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Verizon Launches 'Premium' Tech Support
$10 monthly fee nets DSL customers unlimited phone support
Verizon has announced a new Premium technical support service for DSL customers. For a $9.99 monthly fee, Verizon customers get access to unlimited phone support for not only their DSL connection, but also for hardware, software and networking issues. "Computer users want to turn to their Internet service provider for help with their computer-related issues when those issues are too complicated for either the users or their tech-savvy acquaintances to resolve," says Verizon in a statement.
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inteller
Sociopaths always win.
join:2003-12-08
Tulsa, OK

inteller

Member

Would you like an extended warranty with your DSL?

Taking a page out of best buy's book I see.

if the DSL was reliable, perhaps such a draconian support method wouldn't be required.

Ima
join:2003-10-23
Little Rock, AR

Ima

Member

Re: Would you like an extended warranty with your DSL?

$10 dollars for unlimited tech support? ..what?
NYC Girl
Premium Member
join:2007-02-04
Bronx, NY

NYC Girl

Premium Member

Re: Would you like an extended warranty with your DSL?

RIDICULOUS, they should be providing unlimited support regardless. I am so glad I don't subscribe to their service anymore.

Maxo
Your tax dollars at work.
Premium Member
join:2002-11-04
Tallahassee, FL

Maxo

Premium Member

Re: Would you like an extended warranty with your DSL?

said by NYC Girl:

RIDICULOUS, they should be providing unlimited support regardless. I am so glad I don't subscribe to their service anymore.
No company provides supports for other people products for free. It won't happen. Just like Jiffy won't take complaints for Peter Pan peanut butter. Jiffy simply won't care.

morbo
Complete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000

morbo

Member

Re: Would you like an extended warranty with your DSL?

right, but Jiffy must take complaints FOR JIFFY. that's the issue.

Maxo
Your tax dollars at work.
Premium Member
join:2002-11-04
Tallahassee, FL

Maxo

Premium Member

Re: Would you like an extended warranty with your DSL?

said by morbo:

right, but Jiffy must take complaints FOR JIFFY. that's the issue.
That's not the issue. ISPs already provide a technical support desk for their product.
In this news article they are providing extra support for the computer and routers that are provided by another company for a fee. They are calling this "unlimited support." They should not have to provide "this support regardless."

morbo
Complete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
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morbo

Member

Re: Would you like an extended warranty with your DSL?

my mistake. they should have to provide unlimited support for their product. anything else, i can understand making people pay something. however, i think a pay per use model is better for consumers.

Maxo
Your tax dollars at work.
Premium Member
join:2002-11-04
Tallahassee, FL

Maxo

Premium Member

Re: Would you like an extended warranty with your DSL?

said by morbo:

my mistake. they should have to provide unlimited support for their product.
Agreed.

Camelot One
MVM
join:2001-11-21
Bloomington, IN

Camelot One to morbo

MVM

to morbo
If you've ever had the misfortune of having to call Verizon tech support, the first thing you'd know is that they try to find ANYTHING else to blame the problem on, just to get you off the phone. "What, you have a router...we don't support that, even though you are sure the DSL modem is the problem. Goodbye"
I see this as a way to force people to pay more just to get a straight answer out of them.

But even if that isn't the case......anyone who has ever dealt with Verizon's DSL Tech Support think you want to subject yourself to them troubleshooting other hardware issues? If you think GeekSquad is bad.......

guitarzan
Premium Member
join:2004-05-04
Skytop, PA

guitarzan

Premium Member

Re: Would you like an extended warranty with your DSL?

Hello DSL Tech support? Yes: On a tracert, I have ping times of 500+ ms on the tenth hop and plenty of lag.

Tech support agent: Sorry there is nothing we can do, it's outside our network. Please hold while I transfer you to our billing department. Cha-Ching.

ipsofacto
@swbell.net

ipsofacto

Anon

Re: Would you like an extended warranty with your DSL?

and that rep is absolutely correct. there is NOTHING they can do. Pay for a t1 connection then you can expect anything other then entertainment value connection

guitarzan
Premium Member
join:2004-05-04
Skytop, PA

guitarzan

Premium Member

Re: Would you like an extended warranty with your DSL?

said by ipsofacto :

and that rep is absolutely correct. there is NOTHING they can do. Pay for a t1 connection then you can expect anything other then entertainment value connection
Even with a T-1 or T-3 connect, outside the network, there is nothing which can be done to remedy the latency. You and the rep would be absolutely correct in that situation.
notwrth10
join:2007-03-03
1001EB

notwrth10 to guitarzan

Member

to guitarzan
Depending on what the 10th hop is or who owns it you might deserve to be billed. Ever thought about bothering the hop owner instead of your tech support?

"Were sorry you have 500+ms pings to glbx.net, how is this verizon.net's problem?"

