On 7/5/07, kclug-request@kclug.org <kclug-request@kclug.org> wrote:

Message: 1
Date: Thu, 05 Jul 2007 12:31:16 -0500
From: Jonathan Hutchins < hutchins@tarcanfel.org>
Subject: Re: Web services "in" the KC area.
To: kclug@kclug.org
Message-ID: < 200707051231.17057.hutchins@tarcanfel.org>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-6

I've had phone service here for 17 years from Bell, now AT&t (again).  I've
called them once, to find out when they'd have the lines back up from the big
ice storm.  There may be things I don't like about them, but service
availability ain't one of 'em.  I laugh at the cable guys every time they try
to sell me phone service.

There are good and bad things about Ma Bell, and they have always had the supercillious business attitude with their customers. In my case:

Charged almost a dollar a minute for a phone call to Vancouver, BC, and charging $0.75 per call to their 800 "customer service" line SEVERAL times.

Overcharging a cellphone customer $1500 in one month . . . (girlfriend)

Bait and switch practices on cellphone plans.

I'm sure there are others. YMMV. I just avoid them whenever and wherever possible. Just expect less and less, and pay more and more for nothing.

Gary Hildebrand

ST. Joseph, MO

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