ISP cooling-off period?

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JEDENZED

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#113050 3-Jan-2013 20:42

Hi all,

Does anyone know if ISP's provide a cooling-off period for new customers? I'm moving into a new house at the end of January and am considering my broadband provider options.

I've previously only used Telecom before and had no major issues other than a dicky wireless modem (which was out of warranty but replaced FOC, thumbs up there) and a limited download cap of 80GB per month.

I'm currently favouring the Orcon $99 unlimited package (current thoughts/opinions welcomed on this) but would ideally like to have some first-hand experience of the speeds/service before committing to a 12 or 24 month contract, hence my question about a cooling-off period...

Cheers!

JED

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6434 posts

Uber Geek

#739902 3-Jan-2013 20:44

Since it costs the isp probably around 100 bucks to connect you, they are unlikely to allow you to leave early unless you lay those costs yourself. Some ISPs allow you to do this though. Look for ones with no contract.

Talkiet

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#739923 3-Jan-2013 21:31

I've previously only used Telecom before and had no major issues other than a dicky wireless modem (which was out of warranty but replaced FOC, thumbs up there) and a limited download cap of 80GB per month.

(Disclaimer, I work for Telecom)

If the limited download cap of 80G was an issue - are you aware that Telecom now has plans up to 500GB?

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

JEDENZED

437 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#739926 3-Jan-2013 21:38

Hi there, cheers for your input. Yes I am aware of this package and am definitely considering it... At $129 though (I'm in Hamilton) this deal is $30 p/m more expensive and while 500GB is a lot more than my old 80GB, unlimited is, well, more... ;)

khull

1245 posts

Uber Geek

#739942 3-Jan-2013 22:29

From my experience, I got great speeds from Orcon but that is where things end. Just be aware of their 1 month in advance notification policy should you sever the relationship

I'd be surprised if anyone offered an opt out timeframe.

JEDENZED

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Ultimate Geek

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#739943 3-Jan-2013 22:35

khull: From my experience, I get great speeds from Orcon.

What kind of speeds do you typically get?

khull: but that is where things end.

What do you mean by this?

Thanks a mil for the advice!! :)

khull

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#739947 3-Jan-2013 22:43

The sync rates were the best we had seen because Orcon installed their own equipment at the exchange. Latency and pings were minimal. If that is what you are after then great.

I just couldn't live with the monthly unscheduled downtimes and frequent dropouts (often in the wee hours of the morning or during the day where you'd return home from work and had to reset the modem). It is not a hardware issue as we ended up moving to another provider with the same setup and everything was rock solid.

JEDENZED

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#739955 3-Jan-2013 22:51

Is yours a recent experience of the Orcon service? I ask because I'm wondering if this was during the infamous "teething" period or if dropouts and modem resets are something that I should reasonably (or otherwise) expect as an Orcon customer...?

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nate

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#739966 3-Jan-2013 23:34

With unlimited internet, will you actually use it to make it worthwhile?

I'd go with Telecom, you don't hear issues with congestion, and they generally run a good ship. You can't go wrong with 500GB.

(disclaimer: currently a pissed off Maxnet customer, heading back to 200GB naked dsl with Vodafone)

nakedmolerat

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#739978 4-Jan-2013 01:52

UNLIMITED... More often than not you will encounter some issues.

nate: are you on maxnet unlimited? I thought the speed is quite decent because it is undersubscribed?

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#740128 4-Jan-2013 12:41

Orcon don't offer a cooling off period or even a no contract option anymore. They used to, but not now. If you sign up with then you are committing for at least 12 months.

nate

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#740185 4-Jan-2013 16:11

nakedmolerat: UNLIMITED... More often than not you will encounter some issues.

nate: are you on maxnet unlimited? I thought the speed is quite decent because it is undersubscribed?

I was but then we weren't utilising it, then I bought a new TV and that's all changed (too much Roku/Hulu/Vudu).

I'm frustrated at how slack it's been to get back on to the unlimited plan so I've given them the boot. 200GB with Vodafone should be heaps.

nate

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#740186 4-Jan-2013 16:14

Not sure if I should bother mentioning, but Maxnet have a cooling off period, from their site:

12 month contract term applies - if cancelled within first three months, no early disconnection fees charged.

Your mileage may vary.

webwat

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#740320 4-Jan-2013 23:00

NonprayingMantis: Since it costs the isp probably around 100 bucks to connect you, they are unlikely to allow you to leave early unless you lay those costs yourself. Some ISPs allow you to do this though. Look for ones with no contract.

You will generally be quite well cooled off by the end of the minimum-term contract... But seriously, just avoid slingshot/callplus (who tend to have poor customer service if you need to sort out anything) and you should find most of the others to be reasonable. If things don't work out, its generally a fault in some way that just needs to be resolved so that you get the normal connection quality. Sometimes everything is terrible and after checking your house wiring they find street wiring has issues that are hard to fix, and no ISP has any better chance to sort out stuff like that. You could ask whether you can borrow a spare modem from the ISP just for testing if everything goes bad.

Time to find a new industry!

Kitanai

81 posts

Master Geek

#741153 7-Jan-2013 16:14

Disclaimer: I work for Fyx

Fyx doens't charge a setup fee unless you need a site visit by a tech, and there's no contract. $30.30/month (+$25 for naked) + $0.30/GB.

http://www.fyx.co.nz

JEDENZED

437 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#741279 7-Jan-2013 20:25

Thanks for all your input guys, much obliged :)

Can anyone advise what kind of a *MINIMUM* ADSL2 speed I should expect in this day and age in NZ? What do you experienced users consider as a base minimum below which you would complain or consider switching providers?

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