Reply #8: Several years ago [View All]

[Coyote_Bandit]

I moved to an area where cable internet service was not available and I requested DSL service through my phone provider. Long story short - the service NEVER worked but every month I was billed for it and for the connect and equipment fees. Every month I had to call customer service and be put on hold for at least 30 to 45 minutes while somebody researched then adjusted my monthly bill. In the meantime I had all sorts of problems and got a couple of disconnect notices for unpaid charges. After living there for a little less than a year I moved to another state. My final bill was for about a thousand dollars - about $15 dollars actually owed for unpaid phone charges and the remainder allegedly due for the internet charges. Since I now lived in another state whenever I would call the customer service number for the previous state I would automatically be routed to the service office for my new state of residence. That meant I would be on hold for 30 to 45 minutes - only to be transferred to the number I had first called resulting in an additional hold time of 30 to 45 minutes. I did this once and registered my displeasure and contested the charges. It took over six months after my final disconnect to receive a correct final bill. Several times during this 18 month ordeal I was told by the phone provider that they were unable to correct the billing because they could not adjust the bills of their third party DSL provider.

From time to time that phone provider still calls and want to sell me additional bundled crap besides my basic land line service. I repeat my story in full lengthy detail to every single sales caller - asking for full assurance that I would not be subject to a similar experience if I decided to obtain additional services. More than one has hung up on me. Oh, well, Whatever.

I hope to relocate in the next year or so. When I do, my land line is history. No question that will happen.

Maybe my cable too. It was working fine when I left for the holidays. I came back to find that none of my digital channels or movie channels are accessible on either tv. Thankfully my internet access still works. Sounds like some genius working on the line added a filter whilst I was away. I am none too patiently awaiting their service guy. Have been for several days now - and they tell me he likely may be late arriving for his scheduled appointment. Next time they call and try to sell me bundled cable phone service I will probably use this as an example of how unreliable they are. It ain't happening.

Satellite is beginning to sound like a good option for internet and tv - add a cell phone and I should be good to go.

Customer service sucks these days. I try not to be abusive to the folks working the call center customer service lines. But I also know that squeaky wheels get greased. I am not the least bit reluctant to push, complain, ask for accommodations and discounts, contact operational vps, file grievances with government regulators, etc. Most of these companies already know their customer service sucks. What they count on is that most of their customers are unwilling to walk away and are unskilled in seeking resolution of their problems.