For you we decided you should pay $85 a month with a $100 fine for innudating tech support with a useless question (depending on hop domain name as proof).

guitarzan
Premium Member
join:2004-05-04
Skytop, PA

guitarzan

Premium Member

Re: Would you like an extended warranty with your DSL?

said by notwrth10:

Depending on what the 10th hop is or who owns it you might deserve to be billed. Ever thought about bothering the hop owner instead of your tech support?
Paying the $10.00 extra per month is as useful as calling the tenth hop owner and secondly I know better than to call tech support, because of an congested or bottle necked router outside of Verizon's network. I should bill you $10.00 for assuming I didn't know that.
said by notwrth10:

"Were sorry you have 500+ms pings to glbx.net, how is this verizon.net's problem?"
Its not, however I would be willing to wager many DSL users, will in fact call tech support for that very issue, thinking the extra $10.00 paid will fix the lag.
said by notwrth10:

"For you we decided you should pay $85 a month with a $100 fine for innudating tech support with a useless question (depending on hop domain name as proof)
I have decided you shall be billed a $200 fine for missing the sarcasm of my post.... Pay up... Cha-Ching $$$$$$$$ :P

Earning a living as a call center tech support agent must be hell.

BTW: Its an extra $25 for misspelling inundating... Cha-Ching
notwrth10
join:2007-03-03
1001EB

notwrth10

Member

Re: Would you like an extended warranty with your DSL?

Here's the money... see it... yea it exists. I have been sending those e-mails about claiming the money. Don't you guys get them?

Damn, guess I will have to try harder with my "targets"


ipsofacto
@swbell.net

ipsofacto to Camelot One

Anon

to Camelot One
If verizon didnt outsource the work to telvista, where the draconian management insists you have your calls finished in 12 minutes . You might have 1/2 a chance at getting quality support

ph03n1x
join:2003-02-15
Sanford, FL

ph03n1x to morbo

Member

to morbo
said by morbo:

my mistake. they should have to provide unlimited support for their product.
Having worked in technical support for nearly 10 years now, I am forced to strongly disagree with this statement. Especially in regards to ISP technical support. Service prices have come down so much and technical support is so expensive that ISPs dont start making a profit on a good customer until after having their service for 6 months. Each call to tech support on average costs the company $8-10. So frequently I've seen people who call in two to three times per month becuase their service stops working. All it takes each time is to powercycle the modem or router. at $25 per month if you call in 3 times, the chances of an ISP making a profit on your account are erased. This same issue occurs for hundereds of users. I feel that ISPs should have the right to limit what they support, especially for customers who are chronic callers who dont seem to learn.

morbo
Complete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000

morbo

Member

Re: Would you like an extended warranty with your DSL?

then the ISPs should educate users of their service OR charge more for what they are providing.

it's not my problem that they aren't doing the things needed to make a profit for 6 months.
Ahrenl
join:2004-10-26
North Andover, MA

Ahrenl

Member

Re: Would you like an extended warranty with your DSL?

Not to mention they SHOULD be providing that support if you have to power cycle your modem 2-3 times a month. Wtf is that? The only time you should have to power cycle is to update the MAC address for the directly connected device. 2-3 times?!

ph03n1x
join:2003-02-15
Sanford, FL

ph03n1x

Member

Re: Would you like an extended warranty with your DSL?

We're talking about customers who run their modem and router through extension cables, 30-50 foot phone cables, daisy chain dsl filters, or generally hose up the way things are supposed to be connected in hundereds of unimaginable ways. Ethernet devices are solid when they are used properly. However, they are also fairly sensitive electronics. Power fluctuations because they are using a cheap-o Walmart power strip or a 30 foot power extension cable can cause you to have to powercycle. Signal fluctuations because your cable is too long from the wall to the modem or it's looped up in 30 coils can cause the signal to generate it's own EMI. In these cases, the lights on the modems dont normally change, everything looks good, but the connection is still dorked. These situations require powercycling frequently unless they are corrected. What my point is is that at least 85 - 90% of the calls I've ever gotten at an ISP help desk are user error not service error. This gets expensive for companies because customers dont want to learn. The onus for correcting these types of problems should be on the customer because they should bother to learn at least a little bit about what they are dealing with first before subscribing.
ph03n1x

ph03n1x to morbo

Member

to morbo
said by morbo:

then the ISPs should educate users of their service OR charge more for what they are providing.
it's not my problem that they aren't doing the things needed to make a profit for 6 months.
I believe you misunderstand my point. Firstly, educating customers who cant even fathom how to navigate their Start Menu on even the basic functions of an ethernet device let alone anything about their computer is nigh on impossible. Customers want everything for nothing, but in general are not willing to pay attention or learn. Customers want competition which includes lower prices but arent willing to understand the business aspect of how extreme competition can affect changes to the service provided.

morbo
Complete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000

morbo

Member

Re: Would you like an extended warranty with your DSL?

No, I understood your point. I stand by my earlier comment that the burden is on the ISP to either price the product/service correctly, considering that there is a range of users, including those extremely ignorant of all things internet, AND/OR educate users on what to do.

