Makes AOL seem nimble and responsive
Written: Nov 24 '99
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Pros: There are no pros there, just rank amateurs.
Cons: Two months later, I'm still dialing up through AOL.
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| 11thStreet's Full Review: Flashcom |
I admit it. I'm an addict. After years of dial-up service, I finally moved to Jacksonville, Florida, where I was able to order some FAT PIPE in the form of a cable modem. I loved it. I was immediately hooked. Streaming audio, streaming video... heck, I think I once ran an actual stream through my 'puter (unless that wet spot was from knocking over my water glass.) So when I recently moved to Northern Virginia, I knew I had to have it.
Two months later, I'm still dialing up through AOL. Grrrrrrr.
When I started looking, I assays the various options. Cable modem or ADSL seemed to be about it for residential, one-box use. Although my experience with cable modem was initially positive, I knew that over time, service would degrade as more of my neighbors became fat pipe junkies like myself. And the ADSL service offered by Flashcom was not only way faster, but cheaper when you factor in the cable TV service. $50 per month, install and equipment free after rebate with a 2-year commitment. No problem, after two years I'll plug a fiber optic cord straight into the back of my neck anyway. I made the call. Four to six week, I was promised, until I was surfing along quicker than cat whiz on linoleum.
No dice. Three weeks later, I got an e-mail that said Bell Atlantic had run the line, and that the Covad installer would visit a few days later. He came out at his appointed time (on time! well-equipped! knowledgeable! efficient! No problems with Covad here!) and installed my modem while he regaled me with his stories of how the police harass him for DWB. Then he discovered that Bell Atlantic hadn't hooked me up, since he couldn't get a signal. We checked the box (which is located on the outer wall of my apartment) and sure enough, they hadn't.
So I called Flashcom. And got routed in their holding pattern for what seemed like days, but may only have been 45 minutes. They called Covad, who told them that Bell Atlantic had come out on the appointed day, and found themselves "unable" to connect me. No other explanation. I asked the Flashcom folks to follow up and let me know when I could expect service.
That was, golly, about the Paleolithic period. Since then, I've flogged Flashcom's phone line, and mail-bombed their customer service e-mail, but gotten no response. Once, they did send me an e-mail back asking for my name and address. I am deeply disturbed that, with my order number, they didn't already KNOW this information. If they can't figure out the name of their customer from an order number, I can only guess how the Sherlock Holmeses on Flashcom staff are going to figure out what the status of my installation is. For now, I'm still punching through AOL's busy signals, living life in the slow lane.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 50 / month
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Epinions.com ID:
11thStreet
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Location: Northern Virginia
Reviews written: 7
Trusted by: 48 members
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