When I got home yesterday, my internet wasn't working, so I did all the things that usually re-start it, and it still didn't work. So I took a stiff drink and called Verizon. After about 10 minutes of voicemail hell, I finally got "Joe" who is probably really Sidhar in India. He was perfectly pleasant, according to his script, but couldn't solve my problem.So he put in a service call, resulting in the news that someone would indeed come out to the house, but not until JULY 7!!! An entire week from yesterday! Seriously, with the number of people who work from home, and the reliance on the internet, how do they expect someone not to have access for more than a week?
I asked to speak to a supervisor, and after 50 minutes on the phone, I heard some clicks and then got a dial-tone. 
After several mojitos, I finally called back, only to be disconnected again. The third time, after more than an hour and a half on the phone, I got the service person to agree to come tomorrow, and to even narrow down the time to a four hour block, instead of the original 13 hour time-frame they offered.
After several mojitos, I finally called back, only to be disconnected again. The third time, after more than an hour and a half on the phone, I got the service person to agree to come tomorrow, and to even narrow down the time to a four hour block, instead of the original 13 hour time-frame they offered. The most ironic thing is that they asked for my e-mail and this morning, I got a lovely e-mail from Verizon saying that they hope that my interaction with them was satisfactory. STUPID PEOPLE... I DO NOT HAVE INTERNET, SO HOW CAN I READ YOUR E-MAIL!!! (Except at work, which doesn't count!)
Suffice to say, posting will be sporadic until this is fixed. Thanks for letting me vent! Tell me your Verizon horror stories!
Meg- what a nightmare, so sorry! About two years ago I switched everything from Verizon to AT&T and have been much happier. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteWe went with our local (so small we have only one) broadband (phone, cable and internet) and bypassed AT&T and Verizon. The few problems we have had, we have had excellent service by our provider. They not only speak English, they speak Neighbor. I've been impressed with them. ArchitectDesign is having fits with AT&T. I say think globally, act locally. Hope you have a solution soon.
ReplyDeleteI've long believed that this particular customer service tactic was dreamed up by computer tech people in the first place. Confound and confuse your customer so much, endlessly drag out even the most simple service call, and you'll have a customer for life. Because who wants to go thru all that hell to start over with a new provider and risk even MORE complications??!! What's that they say about "the devil you know"? Good luck and have a mojito for me, too. I'm all frustrated now just reading your post!
ReplyDeleteArgh! So sorry.
ReplyDeleteOur DSL (Verizon) goes funky when it rains...
Soooo sorry. Computer problems are the worst. We have Comcast for cable and internet. If we call with cable problems we talk to someone about 20 miles away and they'll send someone out the next day; if we call with computer problems we talk to India and they'll be out next week. We've learned to say everything is a cable problem!
ReplyDeleteHope your problems are solved soon.
I use cable modem at home Meg. Seems to be more reliable than Verizon.
ReplyDeleteADG
I don't have Verizon, but have heard plenty of nightmare stories about dealing with them. Love that - an email asking about your experience - while your connection is down. You really should figure out who does their PR and send this post to them. Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteLinda... I think that some of the providers like Comcast regularly check the blogs and twitter to see what's being said about them. Hopefully, Verizon will do the same.
ReplyDeleteNo specific story about Verizon, but plenty of customer service nightmares. My computer was stolen last week -- lots of personal/financial information (so stupid, but that's another story). Can't tell you how many of these kinds of conversations I had trying to change accounts; put fraud alerts on my credit, etc. In a conversation with one of the credit agencies, I was told me I would have to submit a written request and two forms of photo identification to place a fraud alert on our credit file. What??? I replied in the time that would take it could very well be a moot point as the thieves could have already done whatever they wanted. Finally spoke to his supervisor who agreed and said he didn't know where the other guy had come up with that info. All I could say was "how do I know...he's your employee."
ReplyDeleteWow. Can you tell I needed to vent too? So sorry for your problems.
sadly in east baltimore, comcast is our only choice for cable/internet since we live too far away from the verizon station. we've had xohm (wimax) for a while for internet and its horrible, so it looks like we're going to have to go back to comcastic. and i'm sad to report, their service is less than comcastic.
ReplyDelete* My heart goes out to you, my friend!!! Talk about a living nightmare~~~ I really DO "feel your pain"!!!
