How to convince my parents that we need broadband??

Here's the story:
I'm ALWAYS on the computer, and we connect through dialup through the local university (my dad works there so we get unlimited free dialup through them as long as he works there). Problem is, my sister's always wanting to use the computer too, and so's my dad. So, I tell him that if we got a broadband connection (cable), We'd be able to share the connection through not only our PIII 933 XP machine, but through my OWN P166 MMX machine too (so that I could just check email, write papers and do research whenever I want).

His response: "Why pay $39.99 for something we get for free?" But it's not the same thing! A lot of my friends have cable internet connections and they tell me that once my dad sees what it's like having broadband at home, he'll get it right away...but how do I convince him it's worth $40 a month?

Before you tell me to pay for half of it, I should tell you I have to pay $264 a month for my car payment, so I don't really have the cash for anything else from my summer job.

HELP!! Our phone lines are too crappy to even support a 56K connection!

Mike

 

[Forever42]

<< but how do I convince him it's worth $40 a month? >>



Well...maybe it's not worth $40 to HIM. I mean.. it IS your dad paying the bill, not you. And this is a sensitive subject, but would it be a financial hardship on your parents, the extra $40/month?

I know I'm not much help for your side of the argument, but you also have to think about his. At least you HAVE some form of internet access.

 

[Czar]

offer to pay half

 

[Daniel]

Don't they usually have a free month or something? Hope it gets setup right first and maybe your dad will be hooked.

 

[CalamitousSoul]

Get a Job.
If you're too young, then do what I did. Grow up.

 

[LiQiCE]

This was how I convinced my parents when they first got cable about 4 years ago:

1. Presented the fact that they all wanted to use the Internet, and by using cable, I could split it up to be used by multiple computers
2. Told them that I was pursuing a career in computers, and by letting me setup a home network, it would help me learn about networks. (Thats sortof BS, but hey, education is always something that parents will go for!)
3. We were paying $20/month at the time for Dial-up, shows them how much more they got for $40/month versus $20/month (we didnt pay the phone line though because it was a company phone line). Of course, this may not work in your situation
4. Got my parents obsessed with e-mail, the internet, and MP3s (You can download ALL of your oldies songs through the Internet!... Now its even easier too because of things like Morpheus)
5. Told them how much of an educational advantage my brother would have by having Internet access in his own room to do research papers etc (again thats BS, but always stress education!!)

Now that my parents have had Cable for 4 years, they're actually worried about Comcast doing a poor job of transitioning the network from @Home to their own service, and have seriously considered DSL as an alternative if Cable doesn't work right (in other words, THEY'RE HOOKED!)

And hey, I actually did pursue a career in computers

BTW- Now that I moved out of my parent's house, and into my own apartment... I can't get cablemodem! The horror of having to use dial-up again!!! :-( ... So just be careful, because then you're spoiled and having to go back to dial-up is ... well, its horrible

 

[DarkManX]

4 advantages:
[*]Incredible Speed!
[*]Constant connection
[*]No Busy signals, getting kicked off
[*]Complete and used friendly service and support

want a copy of my telemarketing script? lol

 

[ace31216]

I agree with everyone else's statements. If you want it, you have to pay for it yourself. Why should your dad have to pay for it?
I understand that you have car payments but that doesn't mean that your father has to shoulder the financial burden.

 

[bacillus]

maybe getting your mom onside with this could be to your advantage, after all I'm sure she's going to be more persuasive with your dad!

 

[NesuD]

Lets see you are getting free dialup form a university where your dad works. Are you using a second phone line to make your dialup connections? You did mention crappy phone Lines plural as in more than one. If that means you are using a second phone line for the dialup then remind him that he isn't really getting free is he. Offer to split it with him. He loses the phone line and kicks that 20 in for the cable internet and you kick in 20 a month for the other half.

 

[Gunbuster]

Show your dad how fast pron downloads with broadband ^_^

 

[tweakmm]

Its gonna be kinda hard convincing that they need cable if they are getting it for free. Normaly the $20 dollar dial-up line and the $20 dollar ISP charge are enough to make them switch

 

[Kadarin]

<< Show your dad how fast pron downloads with broadband ^_^ >>



Just make sure mom's not around for that one...

 

[Cattlegod]

<< want a copy of my telemarketing script? lol >>



haha, call them from your friends phone if you use this guys script.

 

[crypticlogin]

<< "Why pay $39.99 for something we get for free?" But it's not the same thing! A lot of my friends have cable internet connections and they tell me that once my dad sees what it's like having broadband at home, he'll get it right away...but how do I convince him it's worth $40 a month? >>



I'm guessing most people who go to cable were paying for 56k access before so the price difference between cable and modem access was less than the full cost of cable. Starting to pay $40/month is a little different than paying $20/month more.

