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Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!husc6!bloom-beacon!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!mailrus!ames!ncar!tank!mimsy!haven!umbc3!cbw1!brian
From: brian@cbw1.UUCP (Brian Cuthie)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems,misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Inside Telco wiring
Message-ID: <119@cbw1.UUCP>
Date: 21 Nov 88 03:47:37 GMT
References: <1032@naucse.UUCP> <24447@sri-unix.SRI.COM>
Reply-To: brian@cbw1.UMD.EDU (Brian Cuthie)
Organization: CBW, Columbia, MD 21046
Lines: 36

In article <24447@sri-unix.SRI.COM> maslak@unix.sri.com (Valerie Maslak) writes:
>Robert,
>
>In the law, there is something called the warrant[y] of
>merchantibility, which means that someone who offers something for sale
>is selling you what they say they're selling you.  The phone folks
>were selling you an operating phone line, I would think,
>so if you get there and use the line for the first time and
>it doesn't work, it's their problem, not yours: they have to make
>the line work on THEIR money. Later, after it's worked right
>the first time, then it's your problem for repairs if the
>house wiring is at fault. Don't let them hassle you.
>Stand up for your rights as a consumer. The line has to work right
>to begin with, at least.
>
>Valerie Maslak


I'm not sure that in this case this is entirely true.  If the inside 
wiring is owned by you, then the telco only has to provide dial-tone to 
your premisses' interface.  They almost always supply a little box that has 
a modular jack and some scary label that says something to the effect of 
"don's screw around inside this box."

This modular termination is provided for the explicit purpose of allowing
you to unplug you premisses wiring and plug in a known working instrument.
If you get dial-tone, it's your problem.  If you don't, it's their's.

The telco is under no obligation to provide any warranty for your local 
wiring *if* you own it and have not elected for some additional inside 
wiring maintenance plan.

-brian
-- 
Brian D. Cuthie                                 uunet!umbc3!cbw1!brian
Columbia, MD                                    brian@umbc3.umd.edu