Don't Call Me!!
Kansas Spotlight
Everyone get ready....if you haven't signed up yet on the "Don't Call List" for Kansas, you had better be prepared for those dinner-time phone calls again starting around July.
The 2002 Kansas Don't Call List is set to end its 5-year limit this summer and people who are unaware of that limitation will mostly likely be a little annoyed when the phones start ringing again.
Sign up at http://www.donotcall.gov
According to the Wichita Eagle, there were more than 7,000 complaints resulting in more than $200,000 in fines over the last 5 years.
You seriously must hate yourself and be a glutton for punishment to take a job like this. How can you possibly expect to leave work feeling as though you accomplished something when all you hear is the *Click* of the phone hanging up 1,000 times each day. And if you've ever SEEN one of these call centers...you couldn't ask for a more hostile work environment. 250-500 people crammed in one large bull-pen, all trying to talk over each other....all of them miserable and hoping one of their deskmates doesn't pull out a shotgun and go-to-town as a result...brutal.
Maybe you could just try what I do and shut off the land-line, going strictly with the cell phone. We haven't used a house phone for years. The last phone in our house was simply because the phone company (who we had our internet through) required a phone line in order for the DSL to work....it's a conspiracy!!
Anyway, not having a telephone in your house not only saves money but that Chad guy is also fun to hang out with... hehe
~Dubya
Vaughn Tolle said:
Without comment about the idea of reliance on cell phones for all things, I urge everyone to check their expiration date if they have already signed up on the no call list, and to sign up if they haven't already done so.
Ryan said:
Nothing wrong with the telephone company! You'll be able to get DSL w/out a phone line soon.
longhorn said:
Satellite tv doesnt require a phone line now, at least with me. So I have been wondering about that as an internet option.
I live 20 mi from the nearest town, and 10 miles from the nearest paved road, but I can get DSL at my door. However, it requires a phone line, and is more expensive than dial up plus monthly phone bill. I tire of dial up, but dont want to spend the extra money, especially when a cell phone is REQUIRED equipment for me, a single person traveling bad dirt roads :) I would love to go cell only if I could get reasonably priced internet. Of course, cable is out of the question for me.
What do you all know about getting high speed interent via Hughes or Dish tv? My computer has more gray hair than I do, so I wonder if going to high speed will also require a new computer?
I'm a low tech kinda girl, which is hard for a farmer. I spade where others plow just because I hate machines.
And, BTW, they hate me too!
I live 20 mi from the nearest town, and 10 miles from the nearest paved road, but I can get DSL at my door. However, it requires a phone line, and is more expensive than dial up plus monthly phone bill. I tire of dial up, but dont want to spend the extra money, especially when a cell phone is REQUIRED equipment for me, a single person traveling bad dirt roads :) I would love to go cell only if I could get reasonably priced internet. Of course, cable is out of the question for me.
What do you all know about getting high speed interent via Hughes or Dish tv? My computer has more gray hair than I do, so I wonder if going to high speed will also require a new computer?
I'm a low tech kinda girl, which is hard for a farmer. I spade where others plow just because I hate machines.
And, BTW, they hate me too!
Ryan Everhart said:
Quick question Longhorn, who is your phone company? If you have dial up that means you are already paying for a phone line. A lot of companies are offering DSL at a very competitive rate.
My limited knowledge of internet through the satellite providers is that they are expensive. Somewhere around 30 to 50 dollars per month. Not including the expense of having it installed.
My limited knowledge of internet through the satellite providers is that they are expensive. Somewhere around 30 to 50 dollars per month. Not including the expense of having it installed.
lindainks55 said:
We have Dish Network for television and I wouldn't think of going back to cable. Cable (here in Wichita anyway) comes out on the short end of everything when compared.
Our internet is SBC and I have been thinking of looking into options. I just don't do much very quickly and have no problems with service so haven't been motivated to change. I know we pay way TOO much for all these "services" and should do the package route to save. I get confused easily since no two companies have a package that compares apples to apples.
Our oldest son sent both hubby & I cell phones, added us to his billing making our cost $0. I haven't found anyone who could beat that price so the cell phone part of the packages is never beneficial to me in cost comparisons. We thought we didn't need cell phones, he thought we did. He is far away and always wants to do more for the parents.
If anyone has this whole deal figured out I too would appreciate the input.
I admire the patience of anyone who has dial up! I'm low tech just because there is MUCH I don't know or even want to know but you've got me beat!
Our internet is SBC and I have been thinking of looking into options. I just don't do much very quickly and have no problems with service so haven't been motivated to change. I know we pay way TOO much for all these "services" and should do the package route to save. I get confused easily since no two companies have a package that compares apples to apples.
