Verizon Ramps Up Tech Support OfferingsNow offers in-home support, device protection plans.... ( old news - 09:03AM Thursday Oct 09 2008) tags: dsl · business · hardware · networking · consumers · Verizon FIOS · Verizon Online DSLBack in August, AT&T unveiled a new "geek-squad-esque" technical support service that will do everything from troubleshoot grandma's malware-infected PC, to help you configure your home audio system. Not to be outdone, Verizon today announced their own "Expert Care" plans for the technical support of all in-home electronics. In August of '07 Verizon launched their "Premium" tech support offering, which tackled all hardware and software for a $10 monthly fee. Extra Care apparently takes things to an itemized extreme with three levels of service: Device Protection -- Provides repair or replacement of multiple computers, TVs and telephones regardless of age, size or place of purchase. The plans range from $4.99 to $19.99 a month, depending on the equipment covered, and may also include repair or replacement of original equipment remote controls, keyboards, mice, monitors and backup batteries for Verizon's FiOS service. Premium Technical Support -- Offers a 10-month subscription plan, priced at $14.99 a month, which includes telephone and online support for issues such as virus and spyware detection and removal, virtual private network problems, help with firewalls, problems with computer operating systems, gaming connectivity problems, and software and hardware help. Premium Onsite Support -- Provided in partnership with Circuit City's firedog, this plan includes onsite support ranging from operating system installations to full PC and home network setups, billed on a per-use basis. There are several offerings, tailored to specific needs and priced from $99.99 to $249.99. I'll stand out on a fairly sturdy limb to guess that the majority of these offerings probably aren't necessary and some probably even border on ridiculously wasteful, though Verizon "premium" techs who've stopped by our forums proclaim the extra monthly fee is well worth it. Obviously, support for Verizon products remains free. More detail is available at the Verizon Extra Care website.
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battleop
join:2005-09-28
00000 | Uh.. "Offers a 10-month subscription plan"
I would love to know why they picked 10 months. Just kind of an odd number to pick. | |
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Jodokast96
R.I.P Bassman442
Premium
join:2005-11-23
Erial, NJ | Re: Uh.. Probably because people who are dumb enough to get it aren't smart enough to figure out how to mulitply by 12. | |
| | | | | soothsayer15
join:2002-03-01
Irving, TX
| Re: Uh.. said by Mactron  :$4.99 to $19.99 a month to not hear the same old lame VZ CSRs script in a broken English... " Everything fine here.  It's your end. Your PC is ________________ (fill in blank)".  I doubt they'll read from a script when they are inside the customer's house. Too ready to spew venom without reading the article huh. $4.99 to $19.99 is for device protection. It's okay, scroll up a few lines and read it again, I'll wait. | |
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Mactron
el camino Real
Premium
join:2001-12-16
CM94sv
| Re: Uh.. said by soothsayer15 :I doubt they'll read from a script when they are inside the customer's house. Too ready to spew venom without reading the article huh. $4.99 to $19.99 is for device protection. It's okay, scroll up a few lines and read it again, I'll wait. Guess lowly $8 Hr folks can't memorize a simple phrase ?
Hmmm, Stereo typing ? Shilling for VZ CS doesn't change a thing.
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If only the Verizon CSRs worked this well. | |
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jjoshua
Premium
join:2001-06-01
Scotch Plains, NJ
1 edit | Lead by example Verizon should get their own house in order before trying to fix their customers' problems. | |
| | soothsayer15
join:2002-03-01
Irving, TX
| Re: Lead by example said by jjoshua :Verizon should get their own house in order before trying to fix their customers' problems. Really?! Then all companies should do that. Not try anything new until all their problems are fixed. Do you have some examples of a company that only puts out new products when everything else is running perfect? | |
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jhacker
join:2001-12-11
Peoria, IL | Circuit City? Why partner with a chain that is on the verge of bankruptcy?  | |
| | maxpower
join:2006-10-09
Providence, RI | Re: Circuit City? I was wondering the same thing myself. | |
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Lee GWB
Yaco
Premium
join:2001-10-13
Allendale, NJ | I can raise my Rates $99-$249.. Yikes I charge half that for PC repairs and Basic "Wire" pulls.
