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Within a day, the mainstream media latched onto the contents of that column and it was all over the TV and print media.

Well guess what -- Telecom are still engaging in the art of laying down the red carpet to attract new customers while giving existing ones the finger.

As regular readers know, I'm in the process of shifting house -- so today I rang Telecom and organised to have my voice line and DSL connection moved to the new address.

I figured this wouldn't be too hard for them, since I'm only shifting a couple of Kms and DSL is available right throughout the area.

I also figured that the cost of having my services transfered would be covered by the standard $45 fee charged for moving your phone services.

Sorry -- it's not.

No, Telecom want to charge me an extra $99 to move my DSL connection to the new house.

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Yes, it seems that if you're an existing DSL customer who just wants to move house, you pay the whole $99 "new installation" fee -- even if (as in my case) you're installing your own filters and they don't have to come near your house.

Now under normal circumstances I might just be prepared to wear this cost -- after all, they do have to enage in a little work down at the exchange, however...

On this page, Telecom are proud to offer *new* customers two free months (worth up to $140) if when they sign up for a DSL connection.

But if you're an existing customer asking for some kind of concession on the full install price when you're simply moving house -- they close their ears.

I suggested to the operator that perhaps I should simply cancel my JetStream connection then re-apply to have it connected so that, although I'd still be paying $99 for the install, at least I'd get two free months out of the deal.

Well here's the real kick in the guts that comes from being an existing Telecom customer...

The operator said I couldn't do that because even if I cancelled my current DSL connection I would not be considered a "new customer" (and therefor eligible for any such offers) should I choose to reconnect at some time in the future.

So, even though I've been a DSL customer for almost a year, I pay my bills on time, and have been using Telecom for my tolls -- they'd still rather offer a *new* customer $140 credit than make any concession to keeep my business.

Okay, fair enough, that's their privilege (backed in most areas by a powerful government endorsed monopoly) -- but it's also my privilege to say "stuff you Telecom" -- and that's exactly what I'm doing.

As of next week, I'll be using a wireless broadband connection and moving my toll traffic to an alternative carrier. Telecom will be getting the bare minimum possible from me. If they don't want my broadband and toll business then that's fine by me.

In fact, I'm almost pee'd off enough to drop the local loop voice service as well and simply use my Vodafone mobile for all my voice communications. I'll keep a close eye on how many minutes a month I'm using on my Telecom landline and if it works out to be even remotely economic to do so, I'll sever my last remaining tie to Telecom.

Fortunately for me, I'm living in an area where I can choose an alternative to Telecom's broadband offerings -- but what about all those who have no options?

Well if they'll just have to stick with JetStream and the knowledge that once you've become a Telecom broadband customer, you're forever tarnished and considered to be far less important to the company than you were before you signed up.

Maybe no Monday Aardvark
There may not be an Aardvark Daily published on Monday as the chances are I'll still be moving house.

As usual, Mr Murphy has decided to bless me with driving rain and gale-force winds as I try to transport an entire houseload of furniture, bedding and other stuff across town in a small open ute -- so it might take longer than I'd hoped :-(

Monday will also see me installing the new wireless Net connection so, although I'll do my best, you might have to wait until Tuesday for the next edition.

If you feel that this is a good thing and/or you hold a "geniune affection" for yours truly -- then you are welcome to gift me some money using the buttons provided. In gifting this money you accept that no goods, service or other consideration is offered, provided, accepted or anticipated in return. Just click on the button to gift whatever you can afford. NOTE: PayPal bills in US dollars so don't accidentally gift more than what you were intending :-)

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