 Raydr
Premium,MVM
join:2000-11-19
Miami, FL
| Hmm... This was obviously written by someone who is new at writing customer communications - and then not properly reviewed.
An unclear memo - a long link to a 3rd party website....
Ooops. At least we know they're probably a member of DSLR...  | |
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KoolMoe
Aw Man
Premium
join:2001-02-14
Annapolis, MD
clubs:
 ·Speakeasy
| Only real weakspot? I dunno...maybe in regards to the net access portion...but bring TV into 'the picture' and there are a whole lot of weakspots.
Its great to have some additional competition and the picture quality of FiOS is very nice, but they are obviously not experienced TV folks. Comcast's TV services blow VZ away...
I am currently a FiOS TV subscriber for at least 9 more months and, while I appreciate the lower price, I miss some Comcast features and may well go back. Will see...
KM
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Don't Lie - Be Kind - Realize your Potential | |
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Ream0
@rr.com | More Verizon Hype I look forward to seeing three or four VeriZon bullshit Reports here at BBR!
I can't see why a small crap company is getting all the ballyhoo. | |
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S_engineer
join:2007-05-16
Chicago, IL
| Re: More Verizon Hype Small company???...."Verizon currently has 140.3 million land lines in service" plus "Verizon, with MCI, was the largest telecommunications company in the United States based on sales of $75.11 billion, profits of $7.4 billion and assets of $168.13 billion"
you're kidding, right?
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Burn a tire, but make sure you buy that carbon offset! | |
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S_engineer
join:2007-05-16
Chicago, IL | Re: More Verizon Hype sorry, this was just before the ATT & bellsouth merger...so they're a little smaller than ATT
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Burn a tire, but make sure you buy that carbon offset! | |
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| | Sammer
join:2005-12-22
Pittsburgh, PA | The FTTH technology deserves the hype. After purchasing BellSouth, AT&T (previously SBC) is now the largest telecommunications company in the United States, but billing/customer service isn't exactly their strong suit either. | |
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wishera
join:2000-12-12
Everett, WA
 ·Comcast
| What is the hubub? They just buried fios down our street a couple months ago and now we are getting the ads in the mail. The internet is $5 more than Comcast, and they are already overpriced. They always want to bundle it with landline telephone, which we don't have or want. It doesn't look like the tv part is any cheaper either. Why should I switch?
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Douglas Adams: "Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job." | |
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wishera
join:2000-12-12
Everett, WA | Re: What is the hubub? What do you mean? You think I am a comcast lackey or something? I said Comcast was overpriced too. I have Dish for TV. | |
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wishera
join:2000-12-12
Everett, WA | what are you talking about? | |
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| | | dymyninc
join:2007-09-16
Little Neck, NY
| Re: What is the hubub? The hub bub is free on demand on all your channels. who does that? the internet is so much faster - i can now see streaming videos without hicups- and a dedicated line to your home that you dont share with your neighbors- hence no pixilation- no buffering- ever! less opportunity to hack into . just ask any one technologically informed and they will explain the difference in getting a signal that remains digital- transmitted over glass- to a signal transmitted on copper that has to be transformed into radio waves in order to be seen by the end user. | |
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GeekNJ
Premium
join:2000-09-23
Waldwick, NJ
 ·Verizon FIOS
| Re: What is the hubub? said by dymyninc  :The hub bub is free on demand on all your channels. who does that? the internet is so much faster - i can now see streaming videos without hicups- and a dedicated line to your home that you dont share with your neighbors- hence no pixilation- no buffering- ever! less opportunity to hack into . just ask any one technologically informed and they will explain the difference in getting a signal that remains digital- transmitted over glass- to a signal transmitted on copper that has to be transformed into radio waves in order to be seen by the end user. Sounds like a lot of textbook theory vs real world practicality.
First, what on demand are you streaming from that is free?
Second, your FIOS Internet connection is NOT dedicated. It is shared with 32 other potential FIOS users and that is before it gets to the CO where it is shared with 100's/1000's of others as it streams onto the public Internet.
