Someone explain this to me.
People order DSL service. They're given two options:
1) A free internal PCI or external USB modem that's essentially a winmodem. Nothing to them really, everything is handled in software.
2) A $295 Cisco 678 DSL router, a very capable piece of hardware. Configurable DHCP/NAT, filters, static routes, etc. Uses a derivative of the Cisco IOS, CBOS.
Most people go for option 1 because of the cost difference.
Then they call up tech support & say "I just bought this linksys router, & I want to network my two PC's."
Me: Actually, that's not possible with the internal modems, as the "broadband routers" are designed to be used with external DSL modems that connect via ethernet. The only way to share that connection is via ICS, in which you wouldn't be using the broadband router anyway.
Customer: So I need a new modem to network?
Me: If you don't want to use ICS, & want our support, yes.
Customer: OK, how much does that cost?
Me: I don't know for sure, but I can get you to sales & they can tell you. (We're not allowed to discuss pricing, since specials & such can change on a daily basis. So in all honesty I really don't know what they're charging on a day to day basis. Full price is $295, though.)
Customer: Can you transfer me there?
Me: Sure.
(I call sales, mute my mike, & conference the two lines together)
Sales: (hold music)
Sales: How can I help you?
Customer: I want to order a Cisco 678. How much are they?
Sales: They're $295.
Customer: Can't I just trade in the modem I have?
Sales: No, that modem was provided free, and cannot be returned as credit for an external router.
Customer: I can't return this? I have to buy a whole new router?
Sales: Yes sir.
Customer: (mumbles under his breath) I'll call you back.
Customer hangs up, but as he's putting the receiver down I hear "this is bullsh!t!"
Why is this so difficult for people to understand? If they had chosen the external router in the beginning, their end cost would have been the same. They do not get a discount by refusing the modem. Yet people almost invariably throw a tantrum.
People can be so difficult.

Viper GTS
People order DSL service. They're given two options:
1) A free internal PCI or external USB modem that's essentially a winmodem. Nothing to them really, everything is handled in software.
2) A $295 Cisco 678 DSL router, a very capable piece of hardware. Configurable DHCP/NAT, filters, static routes, etc. Uses a derivative of the Cisco IOS, CBOS.
Most people go for option 1 because of the cost difference.
Then they call up tech support & say "I just bought this linksys router, & I want to network my two PC's."
Me: Actually, that's not possible with the internal modems, as the "broadband routers" are designed to be used with external DSL modems that connect via ethernet. The only way to share that connection is via ICS, in which you wouldn't be using the broadband router anyway.
Customer: So I need a new modem to network?
Me: If you don't want to use ICS, & want our support, yes.
Customer: OK, how much does that cost?
Me: I don't know for sure, but I can get you to sales & they can tell you. (We're not allowed to discuss pricing, since specials & such can change on a daily basis. So in all honesty I really don't know what they're charging on a day to day basis. Full price is $295, though.)
Customer: Can you transfer me there?
Me: Sure.
(I call sales, mute my mike, & conference the two lines together)
Sales: (hold music)
Sales: How can I help you?
Customer: I want to order a Cisco 678. How much are they?
Sales: They're $295.
Customer: Can't I just trade in the modem I have?
Sales: No, that modem was provided free, and cannot be returned as credit for an external router.
Customer: I can't return this? I have to buy a whole new router?
Sales: Yes sir.
Customer: (mumbles under his breath) I'll call you back.
Customer hangs up, but as he's putting the receiver down I hear "this is bullsh!t!"
Why is this so difficult for people to understand? If they had chosen the external router in the beginning, their end cost would have been the same. They do not get a discount by refusing the modem. Yet people almost invariably throw a tantrum.
People can be so difficult.
Viper GTS