Fat Boy ain't happy

[cuffs054]

I have put up with BellSouth/ATT for the last 12 years. Howsomever, I just realized I am being held hostage and I am not pleased. My internet service has always been iffy. I decided 6 months ago to get it right. ATT has changed modems three times (twice at my expense), they have rewired the house (at my expense), they have run test after test. February 27 I called because service was awful. They came 2/28/14 and discovered "shorts" in the line from post to house (corrosion at the "binding post"). Couldn't fix it that day, someone else would have to come. 3/03/2014 someone else did come and "moved my 'pair' to another post" at that time tech advised that I was paying for 18mbs service but the best I could expect was 12 and I should change. I did. I didn't see any improvement. 3/10/14 I call again. An annoying pimple faced kid came out and "showed" me that all was well on his 'service monitor', it must be my CPU (never mind that I have the issues on three different confusers) . Tonight it really got on my nerves. I checked zip code for alternatives and Comcast popped up. Called them. They can give me TV but not internet because ATT 'owns' the lines. OH HELL NO.
Monday I will be at city hall, I will explain the problem, they will be simpathatic and tell me that "we're too small to do anything". I will not be happy.

 

[mrb627]

I Switched

I went from AT&T to Clear a few years ago. I couldn't get any better than 1 meg download on AT&T. And they were charging me 55 a month for that! Sorry AT&T, but you suck!

After a year with clear, I got an email from Comcast and switched to their internet service.
Best move I had ever made!

Malcolm

 

[cuffs054]

Malcom, the thing that really frosted me was the fact that I have no options for internet service. I realize Monticello/Jasper Co is small but damn, we're a bedroom community for ATL.

 

[a440]

Don't Sign a Long Term Contract!!!

Google Fiber is Coming! Google Fiber is Coming! If you don't know about it...Google it! I Am So Excited. Don't let anyone rope you in for several years. They know Google is coming and they want to get as many long term contracts as possible. Google will also include television. Upload and Download times will be 2.5 GB Per SECOND!!!!
Now about AT&T. I have had it for years without 1 issue! I hear stories like yours however. They actually bugged the crap out of me to have my line from the street to the house changed to Fiber. I finally gave in. They did all of this for FREE when they did it. They did not even charge me for the new Modem!
If I was you I would raise some steam with them about this. They are trying to blame this on your home. They came out and did the work to insure that you would have excellent service. It takes time with them but you have to stand your ground. I would ask for a credit for all the time you have had down service.
I know you are frustrated.
Brent

 

[davey7]

Universal AT&T Problem...

AT&T's speed is a problem everywhere - even with "Uverse" (or whatever) - my best friend has had nothing but problems with them (and we have nothing but issues with AT&T at work) - even my friend who works for The Telephone Company has crummy service! My 'hood was supposed to get broadband wired via the utility poles but the company which had the contract went belly up nationally so the contract was cancelled.

 

[rp2813]

Between the lack of experience and technical training of today's Telco employees along with the fact that the Telcos have taken to employing even more hastily trained and clueless contractors in the field, it's no wonder you've had so many ineffective solutions thrown at you.  These field techs are by and large the on-site equivalent of drones in Bangalore reading from a script.

 

You should file a complaint with your state Public Utilities Commission (or equivalent).  Your complaint will be relayed to the executive offices at Bell South/AT&T. 

 

That's the good part.  The sketchy part is what happens after that.  The executive offices will contact the appropriate department regarding your issue, and, ideally, someone with more brains than the average customer-facing employee will contact you, and will give you their direct number so you can be sure of reaching them if/as needed during the resolution process.  This person should have intra-company contact numbers in order to reach the right people to resolve the problem.

 

However, the weak link lies between the person who contacts you and the technicians involved with making the repair, who are supervised by someone else.  Emphasize to the representative what has already been done, and that this is not just a minor repair issue.  Be prepared to hear things you've already heard, and don't accept those same excuses or explanations.  This is an executive office complaint and they should be committed to correcting the problem.  It's worth a shot, and if the problem hasn't been resolved and the PUC follows up, you can advise them.

 

I would also ask for adjustments to the charges for wiring work.  It didn't fix the problem.  Again, with an executive office complaint, they'll be more willing to appease you.

 

Keep us posted.

 

Ralph

 

 

 

[alr2903]

AT&T,  was poor when I had it here.  I changed and bundled with Comcast  a few years back.  Malcom, Comcast has a new package with Blast wifi and the new boxes  that let you start  a recording in one room and finish it in another.  Our cable boxes  had not been upgraded since 2008.  We had D. TV in NOLA,    first guy that came out here said we had a "line of site" satellite issue because  of the trees.  He said it would not work yet D. TV insisted on sending another guy to verify the findings.  These companies really do try to keep your busine$$. I  do not remember the particulars or if we even had a contract in NOLA.  I do know that after Katrina we had no satellite dish.  Sorry for the long post but Comcast has been the best value.  AT&T promised me DSL "EXTREME" whatever that is then stated we were to far from the "switching station" to get "EXTREME".   I did get the rate changed after way too many phone calls.  I HATE phone trees. Cuffs, I hope they get straightened out and do the right thing for you.

 

[cuffs054]

Just when I thought it was safe to come out; Today I get a letter from ATT telling me that if I don't pay $$$ TODAY they will suspend service. I call customer no service "we see your monthly payment but we need $$ for past due. I try to explain that there is no past due.I check with CU yep, regular payments are being made. Call ATT again, I seldom loose control on the phone but I did with the 4TH. person "Smith" I got transfered to. In the course of him telling me that I COULD'NT have the deal I was claiming he said "Just because you were without service for 4 days, you think you should get a credit?" That was it. Told him to switch me to supervisor. "I am the supervisor there is no one higher". That was not the correct thing to say. I hang up and start dialing. I get transfered and transfered. Finally, 1 h 20 m later get to a woman whose job it is "to make me happy". She too expresses the idea that I am an idiot and I'm trying to rip ATT off. I demanded that she look at notes from 11-12/2013. Well butter my butt and call me a biscuit, she finds the deal that Uverse made me. My service is $39.99/month. The end of the story is once again ATT owes me money. I have got to move.

 

[rp2813]

Don't you wish for the old Ma Bell who owned everything, including your phone, and when just one call to 611 set everything in motion to make proper repairs with the utmost courtesy and professionalism, followed by an automatic out-of-service adjustment?

 

After divestiture on 1/1/84, our local "Baby Bell" adopted the slogan, "Progress intelligently planned." 

 

Seriously?  I don't think so.