This trend by corporations to try and nickle and dime consumers to death is not a welcome change. It is particularly disturbing that this trend seems to be encroaching more and more into everyday life.

ph03n1x
join:2003-02-15
Sanford, FL

ph03n1x

Member

Re: Would you like an extended warranty with your DSL?

said by morbo:

No, I understood your point. I stand by my earlier comment that the burden is on the ISP to either price the product/service correctly, considering that there is a range of users, including those extremely ignorant of all things internet, AND/OR educate users on what to do.
I suppose we must agree to disagree. I feel that the onus of learning what is supported by whom and what kind of problems are caused by what should be on the customer. While I agree that companies want to nickel and dime, it's unrealistic in the current market to price a service correctly based on it's cost. There is a larger attitude, at least in the USA of people feeling entitled to everything for nothing and being unwilling to learn anything about what they are buying. Everything starts at a loss to be competitive. To do otherwise would mean internet service would be $50-60 a month (a decent starting point if you consider the $10 per tech support call cost) still for basic speeds. If a company priced their service at this rate, say for a 1.5 line, then they would not have very many subscribers.

morbo
Complete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000

morbo

Member

Re: Would you like an extended warranty with your DSL?

I guess we do agree to disagree.

If products or services cannot be priced correctly based on cost, then those companies will go out of business and those services will not or should not be provided. Capitalism, eh?

There is a personal entitlement issue in the USA, but I don't see it in this case. If anything, I see your view as a corporate entitlement issue. Your position comes off as Corporations are unable to price correctly due to over demanding consumers. In reality, DSL and cable internet are huge cash cows for these corporations. I don't for one minute feel that I should feel like I should pay more for these services. It's like feeling sorry for the poor car salesman that is only making $2500 commission off my new car versus $2800. Enough profit is being made that the issue isn't relevant.

Obviously, if my ISP has to raise the price to stay in business or because they feel that they have consumers on hook (common with cable tv), I, as a consumer, decide if I want to stay with that provider or go to another, if there is even an option.
DSL Oberst
join:2001-11-29

DSL Oberst

Member

Re: Would you like an extended warranty with your DSL?

said by morbo:

Obviously, if my ISP has to raise the price to stay in business or because they feel that they have consumers on hook (common with cable tv), I, as a consumer, decide if I want to stay with that provider or go to another, if there is even an option.
Ah, I see. What happens when corporations do what you say and price it near the actual cost? Why, then the customers go to war! More screaming of "THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT!" and demands for credits and the first-born of a rep.
Earthlink used to price its ADSL close to the cost - 49.99 for 1.5 down. What happened? Bitch and whine by the customers, because the telcos subsidize the cost of their extremely anti-profitable internet services with their very profitable regular telephone service. Cable internet? Same deal - all subsidized by the prices you pay for TV. Satellite? SAME DEAL. All broadband is subsidized by the profits for some other venture offered by the same company. Those who DON'T have another venture have gone down the tubes because they can't win the price war - see Earthlink, @Home, and several other 'ISPs'.
So, sure, I'll agree with your opinion. Just let me have Murdoch's empire and I'll guarantee you'll get all the broadband you want for $5/month. I'll be subsidizing it out the other profits I get for everything else, but you won't mind. That is, until I undercut everyone else, buy them out, and have a monopoly on the interweb. You still won't mind...after all, you get what you pay for, yes?
notwrth10
join:2007-03-03
1001EB

notwrth10 to morbo

Member

to morbo
said by morbo:

then the ISPs should educate users of their service OR charge more for what they are providing.
Can I have some of what you smoke? apparently that's some really good stuff! Send me an IM on the price please!
said by morbo:

it's not my problem that they aren't doing the things needed to make a profit for 6 months.
Ok why is it an ISP's problem if you decide to plug in a router between you and your cable/dsl modem and can't get on the internet? Then the audacity to expect the ISP's tech support to help you fix the problem?

Yea You should pay, no questions asked. I still think computers should be like cars and drivers licenses should be issued. Fines for innundating the wrong/incorrect tech support.

morbo
Complete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
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morbo

Member

Re: Would you like an extended warranty with your DSL?

you should really read my trail of posts before responding.
notwrth10
join:2007-03-03
1001EB

notwrth10

Member

Re: Would you like an extended warranty with your DSL?

said by morbo:

you should really read my trail of posts before responding.
You should really think before posting but that don't stop you now does it?

At what age did you insert the AOL CD and spread your stupidity on the internet? 10? 11? 12?
DSL Oberst
join:2001-11-29

DSL Oberst to morbo

Member

to morbo
said by morbo:

then the ISPs should educate users of their service OR charge more for what they are providing.
I have to call the bull on that. Whatever happened to RTFM?
I didn't see any company or tech support teaching ME how to use a 2400 baud modem or how to build a computer from bottom-up or how to install Windows. If people need hand-holding on how to do a ping and translate the results, I have little sympathy for them.
I'm not the brightest bulb in the track lighting; if I can learn it, so can any other monkey. Again, RTFM!

sivran
Vive Vivaldi
Premium Member
join:2003-09-15
Irving, TX

sivran to ph03n1x

Premium Member

to ph03n1x
Ten years?! Good god man (or woman), tell me you haven't spent all of that time on the phone. You must be a supervisor now, right?

