I suspected my Cable Modem was dying, so I purchase a USED modem at Goodwill to have as a backup. You might have purchase a used modem at a garage sale. Perhaps a friend passed on a used modem to you.
Unfortunately all those USED modem are worthless. According to Cox Communications.
When the ORIGINAL owner installs the modem and registers it with Cox, they keep track of that in their database. If the ORIGINAL owner subsequently removes the modem and YOU happen to obtain it (purchase, donation, gift, etc.) YOU will not be able to use it, *unless* the ORIGINAL owner calls Cox and has it removed from their account.
How often does that happen? You are donating a USED Cable Modem to Goodwill. Quick! Call Cox, and clear it off their books! Sheesh. Not very likely. And Cox admits this too.
Cox *claims* that this is to protect the customer who may have had their modem stolen. What complete and utter bullsh*t. Is there a serious national crime problem on trafficking in stolen $50 cable modems?
Now, if the ORIGINAL owner cancels their Cox service, that modem will still remain in the database for six-months. Afterwords, you *might* be able to re-register it in your name.
However, if the ORIGINAL owner, just happens to toss the old modem and acquires a new modem—and continues their Cox service—that ORIGINAL modem will remain attached to their account forever. Effectively any attempts to re-register it will show it still—potentially—in use. Despite the fact the that ORIGINAL owner's account clearly shows they now have a new modem attached to their cable.
Now I can see the problem with buying and selling cars which cost $1,000's of dollars. I understand the need for titles and registration. But Christ, $50 Cable Modems? Come on Cox, don't be a d*ck.
Here's a suggestion. If your house gets broken into, and the "Cable Modem Thieves" steal your modem, then call up Cox and report it. THEN, if somebody tries to re-register it, Cox can call the cops for you. They absolutely know the location that the crooks tried to attach the "stolen" modem to. Case solved.
Of course, in actuality, Cox is just scamming people into unnecessarily buying new modems (preferably from them). Perhaps they have deals with the Cable Modem manufactures to keep USED modems off the market.
By the way, Cox suggested I purchase a new modem, and if it didn't solve my problem, I "could always return it to the store". So, I asked Cox, what happens when the NEXT customer buys that modem that I returned? Won't Cox tell them, "sorry this modem is already registered to another customer"?
Well, Cox admitted, this has been a problem. They have a "way of fixing that". But they just won't say how.
Like I said. Dealing is Cox is always an adventure in douche-baggery.
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