Money and Finance
For several days I have been trying to schedule a satellite Internet installation.
Satellite is the last resort for high speed Internet if you cannot get DSL, cable or fiber optic. If you can avoid satellite Internet, do so at ALL COSTS! Some of the downside to satellite Internet are higher costs, longer contracts, punitive early termination fees, maximum throughput of 1.5 mbps down and 256 kbps up and potentially significant latency delays.
Given all that downside, what do you if satellite Internet is your last resort because you are in a rural area or do not fit the logistical profile for DSL, cable or fiber? The answer is, of course, you suck it up and get it. Fine, I did that and here is what happened.
My next step was to all my satellite company, DirecTV. Of course, they outsource this service to a company called Wild Blue. However, Wild Blue does not do the installation themselves. No, the installation is scheduled through a company called DSI Communications. But wait, they are not the ones that actually perform the installation. That is done through Ironwood Communications, wait, Mountain Communication, no, LC Communications. That is how many companies I had to speak with over the last few days, taking up no less than 5 hours of my time. I don't know about you, but my time is worth something. Something so simple should not be such a cluster f***.
Did I mention the installation date in their respective systems was different for DirecTV, DSI and LC Communication? Did I mention DirecTV said the installer would bring all the hardware only to find out it is actually being send via UPS and arriving at the subject property where there is nobody available to receive it?
DirecTV is the company that promotes their availability to facilitate this service. Consequently, they should do a MUCH BETTER JOB coordinating the logistics and workflow of these installations. They remind me of Verizon (perhaps in a subsequent post). Their left hand does not know what their right is doing. The end result is a seriously pissed of customer. I would have rather been connected to Mumbai or Manila where at least some guy will placate me, apologize profusely, and call me Mister.
Customer service in America is shameful. Does anybody want to do a good job anymore or make sure the guy who is actually paying the bills gets proper, courteous, EFFICIENT service?
If satellite Internet and DirecTV/Wild Blue is logistically your last option, consider going back to dialup. It will be significantly less frustrating!
God help this poor installer when he gets there...if he gets there.
- Charles Brandes Quote
From Brandes on Value: To borrow a few words from Sir John Templeton, a respected pioneer in global money management, “There is too much emphasis now on everything yesterday.” As I see it, we are no longer as thrifty as we should be, and this...
- Income Update - August 2013
Well the satellite that we use at work has been messing up all week so I haven't been able to get any posts up this and haven't commented much. Fear not though, I have a new satellite, actually it's our third one, so I can get back on track....
- Cutting Bills
Our current cable bill was $156.22. My fiancee and I have been talking about getting rid of cable and adding Netflix to allow us to stream movies since we both enjoy watching movies together whenever I get a chance to be home. As of this past Monday we...
- Recent Buy: T
Ok so I lied about not buying anymore until the government shutdown... On September 28, 2015, I bought 32 shares of AT&T (T) at 31.99/share. Total cost and fees equal $1030.68. I scanned through my portfolio vs the market and found this gem. My...
- Recent Buy - Verizon Communications (vz)
Hi Everyone, A new year has begun and what better way to get things started then to buy a dividend stock! I've been looking to add higher yield to the portfolio recently and I also wanted to top off my Verizon stake. As the saying goes,...
Money and Finance
DirecTV and Wild Blue Satellite Internet
For several days I have been trying to schedule a satellite Internet installation.
Satellite is the last resort for high speed Internet if you cannot get DSL, cable or fiber optic. If you can avoid satellite Internet, do so at ALL COSTS! Some of the downside to satellite Internet are higher costs, longer contracts, punitive early termination fees, maximum throughput of 1.5 mbps down and 256 kbps up and potentially significant latency delays.
Given all that downside, what do you if satellite Internet is your last resort because you are in a rural area or do not fit the logistical profile for DSL, cable or fiber? The answer is, of course, you suck it up and get it. Fine, I did that and here is what happened.
My next step was to all my satellite company, DirecTV. Of course, they outsource this service to a company called Wild Blue. However, Wild Blue does not do the installation themselves. No, the installation is scheduled through a company called DSI Communications. But wait, they are not the ones that actually perform the installation. That is done through Ironwood Communications, wait, Mountain Communication, no, LC Communications. That is how many companies I had to speak with over the last few days, taking up no less than 5 hours of my time. I don't know about you, but my time is worth something. Something so simple should not be such a cluster f***.
Did I mention the installation date in their respective systems was different for DirecTV, DSI and LC Communication? Did I mention DirecTV said the installer would bring all the hardware only to find out it is actually being send via UPS and arriving at the subject property where there is nobody available to receive it?
DirecTV is the company that promotes their availability to facilitate this service. Consequently, they should do a MUCH BETTER JOB coordinating the logistics and workflow of these installations. They remind me of Verizon (perhaps in a subsequent post). Their left hand does not know what their right is doing. The end result is a seriously pissed of customer. I would have rather been connected to Mumbai or Manila where at least some guy will placate me, apologize profusely, and call me Mister.
Customer service in America is shameful. Does anybody want to do a good job anymore or make sure the guy who is actually paying the bills gets proper, courteous, EFFICIENT service?
If satellite Internet and DirecTV/Wild Blue is logistically your last option, consider going back to dialup. It will be significantly less frustrating!
God help this poor installer when he gets there...if he gets there.
- Charles Brandes Quote
From Brandes on Value: To borrow a few words from Sir John Templeton, a respected pioneer in global money management, “There is too much emphasis now on everything yesterday.” As I see it, we are no longer as thrifty as we should be, and this...
- Income Update - August 2013
Well the satellite that we use at work has been messing up all week so I haven't been able to get any posts up this and haven't commented much. Fear not though, I have a new satellite, actually it's our third one, so I can get back on track....
- Cutting Bills
Our current cable bill was $156.22. My fiancee and I have been talking about getting rid of cable and adding Netflix to allow us to stream movies since we both enjoy watching movies together whenever I get a chance to be home. As of this past Monday we...
- Recent Buy: T
Ok so I lied about not buying anymore until the government shutdown... On September 28, 2015, I bought 32 shares of AT&T (T) at 31.99/share. Total cost and fees equal $1030.68. I scanned through my portfolio vs the market and found this gem. My...
- Recent Buy - Verizon Communications (vz)
Hi Everyone, A new year has begun and what better way to get things started then to buy a dividend stock! I've been looking to add higher yield to the portfolio recently and I also wanted to top off my Verizon stake. As the saying goes,...