I’m so lucky to be able to write this article! I never thought I’d be online long enough to get it in.
I recently opted to try Verizon DSL for my internet provider, after finding out their DSL service was actually LESS money per month than my dial-up. What could be better? Faster internet… lower cost…. Hmmm… where is my dial up now? At least I could get online.
I could go on and on about the attempts to have my problems resolved. But seeing it as the scenario just repeated itself like a broken record, I only need to tell you about one. Ever hear that saying “Too many hands in the pot?” Verizon DSL Customer Service gives new meaning to the phrase.
So, my internet is down. Pick up the phone and call. After slowly entering numbers thru several prompts, the very helpful computerized woman on the other end runs a check of my account. Surprise! I have no open issue with Verizon! Noooo Kidding…… She runs a test of my line….wait….wait….wait…. hmmm I don’t know if there’s a problem or not, this very sweet woman hasn’t told me yet. Instead, she’s going to transfer me to an actual live talking person! Oh boy! My excitement is overwhelming and my gasps of excitement lead my family to believe I’ve won the lottery.
Talking to a person, sometimes very friendly, sometimes not understandable (usually the latter) we perform several tests of my system. Shut down, restart, turn off modem. Unplug everything, take to a new line, replug in… on and on and on and on…. For the first five or six times, they were able to fix it over the phone. Thank the Lord! After that, the same routine becomes more of a problem, as I need to schedule a “tech visit.” Hmmm, I start to question, “How do I cancel my account?” I’m provided with a department to call, but I believe they only work from about 1-2am EST, because they never are open when I’m on the line. Funny thing, when I attempt to use my computer it’s back online again! Praise the Lord for these small miracles!
Finally, the last straw. Call again, talk to the same computerized woman. I’m starting to get so attached to her, that I might just keep calling after I cancel my Verizon account! Her and I have become best buddies by now. Talk to a person (yes, a live one) who, as sweet as can be, can’t help me this time. Hmm, decisions, decisions… do I cancel the account and mortgage the house to pay the penalty fee? Or do I set up a tech appointment? This one I need to think on. Can I call back? Yes! Absolutely!
No more than an hour later, I call. I’ve decided I’d rather take a risk with the tech appointment than pay the fees, which no doubt will leave me eating macaroni and cheese every meal for a good month. No… not anymore. I need to run through all the tests again. Unplug, shut down, move modem. Nothing is working no matter how thoroughly I explain my situation to the poor woman to whom I’ve grown frustrated with. Finally, I convince her I need a tech visit. She puts me on hold, long enough for me to read War & Peace, and the tech department has denied my request for a visit until we perform more tests. Oh joy!
Come to find out my very defective phone cord was the answer to the problem this whole time. Mercy me, this very cord that was practically brand new. Funny thing is, the very next morning I was back online again! With that very defective cord. Things that make you go hmmmm.
To make the short story of the long of this, when my contract with Verizon DSL is up, I will be thinking twice of going back to my dial up! Better to be online at all, than paying for a service with no interest of the person paying the bill. Buyer Beware!
