Review by MacBridger  - Location: Mercer,Mercer,PA
- Cost: $45 per month
- Install: about 14 days
 Verizon
Good "Solid connection"
Bad "Worst tech support possible"
Overall "Solid in this area"
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Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
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***** Update (9-23-2013) *****
To my shock and dismay I am still with Verizon DSL nearly a year after my initial order. Even more shocking, my connection has been solid. I have had negligible down time, the service rarely dropping at all. When it does drop, the service is back within minutes, typically without needing to power cycle or call support. In fact, I have not had to call support since installation.
The only issue I have had was a tip to ring short on the line which somehow did not disrupt the DSL. It played havoc with the phone, but the DSL plowed right through. Consistency makes me happy, even if the speed isn't great. But hey, what can you expect from DSL?
***** New Service Location (11-3-2012) *****
Well, new locations make us consider the unthinkable. Like coming back to Verizon. It has been 7 years since I have had Verizon DSL and not much has changed. The only thing changed is my location and that Verizon is the only game in town. Yippie...
Ordering went smoothly and was completed online with no help from a support person. The website worked quite well and I give Verizon kudos for that. I set up an appointment date and time, 8am to 5pm... Seriously, can't we narrow that down a LITTLE? Thankfully the tech called beforehand and all was set up and ready to go. Just to hook up the modem...
So I hook up the modem and it wants me to activate service. I log in with my Verizon username and password and... it tells me to create my username and password. How odd... I call tech support. Complete waste of time. The tech had no clue of the issue, let alone how to resolve it. They just wanted me off the phone. A blind, deaf, neutered monkey would have provided better support. Thankfully the issue was simple impatience on my part, and I just needed to wait for the activation to go through. I'd hate to think I ever have to call again...
So far the service itself has been rock solid. I haven't tested speeds, but no dropped sync yet. I hope it stays this way... I remember how bad it was in Elizabeth...
***** Previous Service in Elizabeth, PA UPDATE (8-31-05) *****
Good: None
Bad: Sync loss, Denial of problem, Service interuptions, Merry-Go-Round contacts
Bottom Line: Verizon is the worst
All my services are now through Comcast. Even my POTS goes through Comcast. The Merry go round continued as I could not even contact Verizon to have my account cancelled. Thankfully, Comcast took care of that for me.
Unfortunately, I received a bill from Verizon just yesterday. I haven't had any Verizon services in 2 months and they still continue to bill me. I still can not contact Verizon, as their phone system hangs up on me when I call in.
Thus, I will be contacting Comcast shortly in hopes that they will remind Verizon what company my services are with.
This experience with Verizon is the worst I have EVER had with ANY company. I will NEVER do ANY business with Verizon EVER again.
(Oh, and I put certain things in CAPS for those who can't read)
***** UPDATE (5-4-05) *****
Shortly after my last update Verizon made the ultimate. My service has been terminated by Verizon. I did not receive any notice before service was terminated.
I called VOL to discuss my continuing service issues, and was notified by the tech that she could not troubleshoot because my account was terminated. I asked who had terminated my account, and she told me that it was automatically disconnected for nonpayment.
SINCE MY BILL WAS PAID UP, I asked her to transfer me to billing. This is where the merry-go-round begins. Instead of billing, I get sales. Sales transfers me to telco sales who transfers me back to tech support. Tired of the hassle I hang up and call VOL billing myself.
VOL billing informs me that their attempt to charge my phone bill was blocked by Verizon telco. So now I'm off to Verizon telco billing. Right? Wrong.
Merry-go-round part 2 begins as I end up in sales, tech support, and then back to VOL billing. Exhausted I have given up. It's too much hassle for me to keep this crap. I think I'm going to give Comcast a call and have my entire phone service switched over. Sure it's a little more expensive, but they won't disconnect my services without reason.
***** UPDATE (4-5-05) *****
After using Verizon for several months I have run into some problems. Sync consistently drops, often 10 times a day or more. Upon calls to Verizon, nothing is wrong with my line. This despite persistent problems with voice service as well.
My initial ratings have dropped greatly, and continue to do so the more I deal with Verizon. The good news is that I have come up with a snappy motto for Verizon. "If you've never had phone problems, you've never had Verizon."
The honeymoon is over, and although we're not getting divorced yet, we are headed for counseling.
***** Original Review*****
I placed an order for Verizon DSL on Saturday evening, December 4, through Verizon.net's website. Today, December 7, the DSL modem arrived in an install package. I hooked the modem up to verify sync. To my surprise the DSL came on solid green. Sync and only 4 days from my order date. Over a weekend at that!
I installed Verizon's self install software. I have to say that I'm impressed with their software. Very easy to use for those that need a lot of help and guidance. It should save a lot of time for their tech support. I skipped through much of the installation instructions and let the software install the PPPoE client and the support center. I was surprised to see that Verizon by default is still using software PPPoE clients when their modems could handle that. Makes my job easier of setting up my router later though. Oh, and this was installed on Win 98 SE via Ethernet.
After that I was up and running. Time for some tweaking. A few minutes with DSLR's tweaktester and Dr TCP and I was flying. I ordered the basic DSL service, 1500 kbps down and 384 kbps up for speed packaging. I was very pleased to see that my speeds were right on target.
To recap:
1500/384 Westell 2200, dynamic IP, PPPoE, $79 a month including unlimited long distance and local calling, 4 days from order to live and it was over a weekend. Ordered online.
I also admit that this is immediately after install. I will update as I get to use the service more.
member for 12.7 years, 4390 visits, last login: a few hours ago
updated 13 days ago
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