Oh, I used to do Verizon tech support. DSL. Then FIOS. FIOS was quite a bit easier to support.

ph03n1x
join:2003-02-15
Sanford, FL

ph03n1x

Member

Re: Would you like an extended warranty with your DSL?

No, I've only spent about 4.5 of those years on the phones. Moved back and forth between different positions. Back on the phones now for awhile since I switched jobs to work directly for a telco instead of for a crappy outsource outfit.

kalphearion
In nomine Patri
Premium Member
join:2003-11-08
Broomfield, CO

kalphearion to NYC Girl

Premium Member

to NYC Girl
No ISP should feel obliged to provide unlimited support for third party hardware. If Verizon supplied secondary hardware as part of the service(Router, wireless router) then yes, they should support that.

ph03n1x
join:2003-02-15
Sanford, FL

ph03n1x

Member

Re: Would you like an extended warranty with your DSL?

said by kalphearion:

No ISP should feel obliged to provide unlimited support for third party hardware.
Without a doubt. If it didnt come from your ISP, dont call your ISP about it.
King Duck
join:2005-04-10
Elizabeth City, NC

1 recommendation

King Duck

Member

Re: Would you like an extended warranty with your DSL?

Unfortunately, having worked in Fios tech support, there are many users who think that the ISP is responsible for all those issues. I've had many customers claim that their previous ISP supported all of their other hardware and threaten to go back to them if we cannot fix their issue. My personal experience is that for every 100 can't connect calls I took, more than 95 were for PC related issues. Whilst Fios does go down (very rarely) , usually the PC is the problem. The most common fixes were reset IP Stack, reset Winsock, reinstall drivers (I hated doing that with Dells) and, recently, update Windows. Things which tech support will now be able to do will be to run spyware and virus scans for customers, update drivers and, perhaps most important, update Windows.
I have lost count of the number of people I have spoken to who had never been to Windows Update. Reasons given for this include:
1) I was on dialup and updates took too long,
2) You mean Windows needs to be updated? Why didn't anyone tell me?, and
3) My cousins, friends, ex school buddy who is a geek told me that updating Windows causes problems!
I think this is an excellent step by Verizon and after they iron out the bugs in the DSL area I'm sure Fios will also have this option (for those who need it, if you do not need it you do not have to buy it!)
notwrth10
join:2007-03-03
1001EB

notwrth10 to NYC Girl

Member

to NYC Girl
said by NYC Girl:

RIDICULOUS, they should be providing unlimited support regardless. I am so glad I don't subscribe to their service anymore.
If that's your expectation then you should be paying $75 a month. If you are too stupid to know what the hell your bastard kids are doing to your internet connection that should be $100/month.

I say make the stupid/unwilling to learn pay for it! Good plan verizon!

nixen
Rockin' the Boxen
Premium Member
join:2002-10-04
Alexandria, VA

nixen to NYC Girl

Premium Member

to NYC Girl
said by NYC Girl:

RIDICULOUS, they should be providing unlimited support regardless. I am so glad I don't subscribe to their service anymore.
So, it's your assertion that if you go out and get your system jacked up with crapware, your ISP should help you fix it for free?
NYC Girl
Premium Member
join:2007-02-04
Bronx, NY

NYC Girl

Premium Member

Re: Would you like an extended warranty with your DSL?

OK, so I misread the article, LMAOOOO, seemed a little vague to me read like they were giving unlimited Verizon DSL tech support only; however, I still wouldn't pay for it as it still seems like a ripoff. Sort of like buying an over the counter medication - if symptoms continue please contact your software provider directly - that will be $10.00, please, thanks for your business.

I would know how to fix this kind of stuff on my own, but that's just me.

dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium Member
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ

dvd536 to Ima

Premium Member

to Ima
said by Ima:

$10 dollars for unlimited tech support? ..what?
does your ten bucks get you people WITHOUT indian accents?

karthwyne
join:2003-04-27
Atlanta, GA

karthwyne to inteller

Member

to inteller
the vast majority of calls to ANY helpdesk are not related to the product the desk supports.
During my time as a tier 1 & 2 of 2 different ISPs, the calls I fielded that were not PC or user issues accounted for less than 0.1%
should the ISP help setup OE for their email, sure; but is it their fault if the user can't figure it out, no.
during this age, i would suspect that 80% of connection issues are actually spyware or configuration, not lack of signal from the ISP.

the ppl who frequent this site do not call the helpdesks for these issues, and therefore who have no need of this "service" but it doesn't mean that it isn't a valid approach.

••••••••
bi0tech
join:2003-06-19
Cockeysville, MD

bi0tech to inteller

Member

to inteller
This sooo looks like a bad idea on their part. Even if they were willing to pay enough to get knowledgeable techs to work the phones (unlikely), there's just too much to cover in a short amount of time with accuracy. Utimately these type of circumstances end up leading to exteme measures to solve simple problems along with generally low approval ratings.

