[ale] OT I had to relate this Comcast conversation with y'all

Tue Jun 26 13:10:49 EDT 2012

Sadly, incompetence is the most egalitarian, universal, non-discriminatory
human trait that crosses all cultural, regional and country boundaries.

On Tue, Jun 26, 2012 at 12:30 PM, Courtney Thomas <
courtneycthomas at bellsouth.net> wrote:

> 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.
> >
> >
> >
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> >
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-- 
-- 
James P. Kinney III
*
*Every time you stop a school, you will have to build a jail. What you gain
at one end you lose at the other. It's like feeding a dog on his own tail.
It won't fatten the dog.
- Speech 11/23/1900 Mark Twain
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