Thirdly, I often see buffering when viewing videos. There are multiple factors that contribute to it. Typically it won't be your local connection, but that's just a bit of what is between you and the streaming server. There's congestion at the server, congestion on the links between you and the server, and the streaming technology itself. I actually notice more buffering with FIOS then I did on my CV 10mb connection and I think it's because the streaming server is determining the speed at which to serve the content (buffering behind the scenes) and it detects the FIOS connection to be faster then it is and I see it starting quickly but needing to buffer because the streaming server though the connection was quicker then it is. I'm sure over time, the streaming servers will get better at this.
I NEVER see buffering watching OnDemand. And, I don't need a computer in the bedroom if I want to watch OnDemand there.
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Tweaked your connection? | Mail Parse | Speed Converter | |
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dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ
| said by wishera :They just buried fios down our street a couple months ago and now we are getting the ads in the mail. The internet is $5 more than Comcast, and they are already overpriced. They always want to bundle it with landline telephone, which we don't have or want. It doesn't look like the tv part is any cheaper either. Why should I switch? Only VZ isn't pulling crap with bit torrent, have caps that vary by area and the biggie theres a max of 32 subs on a fios node with 622mbps down/155mbps up vs. god knows how many on a cable node with 38mbps down and 10mbps up.
FIOS vs. anything is a no brainer
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You can never be too rich, too thin or have too much Bandwidth | |
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GeekNJ
Premium
join:2000-09-23
Waldwick, NJ
·Verizon FIOS
| Re: What is the hubub? said by dvd536 :FIOS vs. anything is a no brainer I'm a satisfied FIOS customer. There is more to many folks then just pure speed and as much as possible. Verizon has even shown this themselves by providing multiple tiers of service. To many, the cost of the service is just as or more important then how much bandwidth they have. Price is not a no brainer with FIOS. Typically, switching providers or negotiating with them (threatening to cancel) will yield a lower price.
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Tweaked your connection? | Mail Parse | Speed Converter | |
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batterup
I Can Not Tell A Lie.
Premium
join:2003-02-06
Netcong, NJ
clubs:
·Verizon Online DSL
| Re: What is the hubub? said by GeekNJ : To many, the cost of the service is just as or more important then how much bandwidth they have. NetZero is free. | |
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SD6
join:2005-03-26
| It's the bottom line that counts Even if Verizon is merely "discontinuing a bundle discount" for month-to-month accounts, as far as I am concerned that is raising rates because the bottom line price that customers pay will increase if they do nothing.
To say that it's not a price increase because you can convert to an annual contract is not correct IMHO. Annual service contracts are different than going month-to-month.
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| Sammer
join:2005-12-22
Pittsburgh, PA
| Re: It's the bottom line that counts said by SD6 :Even if Verizon is merely "discontinuing a bundle discount" for month-to-month accounts, as far as I am concerned that is raising rates because the bottom line price that customers pay will increase if they do nothing. To say that it's not a price increase because you can convert to an annual contract is not correct IMHO. Annual service contracts are different than going month-to-month. You're right SD6, it's a price increase for month to month customers and the competition (cable companies) still doesn't require a contract! | |
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| KenAF
join:2006-01-23
Arlington, VA
edit:
August 28th, @03:26PM
| said by SD6 :Even if Verizon is merely "discontinuing a bundle discount" for month-to-month accounts, as far as I am concerned that is raising rates because the bottom line price that customers pay will increase if they do nothing. To say that it's not a price increase because you can convert to an annual contract is not correct IMHO. Annual service contracts are different than going month-to-month. Keep in mind those bundle discounts for month-to-month (no commitment) subscribers were actually discontinued -- as an option in the Verizon system -- late last year. Customers who signed up for month-to-month (no commitment) in 2007 don't have those bundle discounts.
