Up until 10:30 am this morning, the Title was - Verizon Sucks - Part 2 - but in all fairness, I had to change it because of THREE CONSCIENTIOUS EMPLOYEES of a huge corporation!
As we ended the first part, my phone miraculously just started working again, on Thursday, May 14th, at 9:23 am. - right? After 12 days of No Service!
I did try to call and tell their stupid computer voice that it was working again, but I gave up in total exasperation. So, I was able to go online, went through my 179 emails, posted all my poems I had written, and enjoyed a ‘normal’ online experience for nine days.
Then, the appointed day arrived - Friday, May 22nd, and I knew that a Verizon repairman might show up - anytime between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.
So, I took the last page of my first complaint report, attached a separate note, written with a thick permanent magic marker, about the NEED to FIX the leaking SEAL on the grey box door - and TAPED them both to my front door - Also stating that I had to take my daughter to the doctor’s.
This was a precaution - just in case he actually bothered to come to the door, and could, in fact, READ!
When I arrived back home around 3:30 pm, I saw that he had indeed been there, and added his own note, in black magic marker also, on the bottom of page 11 of my complaint story. I still have it, to use as EVIDENCE!
IT READS AS FOLLOWS:
Right next to the printed words - VERIZON SUCKS - he drew a right arrow symbol -> then these words - SORRY ABOUT YOUR PHONE TROBLE (no u) BUT ALWAYS REMEMBER VERIZON LOVES YOU ----
Above these words, he drew a cutesy SMILEY FACE - with a TONGUE STICKING OUT - no less!
About fifteen minutes later, I heard a vehicle pull up in front of my trailer. After peeking through the blinds and seeing VERIZON on the truck, I immediately opened my front door, and saw him getting out of the truck.
I motioned to him and asked him to come to the door, whereupon he smiled and told me that my phone was working fine. I said, “I KNOW THAT! It has been working fine for nine days!”
I asked if he had read my notes, and he said he had. I then asked if he had FIXED THE SEAL OR REPLACED THE DOOR ON THE GREY BOX -
NO! Why not? Because the line TESTED fine, a dial tone was there. DUH!
When he finally sheepishly approached my steps, I introduced myself, asked his name (a long foreign-sounding name that I could never repeat) - and shook his hand. I thanked him for the visit, and asked hime to wait one moment. I went back into the kitchen, got a complete set of the 11 page document - VERIZON SUCKS! - handed it to him, and asked if he would please give it to his Supervisor.
As he rather anxiously skulked away I said:
“Have a Good Holiday weekend!”
My weekend went fine, and in fact, last night I was ONLINE with no problem until about 11:30 pm or so. It had rained a bit on Monday, Memorial Day, and it was raining pretty good last night, Tuesday.
This morning, Wednesday, May 27th, around 7:30 am I tried to get online - NO DIAL TONE _ CHECK YOUR CONNECTION!
After many attempts, with the same results, and checking the landline unit itself, and unplugging it and retesting - NADA! So, I got my trusty cell phone and dialed VERIZON, went through the stupid computer voice system yet again, and actually LEARNED a new word - in order to talk to a HUMAN BEING, now they changed the secret password from Representative to - AGENT! AHA! An easy two-syllable word - maybe someone there is capable of learning also?
At 8:32 am I spoke with a woman named EARNESTINE - almost to no avail (as per usual) - who scheduled me for Repair on Friday, June 5th! GREAT! Only EIGHT DAYS HENCE! As that just happens to be my Daughter’s Birthday, I shall be out again! That 11 minute waste of time only cost me another $1.10 on my pay phone!
Not satisfied, I immediately called again, went through the rigmarole again, screamed AGENT several times, and finally got to speak to a young man named AL - not getting anywhere AGAIN - I asked to speak to the highest ranking official who was on duty at this time - was put on hold - listened to static for several minutes - then music came on - then the sweet voice of the frigging computer started asking questions AGAIN - SQUARE ONE!
I hung up, re-dialled, ‘played their game’ AGAIN - but finally got to BRIAN -an intelligent young male repair employee who actually LISTENED - WROTE A NOTE FOR HIS SUPERVISOR - APOLOGIZED - UNDERSTOOD - SEEMED TO CARE - AND EVEN ADMITTED HE WOULD BE ‘LIVID’ TOO!
He made special notes about both the leaking door seal AND my being DUE A CREDIT FOR NON-SERVICE FOR 12 DAYS!
I paid this young gentleman several compliments in this regard - thanked him - and bid him a good day! This call cost me another $2.70 for 27 minutes!
I AM NOW LATE FOR WORK!
More to come!
11:46 am - Supervisor - Lawrence Tomcho called me - assured me he was following up, and would get back to me as a plan was developed. Said my phone tested as SHORTED OUT. I complemented his man Brian again, and thanked Larry for his help and caring. 3 mins. 12 sec. = 40 cents additional cost to me.
01:27 pm - he called again, several men in field, will advise soon. Assured me they would resolve this problem today. 37 secs. = 10 cents.
3:26 pm - he called back - stated that a specific repairman was in my area, and as soon as finished current job, would go to mine. Told him I probably would not get home until after 6:00 pm. 57 secs. = 10 cents.
Got home at 6:30 pm - NO DIAL TONE - NO NOTE - NO PHONE CALL!
Maybe MANANA? NO INTERNET AGAIN TONIGHT!
OH - at 8:00 pm - went outside to check - the same old grey box is still there - it has letters on the door - TELEPHONE LINE INTERFACE - and, on further inspection, the rear of the box has 10 pre-drilled or molded little holes in the back - IF they were originally intended for air to get in, then certainly so could WATER! DUH!
This morning, Thursday May 28th, 2009 - at 10:30 am -
As I had totally defrocked myself and was about to step into the shower when
MY HOME PHONE LINE RANG! YAAAAAAY !
Rushed into the living room, stark naked - but when I grabbed the cordless it stopped! CRAP! But, within seconds it rang again - Hello?
“Mister Hyland, this is CHRIS, the Verizon repairman.” Hi - how you doin’?
“Your line is fixed. It was SHORTING OUT WHEN IT RAINED - then working again when it dried out. I REPLACED THE ENTIRE INTERFACE. You shouldn’t have any more problems with it. But, I will call you back this evening, or tomorrow, just to follow up.”
Meanwhile, I had crept over to my back door - peeked out the blinds, and saw him sitting there right outside. I thanked him profusely, and told him that between himself, BRIAN, and LARRY TOMCHO, their Supervisor - they had RESTORED MY FAITH IN HUMAN NATURE!
Is there a MORAL to this story? You bet your Sweet Wadda-Call-It -
Persistence - Determination - and a Hardheaded Irishman will eventually RULE OUT!
After months and months of aggravation - Three young male ‘Professionals’ were also determined - to FIND THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT PROPERLY!
CHRIS - BRIAN and LARRY - are Capable, Competent, Caring Employees of Verizon - and DESERVE RECOGNITION!
THANK YOU GUYS! THANK YOU! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Tom Hyland -
P.S. Now - all I have to do is WATCH for my CREDIT on my Account!
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Too many people attempt or commit suicide while those around them didn't realize they were suicidal. This book will teach you what you need to know so that will never happen to you. It can also give hope to the suicidal person
