Cable MODEM, Part 4

I just got a call from Cablevision asking if I would like to switch from dial-up to a cable modem.

I said, "Yeah, I'd love to. But you tried installing one in my house three times and the installers were never able to do it."

"Well, OK, Mr. Elono," she said, "so...uh...would you...ummm...."

I think this girl was the beauty queen who was all over the TV last week talking about maps.

I told her that the problem was that ANOTHER cable had to be run from the telephone pole outside my house into my office.

She asked if I wanted the do-it-yourself package or if I needed a technician!!!

I stared into the phone and said, "Sorry, but I am not climbing a telephone pole. Could you send someone here? Preferably someone who knows what they're doing????"

She obviously had no idea what I was talking about, because she kept telling me I could do this myself.

Once that was out of the way she had to read an agreement to me over the phone. Price. The type of computer I have. My name -- which she mispronounced 14 times -- address. etc.

When we were finally done, she said "I'm sorry, can you hold on?"

I sat there for three minutes and then she got back on the phone and told me she had read me the wrong agreement and had to start over again.

Then, we went over ALL of the same crap. Price. Computer. Assorted mispronounciations of my name. Address. Blah-blah-blah.

Then she asked if I had a pen and paper handy to write down when the technician was coming over. I told her I had written that down, half an hour ago when she first told it to me.

Then, she mispronounced my name AGAIN and told me to have a good day.

The installer is coming on Sept. 14. So, will I get lucky this time and actually have cable Internet service?

I'll bet anything the answer is no, but I remain foolishly optimistic.

Comments

[Linda]

I have dial-up too....as for Cablevision, my life hasn't been the same since they installed all those new "digital" boxes and added more to my monthly bill for cable tv. I get dizzy thinking about it, so I'll spare you my tale of woe, just to say I wouldn't give them my computer business even if it meant I had to stand on the roof with an antenna.

[Caroline Riccardi]

oh please! i just got off the phone with them a few minutes ago actually...after holding on for over 40 minutes for a representative to downgrade my service! i didnt know they were in nj?!?!

[nan]

geeze.........guess I've been lucky--I'm all cable....and everything works....except when the electric goes out..then no phone - no nothing....It took them a while to get it right- had to add some sort of booster thingie in my basement but it all works...got the digital box...that didn't increase the cost....it works...Maybe you'll get lucky........though I'd certainly say that IQ tests are not part of the job interview...........

[Kathy]

I don't think the people answering the phones are actally listening to what we're saying....they're just listening for a few key words and then reading from a script...hence "you can do it yourself". The world is full of Miss South Carolinas!!!!!

[terri p]

yes I get the pissyanho every time they try to pronounce my last name down here...and remember that beauty queen was from my lovely state...cable is even worse down here...they are building houses in my neighborhood and mine is out multiple times per month because some *(&*(^&*^* cuts a line (remember I'm doing graduate work online and data research for a living online). What is worse is that I have cable phone and have kept my 317 area code for 18 months so that my family can call me for free....except people here can't understand how I can have a 317 phone...you can't order a pizza because they say the system won't take the alternate area code number (no genius ...it means the auto populated field - you have to type over the 843 and put 317 in!) and when my daughter was having problems at daycare last week they actually said to me- your phone numbers are disconnected...when I asked if they dialed the 317 on the page they were pointing at they said "oh, we were supposed to dial that too?" ....(pregnant pause to pull myself back from the edge) yes...but I will go online with "v" my phone company and get a local number (which they did instantaneously and I handed them the new 843 number! Then the conversation about - how can you have two numbers on one line and do I have to make sure the fax is off (I have a virtual 317 number and a physical 843 number and a fax line...more fun trying to get TW the cable company to understand that I wanted to compare their new phone offering rates (they have not had cable phone offering here for long) to "v" and that this house had never had a regular phone service connected to it although we've lived here almost 2 years!)

So yes Mr. Erolo...employees not knowing what they are doing or are talking about exist outside the north!!!

terri pissyanho (and no Imus did not say it)

[Kathy]

Bill, I just remembered a funny story about employees not knowing or listening. Many years ago (during the gas shortage in the 70's) Burt Reynolds was on Johnny Carson and told this story. He went to a self-serve gas station and pumped $10 worth of gas into his car. Then he went inside to pay. He told the fellow behind the counter he had pumped $10. The guy said "there's a $5 limit." Burt said "but I pumped $10." The guy said again "there's a $5 limit". Burt said "what do you want me to do -- suck it out." To which the guy replied "sir, there's a $5 limit." Burt then handed him a $5 and left. Things haven't changed.

[mikeymike]

out here in cal, if you mention that you're thinking of changing to satelite tv instead of cable, you get connected with the customer retention dept. and they make all kinds of deals and discount offers. everyone should try it out!

[lwt]

pay for tv? i don't think so. i'd rather read.

[Linda]

I have to admit it's worth it to me for all the things I've learned and seen on TLC...The Learning Channel. I am in awe when I watch that show about little people. Some of the things they do regular size people wouldn't do. And the Dad is a real pip, I don't think he ever sleeps.

[terri p]

kind of funny...if I don't pay for cable tv..I won't have telephone or broadband internet (so research for work and school work would be limited to the local University)..

And I will say that Blue Planet is my very favorite show...things in the ocean that no one has ever seen before. The soap opera channel, pass. The weather channel telling me whether Gabriel will hit SC or NC...that's useful!