ReplyDeleteWe have Comcast here in AZ (Verizon only for my cell) & I must say, am quite pleased ("MOST" of the time!) w/ both!!! (I know, I know~~~ how RARE is THAT?!?!?)...
Maybe it's time you let them know you're "TIRED OF THIS ____, AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE"!~~~ and threaten to switch!!!
GOOOOD LUCK!!! (Oh, and BTW, think it's time you took a well-deserved "chocolate break"~~~ CALORIES n' CARBS don't count when yer STRESSED!!!)~~~
Best,
Linda in AZ *
Time-Warner as a company is no better, but every person I've dealt with is so NICE I'm unable to hold my indignation. I think the mojito route is a good one. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteYou have me laughing. VERIZON is awful. Mojitos were a brilliant idea though.
ReplyDeleteIt took us months to get a wire properly undergrounded so that it did not pose a trip hazard. What finally got them to my house were calls with the words 'trip hazard, safety issue, liability' used frequently.
Mojito's will solve or ease any problem... I have been where you are with Verizon. They seem to lack a desire to serve the customer...almost as if they have forgotten that without the customer they would not have a job.
ReplyDeleteMojito's will solve or ease any problem... I have been where you are with Verizon. They seem to lack a desire to serve the customer...almost as if they have forgotten that without the customer they would not have a job.
ReplyDeleteMojito's will solve or ease any problem... I have been where you are with Verizon. They seem to lack a desire to serve the customer...almost as if they have forgotten that without the customer they would not have a job.
ReplyDeleteOh good gawd. Good luck with that. We recently upgraded from just FIOS internet, to FIOS internet + phone, and you would think we were asking for Verizon to reinvent the wheel. Truly terrible service and responsiveness. After waiting at home for the designated four hours (actually I waited longer, but kept calling and they kept telling me that we were still on the list and someone was on the way), another call to them and I found that they 'had done it at the box and didn't need to come in the house.' Gad, my blood pressure goes up just thinking about it. However, after calling several times in the subsequent days to try to get an apology or a discount for my lost 4 hours taken off work, I was finally connected with a customer-save specialist (I think she was in Elkridge or Balto.). I'll see if I can find her # for you. The first and only truly helpful and knowledgeable one, and she saved me from cancelling my account outright.
ReplyDeleteGet Xohm! It's a wireless signal broadcast all over Baltimore. I've had it for six months and it's great. The only time I've ever talked to their customer service was because THEY called ME to make sure everything was working OK right after I signed up. I haven't had to call them since because it's been so good. I've recommended it to several people and they all really like it.
ReplyDeletewell, I don't have a verizon horror story. BUT i have the exact - I mean almost exact same story with UVERSE!!!!!!!! omg - I could write a book about what I went through last week with them. but when i finally connected - they were there THAT day and fixed the problem. so....be patient, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThat is so frustrating! Their customer service is so awful and are extremely unaccommodating!
ReplyDeleteUgh! I don't think I could have waited 10 minutes let alone 50!!! No Verizon here except for cell phone, which is actually quite good. I am switching providers to one who says my internet will be 15 times faster ( I am holding high hopes here for my blogging productivity to be much better!) We will see!
ReplyDeleteHere's a tip which all comapnies must abide. If you get through & its India you may insist that you speak to a rep in the USA & they are required to do so immediately. I'd call back & trust me, bing bang boom you'll be soo much happier.
ReplyDeleteI am seem to be in the minority but I am really happy with Verizon (at least for cell phone service)! My secret though is to make an in person visit to the store for technical assistance - I am quite lucky to work a block away from a Verizon store.
ReplyDeleteAnd great mojito images!|
We were without our Verizon land line for more than a week. I called and was told that the tech had been out a couple of days before. Phone still wasn't working, so they scheduled another appointment. The tech called the next day and said he needed to get in the house to get to the box. I said the box is on the outside of the house, you don't need to get in. He said I need to get in to fix your FIOS box. I said, I don't have FIOS you're at the wrong house, you idiot. We won't be getting FIOS and paying them even more money for crummy service.
