Don't Buy/Upgrade Broadband Till You Surf This Site
April 2005
The following theory normally plays out perfectly;
If you don't know what you're buying, the seller will normally get the better deal.
And nowhere does this play out more than in the technology sector. Pity the people you see in PC World on a Saturday afternoon being advised to buy last years stock (without knowing) or equipment they don't need. The salesman like in most big companies are just carrying out company orders.
But this is business, so recognise that it happens and learn to defeat it by doing some quick research. The internet is a good place to turn especially when it comes to investigating broadband deals and services.
All Broadband is Not Equal
There is a very sneaky trick being played now by certain Broadband suppliers and it involves speed. To get technical broadband speed is generally recognised as being a minimum 512kbps. But some companies are selling broadband at only half this speed, 256kbps. Obviously if people just latch on to the marketing message of 'broadband available here' the seller of the service is going to get the better deal.
Note that there is no real standard for broadband speed. It's therefore possible for both you and a neighbour to have broadband but his operates 10x faster than yours. Also note that most people in their homes have broadband running at 512kbps which is the advertised 10x faster than a dialup connection.
Real People
When it comes to the internet, message boards are usually the best place to get the low-down on almost any topic. The reason is simple, the general public normally speaks the truth. No selling pressure, just the facts gained from using a product or experiencing it.
So if you're thinking of getting broadband or upgrading your service there's no better place to do your research than the excellent website www.adslguide.org.uk. It's independent and the Message Boards are where you go to find the real information.
For example, about 3 months ago Bulldog Communications where offering what appeared to be a blockbuster product at a great price. A quick check on www.adslguide.org.uk told us all we needed to know. Page after page of complaints about the company and the service. But how many people signed up for the service without checking the company out first and then found they were stuck in a 12 month contract?
Summary
- The broadband market is very competitive at present, good deals are always being offered
- Some broadband suppliers are a lot better than others
- You don't have to know much about computers or technology to get the gist of what people are saying if you search the net for user reviews
- Make sure the website or message board you're looking at is independent and not trying to sell you something
- Use this type of simple research (message boards and the web in general) to help you become a better and more informed buyer of all goods and services
See Also
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