Our oldest son sent both hubby & I cell phones, added us to his billing making our cost $0. I haven't found anyone who could beat that price so the cell phone part of the packages is never beneficial to me in cost comparisons. We thought we didn't need cell phones, he thought we did. He is far away and always wants to do more for the parents.
If anyone has this whole deal figured out I too would appreciate the input.
I admire the patience of anyone who has dial up! I'm low tech just because there is MUCH I don't know or even want to know but you've got me beat!
Ryan Everhart said:
Linda,
I work for AT&T (formerly SBC) and I'd be happy to help see if we can get your communications bill simplified. We have a partnership with DishNetwork so you can get your DISH, DSL and Phone all on one bill. Additionally if you don't use your phone very much we may be able to get your rate reduced. If you would like to contact me off line I'd be happy to help. My email address is ryaneverhart AT gmail DOT com.
Ryan
I work for AT&T (formerly SBC) and I'd be happy to help see if we can get your communications bill simplified. We have a partnership with DishNetwork so you can get your DISH, DSL and Phone all on one bill. Additionally if you don't use your phone very much we may be able to get your rate reduced. If you would like to contact me off line I'd be happy to help. My email address is ryaneverhart AT gmail DOT com.
Ryan
longhorn said:
Hi Guys, sorry it took so long to respond. My telephone co is Rural Telephone and it is my ONLY choice. My phone is $25 or so and my dial up is $30 or so. DSL would be about $50/mo and still require the $25 or so phone bill. Captive market.
If I could get high speed from Dish and drop the land line altogether, I'm thinking it would be cheaper. But I know nothing about reliability, quality of service, etc.
Just wondering...
If I could get high speed from Dish and drop the land line altogether, I'm thinking it would be cheaper. But I know nothing about reliability, quality of service, etc.
Just wondering...
longhorn said:
Hi Guys, sorry it took so long to respond. My telephone co is Rural Telephone and it is my ONLY choice. My phone is $25 or so and my dial up is $30 or so. DSL would be about $50/mo and still require the $25 or so phone bill. Captive market.
If I could get high speed from Dish and drop the land line altogether, I'm thinking it would be cheaper. But I know nothing about reliability, quality of service, etc.
Just wondering...
If I could get high speed from Dish and drop the land line altogether, I'm thinking it would be cheaper. But I know nothing about reliability, quality of service, etc.
Just wondering...
WSClark said:
I know that it is expensive, but once you go to high speed internet service, you will absolutely not go back. In all actuality, it is not nearly THAT expensive. Now I know that I am spoiled, but our Cox bill is about $135 per mont, but that includes 2nd tier Cable service (Discover, History, ESPN, etc.) plus HD service, High Speed Internet, phone service w/ pay per minute LD plus a DVR (TIVO equivelent)
When you consider that for basic services, phone ($50) internet ($25) and cable or dish ($25) the total would only be $35 less.
I hate to sound like a shill for Cox, but the bundled packages are a good deal and the service is extremely good. A real good added service is the service insurance. We pay an additional $5 per month and that covers all service call. Considering the normal service is $40, the insurance has saved us over $75.
(Damn, I sound like Digital Max now!!!!)
Anyway, the point is that if you bundle the services, you can get great service and features for not much more money than you are paying now.
When you consider that for basic services, phone ($50) internet ($25) and cable or dish ($25) the total would only be $35 less.
I hate to sound like a shill for Cox, but the bundled packages are a good deal and the service is extremely good. A real good added service is the service insurance. We pay an additional $5 per month and that covers all service call. Considering the normal service is $40, the insurance has saved us over $75.
(Damn, I sound like Digital Max now!!!!)
Anyway, the point is that if you bundle the services, you can get great service and features for not much more money than you are paying now.
longhorn said:
Clark, I cant get bundled services ANYWHERE that I am aware of.
I have to buy everything separately, and hell, I still have my cell phone in Austin, after six years of living here, because Alltel is my only choice, and they SUCK compared to Verizon. But I couldnt get Verizon here, so I am roaming all the time. But I have a no roaming charges, fee ld plan, so it doesnt bother me. And still? I can get calls through when my alltel pals here cant :)
I cant get ANY sbc services here. I live so far in the country that cable is out of the question. Satellite tv is it, or else two channels on the rabbit ears!
