Here's what happened: Yesterday, I called the phone company bright and early and explained the problem. The guy said "We'll call you right back." And he did, claiming it was fixed. Alas, it was not, and I called him again to let him know it still wasn't working. This time, they tell me "we'll get a guy working on it, and call you back." (I guess the little Brownie that lives in the office wasn't able to figure it out, so they needed "a guy"...) Later that afternoon, I called my ISP and found out that four of their customers in the my area had no service. Four customers doesn't sound like much, but you have to remember the town has about 370 people. It's a rural area, not exactly booming economically (KWIM), so if you have 10% of the people with a computer online, you're doing good. Out of that number (let's round up and say 40), over half half are going to sign on with the phone company because they don't know enough about computers to even look for another option. You could divide the remaining twenty in half again, for wireless service, with the remaining ten divided between satellite and the only other dial up ISP with a local number for this area. So, four is about right. Yes, there are only two companies in the entire world that offer local dial up service to this area. Lots of companies *claim* to offer a local number, and it probably would be if we had service with another phone compnay, but we do not. It is what it is. My ISP tells me that if the routing has changed, it might not be a localnumber anymore, and if they can't fix it to call accounting to see about a refund. I call the phone company back to see if this is going to be permanent, and he said they were "tracking the lines", which I recognize from past experience is a swell technical sounding phrase meant to placify the customer. He asked meexactly what was going on, and I explained that although this had been a local number for over a year, as of yesterday it stopped working. I could dial in using the area code, but the number wasn't supposed to be long distance. He thought that was curious. I didn't think it was curious so much as irritating, still, I realize it's not this guy's fault, so I don't get upset. We continue chatting and he says "You know, I think we have DSL available in your area." (Technically they do, but despite that big fat cable buried right out in front of my home, the actual service stops two miles west. I called about it a month ago and was told that at this time there isn't enough "customer interest" to activate it further east anytime soon.) Bless his heart, not knowing that, he said, "Have you thought about switching to our DSL? We're running a special, only 69.99 a month plus tax plus..." (I'm thinking, Oooo, what a deal! That's only three times what I'm already paying the company that can't even keep a basic land line operational for 60 days in a row. I'm completely underwhelmed.) I politely cut him off saying "Uh, You know, right now is probably NOT the best time to hit me with a sales pitch to upgrade my service for an even *more* expensive plan..." He laughed and said "Yea, I know, but I'm supposed to..." I said "Hey, I understand, it's like, 'would you like fries with that?' We both laughed, and he promised to give us a call when it was fixed. He really *is* very nice, even if he can't help. Later that afternoon, I discovered that my ability to dial in using the area code had also gone pffffft. When I called the number direct, I got a "This number is no longer in service" message. Of course, that's not true, it's working number for everyone but us. When I called using the 1 plus area code, I got the recording that says 'We're sorry. It is not necessary to dial a 1 or the area code for this number. Please hang up and try your call again." With any other company, this might be discouraging, but coming from these guys it's means they're doing *something*, so that's progress. LOL This morning, the 13th, I call and tell the guy what's going on with the line today and he says "We're aware of the problem". (I get the impression the other three customers might have beat me to the punch with the status update.) Then he tells me, "We'll get someone working on it." I'm thinking, excuse me, but wasn't someone supposed to be "working on it" since yesterday? I'm sure there's a three dollar word for this kind of thing, but all I could think of at the time were the four letter ones. Not good. Instead, I tell him thank you, and go outside. The deal is that my DH works on a pipeline, and they've been laid off for most of the winter. They just started a job this week, but the budget is a bit pinched for me to run out and order a more expensive internet service even if it were available. We're talking dialup or nothing. I just walked around in the yard admiring the crocus and quince and was telling God about it. I mean, he already knows, but it makes *me* feel better to have someone to listen to me rant. ;^) So, I make my rounds inspecting the yard, finish my whine about the internet and said "and Bless my phone company". Now, that is the *first* time I have ever said that. Usually, if I think of them at all, my thoughts immedietly go over to the Dark Side. But there you go; here I was getting all warm and fuzzy over a utility company. I guess all the fresh air and sunshine went to my head. On a whim, I came in, sat down at the desk, tried to connect again, and voil Here I am. Which means the line is *still* local. Looks like God really was listening. That, and someone just had that coffee maker plugged into the wrong outlet afterall...

