The latin proverb warns "let the buyer beware" and another states "the buyer has need of a hundred eyes, the seller of but one". No statement can be more fitting when choosing an internet provider.
In Canada, the telecommunications market is dominated by two large corporations: Bell Canada and Rogers Communications. This isn't to say that there aren't other companies competing for your business, but they don't have as large a share of the market as these 2 giants. Both companies offer various services and products including phone, cellular, internet, cable, satellite and digital cable to both the individual consumer, small and medium size businesses and corporations.
Currently, there are approximately 800 million people worldwide who have access to the internet. This creates a competitiveness between the two mega powers to be your internet provider. Like the famous Coke and Pepsi wars, Bell and Rogers will fight dirty to get and keep your business. However, one thing has been left behind along the way; the customer.
OK, so this is where the "buyer beware" part comes in. If anything sound too good to be true, it probably is. Yes, they may court you and offer you some sweet deal to entice you. For example, you have never had internet or have used dial up and they would like you to try high speed or even worse, they want you to leave your current company (their competitor) and come over to their side. Offers of discounts, free installation, bundled packages (in Canada, a term for packaging your internet with your cable and phone) and rebates make you confused and say, I'll give you a try. But this is where they get you! You will be bound to a contract, and breaking it will cost you dearly. There is some great penalty like a 50% cancellation fee for the remainder of your contract. Your contract gets automatically renewed if you haven't given 30 days notice of cancellation. And you may not even know that you are in a contract at all because they don't need you to sign anything or tell you that you are even in a contract. Just using the service is consent to being in a contract. They will have you spinning your wheels before or if you ever can get any satisfaction.
So, buyer beware. Ask them, "Am I in a contract and what are the terms?" when they ask for your business or when you go into a Bell or Rogers Centre or when you call them on the phone. Also, before switching from one company to another, tell them you need to find out if you are in a contract with your current internet provider. Remember, they have put the onus on you. It isn't fair, it isn't right. But only you can protect yourself and save yourself money and more importantly, many hours or days of grief.
Heidi Loney has worked as a costume designer and wardrobe stylist for theatre, film and television for the last 10 years. She currently owns Ms. Dress-Up, a Toronto based retail and on-line store offering quality kids and adult dress-up clothes. Check out her website: http://msdress-up.com/home/home.htm
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