Man I just got fucked by the phone company without a kiss.

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  • tony286
    lurker
    • Aug 2002
    • 57021

    #1

    Man I just got fucked by the phone company without a kiss.

    I canceled Vonage it was a waste of money when we both have cell phones. Wanted to get the alarm in my house reactivated. Someone tired to break in Moo Moo scared the shit out of him and a neighbor called 911 and they arrested him. I was out when this happened. So have to get the hardline turned back on. Just the local line is $17.95,then the taxes and assorted bullshit. Then she tells me its $49 to turn it on. Since the house is all wired its a matter of flicking a switch. Then for the number to be unlisted $4.50 a month just so Im not in their phone book. No wonder people are leaving the company in droves.
  • JFK
    FUBAR the ORIGINATOR
    • Jan 2002
    • 67369

    #2
    Bell Canada was trying similar shit on me, lost all my business

    FUBAR Webmasters - The FUBAR Times - FUBAR Webmasters Mobile - FUBARTV.XXX
    For promo opps contact jfk at fubarwebmasters dot com

    Comment

    • Dirty F
      Too lazy to set a custom title
      • Jul 2001
      • 59204

      #3
      Originally posted by tony404
      Then for the number to be unlisted $4.50 a month just so Im not in their phone book.
      wtf

      Comment

      • tony299
        lurker
        • Aug 2002
        • 57021

        #4
        Originally posted by Dirty F
        wtf
        Almost equal to a third of the cost of the line for them not to publish it. what balls.

        Comment

        • OMG Jim
          Confirmed User
          • Oct 2005
          • 3153

          #5
          Just left THE Phone Company last month myself Tony after 20+ years but I know what you mean about the ridiculous charges. Basic land line, one hour of long distance and unlisted number $70 a month

          Now I've got my cable, internet & phone all bundled with Comcast and I'm saving over $50 a month now.
          _
          ICQ: 254 914 537 - Skype: AlmightyJim

          Comment

          • dready
            Confirmed User
            • Oct 2002
            • 5247

            #6
            Geez, keeping Vonage would have been a lot cheaper. I love Vonage.
            ICQ: 91139591

            Comment

            • IllTestYourGirls
              Ah My Balls
              • Feb 2007
              • 14311

              #7
              I can not remember the last time I had a landline phone. Thanks for the reminder why not to get one! lol

              Comment

              • klaze
                So Fucking Banned
                • May 2008
                • 2167

                #8
                I keep a landline just incase the power goes out or I don't charge my cellie... I agree tho the service is wayy over priced..

                Comment

                • Intrinsic
                  Confirmed User
                  • Jun 2008
                  • 1589

                  #9
                  The little mutt in your av scared someone?

                  Comment

                  • selena
                    Confirmed User
                    • Aug 2004
                    • 7995

                    #10
                    I recently did away with Vonage because we hardly ever use our house phone, and I like the security of a landline in case of an emergency.

                    I must have got in on a good deal, because I didn't pay anything for them to establish service. Maybe because my cell is with AT&T, I don't know.

                    I have the absolute most basic service you can get, and I think it is $12 a month before they add all the taxes and surcharges on.
                    ~
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                    selena.delgado9

                    Comment

                    • tony299
                      lurker
                      • Aug 2002
                      • 57021

                      #11
                      Originally posted by Intrinsic
                      The little mutt in your av scared someone?
                      no thats CJ he is in doggie heaven. What he didnt have in teeth he made up in balls. MooMoo is my 60lbs pitt mix, who old toothless Cj used to push out of her food bowl. lol

                      Comment

                      • tony299
                        lurker
                        • Aug 2002
                        • 57021

                        #12
                        Vonage and charter didnt seem to play nice together so we stopped using it and we had the cell phones. It wasnt even connected anymore. I wouldn't trust charter with my phone service. I pay for 10mps internet service and its rare I hit that number.

                        Comment

                        • Peaches
                          Old broad
                          • Oct 2002
                          • 13933

                          #13
                          Why use the phone company for your alarm service? There are about 100 of them in the ATL area and many are cellular so you don't even need a land line.

                          My phone company just saved me $80 a month by dropping DirecTV AND I get 3000 LD minutes a month AND 5 free PPV movies a month AND I get HDTV

                          Then we could discuss how the store I'm buying shares it's water meter with another store and even better, has 3 different electric accounts, including the entire parking lot lights and one that just covers 3 outlets, but is on the next store's panel. Oh, and my AC unit is actually located at the store next to me..........Oy. The landlord is shitting bricks.