ReplyDeleteLooks like Mari' had a few.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to constipated, irritating service and tech support, I consider Verizon to be bad corporate citizens. Last year my dog, Edna was kidnapped, tortured and killed by inner city gang kids at Halloween. They killed her while I listened on the phone. They got my number from the reward posters. Verizon CHARGED the police in order to cooperate with tracing the calls, slowing the investigation thus allowing the primary assailant to flee out of state, costing local taxpayers thousands. A year later Verizon refused to cooperate with a police hunt for a missing man in Ohio, suffering from Altzheimers. The police made a simple request for Verizon to turn on the man's phone so they could track the signal. The account was $20 past due, so Verizon would not cooperate. The did, however cooperate with Bush/Cheney's 'warrentless wire taps. Tech support is the least of their evils. - Bill Whiting, Philadelphia. Posted in loving memory of my wonderful dog, Edna.
ReplyDeleteMeg - I think Verizon has the worst customer service of any co. in existence. I feel your pain, having been in the same situation. I'm normally pretty even-tempered and try to be nice to everyone on the phone, but I have lost my cool with their phone rep. One thing I have learned about that phone tree thing where the voice mail asks you to keep pushing buttons before you actually get to a person ... don't respond, just wait and they will give up and put a person on. After that, it's anyone's guess what will happen.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of the great comments! I am sitting in the little local coffee shop - Peace & A Cup of Joe - using their wireless.
ReplyDeleteThe thumb's not broken, just badly bruised and hurting a lot. It makes me so mad that Vz's inept service people can make me that crazy.
My phone's screen was not working so I go to Verizon to replace it.So I get their and the women at the counter tells me I can't get a new phone now, for reasons I'm not sure of. Therefore I went home and about a week later I go back then a another women tells me I need a new battery. At this point I am so furious.So she said she would send a new battery. Therefore I waited patiently for the battery think about just getting a new phone.So finally the battery comes I put it in my phone my screen still does not work. I almost lost it!!So I got back to Verizon exclaiming that phone still does not work so finally I get some answers. They tell me that I have to wait until July 24 to a new phone on a upgrade. I can not believe they put me through all this so I have to wait even longer to get a phone.
ReplyDeleteAnon... don't you just feel so helpless and frustrated!!! Everyone has a different answer, but I don't think any of them really know what they're talking about. It's the luck of the draw who you talk to.
ReplyDeleteNext time I see you...the mojito is on me!
ReplyDeleteI HATE VERIZON SOOO MUCH THAT I WANT TO SHOT IT IN ITS HEAD TIL IT GOES CU-CU BANANAS! I HATE RETARDED VERIZON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!@!!A FGHEQKLFHJDJKLS HFJKGHKL O;u fdhlewfkl
ReplyDelete8/12/09 - 1:17 PM. I contacted verizon again regarding the slow connection speed for mobile broadband connection (VZ Access Manager). Representative Ed Perez walked me through an online update. Once this update was and installed. I was asked to restart my computer. Once the restart took place my computer could not find the hard drive. I informed Mr. Perez of this and he insisted that this was not verizon’s problem and he did not know how to fix it. Leaving me now with NO COMPUTER and no internet access at all. I insisted he get his supervisor on the phone immediately. Jerreau Latson was his name. Jearreau Latson also insisted that this incident was in anyway related to the verizon download. I argued differently as prior to the DL my computer worked fine. Jerreau Latson informed me that I should contact apple about the problem. Of course, since Verizon cant help me, push the problem elsewhere. After contacting apple I spent 2 hours reinstalling my operating system on my hard drive. Not to mention is costing me 349.00 to expand my service agreement. Once reinstalled. I called Jerreau Latson back to then get the usb working again when he had yet another rep. contact me. Michael. At this time my computer would still not recognize the usb wireless card. He finally agreed to send me a new USB wireless replacement. The replacement was received 2 days later with no installation disk included in the package. Yet another verizon mistake. Once informing Michael about this mistake he stated verizon would send a cd to arrive on Tuesday. 8/18/09. Thus far I’ve spent over 20 hours fixing this mess and an entire week without internet. Did I mention that I’m self-employed and lost over 2 K in addition that week?? Verizon kindly credited me $10.00. This usb instrument has not worked properly in months and now after all of this they still refuse to terminate my contract.
ReplyDeleteDamage Resulting $349.00 was spent to extend my apple support contract. Over 2 K in income. 20 hours of my time Oh and my current Verizon bill. $850.00!