The best buy geeks may come out looking like technical gods in comparison. (*shudder*)
notwrth10
join:2007-03-03
1001EB

notwrth10

Member

Re: Would you like an extended warranty with your DSL?

I doubt if they could fuck it up any worse, I consider best buy to be about as low as you can get. Least they might make a good effort to help for $10, best buy charges for good efforts to the tune of about $175
mathfaster
join:2005-09-23
Upland, CA

mathfaster to inteller

Member

to inteller
If this support is as bad as their Verizon Online support in India then I want no part of it. However, that being said, the support via dslreports was very good. I doubt this will be US based support, thereby making it worthless.
crracer506
join:2004-12-12
Lawndale, CA

1 edit

crracer506

Member

a

a

batterup
I Can Not Tell A Lie.
Premium Member
join:2003-02-06
Netcong, NJ

batterup to inteller

Premium Member

to inteller
said by inteller:

Taking a page out of best buy's book I see.

if the DSL was reliable, perhaps such a draconian support method wouldn't be required.
99 and 44/100 % of the calls to CS are because of people with your understanding. I never have to call CS.
batterup

batterup

Premium Member

Re: Would you like an extended warranty with your DSL?

said by batterup:

said by inteller:

Taking a page out of best buy's book I see.

if the DSL was reliable, perhaps such a draconian support method wouldn't be required.
99 and 44/100 % of the calls to CS are because of people with your understanding. I never have to call CS.
Well I on-line chat with them though.

My Verizon web page doesn’t work, see for your self
»mysite.verizon.net/batterup

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 1:44 AM] -- Status Message
The Verizon Online Support Center received your trouble ticket. A Support Representative will be assigned to your trouble ticket shortly.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 1:44 AM] -- Status Message
Your trouble ticket is assigned to Support Representative, Kathy.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 1:44 AM] -- Kathy
Thank you for contacting the Verizon Online Support Center. My name is Kathy and I will be working with you today. May I have your full name?

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 1:44 AM] -- E
E

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 1:45 AM] -- Kathy
I see that you have contacted us regarding your web space. I would be happy to assist you with this. What is your DSL telephone number?

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 1:46 AM] -- E
973xxxxxxx

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 1:48 AM] -- Kathy
Can I confirm you have Windows XP? What is the name of the modem? What are the names and status of the lights on the modem?

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 1:48 AM] -- E
Listen no one can access my web page

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 1:49 AM] -- E
»mysite.verizon.net/batterup

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 1:49 AM] -- E
Click that link.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 1:49 AM] -- E
The page is stored on your servers

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 1:50 AM] -- E
It has NOTHING to do with my PC

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 1:51 AM] -- Kathy
I apologize but I need the information before I can trouble shoot.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 1:52 AM] -- E
You do understand that there is no problem with my DSL connection.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 1:52 AM] -- Kathy
Yes.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 1:53 AM] -- E
My modem is a Westell

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 1:54 AM] -- E
Model A90-327W15-06

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 1:55 AM] -- E
All lights are normal, my connection is working AOK.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 1:56 AM] -- E
My web page is stored on Verizon's servers and cannot be accessed by anyone.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 1:56 AM] -- Kathy
What operating system do you have?

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 1:57 AM] -- E
Win XP SP2 all updates installed.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 1:58 AM] -- Kathy
Our records indicate that the personal web space directory has not been enabled or setup. Please go to »dslstart.verizon.net/ and log into My Web Space using your primary Verizon username and password. Once you are logged in, please select the Edit My Web Space link on the right hand side menu. From there you should be able to click on the Start Using Site Builder link or the Build icon to activate your directory.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 1:59 AM] -- E
I can do all of that. There are files on my web space.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 1:59 AM] -- E
No one can access the page as I am sure you have tried.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:02 AM] -- E
I just edited my page as I have done many times.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:02 AM] -- Kathy
As I mentioned our records show that the personal web space directory has not been enabled or setup. Did you complete the steps I sent you?

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:03 AM] – E

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:03 AM] -- E
I built a new page.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:04 AM] -- E
»mysite.verizon.net/batte ··· itecopy/

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:04 AM] -- E
No one can access the new page.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:04 AM] -- Kathy
Did you use the site builder or a FTP client?

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:05 AM] -- E
Site builder

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:05 AM] -- E
FTP will not work as the page is locked.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:05 AM] -- E
It did work, now it does not.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:08 AM] -- E
I can't even access the site clicking on view my site in web builder.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:08 AM] -- E
I can do everything except access the site using the URL.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:10 AM] -- Kathy
Let's us know when you have logged out of site builder.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:12 AM] -- E
I have closed all Verizon pages except this chat.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:15 AM] -- Kathy
How much editing have you done today?

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:16 AM] -- E
Just what we did now.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:16 AM] -- E
I built a copy and uploaded a picture.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:18 AM] -- Kathy
What do you mean by built a copy?

