<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 TRANSITIONAL//EN">
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; CHARSET=UTF-8">
<META NAME="GENERATOR" CONTENT="GtkHTML/3.32.2">
</HEAD>
<BODY>
+1 on AT&T is worse.<BR>
<BR>
On calling to s/u my old DSL line at home; I remember the CSR/Tech asking what version of Windows did I use? I responded with, "Fedora 12". He countered with, "Twelve...uh, Windows? 12?"<BR>
<BR>
With a little explanation and a crowbar (required to pry the Win-speak from his brain); I finally got him to realize that some of us don't use Windows. He had heard of Linux but that was it... Great tech support guys! (Not)<BR>
<BR>
In the end they said they would be sending me an installation package and charge my account $19.95 for the Windows-based installer. (It also contains line filters). I told them I neither needed it or wanted it. "Don't use Windows, remember?!" They sent it anyway and tried to charge my account.<BR>
<BR>
After much wasted time on the phone (again) I got the charges rescinded and all was well. (My record time to resolve a problem on the phone with them was over two-hours!) <BR>
<BR>
At one point I had learned how to get an onshore CSR; but have long since forgotten it. Now with Comcast and thankfully, they haven't caused me grief. Yet....<BR>
<BR>
Clear had sharp techs for the brief period I was with them. Liked them; just not enough bandwidth for our needs....<BR>
<BR>
AT&T and Comcast techs though...not too swift nor the sharpest knife in the drawer from my experience....<BR>
<BR>
RinL<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
On Tue, 2012-06-26 at 12:30 -0400, Courtney Thomas wrote:
<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE>
<PRE>
AT&T is even worse !
Wasted 1/2 hr this AM trying to get a Canadian residential phone #, and
though I
literally tried 10 times {and failed} with resultant hangups, rudeness,
incompetence
and transfers to so-called supervisors......all to no avail :-( and
I've been with 'em over 30 yrs.
I'd change in a heartbeat if there was any competition.
Finally succeeded by using a friend's Virgin cell phone....the first try.
Hell, I got better service than this in Brazil 45 yrs ago.
Welcome to the United States of Russia !
C.Thomas
On 6/25/2012 7:51 PM, Jim Lynch wrote:
> Conversation with Comcast Chat.
>
>
> Jim: Hi, we are purchasing a home on St. Simons Island and will be
> closing on it next month. I have looked at the online offers. I see two
> offers I might be interested in, one is the Digital Starter Package, the
> other is the Preferred Package. The first says “more than 80 channels
> available”, the second says “more than 100 channels available” however
> if I click on the associated “channel lineup” for each, then compare
> them, they are identical. What's the difference?
>
>
> Ann: Hi, Jim, I'm happy to help you, can I have the address of the
> installation?
>
>
> Jim:<address given>
>
>
> Ann: What services do you currently have at that location.
>
>
> Jim: Huh? What part of “we are purchasing … will be closing ...” do you
> not understand?
>
>
> Ann:<no response>
>
>
> Jim: Do you know we don't own the place yet?
>
>
> Ann: Congratulations! We have multiple specially priced packages
> available at that location. Can I have your phone number and have a
> specialist call you?
>
>
> Jim: no just answer the question.
>
>
> Ann: what number can he call you back at?
>
>
> Jim: Are you a robot?
>
>
> Ann:<no response>
>
>
> Jim: Either you are a robot or a person pressing macro buttons sending
> canned messages.
>
>
> Ann: I am a person.
>
>
> Jim: I seriously doubt that! My phone number is<given>
>
>
> Ann: I'll have someone call you within 5 minutes .
>
>
> Ann: It's been a pleasure assisting you today.
>
>
> Jim: bye
>
>
> So about 5 minutes later (why can't service be that prompt?) I get a
> call from Steve, with a heavy Indian accent.
>
>
> Steve: I understand you want to sign up for services with us. Can I get
> the address that you need service at?
>
>
> Jim.<give address>
>
>
> Steve: I see that we can offer you many services at that location<and
> goes off on telling me what he can do for me>
>
>
> Jim: Wait. I just want an answer to my question.<Steve rattles on for a
> bit before I'm able to interrupt him. I then repeat my dilemma with the
> channel lists>
>
>
> Steve: In addition to ESPN you get …. and with Nickelodeon you also get …
>
>
> Jim: Wait, but why are the lists on the webpage the same?
>
>
> Steve:<goes into another description of the differences>
>
>
> Jim: Hold it. Are you saying that the lists are the same because there
> are differences not listed?
>
>
> Steve: The listing shows the differences. Go to<some web page that is
> an actual side by side comparison>
>
>
> Jim: But the page that came up when I followed the links when I put my
> address in didn't show any differences in the channel lineup.
>
>
> Steve:<Ignoring me completely went on to describe the differences blah
> blah blah> … and with the $119 package you get
>
>
> Jim:<interrupting> Wait, wait. Listen I only need to be able to watch
> TV. I don't want a $119 package.
>
>
> Steve: With the … package we can provide you with phone, TV and Internet
> service …
>
>
> Jim: I just want to watch tv. Don't you have anything more basic than
> the Digital Starter service?
>
>
> Steve: The digital starter service is only $... if you contract for 2
> years it goes to $...<some higher number> after one year and then is
> $... after that. Otherwise it is $... for the first<interrupted by me>
>
>
> Jim: I can read. Thanks. I don't see anything on the Preferred list I
> want to watch so I guess I'll need the Digital Starter package.
>
>
> Steve: Give me a contact phone number and I'll give you an order number
> and a contact number for installation services.
>
>
> Jim: I don't want to place an order just yet.
>
>
> Steve: You don't have to pay for anything until after installation but
> to lock in the price I've quoted you, you need to place an order.
>
>
> Jim:<gives him the info>
>
>
> Steve:<recites order number and installation services phone number>
>
>
> Steve: We have an arrangement with<some company> to provide you a modem
> and wireless router at a discount, can we place that on the order?
>
>
> Jim: I thought I wasn't ordering Internet services from you.
>
>
> Steve: that's fine. We also for $6.xx can provide service for your modem
> and wireless router can I sign you up for that?
>
>
> Jim: Why on earth would I need service for something that I'm not going
> to order nor can I use? Are you sure you're not a computer? Or are you
> reading from a sheet using as little of your mind as is possible? You're
> last two questions are idiotic!
>
>
> Steve: That's fine. Thank you for letting me assist you and please stay
> on the line for installation services
>
>
> Jim: What? I have no idea when we will close, when I will be there and
> even if I'm going to order anything.
>
>
> Steve: That's fine. Thank you for letting me assist you, goodbye.
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Ale mailing list
> <A HREF="mailto:Ale@ale.org">Ale@ale.org</A>
> <A HREF="http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale">http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale</A>
> See JOBS, ANNOUNCE and SCHOOLS lists at
> <A HREF="http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo">http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo</A>
>
_______________________________________________
Ale mailing list
<A HREF="mailto:Ale@ale.org">Ale@ale.org</A>
<A HREF="http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale">http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale</A>
See JOBS, ANNOUNCE and SCHOOLS lists at
<A HREF="http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo">http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo</A>
</PRE>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<BR>
</BODY>
</HTML>