leevis
Growing Older But Not Up
Premium,ExMod 2001-04
join:2000-10-28
Pascagoula, MS
clubs:
| BellSouth support in this forum
As many of you already know, NetTech will no longer be posting in this forum. Apparently he has been told by his employer (BellSouth) that he cannot continue. Why? Your guess is as good as mine. I've heard several rumors but have not received any "official" response from BellSouth. However, the one that sounds most plausible to me is that someone "higher up" the food chain is unhappy that they are providing support on a 3rd party web site where they cannot control or "spin" the content.
To that end, I have also heard a rumor that the TSG will be disbanded at the end of the month and that there will be NO further BellSouth participation here at all.
Personally, I'm down right angry at the moment. Their participation in this forum has done more for BellSouth than they could ever imagine. And due to that, their image has been that of the big phone company who actually seems to care about their customers. There are lots of folks out there who are happy BellSouth customers simply because of BellSouth's participation in this forum; customers who would have given up long ago had they relied solely on BellSouth's internal support channels. Not to mention the numbers of new customers this forum has brought them due to reputation. I for one have several choices for DSL in my area. I could easily switch to a provider who, for the same amount of money, would give me a static IP address, true bridged service and the ability to run limited servers. Why don't I switch? Service reputation. It's just that simple.
The relationship here has been unique and other members of this site who are NOT BellSouth customers certainly notice it. I can't tell you how often I'm told by other members, "Man, I wish I was a BellSouth customer. Those guys really take care of their customers unlike my ISP who won't even post a response here".
What can we do about it? Well, I for one, think it's time to stand up and let it be known by those in "command" exactly what we think about this. It's time to pull out all the stops. Letter writing, emails, phone calls are all not out of the question. Hopefully, I'll have some names shortly and will post them as soon as I can. Hmmm....wonder if a front page news article here at BBR would be in order??? Sure seems news-worthy to me.
Lee
--
"I've got a Caribbean soul I can barely control..." -JB |
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KeysCapt
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join:2001-07-11
Keys Exile
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| This is really unbelievable.
Since my earliest introduction to Bellsouth here on this site, I have been impressed that techs and other company reps were so visible here, and so many problems were handled right here, correctly, and efficiently. I've seen these developments on other provider forums here, and that has also caused me to be relieved that Bellsouth had no such prejudices or ignorance, for that's exactly what it is when someone fears a positive influence they cannot control.
As Lee has said, the positive impressions made by BS reps here to date, the savings to Bellsouth, and the sheer numbers of problems solved in this forum are alone enough to warrant a reversal of this idiotic posture.
One can only hope that a poor decision like this was made at a level where it can be quickly resolved by someone with a little more common sense.
Come on, Bellsouth! |
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psycht
join:2001-04-22
Atlanta, GA | reply to leevis
I'm all for supporting the cause. If not then I'd rather change providers as well, because I know for a fact that unless i can't speak with a TSG live or on the forum, BS support is of no use to me.
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jason p. www.psycht.net |
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BogWraith
Premium
join:2002-02-20
In the Bog |  reply to leevis
If anyone finds out who is responsible for forcing NetTech and the TSG off this site, give them the phone number to a Proctologist. The Doc may be able to help this person, or persons, find their head(s). |
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Bulgaro
BB Pin Ask Me
join:2001-05-24
Laurel, MD
 ·BroadStripe
 ·Verizon FIOS
| reply to leevis
I'm with you lee the "ONLY" reason I have stayed with Bellsouth Fast Access is the vast info off tech support this forum and its members provide. I too have other Broadband choices, and if Bellsouth takes away the only place a costumer can get step by step help and not get a crook on there necks.I'll begin to start shopping for another ISP.
And to think the many people I've convinced to join BSFA all because the service and support this forum and the guys and gals from TSG provide. Well this is what I think of this matter, I'm of to contact BS personally.
PS It's all about "Costumer Service" don't forget that BellSouth don't forget that!!
Bulgaro
[text was edited by author 2002-12-06 13:11:28] |
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big_Chuck
join:2001-10-02
Charlotte, NC
| reply to leevis
I'd like to thank NetTech, Andy, and all the TSG Group for the help they've provided me on this site. They are far more helpful than anyone I've ever talked to at the "helpdesk". Good luck to all of you in your new positions.
