Useless internet / TV cable companies
By iuliuxd
@iuliuxd (4453)
Romania
November 21, 2011 1:43pm CST
Today was a big day for my parents the TV cable company has finally sent someone to their place to give them a big box for digital TV , replace the phone with a cordless one and install the internet.It is a bargain here in Romania all these things will cost you less than 20 dollars/month and you will have a lot of TV channels and a good internet connection.I wanted to be there since my parents don`t know too many things about electronics/computers but i was away so i was able to go there only in the evening.
The first thing i noticed was the router.They now have a brand new router so they can be very proud with that.But wait there was no wire coming out from that router so how can they use the internet ? The majority of people still don`t have a laptop at home,my parents have my sister`s old desktop and because they know nothing about internet they thought it will work without a cable plugged in :D.So the cable guys who came to install the internet gave them the router but didn`t really installed the internet :D
Then there was this big new media box for Digital TV, it was in the living room and it was already connected to their TV.Ok i said let`s see how it works.So i discovered they were still using the old analog signal since no one programmed the media box.Ok i said that is easy , it has a smart card and all you need to do is to insert the PIN code and then to let the box search for the programs and you`ll have Digital TV.I asked my parents for the PIN code, i searched in the papers but no one gave them the PIN code so the big media box is useless too :)
The cordless phone worked fine after i plugged it in ( no one did that either 
).Also i found a small piece of UTP cable and i was able to check if they have the internet and it works but they will need to buy a longer piece or they will have to keep the computer on the hall .
My question is who are these guys who come to install TV cable and internet ? I heard a lot of similar stories , i had a bad experience too i had to wait for 2 months before someone came to install my internet and when they came they connected me to the wrong cable and they were blaming my computer LAN card because the internet wasn`t working :D
Did you had the same bad experience with these people ? How much does it cost and how much do you have to wait for this bad service in your country ?
).Also i found a small piece of UTP cable and i was able to check if they have the internet and it works but they will need to buy a longer piece or they will have to keep the computer on the hall .
My question is who are these guys who come to install TV cable and internet ? I heard a lot of similar stories , i had a bad experience too i had to wait for 2 months before someone came to install my internet and when they came they connected me to the wrong cable and they were blaming my computer LAN card because the internet wasn`t working :D
Did you had the same bad experience with these people ? How much does it cost and how much do you have to wait for this bad service in your country ?1 person likes this
3 responses
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
21 Nov 11
What a disappointment but it sounds like you got some of it up and running.
I am in Texas and my cable company is Time Warner. I am bundled with them. I have a home land line, internet and digital cable TV with lots of channels. I pay about $160 a month for this.
I have had some problems and difficulties with technicians, customer support and tech support but nothing quite like what you have described. When I have to call customer support or tech support, it is like 50-50. Sometimes the person on the other end is helpful and sometimes not.
Other consumers have had very bad problems, worse than my problems. I hope that you can get your parents problems resolved.
1 person likes this
@iuliuxd (4453)
• Romania
22 Nov 11
We will solve the problem but that`s because i know a few things and my brother knows some things also but think about someone who doesn`t know anything about computers or electronics .They come to your house and give you 3 boxes and tell you "ok now you have internet,digital tv and telephone " but none of these work 
What the hell most of the people are still using a desktop computer at least in my country and they should connect the computer to the router either by an antena or by an UTP cable.This way the person will be able to use the internet and it will save him and your company a lot of time (otherwise he will probably call you a lot of times to tell you he can`t access the internet ).Same with the digital TV.How can you not explain people how that thing works and how can you forget to give them the PIN code ? 
.I have no idea why they are doing these things especially after their costumers have to wait for months to have internet or digital TV.
OMG 160 dollars are a lot of money but if you are satisfied then i`m happy for you.
What the hell most of the people are still using a desktop computer at least in my country and they should connect the computer to the router either by an antena or by an UTP cable.This way the person will be able to use the internet and it will save him and your company a lot of time (otherwise he will probably call you a lot of times to tell you he can`t access the internet ).Same with the digital TV.How can you not explain people how that thing works and how can you forget to give them the PIN code ? .I have no idea why they are doing these things especially after their costumers have to wait for months to have internet or digital TV.
OMG 160 dollars are a lot of money but if you are satisfied then i`m happy for you.@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
22 Nov 11
My last bill was $187 but I cancelled some channels which brought the bill down to $160. I am not satisfied with my bill. it is way too high but that's the way it goes.
$20 no longer buys anything in this country. You might be able to get food for a day or two.
I am someone who would not be able to do anything if I was left three boxes. I am glad that your parents have two boys to help.
@iuliuxd (4453)
• Romania
22 Nov 11
Well we are talking about a different wage here from what you have in the US but yes the whole TV cable/internet/phone thing only costs around 20 dollars/month and you have a good internet connection min 50Mb/sec and more than 60 tv channels and a lot of radio stations.
@jtj_hello (627)
• Philippines
22 Nov 11
I agree with you. Most ISP are just after your subscriptio nto include you in the number of their subscriber. When you are saigning up, they promise amazing things which will turn out to be impossible for them to deliver. What's worst is that, they made you sign a contract that you cannot disconnect your subscription for a specifiec number of years, normally 2 years.After they connected your internet and you start having problem, that's when you will know how bad their after sales is.
@iuliuxd (4453)
• Romania
22 Nov 11
We don`t have too many problems after we install the internet,cable,telephone and once you become their costumer they will come much faster that`s the weirdest thing,it`s like they are doing everything they can for you not to become their costumer.And yes we have the same subscription limit rule which means if you cancel your contract you will have to pay a lot extra.
@ebuscat (5935)
• Philippines
22 Nov 11
For me if it not use in your family bonding yes it can add your bills in time to pay.
