrade our phone lines on our little dead-end gravel road out here in the country, it looks like I will have to pay the price for Wireless if I want HS.
I have been searching for websites online and subsequently emailing companies that seem to be able to offer Wireless High Speed Service.
I am currently comparing 3 different Company's that can provide it to me ......contracts, plans, policies, set-up costs, monthly costs, etc to try and decide which one to go with. One local company, however, seems to think he is the ONLY one able to provide this service. I am a firm beleiver in buying local and his monthly cost was the cheapest, too (30/mo). But his initial cost to get set up was a whopping $900. All the others were $5-$20/mo more, but with set up costs ranging from $0 - $400, most were around $300. Some have limits on how many MB or GB downloaded or their will be extra charges and his ceiling was the lowest, only 200MB. All others were 500MB or unlimited for a max of $50/mo.
What I found so incredible, was that after skirting my initial questions, and forcing me to email him a few more times for clarification, he then ended his last (4th), very technical email to me like this;
And I Quote:
[b]"I sure hope this helps because it took 30 minutes to respond this time. I
will add that to your invoice if you decide to schedule an install. I hope
you do."[/b]
I'm just trying to be frugal and do my research, as I always do, before purchasing something.
What would you do?
What do you think of this guy?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
26 Nov 08
While I too am all for shopping locally, this guy takes the cake! How can he add his time to your invoice when you have not even signed up? Man is out for every dollar he can steal 
I'm afraid I would look elsewhere. Keep researching and find the best deal for you, not the local yokel 
I'm afraid I would look elsewhere. Keep researching and find the best deal for you, not the local yokel 2 people like this
@AnnieOakley1 (5596)
• Canada
27 Nov 08
Well, I don't mind some set up costs as I expected that, maybe a few hundred. All the others though have a higher monthly fee. I was trying to keep that regular monthly charge down as low as I could. But then, he also has a lower ceiling on downloads, too. So if I went over the 200MB in one month, I would be charged an extra $25 up to 1GB, which then puts his service higher monthly than ANY OTHER.
I can get Satellite High Speed Internet, with unlimited downloads for $50/mo and set up is only in the $300-$400 range, signing a 3 yr contract.
But I'm also wondering if Bell or Rogers may put up more Wireless Internet Towers nearer to me in the meantime that I could subscribe to them. Theirs is maybe $100 for a modem, that you install yourself, but the prices range from $30/mo for Rogers to $45/mo for Bell Wireless.
1 person likes this
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
27 Nov 08
Sounds like the satellite package may be the way to go But, I would talk to Bell and Rogers first and ask them flat out for an honest answer about their future plans. 3 years is a long contract if they are planning anything that would help you in the near future. I waited around five years for Verizon to get around to updating the wiring in this neighborhood so I could have DSL. But, at least when I first talked to them about it they told me that they would not be re-wiring this neighborhood for a long time
But, I would talk to Bell and Rogers first and ask them flat out for an honest answer about their future plans. 3 years is a long contract if they are planning anything that would help you in the near future. I waited around five years for Verizon to get around to updating the wiring in this neighborhood so I could have DSL. But, at least when I first talked to them about it they told me that they would not be re-wiring this neighborhood for a long time 2 people like this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
28 Nov 08
Bottom orifice is what I think Annie. I would point out in a letter to his local newspaper just why you will go to one of his competitors; who he doesn't appear to realise exist! That in itself would cause me to leave him well alone. I am still trying to get my head around the concept of set up costs! Here there is sometimes a connection fee then a monthly subscription cost. Anyone trying to charge $900 set up for a domestic service would be a very lonely person with no pennies in the bank at all.
1 person likes this
@AnnieOakley1 (5596)
• Canada
28 Nov 08
He boasts 95% of our County serviced by him, but mostly businesses that didn't have access to High Speed. Those people would easily write-off the $900 set up costs and $400/mo he charges them on their Income Taxes.
But for a residential customer, $900 is just way out there. Most charge anywhere from $100 for a modem to $300 for modem, equipment and labour included.
I love your idea, P1ke. The papers. We have a wonderful local paper here in our Township. Free to post information or letters to editor, or comments. Yeah, I might just do that. I could post the quote from his email and his own words will ruin him. You're brilliant! Thanks so much!
1 person likes this
@modstar (9605)
• Philippines
26 Nov 08
Setting up should costs minimal and $900 is way too much! Plus, there shouldn't be limits on downloaded files. I mean, that's one of the main reasons why people get high speed internet, to be able to download larger files. I think you better search for other providers and i'm sure there are lots out there. Here in our country, there's no installation fee. We just have to pay for the modem which they will provide. The only downside is the service itself. Sometimes the net goes off.
@AnnieOakley1 (5596)
• Canada
27 Nov 08
This is for Wireless High Speed Internet as I live rurally, and the telephone wires in my area are not up to code to allow for normal, cheaper, DSL. So I expected some set-up, installation costs.
I agree that set-up shouldn't be THAT much. $900 is just TOO much. And when asking questions as a PROSPECTIVE CUSTOMER, he threatens to charge me EVEN MORE if I choose him, is an indication to me that he will not be a fair person in future dealings.
1 person likes this
