Photo by Domenico Loia on Unsplash
Originally posted on April 13, 2015, when a new provider was needed. However, I think these might still be useful.
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Top Ten Things Not to Do When Changing Internet, Phone, or TV Providers
10 If you are changing providers, do not expect anything to work that day. If you do, at best, you will be frustrated. At worst, you will need someone handy to apply some electroshock to bring you back. (This technology should not be so difficult.)
9 If you are changing providers, do not let them touch anything until verifying the price. If you do, at best, the price will be the same as agreed. At worst, some clod in the sales department quoted you a price on just half the equipment, and now the COD charge is twice the quote. (and your other provider has already disconnected your service.)
8 If you are changing providers, do not let the tech leave until you try everything. If you do, at best, there will be no batteries in the remotes. At worst, your internet and TV resemble something driven by a captured mouse on a wheel that hasn’t had a square meal in weeks. (Maybe Edison put this stuff together.)
7 If you are changing providers, do not let them come to the house until they have confirmed your old phone number will be ready to hook up. If you do, at best, you will be given a temporary number until your old number is available. At worst, the old number will not be available for a few weeks, and in the meantime, your number is one digit off from an all-night at-home massage service. (The company’s name is Happy Ending, which should tell you something.)
6 If you are changing providers, do not think all your precious recordings on the old DVR will stay with you. If you do, at best, you will be surprised. At worst, you will sadly realize those episodes of NCIS that you were going to watch over the summer no longer exist, and you will have no idea how the season and the series end. (Sure, you could subscribe to a streaming service if your credit score exceeds 25.)
5 If you are changing providers, pay no attention when the tech says, “Oh-oh, that’s not good.” If you do, at best, you will lose confidence in getting service quickly. At worst, you will be drawn into a conflict between the tech and his home office over whether or not you are in the TV service area. (It makes you feel like you live on an island.)
4 If you are changing providers, do not plan on getting anything else done that day. If you do, at best, you will be hard-pressed to cancel plans. At worst, you will have planned an important meeting that was to take place in the afternoon but since the tech is still working you have a decision between getting TV, Internet and phone service or keeping your job. (Not much of a choice. Take the entertainment.)
3 If you are changing providers, do not suggest to the tech that there might be a better way to install something. If you do, at best, the tech will ignore you. At worst, the tech will follow your direction, and because you were not clear, you now have a significant hole in the wall between your living and dining room and a not-so-attractive black cable running across the floor. (be careful and don’t trip on that thing.)
2 If you are changing providers, do not plan on downloading those large files from work. If you do, at best, your temporary download speed will mean the job will be finished sometime in June. At worst, the sensitive Federal documents and files you are attempting to download show up on your neighbor’s computer. (Sadly, your neighbor works for WiKi-leaks, and now a Homeland Security SWAT team is pounding on your front door.)
1 If you are changing providers, do not plan on using the equipment for at least three days and twenty-four hours on the cell phone with the customer and technical support. If you do, at best, you will be wondering why you are participating in this particular hell. At worst, we will be watching the late news seeing you on top of the provider’s customer care center blinded by bright searchlights and being ordered not to jump. (or even worse, to put the automatic weapon down)
Fiction Favorites 
And after all that, you just may go back to the original service provider. Better the devil you know….
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Good point about the devil you know, Darlene! I haven’t changed ISPs in twenty years.
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Ah the peace, Liz. We’ve moved four times in twenty years so we had no choice.
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Prior to moving where we are now, we moved around a LOT. I don’t miss those days.
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I’ve done 24 moves so I know how you feel.
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The horror……
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Great tips! Thanks for the reminder that I have Christmas movies waiting on our DVR. 🙂
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Ha aha ha. Thanks, Jill.
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Yikes – no wonder I’m computer illiterate!! 😏🤪
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🤣
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All of this is great advice. Especially #9. Know people who have fallen into that trap.
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It is like a jungle. Thanks, Charles.
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I got nervous just reading this.
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I know what you mean for sure.
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Some good points, John, but I’ve been fortunate when changing providers. Everything worked okay very quickly. Of course, I didn’t let the installers leave until I’d checked everything, including the upstream power reading on the modem.
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Most of my learning is trial and error. I always think everything is going to be fine. You are smart to do that.
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All of these also hold true when you’re forced to go to a new version of Windows.
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So true, Liz. 😁
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I thought the forced switch to Windows 10 would do me in for good.
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I’m with you. I actually bought a Mac i was so traumatized.
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How do you like the Mac?
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Love it. I do everything on it and the PC is for publishing books only. For some reason the Mac tries to make things complex and then Amazon rejects the book. So I do all the writing on the Mac and then format and publish on the PC. I do have MS Office for the Mac so I don’t have to fiddle with Apple writing software.
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What’s held me back is concern for compatibility problems.
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As long as you have the current MS stuff on both there is no problem. MS costs $10.00 a month for the Mac.
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Good to know, thank you.
