Things to look for before buying a NEW Internet Connection

Well this topic is too trivial for oldies and experience users but I personally have answered it many times to many of my colleagues who are not related to the computers field directly. The following paragraphs will make you feel like you are planing a heart surgery, but these are steps I came up with when I changed from 5 different ISPs personally.

Making up your Mind:
1.Analyze your internet needs. Well this is the easy part all you have to do is just sit back and think about what you usually do internet. If your connection would be shared by your family members or colleagues than analyze there usage as well. This procedure is not important but will help you decide the “speed” and “cap” to chose if any. The usage is mainly consist of chatting and surfing than a minimal connection would be fine. But if your usage consist of Video conferences, downloading and P2P application than the faster and unlimited connection would be the best option.
2.Now you know about your usage, so its time to do a bit of market re-search. Go and have a poke around so that you will about the ISPs which provide services in your area. Contact every last option available, pick up every possible tariff from every possible ISP.
3.Now keeping in mind your usage and tariff you collected decide which service from which ISP to go for. Its always good to talk to a customer who is already using the service you are planing to buy.
4.Never consider a New ISP. This is because usually there are many problems in the service at initial stages. Go for an old and much reliable ISP than a new one.
5.Never rush unless you are really desperate.

Purchasing the Services
1.Before you pay anything ask about any Hidden Charges, Line rents, Government Taxes and etc.
2.Read the contract which you will sign in order to complete the purchase. Normally consumers do this and they get into trouble later (speaking from personal experience).
3.Always take contact information of your sales person, as that person is responsible in the crime if there is a case of “Fraud Marketing”.
4.Always ask the question “What if I am not satisfied with your services?”
5.For Wireless services always ask first to check the signal strength in your home/office before actually paying the ISP.
6.Since in Pakistan no One source is reliable contact the ISP by Phone, Mail, and by visiting there franchises.
7.Once you have payed for the connection, keep you Transaction Slip and you Signed Contract in a safe place.