                          Comment

                          • Barefootsies
                            Choice is an Illusion
                            • Feb 2005
                            • 42635

                            #14
                            Originally posted by tony404
                            I canceled Vonage it was a waste of money when we both have cell phones. Wanted to get the alarm in my house reactivated. Someone tired to break in Moo Moo scared the shit out of him and a neighbor called 911 and they arrested him. I was out when this happened. So have to get the hardline turned back on. Just the local line is $17.95,then the taxes and assorted bullshit. Then she tells me its $49 to turn it on. Since the house is all wired its a matter of flicking a switch. Then for the number to be unlisted $4.50 a month just so Im not in their phone book. No wonder people are leaving the company in droves.
                            Most of those fees are set, or regulated by the state. It's a difference in tariffed and non tariffed. I know that land line, non-pub, is more than $4.50 here in MI (with the Bell). I can't remember what it is now since I turned off my resi land service a few years back.

                            Reseller companies could sell for less because they had some locked in wholesale rates to increase, or foster competition. For example, I have had TDS Metrocom for 5 years doing my business service. I have a T1 voice/data circuit, 3 phone lines, CID, VMS, CF and 800 number for like $211.00 a mo.

                            If I was with AT&T/Bell, I would be paying more like $280-400 for the T1 alone depending on how I had it configured for voice or data. Plus $18.00ish per line, $10 CID, and I think it's like $7.50 for the other services (unbundled), plus taxes and fees. This doesn't include the price for business listing either.
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                            • Tempest
                              Too lazy to set a custom title
                              • May 2004
                              • 10217

                              #15
                              Just curious.. How much do you pay for your cell phone by comparison?

                              Comment

                              • kane
                                Too lazy to set a custom title
                                • Aug 2001
                                • 20684

                                #16
                                When I moved where I live now the local power company told me I had two options to avoid having to pay a deposit to have the lights turned on. The first was have someone that had been a resident in the city for 3 years "endorse" me or have them check my credit. The first wasn't an option so I went with the credit check. They turned me down. Apparently my credit was good enough to buy a house, but not good enough to be trusted to pay the light bill. They never would tell me what on my credit caused me to not "qualify". After a long discussion the guy basically admitted to me that their standards are so strict that 99% of the people have to pay a deposit and you only get the deposit back if you are never late with a payment during the first 12 months. If you are one day past the due date on the bill you forfeit the deposit. I would imagine most people never get their deposit back. It is a scam for sure.

                                Comment

                                • SykkBoy2
                                  Jesus loves bacon
                                  • Feb 2001
                                  • 19969

                                  #17
                                  I've been landline-free for nearly 2 years now and don't miss the constant nickle and diming
                                  Support my new movie “The Second Coming”

                                  Comment

                                  • tony299
                                    lurker
                                    • Aug 2002
                                    • 57021

                                    #18
                                    Originally posted by Peaches
                                    Why use the phone company for your alarm service? There are about 100 of them in the ATL area and many are cellular so you don't even need a land line.

                                    My phone company just saved me $80 a month by dropping DirecTV AND I get 3000 LD minutes a month AND 5 free PPV movies a month AND I get HDTV

                                    Then we could discuss how the store I'm buying shares it's water meter with another store and even better, has 3 different electric accounts, including the entire parking lot lights and one that just covers 3 outlets, but is on the next store's panel. Oh, and my AC unit is actually located at the store next to me..........Oy. The landlord is shitting bricks.
                                    Because all and all its alot cheaper than getting cellular for alarm service.Also I want a rock solid connection to the alarm people if something happens. Cell reception in my house is fair at best. The next house I buy, one of the deciding factors will be how many bars I have in the house. lol

                                    Comment

                                    • GrouchyAdmin
                                      Now choke yourself!
                                      • Apr 2006
                                      • 12085

                                      #19
                                      I've had almost 8 hours of inaccessibility with Packet8 in 3 years. I'm pretty happy with that.

                                      Comment

                                      • baddog
                                        So Fucking Banned
                                        • Apr 2001
                                        • 107089

                                        #20
                                        Originally posted by tony404
                                        Since the house is all wired its a matter of flicking a switch. Then for the number to be unlisted $4.50 a month just so Im not in their phone book. No wonder people are leaving the company in droves.
                                        Are you serious? You really think it is just the flick of a switch? Sorry, but you are incorrect.

                                        With 25 years experience I speak with authority on this subject.

                                        Comment

                                        • uno
                                          RIP Dodger. BEST.CAT.EVER
                                          • Dec 2002
                                          • 18450

                                          #21
                                          Originally posted by GrouchyAdmin
                                          I've had almost 8 hours of inaccessibility with Packet8 in 3 years. I'm pretty happy with that.
                                          I had 2 hours downtime in the past 3 years and i still called to have my bill prorated.
                                          -uno
                                          icq: 111-914
                                          CrazyBabe.com - porn art
                                          MojoHost - For all your hosting needs, present and future. Tell them I sent ya!

                                          Comment

                                          • LiveDose
                                            Show Yer Tits!
                                            • Feb 2002
                                            • 25792

                                            #22
                                            I keep a landline for the alarm system reason as well.

