How long have you gone using multiple free 1 month of dialup internet access from various ISPs?

[shurato]

I ask this because I can't get cable / dsl in my current apt (had cable for 3 1/2 years at the old apt) and my old dialup account from my last job is now disconnected finally (hehe had 8 months of use ). I am now stuck with my university dialup which blows... I know earthlink gives 30 days free and AOL gives 2 months free now? (Not that i'd EVER USE AOL). I was just thinking...I want to try out some isp's anyway and since many of them offer free months, how long have you gone with using the free first month type promotions then canceling from different isps until finally paying for one. Netzero and other free isps don't count. (or at least when they "were" free) I wouldn't be surprised if some crafty member went a whole year...legally of course. (I'm not asking about anything illegal)

Please do not reply stating you have a T1, CABLE, DSL, etc., and that DIALUP SUCKS blah blah blah....i already know dialup sucks, please don't remind me. I would get broadband if I could.

Oh and what other isps besides Earthlink give free 1 month promotions? I have a bone to pick with earthlink, they qualified me for DSL and never contacted me when they found out they couldnt actually install DSL at my apt....here i am waiting a month for something to happen only to check on my own that I can't get DSL at my residence...They could of at least emailed me letting me know if they couldn't call. I will gladly take up their one month offer and then cancel.

 

[dman]

Please do not reply stating you have a T1, CABLE, DSL, etc., and that DIALUP SUCKS blah blah blah....i already know dialup sucks, please don't remind me. I would get broadband if I could.

DIALUP SUCKS! But I'm in the same boat as you (well, mostly). I can't get BroadBand in my current location. And I've had it for about 3 1/2 years prior. I didn't bother with the freebie deals shuffling because most of them have limits to how many hours you can use in their "unlimited" access policies. They also have limits to how many hours you can stay online before they'll disconnect you--even if you've been active the whole time. It might not be a factor for most folks, but, it is for me. I am online at LEAST 10hrs a day (weekdays) and I use VPN to connect to work, so, when they disconnect me after a number of hours I have to reauthenticate and it's a pain.

Most of them DON'T advertise these limits either, you have to go through the signup process until you can find the TOS (terms of service) and when you look for "unlimited" you'll see their definition which IMHO is not unlimited. "After 150hrs you will be charged x amount".

I ended up going with Earthlink for now. Check out DSLReports, they have a page that'll reference ISP's in your area and you can contact them about promotions which may not be widely advertised.

<-- Dying to get broadband back.

 

[shurato]

Thanks, I didn't know about that...guess i'll have to read the fine print. I live in a less than great area...I wonder if that is a factor on why I can't get DSL here...perhaps it might not be a big enough market....but who knows...if you go 5 mins up the street its a decent area near a medium sized university but if you 2 min down the other way, its the inner city ghetto. Sigh...I'm actually thinking of moving to an area where I can get broadband if I can find a cheap place. I never realized how much broadband added to actual work productivity until losing it. Of course that's not the only factor to want to move but a major one I'm in luck...Comcast said they "might" have cable modem in my neighborhood in 2 years.....lol.

 

[xirtam]

I used dialup at home...

We went 8 months before *finally* paying for an ISP. AOL, then Compuserve, back to AOL, free trial of MSN, then back to AOL, cancelled AOL but still had access for 4 more months before we had to pay.

Now I have broadband and hate AOL and dialup with a passion because they both suck. I will never go back. Leave your apartment and find the bandwidth promised land.

 

[ProviaFan]

I had to endure AO"he1"L at a relative's place for a few minutes, and after that, I don't see how anybody could say that it is good. However, I still know a few people that say that Joink (the best local ISP) "sucks" and AO"he1"L is the best ISP...EVAR. :disgust:

Of course, I have the good fortune to currently use (and always have used) a good regular non-free local dialup ISP. Nevertheless, I'd love broadband, but the chances of getting cable or DSL in a tiny rural Indiana town with a population of 900 are very slim.

 

[RossMAN]

I'm not sure what your budget is for dialup but there are several cheap ISPs out there.

Anyone who is paying more than $8.25 per month (or $99 per year) is getting ripped off.

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
I'm not sure what your budget is for dialup but there are several cheap ISPs out there.

Anyone who is paying more than $8.25 per month (or $99 per year) is getting ripped off.

Unless, of course, you're in an area where those cheap and crappy dialup ISPs don't service.

 

[ed21x]

i like earthlink cuz they don't make you install a bunch of crap when you use their service, they're connections are pretty good, and $10. but of course, i'm using the campus t3 connection now =)

 

[QTPie]

I think MSN is giving 3 months free. You might check it out.

 

[vailr]

Walmart Connect ($9.95/month) has a free 30 day trial offer. They're happy to extend that, if you call to cancel on day 29, for another two months. (They're basically Compuserve/AOL, and Anandtech has banned posting, while dialed in from any AOL ISP).
Earthlink usually has a deal like "1000 Hours FREE For 45 Days!". Get the code at http://www.valpak.com/index.jsp

 

[shurato]

Does MSN require you to load some bloated software package like AOL? I'd like to just connect using dial up networking settings.
I also need a good newsgroup server with the ISP believe it or not...some of the mp3 groups are crucial.

 

[shurato]

Ok I ended up going for the earthlink today...no place to put in that promotional code (of course) so i had to call CS to get a credit for the service...i have a feeling something might mess up and i'll get charged anyway...its just my luck. Newsgroups are pretty slow compared to my old account i had from work. I worked at an ISP btw.

 

[scubasteve2001]

I did it for about 5 months I think. But its just not worth it for me. Sitting on hold, going thru the cancellation process, them nagging you, wanting a reason why you are canceling. Offering you a discounted price, blah blah, etc.

Just pay the $10 a month for netzero