I went through the same nonsense with my old ISP. They made it impossible to cancel. After wasting tons of time arguing with them on the phone, I found this link. The advice works for cell phone providers as well. Consumer advice on closing an ISP account. www.findanisp.com/consumer03.php A little tip. When calling a company, get the name, employee I.D. and city the employee is in BEFORE you explain the purpose for your call. Tell them you need it in case your disconnected and need to be able to refer back to the conversation. If you tell them you are calling to cancel, they will give you the runaround and even hang up. At least that has been my experience. Whenever you have to return something (Modem) to the company, make sure you send it certified/return receipt, otherwise you have no proof that it was returned. You will want to send your cancellation the same way and save a copy for your records and credit card provider. Here is something I found in a forum. More of the same, different twist. Glad your new provider is working out for you. My "cancel" procedures with any third party. These procedures apply to all types of cancellations. Your ISP, your hosting account, your Newspaper, your Cable TV, and numerous other subscriptions you have. 1. Prepare to take notes before you call or click. This means paper and pen, the full name of the person you spoke to, position, the date and time you called or clicked, and print any forms which are related to your cancel. 2. Conduct yourself in a VERY POLITE manner. Don't use profanity, gutter talk, slang, or other socially repugnant techniques. 3. Expect a sales pitch in an effort to retain you. This is business and no one likes to loose a customer. Even if you hate their guts, try using a simple reason for leaving like, "I no longer require your services" and say no more. Some services like your dedicated server may require written notice as per the contract you signed. Don't fight city hall, just do it and confirm receipt and save your paper work. 4. Get precise with these questions and write it down: Exactly when will my last charge appear on my credit card? What is the effective date of the cancellation? Are their any additional charges? What is my confirmation number? Save all your notes and documentation. Carefully monitor your credit card statements and insure that a new charge for a canceled service does not appear which is contrary to the question and answer you received in Item 4 above. If the vendor continues to bill you, just dispute the charge with your CC provider and don't bother calling your service provider.

Where did you think the conversation would go? They said they didn't get your check-- there are all sorts of reasons that could've happened -- and to send them another one. They're not going to have somebody go through the mailroom or return to the P.O. where they have their mail drop to see if there happens to be an envelope (or 20!) on the ground nearby. Things happen -- the P.O. loses something, something gets lost in the car, etc. It's not like they're out to get you for a late fee (I've never had that happen on anything but a credit-card payment; the mortgage company will charge you a late fee if you're more than a week late, but that's not happened to me-- yet.) If this is the first time it's happened to you, be grateful. I clearly wasn't listening to your phone conversation, but it doesn't sound like anybody was rude. I'm sorry, but it just sounds like you didn't get the response you wanted to hear. She just told you what you needed to do. You can talk to them until you're blue, but they hold the cards. Hopefully that first check will never show up. If it does and they deposit it, then you're ahead one payment. If you're worried that perhaps your checking account is on the low side and it could bounce, you could transfer in a little bit from your savings account to give you a cushion there. But you know something else? Sometimes even the online payment system can mess up. I used to do my electric bill online, until I learned that they didn't have an automatic email system that confirmed the payment (I couldn't believe it didn't have that confirmation service! My other online payment systems all do!). One time a payment didn't go through. Now I pay that by check. (And they didn't turn off my service; one payment issue shouldn't make you worry about that.) Online or phone banking is also a quick way to keep track of which checks have cleared and which have not. I have never had a security issue doing that.

Any experience with Australian companies? A friend of mine recommended Karndean (http://www.karndean.com/en-gb/floors/explore-by-room/kitchen) but I think it's too expensive because it's one of the most popular brands. Another friend of mine recommended Airstep Flooring (http://www.airstepflooring.com.au/product-category/kitchen/) and I'm really in a doubt. The tight budget and time-limit are also a great factor. Any help?