                                            Scammer Alert: acer19 acer [email protected] [email protected] Money stolen using PayPal

                                            Comment

                                            • tony299
                                              lurker
                                              • Aug 2002
                                              • 57021

                                              #23
                                              Originally posted by baddog
                                              Are you serious? You really think it is just the flick of a switch? Sorry, but you are incorrect.

                                              With 25 years experience I speak with authority on this subject.
                                              Well when she didn't set a time for the guy to come out and she told me Mon by midnight. I assumed it was internal not some guy on the pole.Please educate whats involved, I figured with modern technology its all computerized.

                                              Comment

                                              • BV
                                                wtf
                                                • Sep 2001
                                                • 10914

                                                #24
                                                my alarm system is wired to the landline and also it has a cellular backup so incase someone cuts the phoneline

                                                maybe you can just go that route

                                                also if you have cable see if they offer tel service too

                                                my cable company offered it to me for 15 dollars a month. (brighthouse)

                                                they said it works just like a reg phone, can have same number etc etc 911 works

                                                i would still have a cellular backup for it otherwise its easy for a burglar to cut phonelines

                                                Comment

                                                • Barefootsies
                                                  Choice is an Illusion
                                                  • Feb 2005
                                                  • 42635

                                                  #25
                                                  Originally posted by baddog
                                                  Are you serious? You really think it is just the flick of a switch? Sorry, but you are incorrect.
                                                  Correct.

                                                  Not all pairs are "ready to go" as in your "flip the switch" example. Sometimes there is a pair that is existing, or can be easily routed via FACS, but sometimes it requires a C.O. or outside tech to get your shit ready.

                                                  I've been on both ends of this for consumer, and business customers when I worked in telco. That said, I always laugh at the 'flip the switch' people. But I will concede that if everything is good to go on the facility side, a service order can clear the system in a matter of minutes giving you dial tone, or a service.

                                                  Keep in mind, I am talking about the midwest, Ameritch Bell, and TDS regions. Not Verizon. Which is important to distinguish because some companies are NOT completely automated. Especially Verizon areas.

                                                  Should You Email Your Members?

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                                                  Enough Said.

                                                  "Would you rather live like a king for a year or like a prince forever?"

                                                  Comment

                                                  • jakethedog
                                                    Confirmed User
                                                    • Jun 2004
                                                    • 2497

                                                    #26
                                                    Originally posted by JFK
                                                    Bell Canada was trying similar shit on me, lost all my business
                                                    err where ya from in this frozen wasteland I call home .. ??
                                                    No sig .. just me

                                                    Comment

                                                    • Barefootsies
                                                      Choice is an Illusion
                                                      • Feb 2005
                                                      • 42635

                                                      #27
                                                      Originally posted by tony404
                                                      Well when she didn't set a time for the guy to come out and she told me Mon by midnight. I assumed it was internal not some guy on the pole.Please educate whats involved, I figured with modern technology its all computerized.
                                                      Again, depending on your region or company..

                                                      That is just a standard answer they give. You are supposed to due date service orders for the next, or two business days out. So it's a matter of when that order clears the system at midnight.

                                                      However... it 'could' be done in minutes, or with a phone call to FAC/LACC 99% of the time IF there was no need for an outside tech.
                                                      Should You Email Your Members?

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                                                      Enough Said.

                                                      "Would you rather live like a king for a year or like a prince forever?"

                                                      Comment

                                                      • tony299
                                                        lurker
                                                        • Aug 2002
                                                        • 57021

                                                        #28
                                                        Originally posted by Barefootsies
                                                        Correct.

                                                        Not all pairs are "ready to go" as in your "flip the switch" example. Sometimes there is a pair that is existing, or can be easily routed via FACS, but sometimes it requires a C.O. or outside tech to get your shit ready.

                                                        I've been on both ends of this for consumer, and business customers when I worked in telco. That said, I always laugh at the 'flip the switch' people. But I will concede that if everything is good to go on the facility side, a service order can clear the system in a matter of minutes giving you dial tone, or a service.

                                                        Keep in mind, I am talking about the midwest, Ameritch Bell, and TDS regions. Not Verizon. Which is important to distinguish because some companies are NOT completely automated. Especially Verizon areas.


                                                        Thank you Bare I didnt know and Im with ATT.

                                                        Comment

                                                        • Barefootsies
                                                          Choice is an Illusion
                                                          • Feb 2005
                                                          • 42635

                                                          #29
                                                          Originally posted by tony404
                                                          Thank you Bare I didnt know and Im with ATT.
                                                          No worries mate.

                                                          ATT/Bell South (Atlanta) should have pretty much the same set up ATT/Ameritech does/did. Should be nice an automated for the most part.
                                                          Last edited by Barefootsies; 07-31-2008, 06:36 PM.
                                                          Should You Email Your Members?

