Is there a catch here or is this above board?

[FeekyChuck]

My ISP sent me this mail with forms attached. Is this for real or should i be aware of any pitfalls with regards to future upgrades etc etc.

Here is the mail sent :

Please find attached the application form for the migration of your ADSL account to XXXXX care. All that is necessary to take advantage of these benefits is to complete the form and supply back to us.

As per our discussion, XXXXX is a certified Telkom business partner, and this enables us to have our client's ADSL service transferred to our corporate account with Telkom and have clients pay us for the ADSL service instead of paying the amount directly to Telkom

Please Note: there are NO changes in the cost to your current ADSL payment to Telkom. This will merely be paid to XXXXX and administered on your behalf with Telkom on a monthly basis. (**this does not include any upgrading of your current facility)

The following benefits will be available to you via XXXXX to ensure that your ADSL service is managed and prioritised from a Telkom point of view moving forward.

Charges:

**Clients pay exactly the same amount as when dealing directly with Telkom, there is no mark-up or surcharge for this service.

Advantages:
a. Telkom prioritises installations and repairs as 4 classes:
1. Medical and Emergency services
2. Corporate clients
3. Business
4. Private
IE: Line installations and repairs for our clients are prioritised over other clients in your area



b. XXXXXX have direct access to the Telkom ADSL management system. This enables us to log faults with Telkom and dispatch Telkom technicians and monitor Technical values of your lines (this includes Signal to Noise db strength, line resistance, etc).

c. Quicker response times compared to having to wait for the general
Telkom ADSL helpdesk

d. As a client you can still contact Telkom directly and log faults with
them (should you need to log faults outside of business hours).

Where's the catch, if any ?

 

[somedude]

Maybe, maybe not... Getting this kind of thing unsolicited (you don't say if it was, but it sounds as if it may have been) should always light up that big, bright, red CAUTION light. Are you being asked for banking details, or to sign a debit order authorisation?

You should check with both your ISP and Telkom (by phone, using their official, listed numbers).

 

[FeekyChuck]

No, its been discussed. But i cannot for the life of me see what would prompt my isp to do this. I am way to sceptical. Their " good intentions" must hold something for them, im thinking perhaps something like signing on and not being able to cancel the contract and go to neotell or something similar. Im just worried i miss something and then my company is stuck in a crappy deal 6 to 8 months from now.

 

[PC Direct]

Sounds dodgy imo, Telkom don't prioritize anyone lol

 

[kissingmybbgoodbye]

Well it might be a way to tie them into them and make it more difficult for you to move isp.

 

[alternate]

Your isp can resell Telkom's ADSL etc and they make small profit margin off it. I think thats what they are trying to do.

 

[Pilgrim]

Your isp can resell Telkom's ADSL etc and they make small profit margin off it. I think thats what they are trying to do.

That, and for another thing, once your line account is with your ISP, you will be less likely to dump your ISP for another one

 

[wishblade]

Seems like said company has a corporate account with Telkom, which also maybe allows for cheaper rates from Telkom to the company. Hence you pay your bill to the company, and they pay the cheaper rate afforded to them by Telkom, and pocket the difference.

What I don't understand is what benefit do you get out of it? And the end of the day, all they offering is themselves as an additional (albeit no-charging) middle-man. You currently have a service with a company, now another company adds themselves in the middle-ground.

And think about it this way: 1. New middle man does not guarantee service from Telkom. Only doing what you would have done in the first place, ie: if something happens to your line, and it needs to be fixed, well, now you need to go through an addition call centre to get help, who will most likely be doing what you do when calling Telkom yourself, and then just relaying the message back to you.
2. Line installation and repair prioritization: by who, the new company?? Sounds like repair and installation is still carried out by Telkom, and even priority with them may take who-knows-how-long..
3. Quicker response times when calling Telkom? Oh goody, now I only have to wait 30 minutes instead of the 45 minutes I usually do when trying to get hold of Telkom helpdesk.

OK, maybe this is a bit harsh (admittedly, its been one of those days), but I don't see any benefit to change to them. Considering that is is unsolicited as well, seems somewhat odd...

 

[Sting]

This sounds very very fishy.....