RANT: Virgin Media support staff

hardc0re_tid · 14 Mar 2007 at 12:17

the past week or so my internet (4mb) has been slow - even loading my homepage - goole, now that is saying something. my dad has also been saying it very slow even with just his computer on (we use a router) so yesterday i decided to phone them. cut to the chase

VM: Hello Virgin Meida Scott Speaking

ME: Hi yes, my internet has been slow for the past week or so

VM: Are you beside the computer?

ME: No, my phone isnt near it.

VM: Okay you will need an extension lead for your phone as you need to be beside the pc so i can talk you through what you need to do. These can be bought for around 99pence at Tesco, you will need to go and buy one and then call back.

ME: Sorry? You are jokeing? I know a lot about computers, can you not talk me through it and ill come back to the phone.

VM: No, it will make like diffucult for both of us. Get the extension lead and call back.

ME: Right fair enough, down goes the phone.

ME: *calling him expletives*

Now that is 100% not the way to do it

I like the way when i called back someone else was able to *help* me by telling me that my router was causing the problem - which its not because with/without it the speed is carp

Slinwagh · 14 Mar 2007 at 12:18

No there would be no need for the expletives!

Beansprout · 14 Mar 2007 at 12:19

I wonder how many people they get who "know a lot [sic] about computers" and then proceed to swear at them.

Sigh.

ca9phoenix · 14 Mar 2007 at 12:20

go and buy an extension cord from tesco!!! ROFLOL

hardc0re_tid · 14 Mar 2007 at 12:20

Slinwagh said:
No there would be no need for the expletives!

i didnt say anything when i was on the phone, this was when i finished the call

hardc0re_tid · 14 Mar 2007 at 12:22

Beansprout said:
I wonder how many people they get who "know a lot [sic] about computers" and then proceed to swear at them.

Sigh.

I wonder how many people dont read the original post

ME: Right fair enough, down goes the phone.

ME: *calling him expletives*

PhillyDee · 14 Mar 2007 at 12:29

Right, your response should have been
But there isnt a tesco near to me . . .

etc. etc.

They dont support routers, so its easier to just tell them you havent got one.

hardc0re_tid · 14 Mar 2007 at 12:35

PhillyDee said:
They dont support routers, so its easier to just tell them you havent got one.

yea but when the ask you to start changing network settings and use the MS network wizard which bridges every connection and decides to create more local area network connections then Microsofts HQ it starts to take the preverbial, and i wasnt going to start fixing my network because he couldnt help from the start

Fr0dders · 14 Mar 2007 at 13:38

Beansprout said:
I wonder how many people they get who "know a lot [sic] about computers" and then proceed to swear at them.

Sigh.

we hear it

A LOT !

when i call tech support, i find the easiest way of getting them to realise you know what you're on about, is to real off a list of what you've tryed, then ask them "can you think of anything else to try"

usually in your first statement, you can reel off everything they have in their head to try for first line fixes

thats a very easy way of getting your point across. That in my case, i work in tech support, and quite frankly only need you to check your network, not mine

Avalon · 14 Mar 2007 at 13:47

I'm laughing but that's tragic. Yes it'd help a lot if you were near the computer but telling you to go to Tesco's is taking the wee wee. Without wishing to cause a riot was this UK based technical support or the non UK side of things ?

Fr0dders · 14 Mar 2007 at 13:57

most of NTL/Telewest support is english i think

ive certainly never got through to anything but a UK centre when phoning support.

Avalon · 14 Mar 2007 at 14:06

The TW side used to be UK (Albert Dock) however since the merger a significant % of first line calls have been moved to India ... I don't wish to be rude (especially as my Punjabi and Urdu is limited to about two words and they aren't exactly friendly) but it can be difficult to understand and be understood if you are speaking to someone who's grasp of english is not fluent as was the case last time I had to call a fault through for a mate.

Beansprout · 14 Mar 2007 at 14:09

hardc0re_tid said:
I wonder how many people dont read the original post

ME: Right fair enough, down goes the phone.

ME: *calling him expletives*

Alright, calm the hell down :eek:

snow patrol · 14 Mar 2007 at 15:22

i thought everyone had cordless phones these days tbh!

hardc0re_tid · 14 Mar 2007 at 16:22

Avalon said:
I'm laughing but that's tragic. Yes it'd help a lot if you were near the computer but telling you to go to Tesco's is taking the wee wee. Without wishing to cause a riot was this UK based technical support or the non UK side of things ?

the first guy was scotish and i understood him clearly

the 2nd guy was english and understood him clearly

the 3rd guy was foreign, i hung up (sorry guys, but at this stage i wanted to speak to someone i could understand)

the 4th guy was also foregin, tried my luck with him, he was helpful enough but wanted me to start changing my network settings both on the pc and the router, im sorry but im not doing that when ive network my pc's assigned static ip's etc, told him i had a router and he told me to check that its working properly, gave up after that

Beansprout said:
I wonder how many people they get who "know a lot [sic] about computers" and then proceed to swear at them.

Sigh.

sorry but i wasnt having a go at you, just seemed you were making it out that i didnt listen and know little about a hobby that i am very interested in