Back in year 1999, I decided to buy internet access through my local city internet service provider.  Back then Time Warner’s RoadRunner service cost around $50 per month, so I instead I opted to go with my local city ISP who with the annual pre-payment brought the cost for ISP service down from $18 to $13 a month.

But my savings came from a calculated decision to buy a Motorola SURFboard cable modem instead of renting one from my local ISP (Internet Service Provider).

Motorola SURFboard

Since I have a technology background, I couldn’t for the life of me understand why my ISP sales representative wanted to rent me a cable modem instead that me just going out and purchasing and connecting it myself…

When the ISP wiring technician came out to run my cable, he thought that I was crazy.  I’ve never seen such a bizarre look from a serviceman before.  Even after I told him that I work with computer and networking technology where I work, he still tried to convince me that I should rent the cable modem instead of me buying my own.  Actually it got to a point where I started getting a bit offended, especially when I told him that when my house was built, I went in and wired it with computer networking cable with a small cabling closet down in the basement that my dad and I installed it (very cheaply too). Actually, I got funny looks from him when I told him I wanted my ISP cable wire to run into the basement where my small (more like an enclosed shelf), cabling closet existed.

Based on the response from the ISP technician, I’m sure that the majority of people in my small city started renting cable modem from them.  Obviously, I didn’t cave and told the wiring technician that I would go out and purchase my own cable modem and install it.  After deducting $115 from the savings, it turns out that I saved over $1190 over the past eleven years.  I feel very vindicated!

If you are currently renting your cable modem from your ISP, you might want to consider going out and purchasing one yourself.  My cable modem finally died this week, and I went out and bought a newer Motorola SURFboard (model SB6120).  Last year, I told my neighbors about my experience and they have since went out and bought their own cable modems too.

If you have a friend that’s good with computers and networking, consider getting him or her to help you.  Offer to take them out of lunch, I’m sure you’ll find that the money you spend on lunch is worth it over the long run.  Oh, that reminds me, make sure you plug your cable modem and router into a decent power strip that has a surge protector!  If you have a friend that’s a techie, they can help you with that too.

Well, I hope my story has help you or someone you know save money!  It took me about a year to recoup the cost, but it was all savings after that point!

Good luck if you decided to take the plunge.  If you do make the purchase, leave me a comment below, it would make my day!

MR