Basic primer based on my experience hope this is useful for people:
1. Never assume anything- Just because you have had a fantastic connection and good support for 10 years don't assume that the same will continue in the 11th year. Always look out for your interest.
2. Don't be loyal, be pragmatic- Never be loyal to a brand or being a customer to a particular brand of ISP. But yes stick through with them if they are the best possible option for you. For example I will tolerate more crap from Second Brother's company than Fair usage fetishists because SBC has cheaper plans and provides unlimited usage.
3. Have specific expectations- Negotiate between what you can have and what you can get. This also depends on your purchasing power and the location of your connection. But having specific expectations from your ISP and choosing a closely matching plan is better than getting attracted to a particular plan.
4. Make local contacts- have contacts in your ISP's local office. Know the number and name of your locality's technical engineer and various executives' details and # and if possible get the nodal officer's mobile number. Contact them directly when you have a problem as they will give you a more direct answer and tell you the exact problem. This is better than calling customer care and listening to their platitudes. (will be resolved within 24 hours sir!)
5. Visit Local Office- They might resolve your problem in your presence(happened to me once) and this is a prerequisite for number 4. This should also give you a rough idea about the competence of the company and its personnel.
6. Rely on user reviews in your locality- When buying a new connection. Ultimately this is the best way to judge whether the ISP is worth subscribing to or not.
7. Don't be Rude- Especially to CC executives on the phone who are largely powerless and interchangeable anyway. You must define what you can tolerate and will not tolerate. Sometimes its just best to leave the ISP if you have reached the limits of your tolerance.
1. Never assume anything- Just because you have had a fantastic connection and good support for 10 years don't assume that the same will continue in the 11th year. Always look out for your interest.
2. Don't be loyal, be pragmatic- Never be loyal to a brand or being a customer to a particular brand of ISP. But yes stick through with them if they are the best possible option for you. For example I will tolerate more crap from Second Brother's company than Fair usage fetishists because SBC has cheaper plans and provides unlimited usage.
3. Have specific expectations- Negotiate between what you can have and what you can get. This also depends on your purchasing power and the location of your connection. But having specific expectations from your ISP and choosing a closely matching plan is better than getting attracted to a particular plan.
4. Make local contacts- have contacts in your ISP's local office. Know the number and name of your locality's technical engineer and various executives' details and # and if possible get the nodal officer's mobile number. Contact them directly when you have a problem as they will give you a more direct answer and tell you the exact problem. This is better than calling customer care and listening to their platitudes. (will be resolved within 24 hours sir!)
5. Visit Local Office- They might resolve your problem in your presence(happened to me once) and this is a prerequisite for number 4. This should also give you a rough idea about the competence of the company and its personnel.
6. Rely on user reviews in your locality- When buying a new connection. Ultimately this is the best way to judge whether the ISP is worth subscribing to or not.
7. Don't be Rude- Especially to CC executives on the phone who are largely powerless and interchangeable anyway. You must define what you can tolerate and will not tolerate. Sometimes its just best to leave the ISP if you have reached the limits of your tolerance.
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