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It should be pointed out that this would only be required if you are using this password for other things that are important (as in, you are sharing your password with other accounts) or your password is somehow precious and special (like the name of your favorite dead aunt): you shouldn't have to do this, as your password should already be something "stupid"; changing your random password to something else random when you are fully intending to just change it to something even further random again is a waste of time. ;P

I agree. But perhaps OP doesn't trust all support employees working for 1&1? This seems a reasonable stance.

So, he should give them his password, but he should then change it.

In addition to the responses from others and depending on the password restrictions set by 1and1, there is no gurantee you can use the same/previous password when you try and reset it.

You can, but see below for my thoughts on that...