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DaMaGeINC
The Lan Man
Premium
join:2002-06-08
Greenville, SC
clubs: | This is sad. People are soo stupid that they cant figure out simple home networking and modem issues. hahahahahahahahhahaha | |
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aaronwt
Premium
join:2004-11-07
Woodbridge, VA
 ·Verizon FIOS
 ·Comcast
1 edit | Re: This is sad. said by DaMaGeINC :People are soo stupid that they cant figure out simple home networking and modem issues. hahahahahahahahhahaha Simple for us but I wouldn't call them stupid. I know people with Masters and PHD degrees that have no idea how to do anything with simple home networking. But that certainly doesn't make them stupid. | |
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DaMaGeINC
The Lan Man
Premium
join:2002-06-08
Greenville, SC
clubs: | Re: This is sad. No one taught me how to do any of the things I learned. I sat my butt down and figured it out. People with Masters and Phd's should be able to do the same thing. If not, then they dont deserve the degrees they have. | |
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Slidetbone
Mazin Go
Premium
join:2002-11-10
Land O Lakes, FL
| Thank you! Thats the whole point!
Most folk here are pretty electronic savvy, depending on the degree of knowledge. But there are plenty of folks that are not.
Pretty comical I must say.
So all of us "smarties" here know how to change a circuit board, a RAM chip, CMOS battery, unscrew a tape eaten by a VCR, clean a CD lens, change a spark plug, adjust the dwell on ignition timing, replace a water heater element and adjust it, restore cellphone settings to default, troubleshoot a pilot light, adjust an antenna's SWR, troubleshoot a home alarm problem, know how much a pinch is, boresight a gun...
Those services are for those folk that do not have the know how, do not have the time and can afford a couple of bucks for this "insurance". I see nothing wrong with that.
If I were a computer dumbass, I too would pay for something like that and know that if my computer went KAPUT, it would be replaced or fixed with no fuss.
Funny, I is be a smart man cuz I wipe my own butt! | |
| | | | jordanair
join:2000-08-15
Wylie, TX
| Re: This is sad. I totslly agree with you , but I would like to also add that quite a few of us on her are not as network savvy as we portend to be.. we all know this is a money making thing for Verizon and for At&T with thier version , but it can be worth it.. to call someone stupid because they don't know networking is just that stupid.. and the fellow that said he taught hinself is full of it someone in some fashion taught him, books which someone else wrote, word of mouth , and classes etc.. unless he invented computing and networking and the internet.... but seriously this is needed just as the small busineses that provide the same service.... networking is of interest to a small percentage of people , most just want it to work and not know how it works... same as with thier TV ot car turn the key it starts, when it does not call a Mechanic that does not make them stupid.. i've had my eyes open recently while taking a CCNA couse the lowest cisco Cert for what I want there is a lot to this stuff and you have to reaaly enjoy it to go that far.. hopefully by next week Iwill have thenon to the next higher one...off my soapbox for now | |
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PGHammer
join:2003-06-09
Accokeek, MD
clubs:
·Comcast
| Re: This is sad. said by jordanair :I totslly agree with you , but I would like to also add that quite a few of us on her are not as network savvy as we portend to be.. we all know this is a money making thing for Verizon and for At&T with thier version , but it can be worth it.. to call someone stupid because they don't know networking is just that stupid.. and the fellow that said he taught hinself is full of it someone in some fashion taught him, books which someone else wrote, word of mouth , and classes etc.. unless he invented computing and networking and the internet.... but seriously this is needed just as the small busineses that provide the same service.... networking is of interest to a small percentage of people , most just want it to work and not know how it works... same as with thier TV ot car turn the key it starts, when it does not call a Mechanic that does not make them stupid.. i've had my eyes open recently while taking a CCNA couse the lowest cisco Cert for what I want there is a lot to this stuff and you have to reaaly enjoy it to go that far.. hopefully by next week Iwill have thenon to the next higher one...off my soapbox for now Of course it is.