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:18 AM] -- E
I published a copy of my web page.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:19 AM] -- E
I now have two web pages.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:19 AM] -- E
I can only access them from site builder

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:19 AM] -- E
No one can access them from the interweb.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:20 AM] -- E
»mysite.verizon.net/batterup

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:20 AM] -- E
»mysite.verizon.net/batte ··· itecopy/

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:22 AM] -- E
Both pages say
*Locked The requested resource is currently locked. The lock must be released or proper identification given before the method can be applied.*

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:22 AM] -- E
Please release the lock.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:23 AM] -- Kathy
Can you check your email to see if you received an email from us?

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:24 AM] -- E
I have no trouble with e-mail.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:24 AM] -- E
I get about 30 spams a day.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:26 AM] -- E
I just tested my main account batterup@verizon.net

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:26 AM] -- Kathy
That is not what I mean. Did you get an email from Verizon?

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:26 AM] -- E
OK send, I don't know how long I will have to wait to receive.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:26 AM] -- E
What address did you send it to?

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:28 AM] -- E
Do you mean an e-mail like my web page is locked?

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:28 AM] -- E
No never.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:30 AM] -- Kathy
When you created your copy it may have been too much in a day and therefore your account has been locked. Please check again in 24 hours.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:30 AM] -- E
You are blowing me off.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:31 AM] -- E
The account was locked long before I did what you told me to do.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:31 AM] -- E
Escalate this or I will write Ivan and include this entire chat session.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:32 AM] -- Kathy
I apologize but there is nothing we can do for 24 hours. If you are still having the problem in 24 hours we can escalate the ticket.

[ Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:33 AM] -- E
OK I will be writing Ivan.
axus
join:2001-06-18
Washington, DC

axus

Member

great idea

Sounds like something a lot of people want, I hope that Verizon can make a little money on it and fix a lot of problems. It might relieve some pressure from their normal DSL support staff.

karlmarx
join:2006-09-18
Moscow, ID

1 recommendation

karlmarx

Member

Never work

Look at it this way, anyone who is paying 10.00 a month, will probably use it at least once a month. The only way verizon could possibly do this, and maintain a profit, would be to outsource all the calls to an indian call center. Even if the call only takes 5 minutes, that would wipe out their profit margin if any of the support people were based in the US. They can provide the same, useless, clueless tech support for about 10% of the cost if they outsource it to india.
tpac_man
join:2007-02-27
Riverbank, CA

tpac_man

Member

Re: Never work

I'm sure Verizon will use the same tech support agents to do this. All they need is a flag on the account letting the rep know this customer pay's for Premium support and u can assist them fully. When I worked at SBC I helped customers all the way... even though it screwed my stats a little, I didn't want to get repeat customer's calling in. So if a customer that doesn't have a premium support flag on there, they could upsell to that customer and add it to their monthly bill.

Mike
Mod
join:2000-09-17
Pittsburgh, PA

Mike to karlmarx

Mod

to karlmarx
I was wondering where it would be based myself.

I had a few Indian tech support reps when calling Verizon and they were down right terrible.

Loker
Premium Member
join:2004-07-11
Fargo, ND

Loker

Premium Member

a little shocked....

I am honestly a little shocked the vast majority of people are supporting this....if any company I did business with tried to pull something like this I would not let it slide....I did not think the majority of people here would either?

Is it because its Verizon people think its ok?

••••••
Techie714
join:2005-08-02
Anaheim, CA

1 edit

Techie714

Member

Your not paying enough people

See the problem here is that you people are not paying enough for your dsl, phone, etc to justify free tech support. ........SARCASM

ph03n1x
join:2003-02-15
Sanford, FL

ph03n1x

Member

Re: Your not paying enough people

No, that's actually correct. Free support isnt free, it costs companies tons of money. Abusers of free support are the biggest hit on an ISP's profit margin. (Even above greedy execs and stockholders, though not by much).

Alex G Bell
join:2002-07-02
Boston, MA

Alex G Bell

Member

Tech Support

Remember MS support? Here is what it will likely be like:

"Congratulations, you are caller 394 in cue with an estimated wait time of only 2 hours and 38 minutes, but please enjoy the rap music and the Verizon commercials every 2 minutes."

(much later)

"Hello, my name is Ragbadshaw? May I have your DSL phone number? . . . Have you tried rebooting?"

(1/2 hour later)

". . . Oh, I have to transfer you to level 2 support, it is only a 3/4 hour wait."
gaforces (banned)
United We Stand, Divided We Fall
join:2002-04-07
Santa Cruz, CA

gaforces (banned)

Member

Pass the buck

They will just do what at&t/sbc does now, blame everything and anything on anything but thier DSL service and then try to upsell thier tech service/inside wiring plan.
Then after putzing around wasting your time making you jump through hoops, either selling thier extra service or not, your connection will miraculously work again.

••••••

odreian615
join:2006-01-18
Chicago, IL

odreian615

Member

I'm sorry this shyt should be FREE

so what now you get to listen to a China based tech instead of a India based one

RideRed
Vista needs a popup blocker for Vista
Premium Member
join:2005-06-18
USA

RideRed

Premium Member

Re: I'm sorry this shyt should be FREE

Why should Verizon be providing PC, OS and router technical support for free?

