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Stu | all galleries >> Daily Bowl of Stu >> October 2004 > Service non-provider
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Dundee Stu

Service non-provider

21 October 2004

184.
A couple of days ago, I arranged to meet Gavin at the bank where I paid some bills, including my phone bill. Yesterday, I picked up my phone only to be connected to BT, and told I was not being charged for the call, but that I ought to have my account number ready. I was told that there was £20 outstanding on our account from 20 September. I told the woman that I had paid the £49 requested the day before. She informed me that I would be reconnected within 2 to 24 hours. I had to make a phone call at 3pm, and was redirected to BT, told I wasn't being charged for the call, and advised to have my account number ready. The woman I spoke to did not listen to a word I was saying, and told me that there were plenty of other telephone companies that I could use if I was unhappy.The phone, she said, would be reconnected by 5pm. This morning, I picked up the phone and was told I was not being charged for the call, and that I should have my account number ready. I told the woman that it had been over 24 hours. She told me that the engineers were reconnecting it as we spoke. I tried again at 11.30, and was advised I was not being charged for the call, and that I should have my account number ready. All the advisors were busy, but I could request a free ringback if I wanted. I wanted. I decided to complain. I phoned the complaints number and was put on hold, where I waited for 10 minutes before trying again. This time I was told that there was £20 outstanding from my August bill - although the person did concede that my account was now clear. She then told me that the engineers are working on the exchange, and that there was a 'data freeze' until 26 October. They disconnected me immediately prior to putting a 'data freeze' on, and 24 hours after the bill had been paid, and then lied to me about being reconnected within 2-24 hours. I made my complaint. I will, apparently, get a letter. My ringback came, and I spoke to yet another person. This person told me that there was £20 outstanding from July!, that I hadn't paid a phone bill since June! When I told him that this was simply untrue, he admitted that it was outstanding from September, and that I now owed no money. Still, the 'data freeze' remains in force until 26 October. I'm not impressed, and will be moving all my business to the company that provides my office phone and broadband.

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Jude Marion27-Oct-2004 04:07
BT - the phone company everyone loves to hate!
By the way, the telephone was invented by a Canadian, whose family was originally from Scotland. Does that make us responsible for all your woes ... ?
Guest 26-Oct-2004 11:47
Maybe BT phones should include a "CTRL" and a "ALT" ;)
I found my France Telecom bill between newspapers a few days ago.
It was written "to be paid before 9th of september".
I think I'll receive the new one tomorrow :(
Larry Ahern24-Oct-2004 00:01
Like Lilly Tomlin always said "we don't care ... we're the phone company ... we don't have to" :)
Carmen23-Oct-2004 03:09
Whew! I guess things are the same with phone companies everywhere! There is always some small charge that the phone company tries to tack on, here. Whenever you call them about the $1.74 that there is no documentation for they come up with a different excuse than then last person you talked to, then pass you to yet another person who finally admits the error. I think their plan is to make it such a small amount and large hassle that people just pay it and they make extra money. That's the cynic in me. Good luck with your new carrier... Nice photo to symbolize the frustration.
Gavin22-Oct-2004 13:40
Great shot Stu, Sounds just like BT, or any large company these days, they all spout on about great customer service etc, very few provide it :(
Karen Leaf22-Oct-2004 04:02
A true nightmare. Worse than the push button he*l trying to get info from the phone company. Customer service people should be tasked to resolve the problem, 1 call, or they are fired.
Gayle P. Clement22-Oct-2004 00:48
Delete button is what they need. I am so frustrated by poor customor service.
Lori Rolfe21-Oct-2004 22:22
ARRRGGHHHHHHHHH! Big companies! Your delete key comes through loud and clear however. :-)
Pedro Libório21-Oct-2004 21:15
well...I see not only in Portugal we get bad service to customer....fantastic indeed....
great photo my friend!
P.S. to make the panoramic photo I have used Panorama Factory...quite fantastic and simple...I was impressed my friend!!
Guest 21-Oct-2004 20:48
Talking to these folk is like hammering a nail into your own head... Not a good idea and not very satisfying!

I too used to only have a mobile, and the BT line is only really for b'band...

Delete tham all!
laine8221-Oct-2004 20:01
The question is : Is the devil you know better than the devil you don't. ? I really dislike the push button options which are supposed to take you directly to where you want to go only to be left holding for 10 minutes ( or longer ) because all operators are * busy * right now...!!
Good focus on the delete button Stu.
Guest 21-Oct-2004 20:00
super shot !!!
great "strong" conversion&tones.
ciao
Andrea
northstar3721-Oct-2004 19:29
useless buggas
Wenche Aune21-Oct-2004 19:25
Great shot!
penny roots21-Oct-2004 19:14
Hi Stewart , great shot , i find BT just as annoying and i hate it when they put you on hold for so long .
jypsee21-Oct-2004 18:30
I have only a cell phone now, and I may try voice-over-IP (internet phone)...don't get me started about the @#V!XR%!!!Q phone company....
Bill Miller21-Oct-2004 18:22
You villain !!!!
Guest 21-Oct-2004 14:50
Dont you just love it when this happens!!
Stu21-Oct-2004 14:07
Got to laugh. Someone from BT complaints dept. just left a message on my answer machine asking me to phone them back at a London number. Of course I can't, because my complaint is about my not being able to make outgoing calls. I'm beginning to think that BT employs people for their lack of common sense.
Leo Charette21-Oct-2004 13:58
Stuwart, I have only been following your work for a week (having just started myself with PAD) but I have come to look forward to your commentary and complimentary photography each day. What a unique style. I love today photo... excellent DOF and sepia tones.

P.S. Of course you know there is no winning with phone company... recently I switched to using my cable company for phone service and not been disappointed. I have been intrigued with international rates of BigZoo .
type21-Oct-2004 13:34
Great toning and blurring in this, Stewart. Love the focus on 'DELETE'. Delete telephone company? Press 1 to continue, press hash for a giant spliff. Can you do both in that order?
Zak21-Oct-2004 13:22
tsk! blooming phone companys!!
Dominic Kite21-Oct-2004 12:23
It's going to be Yes car credit for you from now on!