I'm not sure why Verizon allowed existing month-to-month (no commitment) customers to retain that bundle discount for the past eight months. Now all customers must commit to a year of service to retain those rates. | |
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| | Sammer
join:2005-12-22
Pittsburgh, PA
edit:
August 28th, @03:37PM
| Re: It's the bottom line that counts Anyone whose had FiOS for over a year should get the bundle discount. Making customers sign a new contract every year or two is just being a pain in the butt! | |
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| | | littlebird
join:2004-01-25
Carlisle, PA
|  Re: It's the bottom line that counts
I immediately get 2 emails from Verizon stating that if I don't sign on to verizon.net/acceptfiosterms and agree to the terms, I would be billed the month-to-month fee starting with the next bill. I tried with IE and FF and got server errors, page unavailable and/or page not found.
So I call Verizon again, since I thought that agreeing on the phone was all that was necessary. It wasn't like I was a new customer. Another 20 minute wait and this time I got a very ignorant, rude person who didn't want to be bothered. He said I should call billing (which is what I thought I had) and have them send me to paper work to get FiOS and then I was disconnected.
So I call back again and after 12 minutes on hold I get another "nice" person who listened to everything I had to say about this problem. She put me on hold for about 5 minutes and came back and said that, since I was already a Verizon FiOS customer and was just changing my package, I could ignore the email, my billing change was in place and I didn't need to do anything else. How do I know if this is true?
This process started at 12:10PM and I was finally finished at 3:25PM. This is totally inexcusable. And on top of that, I'm not even sure I am really getting what I want in so far as what is included in the bundle.
Yes, I agree that calling to renew anything is pure torture. Is there any way around all this hassle every time I try to deal with Verizon? For me, dealing with Verizon has always been the most unpleasant experience I ever have with any company I have to deal with.
Yes, this is a rant. And I deserve to rant after wasting a whole afternoon and not even knowing if I will have to go through all this again, when my next bill is wrong.
Bird  | |
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| | | | dlr_graph
join:2002-02-03
Elizabeth, NJ | Re: It's the bottom line that counts It appears that you enjoy this "high quality" customer service. There has to be other options in your areas aside from Verizon. Change your services to a better provider if this is an option. | |
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| | tmc8080
join:2004-04-24
Floral Park, NY
| said by KenAF :said by SD6 :To say that it's not a price increase because you can convert to an annual contract is not correct IMHO. Annual service contracts are different than going month-to-month. Keep in mind those bundle discounts for month-to-month (no commitment) subscribers were actually discontinued -- as an option in the Verizon system -- late last year. Customers who signed up for month-to-month (no commitment) in 2007 don't have those bundle discounts. I'm not sure why Verizon allowed existing month-to-month (no commitment) customers to retain that bundle discount for the past eight months. Now all customers must commit to a year of service to retain those rates. Yes, a price increase in disguise.. which is to say, if a cable company is offering better terms of service.. such as cablevision's $29.95 triple play deal, it's quite possible customers would jump on that instead, even if FIOS is available.
Billing irregularities, long hold times, and other issues should give current or potential customers pause about considering Verizon as their choice. I haven't seen anything positive out of Verizon lately except new FIOS deployments-- if you see anything let me know..
The power of fiber, with the cholesterol of a cable company. | |
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| | SD6
join:2005-03-26
| said by KenAF :I'm not sure why Verizon allowed existing month-to-month (no commitment) customers to retain that bundle discount for the past eight months. Now all customers must commit to a year of service to retain those rates. Why? Just a guess - maybe because removing the discount increases the bottom line that customers would have to pay, and you lose some customers when you increase prices. | |
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GMFTECH
Premium
join:2007-08-24
Wesley Chapel, FL
edit:
August 28th, @05:44PM
| Why contracts!!!
The shame is the product is rock solid in my opinion. Billing and customer service related to packages and sales are the weak point. Customer service regarding how the service works and fixing something is quite good. Still on hold over 105 mins now......
Ok after over 2 hours on hold. No kidding thank God for speakerphones.