                                                          Link1 | Link2 | Link3

                                                          Enough Said.

                                                          "Would you rather live like a king for a year or like a prince forever?"

                                                          Comment

                                                          • Helix
                                                            Confirmed User
                                                            • Feb 2002
                                                            • 6021

                                                            #30
                                                            Be sure to give Moo Moo a doggy treat for a job well done.

                                                            Comment

                                                            • tony299
                                                              lurker
                                                              • Aug 2002
                                                              • 57021

                                                              #31
                                                              Originally posted by Helix
                                                              Be sure to give Moo Moo a doggy treat for a job well done.
                                                              I did and a new chew rope. She is sleeping next to me, she is such a good dog.

                                                              Comment

                                                              • Iron Fist
                                                                Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                                • Dec 2006
                                                                • 23400

                                                                #32
                                                                Originally posted by AlmightyJim
                                                                Just left THE Phone Company last month myself Tony after 20+ years but I know what you mean about the ridiculous charges. Basic land line, one hour of long distance and unlisted number $70 a month

                                                                Now I've got my cable, internet & phone all bundled with Comcast and I'm saving over $50 a month now.
                                                                _
                                                                $19.99 a month for a year deal?

                                                                That is actually a pretty sweet deal... wish I had that kind of promo here in Canada.. i'd be all over it.
                                                                i like waffles

                                                                Comment

                                                                • baddog
                                                                  So Fucking Banned
                                                                  • Apr 2001
                                                                  • 107089

                                                                  #33
                                                                  Originally posted by tony404
                                                                  Well when she didn't set a time for the guy to come out and she told me Mon by midnight. I assumed it was internal not some guy on the pole.Please educate whats involved, I figured with modern technology its all computerized.
                                                                  They possibly can hook you up with what is called a "home run." That would be the ideal situation.

                                                                  In order for it to be a home run there would have to be continuity on your line from the central office to the protector on the outside of your home.

                                                                  Even if they can do a home run you had to talk to the customer rep, who will turm the order over to assignment to insure that the records now reflect that this new phone number is assigned to your home.

                                                                  Then they have to turn it over to a billing department, and to someone in the central office to actually input the commands so the switch knows to assign your phone number to the HID (hardware identifier). Then someone has to insure that the dial tone with your number on it is leaving on the proper cable pair.

                                                                  The above description is a bare bones idea of what has to happen. There is going to be at least 3 or 4 different departments involved and telephone company employees are not at minimum wage.

                                                                  Complain all you want, but telephone service is one of the best deals out there.

                                                                  Comment

                                                                  • Barefootsies
                                                                    Choice is an Illusion
                                                                    • Feb 2005
                                                                    • 42635

                                                                    #34
                                                                    Originally posted by baddog
                                                                    They possibly can hook you up with what is called a "home run." That would be the ideal situation.

                                                                    In order for it to be a home run there would have to be continuity on your line from the central office to the protector on the outside of your home.

                                                                    Even if they can do a home run you had to talk to the customer rep, who will turm the order over to assignment to insure that the records now reflect that this new phone number is assigned to your home.

                                                                    Then they have to turn it over to a billing department, and to someone in the central office to actually input the commands so the switch knows to assign your phone number to the HID (hardware identifier). Then someone has to insure that the dial tone with your number on it is leaving on the proper cable pair.

                                                                    The above description is a bare bones idea of what has to happen. There is going to be at least 3 or 4 different departments involved and telephone company employees are not at minimum wage.

                                                                    Complain all you want, but telephone service is one of the best deals out there.
                                                                    Not sure what telco that service order process description fits. But I know it certainly wasn't for the two I worked for... TDS Metrocom, or Ameritech/ATT.

                                                                    Fucking damn.

                                                                    That sounds like the old days. I worked in telco in the past 15, and it was a lot more automated that your description and a person was not involved every step of the way with manual entries.
                                                                    Last edited by Barefootsies; 07-31-2008, 07:35 PM.
                                                                    Should You Email Your Members?

                                                                    Link1 | Link2 | Link3

                                                                    Enough Said.

                                                                    "Would you rather live like a king for a year or like a prince forever?"

                                                                    Comment

                                                                    • undersoul
                                                                      Confirmed User
                                                                      • Sep 2006
                                                                      • 1212

                                                                      #35
                                                                      very cute dog in your avatar tony
                                                                      **RIP TD**

                                                                      Comment

                                                                      • tony299
                                                                        lurker
                                                                        • Aug 2002
                                                                        • 57021

                                                                        #36
                                                                        Originally posted by undersoul
                                                                        very cute dog in your avatar tony
                                                                        Thank you I miss that old bastard. He had so much character, the only one of my three dogs that's tattooed on my arm.

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