Why is Iburst buying back modems?

T

Telstar

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Got an email today from Iburst with a newsletter from them stating,

"In keeping with the excellence, iBurst is continually looking for ways to improve service and add value for customers and potential customers. We want your old iBurst modem! Yes and will pay you for your old iBurst modem. We are buying the following modems;

All USB modems version 1 and 2 - R500
Black desktop modem - R500
2MB Modems - R650

The following terms apply:

The modem must be in a proper working order (iBurst will test the device before pay-out)
Modem must be paid up (Not blacklisted due to bad debt) and over the 24months contractual obligation
All cables must be included (Power, USB etc)
The amounts quoted above are subject to the customer delivering the modem to iBurst. Should the customer request that we collect it will be less R100

For more information please contact the Retentions Team on 011 100 6550 or email [email protected]. "


Quoted directly from the email.

Why are they buying back the modems?
 
Maybe for parts, to strip and make 'new' modems?
 
Hmm okay I will take my old Desktop back to them.
 
For the last six years I've only had about four disconnects. Download speed was about 400kbps. I stuck with iBurst because it was cheap and I'm not sure whether other wireless networks will provide better download speeds in my area.
However, the last five days, I've had repeated disconnects during the course of a day. I eventually phoned the Helpdesk and was told that there was no problem with the tower in my area, but that I must take in my desktop modem to the nearest iBurst retailer.
THEN, I read my email from iBurst containing my latest statement. It contained a notice saying that iBurst is buying back old modems and that one should take in your old modem. If in working condition (?) I can get R500 for it. However, I must then buy a new modem for R2 300 (otherwise how else would I get connected)!
Am I just synical or could it be that my modem is remotely 'tampered' with (causing frequent disconnects) in order to force me to take it in, have it deemed 'unfit', (or traded-in for R500) and then advised to buy a new modem?
It is all to co-incidental for my mind?????
 
Anybody know where in CPT I can take my modem back to?
 
I would say that they're trying to suck the second-hand market dry to be able to keep selling their modem at an inflated price, which I believe is their way to force you to get a 2 years contract instead of a month-to-month. They'd really rather tie you up with a contract than leave you the freedom of a month-to-month contract.
I've only bought their modems second-hand at between 1/3 and 1/2 of the price which allowed me to go month-to-month without much thought about it.
 
They want the old modems for those who do not qualify for a contract, so they have the option of purchasing a secondhand modem instead. Probably as you say at unreasonably high prices. Sold mine as soon as contract was up as I never want to go through that bad experience of experiencing their lack of any form of customer service again.
 
esterl said:
For the last six years I've only had about four disconnects. Download speed was about 400kbps. I stuck with iBurst because it was cheap and I'm not sure whether other wireless networks will provide better download speeds in my area.
However, the last five days, I've had repeated disconnects during the course of a day. I eventually phoned the Helpdesk and was told that there was no problem with the tower in my area, but that I must take in my desktop modem to the nearest iBurst retailer.
THEN, I read my email from iBurst containing my latest statement. It contained a notice saying that iBurst is buying back old modems and that one should take in your old modem. If in working condition (?) I can get R500 for it. However, I must then buy a new modem for R2 300 (otherwise how else would I get connected)!
Am I just synical or could it be that my modem is remotely 'tampered' with (causing frequent disconnects) in order to force me to take it in, have it deemed 'unfit', (or traded-in for R500) and then advised to buy a new modem?
It is all to co-incidental for my mind?????
Click to expand...

The same with me, only problem, im with @lantic and they have said nothing to me yet
 
I have an iBurst Express modem lying around that i'd giveaway to anyone that wants it. Cost me a fortune back in the day but it's now just about worthless to me.

Express.jpg
 
likely to cover a hole in the firmware, or a backdoor.
 
After cancelling the contract in December I'm now sitting with a 1mb and 2mb modem collecting dust. Any advise on whether it's worth selling back to Iburst or privately for someone who wants month to month contract?
 
There are some expensive and very useful components in the iBurst radio. For that reason I take them off the hands of people who want to throw them away.
There's a really state-of-the-art 2.4GHz PA in there, that can push +38dBm into an antenna, with that you can make a Wi-Fi repeater that can deliver over 12km of range.

I suspect they have a 3rd party company who wants to re-use the components to build new products.
 
They resell them as well as refurbed units.
 
Before anyone else asks about the 2MB modem, I'd been duped into contracting the 1MB version 2 modem with Online Direct, which they advertised a 2MB USB modem. Not impressed. :mad:
 
got a proper phone call this morning. do they have problems getting new stock on these? (ex-iburst 2mb user)
 
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