This is an ADDITIONAL service on top of regular DSL support that all subscribers already get.

Dell charges extra, Apple charges extra and it's THEIR hardware.

Does no one RTFA?
RideRed

4 edits

RideRed

Premium Member

Holy crap RTFA people...

This isn't about DSL connectivity support.
quote:
Verizon's new Premium Technical Support offers affordable, expert help for problems with spyware, adware, viruses, Internet security, hardware issues, computer operating systems and other problems not typically covered by many Internet providers' standard support services...Among the computer components and peripherals supported by Verizon Premium Technical Support are routers, network cards, video cards, sound cards, CD/DVD reader-writer, hard drives, flash memory systems, printers, scanners, gaming consoles and firewalls. Operating systems and software supported by the service are Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98 and Windows Me. Mac operating systems are not supported by Verizon Premium Technical Support.
What ISP provides computer HW support for free (I'm not aware of any who even offer it at all at any price)? Hell, computer manufacturers who make the crap don't often support it for free outside the warranty period (eg Microsoft, Apple, Dell). Now people not too familiar with computers can get unlimited phone support for $120/yr covering virtually all of their PC HW and SW. If they call just a few times it's worth the company vs. pay per incident support where HW vendors point the finger at Microsoft and Microsoft points the fingers at the HW vendors.

I'm mean come on...they will even help you with your game consoles.

And people bitch that it's not free? Priced a per incident call to Apple after warranty expiration? Or Dell, or Microsoft?

Don't want it or need it...don't buy it.

•••••••••
moonpuppy (banned)
join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD

moonpuppy (banned)

Member

This has been floated before......

There are a few users who have floated the idea before with a condition applied: "Would you pay extra for better tech support?"

Well, I can tell you that after a few of "I'm sorry, I can't help you" responses from this new tech support, I can see many people questioning why pay for this at all?


GemSnake
Premium Member
join:2000-10-19
3rd layer

GemSnake

Premium Member

No go

This is going to fail. Just think what kind of training they need to provide to their techs to support all sorts of 3rd party hardware and software products. And gaming consoles? Please!
I've spent last 7 years with ISP tech support and I'm telling you right now, it's a wreck waiting to happen. Verizon will not invest enough in this to make it work, and no reasonable techie will work this job for $15/hr (US-based, that is).

Ivybridge_I7
Cyber-Crime Researcher OpSec
Premium Member
join:2004-06-09
Daytona Beach, FL

Ivybridge_I7

Premium Member

'Premium' Tech Support

I wonder if the tech support number goes to a call center in Bangalore India. For one hundred and twenty dollars a year I would think that Verizon would want to get maximum profit out of the service which means outsourcing of American jobs. Sorry to say, but the trend continues with big corporations trying to increase their quarterly earning to satisfy share holders.

Last thought, why spend all that money when you can get free help at www.dslreports.com.

McDonuts
@nctv.com

McDonuts

Anon

Re: 'Premium' Tech Support

Those that know about it, probably won't.

mike1965
Geek4rent
join:2002-09-23
Marion, IL

mike1965

Member

Hire people who know what they are doing

Well the first thing they will need to do is hire people that do more than read off a trouble shooting que card. A lot of people hire me in my area to do the install of verizon dsl, occasionally there is a problem on verizon's end of the install and they have a tough time resolving that let alone bigger issues
twitchyx
join:2003-06-29
Plano, TX

twitchyx

Member

Terrible idea

This is a terrible idea. Customers will call and expect every little problem they have to be immediately fixed when many people who work in tech support really don't know too much about computers in the first place, and will have no idea what to do. A huge company cannot support everything. It just won't work.

mazhurg
Premium Member
join:2004-05-02
Brighton, ON

mazhurg

Premium Member

Most issues resolved here:

Tech support here. Solution for all (any of) your issues:

Please insert your Windows CD in the drive. On boot, press any key to boot to the CD. Press enter, press F8, press L, press enter. Please call back once you get to the desktop.

Thanks you...

Cha-Ching...

datguy
@verizon.net

datguy

Anon

this is a great idea!

you get rid of the whiners, the $14.95 a month dsl people who expect you to "teach them the internet"

what do you expect for $14.95 a month?

the extra $10 will get rid of alot of the whining.. Let them call the geek sqaud for $100 a visit..

and no ma'am just because your computer is connected to dsl line via a cable and phone cord, it doesnt mean the ISP takes full responsibiltiy for your printer, monitor and word processing software

gwion
wild colonial boy

join:2000-12-28
Pittsburgh, PA

gwion

Tacky...

... just plain tacky. Sorry, VZ, I'm still a loyal customer, and I still think FIOS is one of the best business plays in the business, but "preferred access" for a price strikes me as being just plain undignified. I'm genuinely ashamed of my 'boomer generation, and I mean that, sincerely... we, the "peace, love and brotherhood generation" are all grown up... and would charge a starving bum for a chicken bone from a dumpster. We're the most vacuous, self absorbed, status-conscious, selfish, greedy pigs since the robber barons. I'm bluntly ashamed to be a part of my generation. And I'm a true "capitalist tool", self admittedly... bad idea. Genuinely bad idea. I don't even have a good metaphor for it yet, it just looks wrong, facially...

