Simon01
0
The time has come to decide whether to stay with, or leave Pipex, and now it comes down to it, I really don't know what to do.
Currently, I am on the Max service, and I have uncapped downloads, at the maximum speed my line will allow, which is usually around 2.8Mbps. If I move, I will be lucky to get another provider, for the same price, with free webspace and emails, and I will have the hassle of having to transfer my webspace, and changing my primary email address. Port throttling isn't an issue (well, it is, but there's a way round it), and my connection is rock solid, with no downtime in the last 12 months.
The problem is, it's Pipex. They are sh*t to their existing customers (new intakes get all the best deals), they screw up billing and direct debits, they don't bother to tell us about changes to the T&Cs, such as now charging for the full year, plus cancellation fee, if you cancel before the end of the 12 month contract, they didn't see fit to inform us about the new FUP, and there's all this stuff going round about them being up for sale / sold to Tiscali / sold to BT, etc, so the future is uncertain. When I last spoke to CS, they said that the Tiscali take over was just rumour, and that nothing was set in stone, but didn't deny that it might happen. I really don't want to suddenly find myself LLUed to Tiscali, and on a new 12 month, escape proof contract, and this is what worries me, if I stay.
Question: Does anyone know if, once the minimum 12 month contract term has been satisfied, the option is available to leave without penalties, or does a new 12 month contract start each year? They have already stitched me up twice over this - once when I moved house, and once when I upgraded to the Max service, and I really don't want a ball and chain around my PC for another year.
Should I leave Pipex, I have narrowed down my options to a couple of other ISPs, one being IDNet, the other being Firefly. One thing I do require is sensible email addresses, not something like me@this.that.theother.com.uk.net, and both of these ISPs tick that box, with IDNet coming out in front. The only trouble with IDNet is that they don't offer any webspace, whereas Firefly give 200Mb free. Both ISPs also have good, friendly support forums, which is another ticked box, but both have 30Gb capped download limits, although I think this increases to 300Gb off-peak.
So, what to do? Stay with the familiar, reliable, uncapped Pipex, but with an uncertain future, or get out before the going gets bad, and fall into bed with a new, unknown ISP, with a capped service, but only a 1 month contract? I suppose it could be argued that with Pipex, at least there will be a future, whereas, smaller ISPs can suddenly vanish in a puff of ether.
Decisions, decisions... any advice appreciated.
Currently, I am on the Max service, and I have uncapped downloads, at the maximum speed my line will allow, which is usually around 2.8Mbps. If I move, I will be lucky to get another provider, for the same price, with free webspace and emails, and I will have the hassle of having to transfer my webspace, and changing my primary email address. Port throttling isn't an issue (well, it is, but there's a way round it), and my connection is rock solid, with no downtime in the last 12 months.
The problem is, it's Pipex. They are sh*t to their existing customers (new intakes get all the best deals), they screw up billing and direct debits, they don't bother to tell us about changes to the T&Cs, such as now charging for the full year, plus cancellation fee, if you cancel before the end of the 12 month contract, they didn't see fit to inform us about the new FUP, and there's all this stuff going round about them being up for sale / sold to Tiscali / sold to BT, etc, so the future is uncertain. When I last spoke to CS, they said that the Tiscali take over was just rumour, and that nothing was set in stone, but didn't deny that it might happen. I really don't want to suddenly find myself LLUed to Tiscali, and on a new 12 month, escape proof contract, and this is what worries me, if I stay.
Question: Does anyone know if, once the minimum 12 month contract term has been satisfied, the option is available to leave without penalties, or does a new 12 month contract start each year? They have already stitched me up twice over this - once when I moved house, and once when I upgraded to the Max service, and I really don't want a ball and chain around my PC for another year.
Should I leave Pipex, I have narrowed down my options to a couple of other ISPs, one being IDNet, the other being Firefly. One thing I do require is sensible email addresses, not something like me@this.that.theother.com.uk.net, and both of these ISPs tick that box, with IDNet coming out in front. The only trouble with IDNet is that they don't offer any webspace, whereas Firefly give 200Mb free. Both ISPs also have good, friendly support forums, which is another ticked box, but both have 30Gb capped download limits, although I think this increases to 300Gb off-peak.
So, what to do? Stay with the familiar, reliable, uncapped Pipex, but with an uncertain future, or get out before the going gets bad, and fall into bed with a new, unknown ISP, with a capped service, but only a 1 month contract? I suppose it could be argued that with Pipex, at least there will be a future, whereas, smaller ISPs can suddenly vanish in a puff of ether.
Decisions, decisions... any advice appreciated.























