How To Eliminate Frustration and Find A Better Internet Provider
We’ve all been the victim of frustration at the hands of our ISP. Changing rates, unclear terms, malfunctioning equipment, and poor customer service are just a few complaints that ISPs seem to have under their belts. There’s no sense in getting your blood pressure up over it, though; especially when there are so many other options available out there.
Internet is a utility for every modern business, household, and even public gathering place. Just because it’s a necessity doesn’t mean you have to put up with poor treatment or unfair terms on behalf of your provider. If enough’s enough, it’s time to get up and go and find yourself a quality internet provider. Here’s how.
Identify Everything You Dislike About Your Current Provider
First thing’s first: you’ve got to decide what you don’t like about your provider. This isn’t so you can throw it in their face or go on a tangent over the phone, but rather so you have a better understanding of what you don’t want from your next provider. Is your current ISP pricy? Too slow to respond to technical problems? Does their equipment malfunction or connection cut in and out?
Once you’ve compiled your list, you can compare it to other providers’ customer service reviews. No one knows better than a paying customer how well (or not so well) a product or service meets their needs, so pay close attention to those reviews. If you notice a pattern that matches some of the things you dislike about your current provider, you can skip over that one and move to the next.
Don’t Let Your ISP Get You Upset
It’s easy to find yourself steeped in anger when the service you’re paying for isn’t functioning properly, or the customer service rep on the other end of the line is getting nasty with you. The best thing to do in a situation like this (especially if it’s continuous treatment on their end) is to remain calm and understand that you’re not limited to one provider.
Yes, it’s a hassle to set up new equipment, a new account, and a new billing cycle with a new company, but as they say, there’s no price on peace of mind.
Use Internet Advisor
When you’re searching for a new provider, it can be exhausting to sift through search results online or call around town looking for the best deals. Internetadvisors.com provides a simple and effective search tool for locating the best ISP and service deals in your area.
Search results are available in all 50 states, and all you have to do to get started is input your zip code in the search bar. You’ll be given a list of providers to choose from, including some of the biggest names in internet such as Spectrum, AT&T, and Verizon.
Know What You Expect from Your Service
Not all internet service packages are created equal, or even with the same customer service standards in mind. You know what you don’t want from your service provider, but what features are non-negotiable for you? What speeds do you need? Equipment? What are you using your internet for?
General everyday use usually doesn’t require high-speed internet, though some aren’t satisfied with slower speeds, even for simply sending emails or browsing social media. The bottom line is that if you want faster speeds, you’re going to pay more. If you want to bundle phone and TV as well, you’re going to pay more (though bundling is cheaper than paying for each service individually).
Ask Questions
When you’re shopping around for a new ISP, don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you need to in order to fully understand the terms of service, billing, and company policies. It’s always better to ask too many questions than none at all, especially if there’s anything in the service or policy that’s even remotely unclear.
That uncertainty could wind up costing you more down the road, when an unexpected cost is added to the bill. Be sure your provider understands what your needs are and that you don’t want any extras. If there’s something on your bill you don’t understand, the provider is obligated to explain it in detail.
Final Thoughts
Finding a better internet provider doesn’t have to be stressful and exhausting. When you know what you need, what questions to ask, and have the right tools at your disposal, you can easily find the perfect service package from a company that values its customers and customer service reputation.
Try using internet advisor or a similar service if you don’t want to waste hours sifting through search engine results. You’ll be able to search by region, so you’ll only have to work through the results in your area. Good luck!