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Sometimes, these posts drift into a bit of hyperbole…somehow, it doesn’t seem that way today. Good list John. I think the fear of these things is part of the reason we stay with the devil we know.
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I think you are right, Dan. 😊
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Loved your tips, John. When we moved in September, we had to change providers. The old provider kept charging us (in addition to the new one). It became a huge nightmare until finally, I filed a complaint with Arizona’s Attorney General. It was magically resolved shortly after this.😊
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Good for you. I remember when Hurricane Harvey hit, Spectrum continued to charge us even though their service had been knocked out. They told me I could continue as a customer if I paid a suspension fee. I told them to shove it and contacted their CEO on behalf of 400 others who were in the same boat. He was very nice and unaware of their business practices. Eventually they stopped charging. I never went back.
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Yikes
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I vowed to defame their name ever since. Talk about heartless.
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All of these are so true. We just experienced #6 when our DVR died and we lost hours of recordings. Hubby never got to watch some of his Christmas Hallmark movies (I didn’t mourn the loss of them at all).
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Ha ha ha. poor hubby..
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#6 has bitten me before. That list is pretty spot on today, John. I just wish there was more competition to choose from.
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Yes.The old system of getting a municipal exclusiveness has caused some providers to get lazy.
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I really relate to #4, John. Tech is supposed to make things faster for us, but making a change in providers has a way of taking forever! Thanks for some most helpful tips.
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I’m not sure they will be helpful. Every process is different and carries it’s own problems
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This is all to real, John!
I changed providers and, not realising my email was attached to said provider, lost it. After over 30 years! Can I tell you what a headache that has caused me (and is still…)
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Yeah that is the downside to using a providers e-mail service.
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And because I had it so long, I completely forgot it was attached! Sigh…
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Yeah, I would too. That sucks.☹️
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Oh well. What’s done is done and there is nothing I can do about it except take the learnings and NEVER do something like that again! 😉
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Yup. That’s why I have a gmail account.
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Me too. And I hate gmail.
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I have to admit I hate it too.
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It’s not particularly friendly. I like to organise my things and they don’t allow it. Oh well…
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I hear you,.
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I’ve had to learn #8 the hard way, and that’s with the same provider. We bundle and get our telephone, cable, and Internet through the same provider. The idea was to save a few bucks (never a good idea), but when they come out to work on one, they’ll leave, and I’ll discover something else has gone out
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So true. I hate to see a service truck in the area even.
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This list is spot on, John. We’ve been having cell reception issues in the house. I spent 3 hours on the phone with our provider, and it was finally fixed. Now, we’re back to square 1. So far, I’m avoiding that dreaded phone call as we continue to live with the issue. 🙂
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You might want to invest is an in home repeater. It’s like an antenna for cell service.
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I’ll look into that, John, thanks!
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I had one at the coast and it really helped.
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As I am in need of changing plans right now, your list scares the bejabbers out of me.
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Be afraid. Be very afraid. 😁 Thanks, Lauren
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Brilliant and common sense – hmm hope I can remember to review the list!!
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Tape it to your receiver.
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All good advice, John 🙂 I have heard, Oh that’s not good, many times.
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I aways hate to hear that too. Means more money.
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Always.
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All excellent advice, John. Thankfully, I haven’t had to change in a while but it’s never fun!
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You are lucky. It is a pain.
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All wpnderful but I would add, wear a hat that day so you won’t be tempted to pull your hair out!
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Ha ha ha.I like that one, Noelle. 😁
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These are all great. May I add one? Rule #0 or 11? DON’T CHANGE PROVIDERS. Repeat after me: Do NOT change providers. Ugh
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Ha ha ha . Thanks, Luanne.
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Number eight is spot on. How many times has a technician done the work, leaves and then you find out somethings not right? Very appropriate post, John.
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With me it’s 100%
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These are hilarious, John. #2, 7, and 8 really cracked me up.
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I’m glad you liked them, Joan 😁
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Just today, I was thinking, “I wonder if I could save some $$$ by dumping Verizon for another provider?” That idle thought just has been swept right out of my mind!
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🤣
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And that is exactly why I let those greedy jerks continue to hold me hostage. I’d rather set my hair on fire than have to deal with them anyway, let alone move to a new provider. Better the devil you know than the one you don’t.
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Very wise, Monika. Hair on fire is not a good look.
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The tech/customer relationship is disturbingly similar to a hostage negotiation. Only it’s not nearly as pleasant.
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I agree. 🤣
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Been there and done that. #8 and #7. Whew!
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Yes, whew.
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🙂
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I must be missing out on a lot of fun. Don’t have a “provider.” Never did. (Got a hot spot for the computer and that’s about it.) How can I get a provider so I can have some fun, too?
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Too late for you. Besides you would have to spend money on a provider which is not a good use of resources. 😁 (Beer is better)
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If you are hanging providers…say bye-bye to life as you have known it.
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At least for the near term. 😊
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