Recursive

Tag: Rant

  • BT (Bastards Telepunish) Woes

    My ISP, BT, have got my goat again.

    They’re punishing me by crippling my (already joke-worthy) download speeds, because I used a lot last week.
    So they’ll probably charge me for that (fair enough, I suppose).

    I understand that they need to provide a fair service to all their customers, but why does that have to mean reducing my speed when I’m not even trying to download excessive amounts? Surely they should simply cap my speed?

    A double punishment.
    I can’t even call to complain or plead my case because the relevant department is only open 9-5 Mon-Fri. Isn’t that absurd? They have the power to make their service even worse, on purpose, and don’t even have the guts to be around to answer for it.

  • Automatically Added Start Menu / Desktop Icons

    I have just allowed Adobe (Acrobat) Reader to update itself, fair enough, though it is still remarkably slow to load on first use.

    I keep a clean desktop, with shortcuts only for the things I use on a regular basis (at least daily).
    I keep my Start Menu under control (am still using XP).

    I think I might have computer-specific OCD, but that’s not my point.

    My point is that Adobe have decided to re-add a shortcut to a programme which is never run directly.
    If I ever have to use Adobe Reader, it’s to read a file, so it’s a (link to a) file that I open.

    The updater also added a shortcut to my Start Menu, despite the fact that there’s one there already, in a folder I created.
    This in turn caused Windows to inform me that a new programme had been installed.

    Are they trying to get me to use the programme more often? If so, why? It’s a free programme anyway!

  • You get what you pay for…

    PC World, TechGuys (PC Service Call), Parceline – One of them screwed up.

    The fianceé’s laptop died on a Thursday. It would POST, but it would simply restart itself before Windows started loading.

    It’s a Vista machine so I tried to use its self-repair options, but to no avail.
    I took it to work to see if my colleague the IT support guy had any further ideas but alas.

    It was less than a year old so I was able to take it to PC World (where it was bought originally).

    So I take it to the shop after work.
    The guy at the desk clearly can’t be bothered trying to help and insists that I have to call a support number to get a code before they’ll take it from me.
    Can I use their phone? “No, that only makes internal calls.” (*cough*bollocks*cough*).

    I give in, take it home and call from there. I’m taken through the same repair process that I’d already attempted multiple times by a friendly but non-technical call centre employee. At the end of the call I explain that I’d like to complain that I couldn’t make the call in the shop. He’s surprised I’ve been told this since he has himself taken calls from PC World employees.

    I arrange a collection and am given a code.
    Monday morning it’s collected by Parceline, and am told that they usually don’t take very long to return.
    Next morning I get a call from the post room saying that they’ve got a laptop for me. That was quick.
    Talking to the courier we agree that it’s probably a mistake. Unfortunately, he can’t take it back since he doesn’t have the correct paperwork. Fair enough, insurance etc.

    I call the TechGuys and explain the situation, that I’m irked and that I’d like some kind of express service to compensate.
    The call centre kid appears to take it personally and puts me on hold for about five minutes before the call gets disconnected.
    I call again and am told that I will have to wait for more than 24 hours before it gets picked up. I have no choice so I agree.

    It’s collected on the Wednesday morning as arranged, and returned fixed on the following Monday (10 days after I first reported the problem).

    ‘Fixed’ I called it. Actually, all they did was replace the hard-drive, something I could easily have done myself.
    Fortunately they installed the correct version of Windows.
    What of the files? All gone.
    What of the broken hard-drive itself? Not returned to me. (I may have wanted to send it to a hard-drive recovery centre.)

    Communication from any of the parties involved? None, apart from the ripped proforma which accompanied the fixed laptop, with 5 ticks and the scribble regarding the replaced hard-drive.

    I’m glad I’m not having to try and get any money back.

  • BT (‘British’ Tele-extortion) Woes

    BT have me in a head-lock.

    I get my phone and broadband service from them, and am charged, on average, £30 per month.
    This is not overly excessive, but I wanted to reduce it somehow, since I’ve been made better offers by Virgin Media.

    After digging through the website after looking at my online (paperfree) bill, I eventually find a number. (The usual 0800 800 150).
    On calling this number I’m asked by the automated system whether I’m calling from the phone[line] I wish to talk about.
    I am, and press ‘1’ to indicate as such. (The alternative is to enter the phone number.)
    So why am I asked for that number every bleeding time I actually talk to a real human being?

    I’m then asked for my account number for ID verification (though they are loathe to admit that’s why), oh, and my name and my address and postcode. (All of which are on the bill, so anyone who can intercept my bill can claim to be me.)

    So, who do I speak with? Various people in India, that well-known British territory.
    Is that why they can’t see my phone number, because they’re on some crappy-quality network 5000 miles away?

    After explaining the reason for my call I’m told all the things I already know, the total cost of my last bill etc., and I have to suggest that we look into changing my broadband package. Oh no, that means I have to be put through to another department! Okay, fine, just get on with it.
    “Welcome to BT. Your call may be recorded…” … “If you’re calling from the phone you wish to talk about…” Argh!

    I give all my details again, and am eventually told that I might be better of upgrading my broadband package to avoid a repeat of “your recent email” notifying me that I went over my 8GB limit. That was about 6 months ago.

    Can I just cancel my account? “Yes, but you’ll be charged the cancellation fee.”
    Not actually a fee, just the whole bill (minus call charges) for the remainder of the contract, which is until August ’08.

    Oh bugger.