However, some of us remember (quite happily) services like the original Guardian (SM) wire-maintenance plan (that first Bell Atlantic, and now VZ, actually kept since the breakup of the original AT&T; in fact, VZ still offers it in Maryland today) where, for a flat per-month fee, VZ would actually basically insure that all your interior telco plant never breaks (of course, FiOS customers get the VZ-installed cable-TV and Ethernet plant thrown in under the same plan). VZ's not stupid here, folks. I do know all about (and how to do) Ethernet cable-splicing and wire-fishing; however, let's be honest here. Not only do not many of us actually *like* to do wall-fishing of Ethernet or telco cabling, most of us loathe it with the fervor reserved by most folks for root-canal surgery. Wire-maintenance plans are like flood insurance - it's something that you hope you never need, but are darn glad to have if you do! | |
| | | | | | jordanair
join:2000-08-15
Wylie, TX
| Re: This is sad. At&T has that also but neither will do any addition fishing unless you pay I know I just had an additional jack installed with VZ for $85.00 and I have the line maint package now I am not complaining because I surely did not want to do it...but you know one thing I notiv=ce is I think forums like these are proably a release for some folks .. saying things online they would not dare say face to face | |
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funchords
Hello
Premium,MVM
join:2001-03-11
Washington, DC
 ·Verizon Online DSL
 ·Skype
| Re: This is sad. said by jordanair :but you know one thing I notiv=ce is I think forums like these are proably a release for some folks .. saying things online they would not dare say face to face True. So very true.
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Robb Topolski -= funchords.com =- Hillsboro, Oregon
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DaMaGeINC
The Lan Man
Premium
join:2002-06-08
Greenville, SC
clubs:
·Charter Pipeline
·AT&T Southeast
| Re: This is sad. said by funchords :said by jordanair :but you know one thing I notiv=ce is I think forums like these are proably a release for some folks .. saying things online they would not dare say face to face True. So very true. | |
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DaMaGeINC
The Lan Man
Premium
join:2002-06-08
Greenville, SC
clubs: | Re: This is sad. So true. Im amazed when the so called tech's cant figure out problems then I step in and fix the issues. And they are the ones getting paid. BULLSHIT. | |
| Joe12345678
join:2003-07-22
Des Plaines, IL
| Premium Onsite Support should be from Verizon techs not CC Premium Onsite Support should be from Verizon techs not CC at least the Verizon tech will be better at running cables for networks and not be under CC rules of up sell CC stuff.
The Verizon guys can up sell better stuff like HBO, SHOW , MAX and other Premiums. | |
| | rdmiller
join:2005-09-23
Richmond, VA | Re: Premium Onsite Support should be from Verizon techs not CC That's a joke, right. I can fix my own computer, but I sure can't fix yours! | |
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mrchris
We don't miss you Bush
Premium
join:2002-10-01
North Babylon, NY
1 edit | Tech support Should be ALL be American/Canadian with no heavy foreign accent, not this shit with Indians and Pakastanis doing the damn work. Cheap bastards! | |
| | | soothsayer15
join:2002-03-01
Irving, TX
| Makes Sense Having worked tech support in the past, i think it's a good idea. I had to deal with people who couldn't figure the simplest things or read/follow instructions in the manual. I can't tell you how many service calls I went on because a "TV isn't working" only to find out the customer had the TV on the wrong input channel or mode.
Americans are getting dumber and lazier. People buy things then proudly say it isn't their responsibility to learn about it because they spent a lot of money. People are spoiled and should pay for their ignorance. | |
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