I DEFY you to name a company with a worse help desk than Verizon

[LynneSin]

Seriously!

First, on their 800# you have to go thru 10 minutes of bullshit just to give a live person and even then you may have to wait 10-20 minutes on hold to get that live person. And then the live person you get is from their offshore help desk which means I'm now stuck with someone who speaks way too fast and is barely understandable which means I can spend 30 minutes asking the person to "Please repeat, slow down, repeat again" or call back in hopes that the next person I can understand. (Sorry, I'm a dumb american that; although, I have limited knowledge in a 2nd language I do have difficulty when someone speaks english with a thick accent at a rapid pace. The least these companies can do who create offshore tech support for US customers is give speech classes so the US Customers can understand what is being said).

So after the last attempt this morning to fix the problem and HOPEFULLY get a new DSL modem (which is what I really wanted - I know the modem is bunk), we got the connection but the lady refused a new modem saying it wasn't the problem. 10 minutes later the internet light goes off (It goes on, it goes off, it goes red, it blinks but what it doesn't do IS STAY THE FUCK ON!!).

So finally I called billing and told them either I get a new modem or I get a new internet provider.

I should have the new modem by Friday. Oh, and I also have the secret 800# to their 3rd level support ONSHORE tech support. That one is getting saved for sure!

Why do I stay with Verizon? My DSL is $17/month. Can't get any cheaper than that.

[IndianaJones]

1. Sprint...or Dish Network. nt.

[Phillycat]

2. Comcast.

But you know, they're really comparable. I'm sorry. It sucks. Fuckers.

[Sheets of Easter]

3. AT&T, back when it was SBC. Better yet, back when it was Ameritech.

Nothing but grief and drama from that company.

[Blue_Tires]

4. Cox cable...end of discussion

and if that isn't bad enough, try calling Blue Cross/Blue Shield sometime

[Kali]

5. any of the "big name" computer tech support centers

not only do you have to go through all the bullshit you can pay $40/half hour for it!

[madinmaryland]

6. Comcast. It's why I have DSL now rather than Comcast's broadband.

[philosophie_en_rose]

7. America Online

I canceled AOL years ago and still remember the hassle.

[mainegreen]

8. Microsoft.

Too many departments. God forbid you have an issue with, say, COM+ being broken by a service pack. Each support teams will declare that it is not their problem but the other teams problem, and will bounce you back and forth until eventually they stop returning your calls.

Or you might get VeeJay (sp?). Ahhhh, nothing like having to explain to SQL Server support technicians how SQL Server actually works. Aren't you supposed to be the support specialist, the Microsoft SQL Guru? Why am I explaining to you the underlying structure of the data in a mdf file? And how come every time I call, I get you VeeJay? Are you the only person they employ on the SQL team?

[mikeytherat]

9. DirecTV. Case closed, contest over.

I say this having installed DirecTV systems since the mid-90s. And the "Senior Level Support Staff" are even more clueless than the frontline support teams. After one exasperating session with these chucklenuts, where I forced the tech to go get the satellite receiver in question, look at the backside of the receiver, and tell me where the missing input was ("Hey, you're right. There is no off-air tuner for local HD broadcasts on the H-200 receiver."), I dumped them on the spot.

mikey_the_rat

[jbane]

10. If I ever meet the person in charge of Verizon Customer Service

I'm going to fight them. Please let them know you are unhappy with their service. One trick a service tech told me was to not say anything when you call them up and you will be transfered to a human being.

[Crazy Dave]

11. I always press #2 for Spanish

I get someone instantly and if I say, "oops I pressed the wrong number is that ok?" they always answer in English and say, "that's ok sir, how can I help you". It's always someone here stateside too. I guess the call centers don't have any Spanish speaking staff.

[Fran Kubelik]

12. comcast

I have actually always had really good luck with Verizon Wireless customer service people.

[flvegan]

13. I'm going to be blasphemous here.

I actually had a very good experience yesterday with Verizon on their FiOS help desk line when my internet was non functional.

That said, every other time, I totally agree with you. Total stupidity.

[jakefrep]

14. DirectTV

Wouldn't help me unless I gave them a PIN number that I didn't know because they didn't give me one when I opened the account. I always had to talk to a supervisor that could work around that.

[ScreamingMeemie]

15. Maytag would make a Verizon call look like a visit to Grandma's

Sorry. It's even been documented here. Maytag=Major Suckwaddery.

[meegbear]

16. For Verizon DSL ...

Dial 800-567-6789
To get to a live person: say "agent" at each prompt, ignoring messages.

I got that from my "Dial Zero" iPhone app.

[LynneSin]

17. NO the secret # is 866-945-3806

That's 3rd level onshore tech support. After confirming your phone number you go to an agent.

[supernova]

18. Try the Verizon web site

for extra confusalicious fun!

Damn damn damn, it's a different SSO screen every single month. and all I want to do is get in there and pay my F'ing bill!!!!

x(

[LynneSin]

19. I love how they keep announcing that one....

....after I got thru the menu on the phone to the section for DSL does not connect.

Yeah that's the ticket!

[terrya]

20. Symantec

We have Symantec backup exec software for one of our servers. I've had to deal with their help desk. They were NOT been pleasant experiences, to put it mildly. I don't appreciate being on hold for 30+ minutes waiting for someone to answer. Plus, well...there are communication problems. To put it tactfully.

[racaulk]

21. Another vote for Comcast.

They are the worst EVER!!! :mad:

During the few years that I was a Verizon customer, I never had any problems. Then again, I never had to call their customer support for anything, so maybe I was just lucky.

[Ramsey]

22. Should have DCANet!!

Best damn ISP in Delaware!! OK, I am biased :-).

Keith would certainly agree with you about Verizon's Unhelpful Desk.
DCANet has a bill from them that is 4 years old for services they never rendered and they just keep billing him!

[LynneSin]

23. I know I should but the only reason I keep sticking with them

is that I"m paying like $15/month for the DSL

Hey Mamma - how's baby Keith doing!!!