I have to buy everything separately, and hell, I still have my cell phone in Austin, after six years of living here, because Alltel is my only choice, and they SUCK compared to Verizon. But I couldnt get Verizon here, so I am roaming all the time. But I have a no roaming charges, fee ld plan, so it doesnt bother me. And still? I can get calls through when my alltel pals here cant :)
I cant get ANY sbc services here. I live so far in the country that cable is out of the question. Satellite tv is it, or else two channels on the rabbit ears!
Predestined said:
I did telemarketing, selling credit cards for 6 weeks, long ago, so I know exactly what it's like. Yes, I was once among the scum of the earth. Never again.
So are we shilling for phone companies today? *grin* If so, it's my turn.
Will, Cox is okay, although I get tired of the monthly going up when I'm not getting anything new for it. You guys and your ESPN are killing me!
But you're getting ripped on phone service. I hooked up with Vonage almost a year ago and have never regretted it. For $30.90 a month, (that includes every tax possible that the Gov can charge me), I have every bell and whistle imaginable. Voicemail (both on my phone AND online), Caller ID, Call Waiting, Call Return, Repeat Dialing, 311 Dialing, Call Forwarding, Call Transfer, Call Hunt, Area Code Selection, 511 Traveler Information, Caller ID Block, 3-Way Calling, Unlimited LD in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, France, Ireland, Italy, Spain and the UK. I can take my number with me anywhere I go, and I can use my phone anywhere I have a high-speed internet connection. And even that isn't everything.
How much per month would all of that cost with Cox?
So are we shilling for phone companies today? *grin* If so, it's my turn.
Will, Cox is okay, although I get tired of the monthly going up when I'm not getting anything new for it. You guys and your ESPN are killing me!
But you're getting ripped on phone service. I hooked up with Vonage almost a year ago and have never regretted it. For $30.90 a month, (that includes every tax possible that the Gov can charge me), I have every bell and whistle imaginable. Voicemail (both on my phone AND online), Caller ID, Call Waiting, Call Return, Repeat Dialing, 311 Dialing, Call Forwarding, Call Transfer, Call Hunt, Area Code Selection, 511 Traveler Information, Caller ID Block, 3-Way Calling, Unlimited LD in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, France, Ireland, Italy, Spain and the UK. I can take my number with me anywhere I go, and I can use my phone anywhere I have a high-speed internet connection. And even that isn't everything.
How much per month would all of that cost with Cox?
lindainks55 said:
Let me share the story of when Cox and I parted company.
I have to give a tiny bit of history. This is probably because I'm absolutely the worst story teller you will ever have the displeasure of running into. A dear, dear friend stopped me once and said, "Linda, you haven't told us what color dress you were wearing." Translated to mean I had given every other useless detail so why not that one!?
In our house (as all others I suspect) the "duties" are split. Wayne never deals with the companies that require phone calls, service problems... I always set up utilities, deal with insurance, doctor appointments, billing problems. You get the idea.
So, I set up the cable when Multi-Media came to town many years ago. In fact, in the beginning service and billing were in MY name.
Go forward several years and Multi-Media has been bought out by a few companies and we're to Cox Communications now.
Sometime during these years we had rented a box that allowed an old television to get the channels. We paid $1/month for this box. All the other televisions were cable-ready so this was the only box we had to pay this charge on.
Around 2002 or 2003 the bill came and this charge had increased to $5/month -- quite an increase! That very day I unhooked that box and took it downtown to the old train station where Cox was officed. I had the bill that had arrived in that day's mail with me, adequate ID, etc.
When I walked in the door I was greeted pleasantly and asked how I might be helped. So, I explained I wanted to turn in the box as we seldom used the television it was needed for, would probably replace it in the not distant future and didn't want to pay $5/month...
The woman punched something into her computer and explained I couldn't make any change to the service since it was in Wayne's name. I was pleasant, still quite animated and explained I was his wife... She repeated I COULD MAKE NO CHANGE. I tried folks, I explained everything in every rational way possible -- pointing out the obvious that if the service was in Wayne's name Cox had made that change when they bought out whoever.
After a short time I knew this woman was going to repeat the same sentence no matter what, so I asked to speak with a supervisor.
I was directed to a desk at the perimeter of the room and sat down and started over. It's been a few years so (LUCKY for you) I don't remember all the details.
I do remember the final part of the conversation between the supervisor and myself.
ME: May we call Wayne at his office and get his permission for me to make changes to our service?
SUPERVISOR: Yes, he may make changes over the phone and authorize someone else to make changes also.
So, folks she dialed a number I provided (WE all know that number could have been anyone) and then she handed ME the receiver. When Wayne answered I said (in a voice he recognized and didn’t ask questions about) "Wayne, I'm at Cox Cable. Will you please tell the woman here I may make changes to our service?"