RR Conductor
Ridin' the rails
Premium Member
join:2002-04-02
Redwood Valley, CA

1 edit

RR Conductor

Premium Member

Sad

$9.99 a month? I think not. Pay for this, pay for that, pay for things that used to be free or almost free, a sad comment on modern society

hobgoblin
Sortof Agoblin
Premium Member
join:2001-11-25
Orchard Park, NY

hobgoblin

Premium Member

Re: Sad

said by RR Conductor:

$9.99 a month? I think not. Pay for this, pay for that, pay for things that used to be free or almost free, a sad comment on modern society
What that you have to pay for things?

Yeah
canuck999999
join:2004-04-19

canuck999999

Member

Interesting

So they want $10 per month from people to provide support for things they don't normally support, this is actually an interesting idea considering the amount of people that want support for things the ISP has no business providing support for .
sozekizer
join:2002-07-16
Fort Worth, TX

sozekizer

Member

Re: Interesting

9.99 per month for 10 months of slightly limited technical support from Verizon DSL technical support. Those of who you think that you should receive this support free of charge..here's some things to chew on:
1. Verizon DSL tech support's job is to support your internet connection, your email, general verizon services you are given as a customer. Verizon spends a good amount of money training people to support that.
2. it is NOT Verizon's job to support your Office Suite or McAfee or Symantec products. -- PTS will assist with this
3. Verizon support will do what is basically necessary to get you connected and routing online. verizon support should not have to help you configure your firewall, your vpn, your antivirus etc.--PTS will assist with this
4. in order to provide free support for all the products you people think verizon should support, verizon would need to hire people certified and well-experienced in all other 3rd party products. this is not feasible nor would it be cheap.
5. all of you who know a thing or two about call-centers..would you honestly trust a frontline support agent to walk you through your registry?
6. let's flip it around..how many of you think you could support me if i called in and wanted you to do the following (for free):
a. get me connected to the internet
b. once connected, help me set up my wireless static network with WEP and MAC Filtering.
c. once this is done, set up my wireless printer (HP) to work with my Mac Powerbook
d. oh, and help me setup my tmobile cellphone to be able to send and receive my verizon email.
all of this on the same call..could you do it? as much as i know about all of this and as much time as i've spent doing things exactly like this for myself.. i could not begin to be able to train somebody in a short timeframe to do this.
Anybody smart enough would charge for all of the above services and more. I certainly would be willing to pay for someone to do all that and save me the headache.
one more thought..how many different tech products exist (software, hardware, etc)? there is absolutely no way one ISP could or should be expected to know absolutely everything out there. the fact that verizon is willing to put up or shut up with regards to premium technical support and its nearly unlimited support is something unheard of for an ISP. I, for one, hope the offer succeeds. if it does we can expect the other ISPs to follow suit. The more who follow the better and major OEMs will have to lower their prices and improve their quality of technical support. I leave you with this..anyone who accepts PTS should know that the support you are getting is coming from very experienced technicians who could easily make a better living working for Microsoft, Apple or any internal IT dept anywhere. You should be very happy that these agents are willing to keep their low-end wages to help you out.
To those of you who disagree -- RTFM!!
WakeUpNeo
join:2001-01-03
Albany, NY

WakeUpNeo

Member

Considering how Verizon treats employees:

Tell Verizon CEO: Respect Your Workers' Choice

A clear majority of Verizon Business workers in New York and New England signed authorization cards showing they want to be represented by a union. In addition, three members of Congress and high-level state and city officials have verified the choice of these workers.

But CEO Seidenberg still won't respect their free choice. He just won't listen.

On March 4, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass) and Reps. Stephen Lynch and John Tierney of Massachusetts and Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Tim Murray oversaw the count of Verizon Business workers' union authorization cards. They verified that 57 percent of the eligible workers signed cards saying they want a union. Reps. Jerrold Nadler and Anthony Weiner of New York and New York City Comptroller William Thompson Jr. stepped in and reaffirmed the workers' wishes a week and a half later.

But for CEO Seidenberg, the majority does not rule. He continues to act like a majority of one by denying his employees their basic freedom to choose whether or not they want to belong to a union. He continues to act as though his company neither relies on the goodwill of consumers across America, nor needs to adopt high standards of corporate social responsibility.

»www.unionvoice.org/campa ··· s_choice
DSL Oberst
join:2001-11-29

DSL Oberst

Member

Re: Considering how Verizon treats employees:

*recoils*
Oh Gawd. Does that crap still go on today?
Granted, by default any corporate management will be corrupt, greedy, and unethical.
But to invite organized crime into it? Great - I don't pay the 'union dues' and I end up without a job/having to take leave due to 'unspecified injuries'. Haven't the Verizon employees seen how the Bellsouth and SBC unions work?
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