And as someone who works for a university, I'm sure he's already had the chance to see what a large pipe means in terms of internet access so getting him on a free trial probably wouldn't carry much weight. I agree, if you (and your sister) want broadband badly enough, you (two) should work out the payment options. Maybe he would be willing to chip in a small portion?

And if there's a stonewall on the cable modem front, why not get a modem router (e.g. Netgear's RM356) if all you need to do is share the connection? These things should be on the way out and shouldn't cost an arm and a leg... looks like Netgear's clearing them out on eBay at $70 a pop.

 

[yellowvespa]

Stop your moaning. If you want high speed service then pay for it by finding a second job, like delivering papers or something. What do you think. that mommy and daddy have to pay for everything? You are saying that you can't afford any more bills because of a car payment. What about your parents? They have house payments, car payments, they buy the food that you eat while surfing at 1AM, do you know what the electrical or utility bill was last month, let alone pay for it?

Get real

 

[yakko]

Offer to pay for it for a month and tell him that if he likes it you will plit the cost with him.

 

[notfred]

Hmm, I wonder if that excuse will work on the insurance company "Hey, I know you want $56/month for insurance, but I've still got to pay for the car, so you think you can cover it for me till I pay off the car"?

Not your dad's falult you wanted to buy a car instead of broadband.

 

[charliebrown]

Get a couple of buddies and make a video commercial like the Dell "Mrs. Fefferbee" commerical

 

[lowtech1]

While you are at it.....
Why not ask him to get you a cel phone, because all your cool friends have it. Next, you should ask him to pay your car insurance & gas, because the car payment is eating into your social fund. Then ask your father to give you a credit card because you wouldn't need to ask him for any thing eles accept for paying the cc bill.

Why shouldn't you pay for something that you want?

 

Well, I know I set myself up for this type of criticism, but it's still a little strange to me how most of you can forget your high school years so quickly. The average age here on the boards is probably upper 20s, or close to that - don't you remember what high school was like? Let's review:

• Wake up at 6:10, eat, shower, drive to school for 7:40 start time
  Go through 6 grueling hours during which each teacher expects the highest amount of concentration you can muster
  Go home for 45 minutes after school
  Return to school for cross country/track practice
  Run 5-8 miles in any type of weather
  Go home, eat dinner watch news
  Start homework at 7:00 till about 9
  Peruse Anandtech for about an hour till 10
  Go to bed, repeat at 6:10 a.m.

And that my friends, is why I can only work during the summer. I work my ass off in the summer too - I have to go to practice at 8:30 a.m. every weekday and then work from about noon - 9. Please - if you can find room for a job in my life during school, I'm open to suggestions.

Oh, and as a side note - my parents pay for a cell phone for me (in case I get in an accident, or my car gets vandalized again - long story), and for my car insurance ($900/6 months - ZERO at-fault accidents - I was rear-ended in my school parking lot once, ZERO moving violations). I pay for gas for my car, and I have a Visa Check Card that I use for other expenses (social stuff, etc.).

Yeah, I'll be the first to admit I've got it pretty good - but I have quite a bit of responsibility of my own - I keep a 3.8 average at one of the best public high schools in Michigan, and I've been accepted into the University of Michigan's Lit, Sci and Arts school for 2002. Personally, I feel like I've earned all that I've acquired in my life, whether it's from my own efforts or my parents.

Mike

 

[jaybittle]

<< Get a couple of buddies and make a video commercial like the Dell "Mrs. Fefferbee" commerical >>



I can just see it now..

"dude.. your getting a cable modem.."

cheers,
--jb

 

[crypticlogin]

If this is the case:


<< ...
Peruse Anandtech for about an hour till 10
... >>



Then what good is a cable modem going to do if you only surf the net for an hour a day? I think you need to re-evaluate what the cable modem is *really* worth and why you *really* want it. And it's clear that on weekends you've got a little free time to be posting to Anandtech. How about a job on a Saturday afternoon?

 

[jaybittle]

<< If this is the case:

Then what good is a cable modem going to do if you only surf the net for an hour a day? I think you need to re-evaluate what the cable modem is *really* worth and why you *really* want it. And it's clear that on weekends you've got a little free time to be posting to Anandtech. How about a job on a Saturday afternoon? >>



A nice 9-5 job on Sat or Sun should net you enough money to pay for your cable modem.. Plus you can lease the service back to your dad..

Kinda what Enron did.. just don't go bankrupt

cheers,
--jb

 

[Mday]

jump, bring your dad to your friend's house.