Install...
Katie, Nathan, and I are at home right now. I took the day off work to allow Katie to recover from yesterday's oral surgery. And it turned out to be doubly good because AT&T is supposed to install Uverse today.
If you all recall, Katie and I decided to make the change from Comcast/Xfinity to AT&T after 12 years of patronage to the former. Why? They jacked our rates by more than 33% and, when asked for any sort of price break, only offered to reduce our bill by $10 while cutting half our channel selection.
We got a great offer from AT&T and I tried to have it installed in early November prior to our cruise. They didn't have any time available then, so we scheduled it for the week after we returned.
A few days prior to the install, they said they were having equipment problems and we'd have to wait until the problem was fixed by "no later than December 12."
December 12 came and went.
I let it go because, with the holidays coming, I had bigger things to worry about.
On December 22, I got a text message from AT&T letting me know the problem was resolved and I should call them immediately to reschedule.
Again, I was too busy to care and let it go.
On Christmas Day, I got an email "confirming" my appointment for today between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. I never set an appointment. They're lucky I was already taking the day off and would be here. Yesterday, when I received a live person confirmation, I asked about who set the appointment since I was left out of the loop. He had no idea.
So, here I am writing this post with about a half hour left in the installation window. Oh, did I mention that I received an automated call from AT&T while typing this post stating that it's unlikely the technician will be able to make it here by 1? But don't worry, they'll be here by no later than 3... thus shooting my entire day in the foot because the installation can take upwards of four hours.
WTF?
C'mon, AT&T. I was all kinds of impressed by the deal you struck with me. But, as of right now, I'm not at all impressed by the installation process and lack of timely communication.
If I had a choice beyond AT&T and Comcast/Xfinity, I'd probably take it right now. Other than web-based TV, that is. I just don't have the patience to learn it or figure out on my own how to make the equipment work with what I already own.
Oh, and I'd still be a slave to either Comcast/Xfinity or AT&T because I'd need internet and home phone, anyway.
AT&T U-Verse internet was probably the greatest thing we ever did in this house. As far as cable, we have DirecTV. This was after decades of Charter having a monopoly on my city. AT&T U-verse I've never tried, but the people I know who have it love it.
Posted by: Samuel | Friday, 27 December 2013 at 07:22 PM
I hear so many mixed messages about AT&T. But, then again, you hear mixed reviews of all service providers. I've been exceptionally happy with Comcast service, but not their pricing. But it all doesn't matter. AT&T didn't happen and won't. Sigh.
Posted by: kapgar | Friday, 27 December 2013 at 07:42 PM
You pretty much sum up why a lack of competition is not a good thing. And you also pretty much sum up whey there's likely a lack of competition - tough business to make money and make customers happy!
Posted by: Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks | Monday, 30 December 2013 at 02:18 PM
That and all the government regulation.
Posted by: kapgar | Monday, 30 December 2013 at 02:49 PM
Comcast internet, while a bit higher than what we paid for it years ago, is our only option for internet at this point. As for their cable TV options, we are looking (as I emailed you already on).
The runaround you are getting from AT&T sucks. I hate the window for installations. Never on time and always changes. Christmas Day? Sheesh!
Posted by: Marty Mankins | Saturday, 25 January 2014 at 04:05 PM
All of this gets infinitely worse.
Posted by: kapgar | Saturday, 25 January 2014 at 05:37 PM