I am stunned that a company like BellSouth would make such a decision. Very disappointing for one of the "premier" DSL providers in the South.
I've placed an order with a new DSL provider and will be moving to a different forum for future help. Looking forward to a static IP and hosting my own website. |
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ehow
join:2000-11-11
Palm Beach, FL
| reply to leevis
Well, I for one will be changing DSL service providers in the short future if there is ever a problem with my service that cannot be resolved by phone... also, I will hesitate to recommend BellSouth DSL in the future because I thought this website is what helped BellSouth gain a bit of an edge over other providers because of the official employee's that hanged around here.
One reason I did stay with BellSouth so long was because I knew and although I did not need support often, there were BellSouth employees with an official presence here that would help me should something come up. The times I had to call the helpdesk, the people were always friendly but they were not privy to the right information to always get problems solved or give me a answer that worked.
For a company that recognized and used this website as a semi-official means to resolve problems I thought was a huge step forward. Now, BellSouth can only take steps in the backwards direction.
My only guess as Lee mentioned above was that some of the responses from the TSG (or perhaps un-authorized and disgruntled workers that got laid off) might have given away too much information than the higher-ups cared for. The upper management probably saw this is a source of liability (and therefore took away the "official blessing"). But that just doesn't work for me. BellSouth did receive positive press for using a resource like DSLR/BBR to help resolve customer issues in a relaxed environment. This showed that at some point, people at BellSouth cared about customer service. I'm very sure everyone at BellSouth wants to provide excellent customer service, but that doesn't seem to matter to those in charge.
The reason this forum became a place for the TSG was because the Helpdesk and other support options from BellSouth were lacking... until that changes I feel this is a bad decision by BellSouth.
I think everyone needs to give the TSG folks and all the other employee's here a big hand! Their work was much appreciated by many!
--
BJ -- Up Fixin' Der Porsche
[text was edited by author 2002-12-06 13:59:29] |
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KeysCapt
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join:2001-07-11
Keys Exile
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| said by ehow  :
I think everyone needs to give the TSG folks and all the other employee's here a big hand! Their work was much appreciated by many!
Quite right.
My fingers were hitting the keyboard pretty hard in my first post, but I do not want to forget to add my sincere thanks and gratitude to all the BS folks who have helped out so much here, in case they too, disappear, which seems at least possible:• Andy Houtz, Manager
• Steve Walker
• Andrew_TSG
• Wendell BSIS
• Danny Hicks
• TSG Scott
• NetTech
• Splitpair
• bridgetap
• ShayneCausey And anyone I might have missed.  You guys are the best, and your contributions here will not soon be forgotten.
--kc |
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tiggerstales
Premium,Mod
join:2000-08-25
B'ham, Al.
clubs:
Host:
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Team Discovery
| reply to leevis
This is truly a sad day. I've always been so impressed with the professionalism of the TSG folks who helped out here, and their willingness to go the extra mile to help someone solve a problem. That's one of the reasons I was so happy to be a Bellsouth customer.
Like KeysCapt said, I hope this is just a hastily made decision that can be easily reversed. If not, I've really lost faith with Bellsouth.
--
4 cams, 5 cats, 7 days a week.=^..^= |
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LBB
Premium,MVM
join:2001-06-14
Bama
 ·AT&T Southeast
| reply to leevis
"Piss Poor Management!" Thats all this is!
You don't make decisions like this and not expect to be ridiculed for it unless of course, you just don't have a lick of common since.
Is their participation hurting the company somehow? Hell No!
Is their participation costing the company money? Hell No! If anything, it has saved this company face.
Someone show me a creditable reason for this decision, please!
LB |
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ahabdg
Always Looking
join:2000-12-11
West Palm Beach, FL
|  reply to leevis
"wonder if a front page news article here at BBR would be in order??? Sure seems news-worthy to me."
This was said by Lee and it's a great thought. I would like to suggest that someone closer to the situation and naturally more familiar with it, get in touch with
'Frank Cerabino' of the Palm Beach Post newspaper. His column would eat this story up. He's widely read and does an awful lot of good things, and the best part...It doesn't cost anything. A full page ad would cost a lot of money.
Just my thoughts on a terrible situation. I still find it hard to believe that BS is pulling out of BBR. The damn fools.