Being a very intelligent man and long married to me, when this Supervisor said hello to him he parroted what I had asked him to say.
So after getting his permission (like she could tell who was on the other end of that phone line for god's sake!!), she smiled brightly and said, "Well, we're set!"
I asked, "So, now I may make changes to our account?"
Yes, she told me I could.
So, I (of course) told her to cancel the entire account effective immediately, figure up the bill because I wanted it paid in full and all contact between her company and my household tied up that very day!
I won't go into the fact that two more supervisors THEN tried to be reasonable and not lose a customer. They didn’t' know me well enough to understand the point of no return had been reached some time back.
I don’t suffer fools well or easily.
I have to give a tiny bit of history. This is probably because I'm absolutely the worst story teller you will ever have the displeasure of running into. A dear, dear friend stopped me once and said, "Linda, you haven't told us what color dress you were wearing." Translated to mean I had given every other useless detail so why not that one!?
In our house (as all others I suspect) the "duties" are split. Wayne never deals with the companies that require phone calls, service problems... I always set up utilities, deal with insurance, doctor appointments, billing problems. You get the idea.
So, I set up the cable when Multi-Media came to town many years ago. In fact, in the beginning service and billing were in MY name.
Go forward several years and Multi-Media has been bought out by a few companies and we're to Cox Communications now.
Sometime during these years we had rented a box that allowed an old television to get the channels. We paid $1/month for this box. All the other televisions were cable-ready so this was the only box we had to pay this charge on.
Around 2002 or 2003 the bill came and this charge had increased to $5/month -- quite an increase! That very day I unhooked that box and took it downtown to the old train station where Cox was officed. I had the bill that had arrived in that day's mail with me, adequate ID, etc.
When I walked in the door I was greeted pleasantly and asked how I might be helped. So, I explained I wanted to turn in the box as we seldom used the television it was needed for, would probably replace it in the not distant future and didn't want to pay $5/month...
The woman punched something into her computer and explained I couldn't make any change to the service since it was in Wayne's name. I was pleasant, still quite animated and explained I was his wife... She repeated I COULD MAKE NO CHANGE. I tried folks, I explained everything in every rational way possible -- pointing out the obvious that if the service was in Wayne's name Cox had made that change when they bought out whoever.
After a short time I knew this woman was going to repeat the same sentence no matter what, so I asked to speak with a supervisor.
I was directed to a desk at the perimeter of the room and sat down and started over. It's been a few years so (LUCKY for you) I don't remember all the details.
I do remember the final part of the conversation between the supervisor and myself.
ME: May we call Wayne at his office and get his permission for me to make changes to our service?
SUPERVISOR: Yes, he may make changes over the phone and authorize someone else to make changes also.
So, folks she dialed a number I provided (WE all know that number could have been anyone) and then she handed ME the receiver. When Wayne answered I said (in a voice he recognized and didn’t ask questions about) "Wayne, I'm at Cox Cable. Will you please tell the woman here I may make changes to our service?"
Being a very intelligent man and long married to me, when this Supervisor said hello to him he parroted what I had asked him to say.
So after getting his permission (like she could tell who was on the other end of that phone line for god's sake!!), she smiled brightly and said, "Well, we're set!"
I asked, "So, now I may make changes to our account?"
Yes, she told me I could.
So, I (of course) told her to cancel the entire account effective immediately, figure up the bill because I wanted it paid in full and all contact between her company and my household tied up that very day!
I won't go into the fact that two more supervisors THEN tried to be reasonable and not lose a customer. They didn’t' know me well enough to understand the point of no return had been reached some time back.
I don’t suffer fools well or easily.
Danny said:
longhorn,
Satellite is nice so long as you don't do anything that is sensitive to lag(online gaming would/does suffer from it). So it is good for basic things like browsing, and downloading music, just not things that are very lag sensitive.
linda,
another reason I've not been happy with Cox. however, they are the only choice I currently have and they know it. dialup isn't fast enough for what I need, and DSL doesn't provide service at my residence, and satellite suffers from the lag problem mentioned above. its the suck.
Satellite is nice so long as you don't do anything that is sensitive to lag(online gaming would/does suffer from it). So it is good for basic things like browsing, and downloading music, just not things that are very lag sensitive.
linda,
another reason I've not been happy with Cox. however, they are the only choice I currently have and they know it. dialup isn't fast enough for what I need, and DSL doesn't provide service at my residence, and satellite suffers from the lag problem mentioned above. its the suck.
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