QWEST Has No Clue About Customer Service!
Written: Jan 08 '02 (Updated Jan 08 '02)
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Pros: There was a dial tone.
Cons: Very rude employees, and did not tell all fees.
The Bottom Line: If you have a choice for local service, find someone other than Qwest. They are pathetic.
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| sweetsue_98's Full Review: General Reviews of Qwest Customer Service |
As much as I try, having basic phone service is something that is a necessity. Over the years we have had several companies, and the service has been good to average, but when I found out that our provider of our land line phone was Qwest, I frankly wanted to think of every possible way to avoid them. Unfortunately, I was stuck, or so I thought!
Prior to our move I contacted the customer service number provided, and the person that took the information was pleasant enough. I remember telling her that we wanted a single line, call waiting, and a non-published number. I was told that the charge for the line was $14.90, call waiting $4.65, and the non-published service was $2.45. This came to a total of $22 a month plus all the taxes that are tacked on brought it to a total of over $32.00. I might add that this was considerably more for one line since we had two in Montana with Century Tel for just $41.00, but again, you are a captive audience.
They also tried to sell me cellular service, but I was happy with my provider.
As the customer service person continued the order, she explained there was a one-time charge of $18.35 for “activation” of the line. I know those charges are standard, but basically just a way to generate more income, and rip off the consumer. Again, what are you going to do? Either pay to have a phone, or try and get by with cellular service.
I was not happy with the high charges, but we finished the order, and was pleased that when we made it to our new residence there was a dial tone. At least they had done something right.
Frankly, I had no complaints until a few days ago when the first bill came! Well, I almost had to call 911 for emergency treatment as I was looking at a $80.64 bill. Remember there are no long distance charges on this, as I use my cell phone ALWAYS for toll calls. This was my initial bill, an extra month in advance, but the kicker was there was also one-time charges for call waiting of $6.00, and for the non-published service a big fat $8.00. Also, do not forget all those “taxes.”
I contacted customer service yesterday. I was nice and told them that I had some questions about my first bill. I explained that I was told that there would be the one-time charge for the line of $18.35, plus the monthly charges, and I was told no more. When I explained (at this point I am still being nice) that I keep notes about these things, and there was no mention of the additional one-time charges, and the advance billing. I simply told them that I wasn’t going to pay these extra fees, and for them to take them off the bill. The answer was a flat out “NO”! The guy that I was talking to (I did ask for a supervisor, and he refused to connect me) said he could take the charges off, but he wouldn’t. The issue of talking to a supervisor usually works wonders, but since he refused to do anything with the exception of having one call me back in 24 hours, I threw my hands in the air. Also, the supervisor never has called me back.
Now that my blood pressure had returned to normal after talking with this moronic company, I started thinking about ways to beat this corporation at their own game. I first talked to Verizon Wireless, and although they were helpful as usual, they just did not have a plan that would offer enough day time minutes that would be cost effective.
Then I remembered when AT&T Broadband hooked up my cable modem for my computer and the cable TV, they mentioned local phone service. Since I had not had a problem with Qwest at this point, I didn’t pursue it. However, I was back on the phone yesterday, and do indeed have the option of another local carrier and at a better rate. The total cost, with NO activation fees whatsoever came to $24.89 a month. They are scheduled to connect our service within a week, and we keep our same phone number.
I do not know how many places offer competition in the territory of local service, but you might be somewhere that does, and it gives you the option to look around and see who is going to give you the best price for the same services.
My one and only dealing with Qwest was totally unsatisfactory. Their employees are rude, do a half-baked job, and frankly could care less. We need more options for service like we have for wireless. Competition is good for business, and with Qwests’ horrible reputation for customer service, the consumer could have a big effect on this and other rude companies!
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): $33
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sweetsue_98
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"Still More George W. Bushisms: 'Neither in French Nor in English Nor in Mexican'"
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