Dave
--
Duct tape is like 'the force'. It has a light side & a dark side, and it holds the universe together. |
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Dogwood
Premium
join:2001-01-14
Texas
clubs:
| reply to LBB
said by LBB :
Someone show me a creditable reason for this decision, please!
You'll get a reason, only it won't be a creditable one.
Mid to upper managers for big corporations like this are instructed to not use common sense when making decisions.
A glaring example is the state of so many big businesses today, WorldCom, Adelphia, Enron to name a few. |
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youngerberry
Raccoon catch and relocate - 25 to date
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-13
Shreveport, LA
clubs:
·AT&T Southeast
| reply to leevis
There is a post in bellsouth.net.support.adsl newsgroup by Andy Houtz confiming that as of Dec 31, 2002 TSG will be eliminated. Sad day for all bellsouth adsl users.:(
--
Computer got a lot of idle cycles? Put them to work! Join Team Discovery! |
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ehow
join:2000-11-11
Palm Beach, FL
| said by youngerberry :
There is a post in bellsouth.net.support.adsl newsgroup by Andy Houtz confiming that as of Dec 31, 2002 TSG will be eliminated. Sad day for all bellsouth adsl users.:(
Wow, I can't believe they are also cutting support in the private newsgroups too. I remember the first time the TSG people started frequenting the newsgroups, before even the BellSouth forum here. I was quite surprised BellSouth had folks in the newsgroups and then later on BBR/DSLR. Oh well, probably not much that can be done.
--
BJ -- Up Fixin' Der Porsche |
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RenderXP
Disturbed
join:2001-02-15
Georgetown, KY
·AT&T Southeast
| reply to leevis
Damn
Can someone who is better at typing then me get this posted on the front page here like Leevis mentioned? I would do it myself but my skills are not the best.
And to all the TSG and others who have worked so hard to bring this forum to level it is now. My hat is off to you.
p.s. ummmm maybe you should IM all of us with some names/numbers/emails ???? shhhhhhhhhhh
--
-Occasionally glancing up thru the rain , an watching for pigs on the wing- |
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leevis
Growing Older But Not Up
Premium,ExMod 2001-04
join:2000-10-28
Pascagoula, MS
clubs:
| reply to youngerberry
said by youngerberry :
There is a post in bellsouth.net.support.adsl newsgroup by Andy Houtz confiming that as of Dec 31, 2002 TSG will be eliminated. Sad day for all bellsouth adsl users.:(
Yep...he also posted it here in this forum as well:
»Important TSG Announcement
Lee
--
"I've got a Caribbean soul I can barely control..." -JB |
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youngerberry
Raccoon catch and relocate - 25 to date
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-13
Shreveport, LA
clubs: | Whoops, didn't do my homework did I.:) Sorry. |
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Eihcet
join:2001-01-04
Lake Worth, FL
| Usually this type of stuff happens when the corporate execs talk to the corporate lawyers and find out there's usually some kind of liability for providing too much information on a site like this. It could be competitive info, or just someone giving a rumor about something that turns out to be false but causing headaches up above.
Sucks though. |
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LBB
Premium,MVM
join:2001-06-14
Bama
·AT&T Southeast
| reply to Dogwood
said by Dogwood :
You'll get a reason, only it won't be a creditable one.
Mid to upper managers for big corporations like this are instructed to not use common sense when making decisions.
A glaring example is the state of so many big businesses today, WorldCom, Adelphia, Enron to name a few.
Somehow, that would not suprise me in the least. Only difference I can see is, one was about money and this seems to be about Power. In the end, they all will end up in the same boat!
LB |
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DSLDUDE
Got The Folding Farm Itch
Premium
join:2002-01-07
Norcross, GA
clubs:
| reply to leevis
I'd like to come right out and say THANK YOU to ALL of you who are supporting Nettech, Andy, and the other techs like me. We are trying to go above and beyond what our paycheck says for all of you, and getting shut down for doing it.
Thanks to all that are standing up in our support. It really gets me torn up that all of you have stepped up and spoke out against this with such force.
The remaining members/employees and myself will continue to help as much as possible for as long as we possibly can. We can only hope that all these issues are resolved shortly so that we can get back to providing good ol' customer service that should have been provided all along.
Mike Hill
Bellsouth ADSL
--
"Give me enough Badger, and I can heal the cracks in the Grand Canyon"
[text was edited by author 2002-12-06 15:07:40] |
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