Why do they (ISPs) force us to pay for euipment we don't need?

[agulesin]

I'm moving home soon, decided to check cheaper deals for the ubiquitous internet that we can't live without.

This and That Co offer cheap deals, but insist on sending me a NEW router. I've already got 3 or so kicking around and I'm quite happy to do the setup myself. Also they charge £9.95 router delivery charge for what purports to be a 'free' router...

I understand that 'the majority' may welcome this freebie and the ease of setup it offers but surely it's adding to the (already excess) e-waste that we all generate these days?

I actually got my current router out of the bin when a local company emptied their offices - along with a set of cordless phones and and ... It's been working perfectly for me and I don't want another!

End of rant...

Stephen

 

[SammyInnit]

Have you told them you don't want it, what was their response?

 

[JP_]

sometimes a new router is needed - I had an BT Home Hub 3 and couldn't stream Netflix, BT upgraded for free though.
But yeah, they do like to send out routers. I think it is to try to tie you in emotionally - like, some people think they must stay with Virgin / BT etc because they have their box in the hallway.

 

[SammyInnit]

sometimes a new router is needed - I had an BT Home Hub 3 and couldn't stream Netflix, BT upgraded for free though.
But yeah, they do like to send out routers. I think it is to try to tie you in emotionally - like, some people think they must stay with Virgin / BT etc because they have their box in the hallway.

They're only needed because the routers BT/Plusnet send out are crap to start with. I've got a top notch Netgear router and it's very unlikely it will need replacing any time soon.

 

[JP_]

I guess it is just easier for them - the cost of people raising technical fault and testing / diagnosis is probably much higher than just making everybody buy the latest router of their choosing from the outset.

 

[agulesin]

Have you told them you don't want it, what was their response?

Tried two of the frontrunners - they say there's nothing they can do - you have to have it!

I've been on Plusnet for years and always told them I don't need a router when I renew/moved on previous occasions.

... I've got a top notch Netgear router and it's very unlikely it will need replacing any time soon.

Ditto!

I guess it is just easier for them - the cost of people raising technical fault and testing / diagnosis is probably much higher than just making everybody buy the latest router of their choosing from the outset.

That's a good point, and probably the reason for it all.

I wonder how much they are manufactured for in the first place, as they charge £9.95 postage and claim that the Royal Mail charges them that much! Real cost of sending a similar packet for me and thee is £2.82 (small parcel 2nd class). They obviously get generous discounts as high volume users.

 

[securespark]

Anyone who thinks free means without cost needs to wake up!
As my research into buying mobiles on contract proved, FREE meant anything but.

 

[JP_]

I've never bought a mobile on contract, total ripoff. It's always cheaper to buy a phone and get SIM only. Well, so long as you don't insist on having a new iphone every 12 months it is.
I am on my 3rd smart phone since 2009. Current one is almost a year old, and should easy last another year, maybe two. That'll be about £4 a month, plus the SIM only contract - a lot less than some colleagues are paying for their "free" handsets!