For nearly two years I have had a black box, a portable internet router, from AT&T. About three weeks ago the AC adapter broke. The copper wires are worn through, and one cannot take the device apart and fix it.

I inquired at two AT&T stores, and neither one carries the cord that all of their wifi customers need in order to access the internet. I visited two big box stores, and I also tried Amazon, but, to put it indelicately, none of them had an AC adapter of the right size -- the male does not fit the female.

I spent six and one half hours on the telephone with a long line of AT&T technical support personnel and sales agents. The result was that neither AT&T nor the manufacturer will sell me the AC adapter. They insisted that I spend $200 for a new black box, even though there is nothing wrong with mine.

I am still under contract with AT&T, and therefore this felt like extortion. I refused to submit to their demand.

Upon my return to St. Lawrence County, I stopped at Computer Guys in Potsdam, and they sold me an AC adapter for five dollars. The product appears to be much more durable than the original, and it works perfectly. The entire transaction took about five minutes.

Let this be a lesson to all of us. Never give in when faced with the corporate runaround, for that is what they want you to do. And always support your local merchants if at all possible, for they will be responsive to your needs.

Richard Hayes Phillips

Canton