Yet another bill from Shaw today, still with all charges for their Digital Phone Service that I cancelled 2 months before. It's getting to be a large bill, last time I paid in person, requesting yet again that they remove the digital phone from my billing. The customer service agent looked perplexed that I was refusing to pay for services I had not recieved. Looking looked into it, she advised me it will be cancelled, all charges will be reversed. And yet another bill arrives, with all old charges and new ones too, ever hopeful that I slip up and pay without questioning.
There is not time today, but there will be a post on "Premeditated and Systematic Incompetence", wherein I discuss how companies exploit consumers reluctance to argue, complain or simply even notice the illegal charges companies place upon their customers accounts. Think of the impetus, the rewards Shaw offers to have direct debit? And why not, then they can simply help themselves to money from your bank account at a rate of billing determined by themselves? For every customer who complains 100 customers don't even notice.
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- Category: Who's Your ISP?
I've returned to Calgary, following a rather dismal end to an extraordinary relationship and far too much mundane baggage. And, having found a place, am now in desperate need of an ISP. . .who shall I call? Well, again, with the monopoly, it's Shaw. And somehow I am persuaded, bamboozled, not only into accepting their internet service, but their new digital phone service as well.
I should know better. I do know better, what was I thinking?
So it's August 1st when I call, a long weekend, they'll be able to come on August the 5th to get me set up. All set up; with their digital phone as well, special introductory price, a terrific new phone number, how does life get better? It doesn't. I'm booked into a 4 hour slot - 8:00 - 12:00, on Tuesday morning. How lucky is that?
By 12:30 on Tuesday I realize how lucky I am. The installer hasn't showed - possibly one of the commonest of Shaw stories, and I set off to find a phone to call them. . . .
The Customer Service Rep, after the mandatory 15 minute wait, advises me that I'm correct, the installer hasn't showed up, but she'll have him there in 10 minutes.
"Is there a number we can call you at?"
This is a bit of irony, apparently to get anything done you need a phone. Even to get a phone. I explain that I don't have a phone yet; there is no number they can call me at; I am no longer at home, can she please have the installer return this evening. . .
She will call me back.
After an hour waiting I call back, they've booked a technician to return in a week. I explain that this is not appropriate, am put on hold, eventually negotiating a return between 5:00 and 9:00 PM.
By the time I return home there is one of the SHAW 'sorry we missed you' signs hanging from the door.
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- Category: Who's Your ISP?
If you live in Calgary, chances are it's probably Shaw. In most of Western Canada they have a monopoly on High Speed (Cable) internet. How this came to pass is beyond me. There are, as of late, alternatives - for example 3web , or CyberSurf as they now call themselves, but, as luck has it, they are merely a vendor selling on Shaw's services. So, for example, if you have a problem with your internet service, you call CyberSurf, who then call Shaw. . .apparently this arrangement is so that consumers aren't led to believe they don't have a choice.
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- Category: Who's Your ISP?