How long does a MAC codetake to go thru'

steven_cardwell

Signed up to Primus last week, although there seemed to be a problem with someone putiing the code in small letters, my sign up day was Monday, and i called on the Friday to be told this.

The MAC is correct as i have re-phoned BT to ensure this, Primus re-entered the MAC in capitals, and i was told to phone back on Saturday, it is now Tuesday and according to Primus, the request is still showing as "pending"

Is this normal?

As i have never changed broadband provider before, i have no idea how long it takes for a Mac to be accepted, and for the changeover to go thru', i was hoping i would have a concrete yes, and an activation date from Primus, as my BT bill is due on the 23rd, and with it 3 months advanced broadband line rental, as i am paying a montly payment plan, i'm not interested in the money back on next bill lark from BT, and i was hoping to throw the cancellation of BT Broadband date at them before the bill was printed, but it doesn't look that way now.

I would of thought that a MAC, being not much more than a password from one ISP to another, would act like a password, enter, and an almost instant yes or no answer, or am i hoping for too much?

With the MAC being re-entered properly to BT on Friday, (i have been told by Primus to call back towards the end of the week), when should i have an answer that the change over has gone thru.

I always thought that MAC's were supposed to make changing ISP over much easier. my experience tells me that i would of been probably quicker cancelling BT Broadband, and waiting for the marker to be taken off my line.

mhendo

In my experience, ISPs accepting my MAC have given me an activation date on the day or the day after I placed my order; one even let me choose my activation date, and then let me amend it!

The actual date from placing the order, to the day you are physically migrated will usually be at least 5 working days.

Rex_Mundi

After signing up with a MAC, your new ISP should be able to tell you within a day or so what date you will switch. Your post seems like very bad customer service from Primus. Lets hope it's not a sign of the service to come!

When I gave Zen (my ISP) my MAC on signup, I was up and running on their service in 5 days.

I think the standard time for switching with a MAC is 5 to 10 days.

mrJ_5

when i migrated to zazizam, it also took 5 days

though the way Primus have misentered it is a little strange - as surely there system should check to see if the MAC was valid when you signed up in the first place, or sat least have a system which capitalises the letters

steven_cardwell

So if it is showing up as the Mac being accepted as "pending" is it BT's fault or Primus?

mrJ_5

I would have thought pending would mean that it is being processed.... so you should be looking for around friday to be switched over

steven_cardwell

mrJ wrote:

I would have thought pending would mean that it is being processed.... so you should be looking for around friday to be switched over

The primary date onscreen is 29th August, if Mac goes thru' ok, just talked to Primus Technical and they are saying, if everything goes ok, then the equipment will be sent out on the 29th.

Now i'm getting confused, as i asked if the 29th would mean that BT Broadband would stop, and with yes being the answer, how excatly am i supposed to get online if they aren't sending out their equipment till the activation date??

Also got beginning of September as the "at the latest/worst" date as well, some average 10 days with no hastle to change over using a Mac code.

Primus, or rather the guy i spoke to, did say it wasn't very clever putting the Mac in small letters, but i did point out that this was only flagged up when i phoned them and could of/probably did o cost days in the Mac being resent correctly, since Primus has my phone number and email address as i am a CPS customer with them, was it too much to ask for notification ASAP that there was a problem with the Mac.

I have been thinking of buying a router that also has VOIP connections, think all this messing about with Macs, activations and when equipment will be sent out, has made the "thinking" into "buying"!

mrJ_5

steven_cardwell wrote:

Now i'm getting confused, as i asked if the 29th would mean that BT Broadband would stop, and with yes being the answer, how excatly am i supposed to get online if they aren't sending out their equipment till the activation date??

Use your existing equipment - just alter the BT settings to Primus'

steven_cardwell wrote:

I have been thinking of buying a router that also has VOIP connections, think all this messing about with Macs, activations and when equipment will be sent out, has made the "thinking" into "buying"!

I'd get the router now, and set it up properly waiting for your date then

steven_cardwell

mrJ wrote:

Use your existing equipment - just alter the BT settings to Primus'



I'd get the router now, and set it up properly waiting for your date then

I have a home hub and before that a router, but both are stuck to BT Broadband.