What I was paying:
FiosTV $39.95
STB $ 3.95
HDDVR $12.95
STB (included in package) -$ 3.95
FiosInternet 15/2 $44.95
(one year contract w/TV disc) -$ 5.00
What I was offered because Florida offerings are changed.
FiosTV service is unchanged as far as I can tell
FiosInternet 15/2 no longer offered in FL
Please choose upgrade to 20/5 for $54.99
or
Downgrade to 10/2 for the same as b4 $44.99
Anyone from Verizon out there think this sounds right. I would love to engage someone at Verizon about their pricing and packages.
GMFTECH | |
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| moonpuppy
join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD
·Verizon Online DSL
| Re: Why contracts!!! Contracts are like a guaranteed flow of money. They can count on you (the customer) to send them money for the next 12 to 24 months. During that time, they can do what they want. About 2 months before the contract ends, they come back asking you again to commit to them for another long term deal. If not, they need a bit more of your money to make sure they get something out of it.
Even the cell phone companies are doing cheaper prices on phones if you get a 2 year instead of 1 year contract. Thing is, it is easier to switch at the end of a cell phone contract than it is with a cable TV contract.
It almost seems like a game of one-upmanship between the cable companies and telcos on how they can screw over the customer. | |
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| | djweis
join:2006-04-02
West Des Moines, IA
| Re: Why contracts!!! Contracts result in lower monthly prices for the customers. I work for an ISP that offers free installation and a free modem for our DSL customers. By the time we get done on the first day of a customer being online with us we've invested $100-250 in them and not brought in any revenue. There is no way to stay in business and spend that much money to obtain and connect a customer that is paying $30 per month without knowing they will stay on. | |
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| | | moonpuppy
join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD | Re: Why contracts!!! Are you saying that every customer gets a brand new modem? Even the cable companies that rent modems recycle them. | |
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| | | | djweis
join:2006-04-02
West Des Moines, IA | Re: Why contracts!!! Most of them do but some break and some walk off. Even if they do get a used modem we still reflash the firmware and clear out the configuration. We aren't large enough or irritating enough that we have a large customer churn. | |
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LilYoda
Feline with squirel personality disorder
Premium
join:2004-09-02
Mountains
edit:
August 29th, @12:23PM
|  link to BBR is weird...
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"Money and sex, storage and bandwidth: only too much is ever enough"
Arno Penzias - Former Head of Bell Labs, and Nobel prizewinner | |
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PghGoodGuy
join:2006-08-08
Pittsburgh, PA
| Well, MY FiOS rates ARE going up.......big time! 30% to 70% I'm not sure who these guys spoke with at Verizon but MY FiOS rates ARE going up when my contract expires next month - BIG TIME- from $30/mo for 5/2 here in Pittsburgh to either $45/mo or $53/mo, depending on whether I sign up for a one year contract. No cheaper deal if I go with a two year plan either.
I have a stand-alone 5/2 plan that runs $35/mo with a $5 discount for being a former Verizon DSL subscriber.
I will lose the $5 discount when my contract expires next month according to the rep at Verizon.
I'm not able to pick up any other Verizon products for lots of reasons but I'll think about FiOS TV when it's finally offered.
Bottom line though, my "non-promotional" rates are going up at least $10/mo even if I sign on for a year long contract. No continuation of the promotional rates for me.
When I asked Verizon why these rates are higher than any of the rates shown on their webpage currently, they told me the rates were "brand new" and aren't listed yet - adding that "stand-alone" rates aren't shown on the webpage anyway - which sounds like a crock of crap to me.
I'd love to know who you all spoke with at Verizon that stated your promotional rates will stay in effect as long as you extend your contract. Maybe they can help me out!
I'd gladly do that.
Anyone else in the same boat? | |
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darthlamont
@verizon-gni.net | Consumer Reports Ahh, you see, Consumer Reports doesn't allow companies to advertise their Consumer Reports ratings, since this may create a real or perceived bias. The link is Verizon's way of circumventing that. | |
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No, Your FiOS Rates Aren't Rising
Re: What is the hubub?