Gasps From Verizon On the Way Out
Well, I scheduled an install for Optimum to come and triple play things up around the house. As the DSL isn't working from Verizon, I figure I might as well cancel it in the meantime. I'll cancel the POTS (plain ol' telephone service) after the Optimum install.
Now, all of a sudden, Verizon wants to do something to keep me. Never mind that I had mentioned that I always pay the bill in full on time for years and years now. Never mind that I've been connected to the house for over three decades, and counting. Now that I'm leaving, they want to make it right.
On the phone, they offered to send me the modem for free. Yup, that's right, for free. That same hunk of plastic that was $59.99 before is now mine for free. They'll credit my downtime as well. The funny part is that they'll only do this if I sign up for a monthly 99 cent fee for a "modem maintenance plan." I'm guessing that they're thinking that they'll make this up long term.
While they'll give me the modem for free, and even the first month for free, I'm still not thrilled enough to come back. While they deserve for me to take the modem, and cancel next month, I'm not gonna play that game. Rather, I just told them to cancel it (ironically, these were the same folks that didn't want to sell it to me in the 1st place, and only wanted to sign me up for Fios), which they did reluctantly, after being passed around three times.
What do I want? Well, I've been with them a l-o-n-g time, and a faithful customer. I'm gonna triple play somewhere. I've requested that my number be ported to Optimum. I've started that process. I'm hoping that when they get that request, and call to retain me, they get really serious, sharpen their pencils, and can make me a more competitive offer than a free modem. If Optimum can do it for $102 monthly, plus tax, then why was Verizon looking to charge me $125 for the equivalent package today? I'd be willing to pay a little more for Fios over Optimum, but not 25% more. Besides, when I put this in under an address on the block that currently has cable, the price was only $114 for the year.
While the content will be spotty for the next weeks on TNL while this all plays out, I'm hoping this will all be worth it with some high speed goodness. Who knew that my DSL modem dying would cause all of this? In the meantime, I'll stay objective, and may the more competitive company win my business. When the dust settles, I'll be sure to let you all know how this played out.
Jonas
Now, all of a sudden, Verizon wants to do something to keep me. Never mind that I had mentioned that I always pay the bill in full on time for years and years now. Never mind that I've been connected to the house for over three decades, and counting. Now that I'm leaving, they want to make it right.
On the phone, they offered to send me the modem for free. Yup, that's right, for free. That same hunk of plastic that was $59.99 before is now mine for free. They'll credit my downtime as well. The funny part is that they'll only do this if I sign up for a monthly 99 cent fee for a "modem maintenance plan." I'm guessing that they're thinking that they'll make this up long term.
While they'll give me the modem for free, and even the first month for free, I'm still not thrilled enough to come back. While they deserve for me to take the modem, and cancel next month, I'm not gonna play that game. Rather, I just told them to cancel it (ironically, these were the same folks that didn't want to sell it to me in the 1st place, and only wanted to sign me up for Fios), which they did reluctantly, after being passed around three times.
What do I want? Well, I've been with them a l-o-n-g time, and a faithful customer. I'm gonna triple play somewhere. I've requested that my number be ported to Optimum. I've started that process. I'm hoping that when they get that request, and call to retain me, they get really serious, sharpen their pencils, and can make me a more competitive offer than a free modem. If Optimum can do it for $102 monthly, plus tax, then why was Verizon looking to charge me $125 for the equivalent package today? I'd be willing to pay a little more for Fios over Optimum, but not 25% more. Besides, when I put this in under an address on the block that currently has cable, the price was only $114 for the year.
While the content will be spotty for the next weeks on TNL while this all plays out, I'm hoping this will all be worth it with some high speed goodness. Who knew that my DSL modem dying would cause all of this? In the meantime, I'll stay objective, and may the more competitive company win my business. When the dust settles, I'll be sure to let you all know how this played out.
Jonas
Labels: DSL, internet service provider, modem, Verizon
posted by digitaldoc at 3:50 PM
2 Comments:
Hopefully you realise the mistake you are making jumping to the dark side :)
I had a cable modem since they had 1-way cable modems (download at cable speeds but upload was still through the phone line at 56k speed), and when i switched to DSL, it was a HUGE difference. Web pages are faster popping up, not speed wise, ust getting to them. I have a MUCH more consistant speed! I mean MUCH!
I still say the best thing you can do is either keep DSL or switch to FIOS if you need the speed. Switch to DirecTV for MORE HD channels!! I LOVE all this HD stuff :). Do NOT go to VOIP as, like Bill said, 911 can be interesting.
Mike
Triple play deals are good while the deals last, but they will anal probe you to hell for money after the deal is done!
While my speed with DSL is consistent, even if the Optimum plan is half of what they promise, it's still a major improvement to me. With DSL I was on the 768/128 kbps plan, with cable I've been promised 15/2 mbps. I'm hoping I'll be close as most of my neighbors are on Fios so it shouldn't be overloaded on my block.
I figure that I can do it for the year. If the price goes through the roof (they mentioned a $25 increase after one year), I'll just go for Fios at that point. If it's really that terrible, I'll jump ship sooner as there is no contract. Besides, think of all the articles I can write about how bad it is...
In the meantime, I'm hoping that Verizon gets my change telephone provider request, and they come back with a really good offer. I haven't heard one yet.
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