Why does SBC AT&T lie, sell DSL connections that regularly dont work correctly and then charge to "help"?

Question

I recently started dsl and phone line with the "new" sbc / at&t, long story short they outright lied to me many times, including when i first called them about getting dsl with them and told them i needed it up and active, accessible within the week as i have college classes which require i have internet access at home, and they said they would have it active for me within 3-5 days. So they did not, they "lost" my order several times,i called back and was put on the sbc at&t phone shuffle from dept to dept to dept to dept to agent to rep ... for usually over an hour and to wrong depts, finding out id been lied to numerous times by various reps @ activation date, status of my order, cost of my orders...finallly arrived and activation date was late...now that i have service - its the absolute worst connection ive ever had! DSL constantly drops at least twice every day i have to restart computer, they now charge to talk to rep @ their bugs... How to hold them accountable?

The laughable "self-support" tool is pretty useless! Self support in this sense is just another way of at&t / sbc avoiding truly helping and being there for their customers. So now they have the audacity to charge customers to...wow, actually talk to a godlike "real, live human" to troubleshoot their own equipment and service malfunctions! Crazy! And the selfsupport often doesnt work even for the tiny amount of negligable "support" it provides as when the problems include sbc at&t consistantly dropping my internet connection it obviously then cant connect to the internet to provide that portion of its "selfsupport" tools. My sbc at&t dsl connection still consistantly, mysteriously just disconnects even though light on dsl ' wireless modem shows as being connected still, and i have to stop whatever i was doing, shut down programs, turn off and restart my computer completely to regain internet connection.

"Albert" - chill kiddo.
You dont know the half of what ive been through with this company. I only mentioned some of it. Ive kept quite good records of my transactions and calls with them. And as mentioned below, they do keep records of calls and orders. Think about it for a second, rather than spouting off like a presumptuous and impetuous child - you know less than you do know about the situation specifics. You could also use some spelling lessons.
Yes my computer is more then a year old, but i dont have these issues using my computer at other wirless internet spots so its not just my computer. And the connectivity is only one of many issues as already stated with sbc / at&t. The others are continual misinformation (viewing it in the most optimistic terms) and not following through on terms & agreements theyve have made with me many times and more. After my communications with them they sent repair tech who found their outside lines are faulty for one and repaired them...

Answer 1

Before you go to war try downloading the AT&T Self support software. One AT&T weakness is that they don't mention it. It has helped me, in that at the least it shows where the problem might be. Couple things you might try are, change the filter plugin, disconnect your other phones that might screw up the DSL signal one at a time and see if there is any difference, check the wiring at the split box to make sure the wires are screw down tight, and make sure your ground wire on the split box is tight and actually connected to a pipe or rebar actually going into the ground.

Can't give you anything but a metaphorical pat on the shoulder over the order problems. It isn't just AT&T all the big businesses think consumers are cattle to be shoved around. Especially the ones that outsource their tech and ordering departments to India.

Answer 2

First off, "Albert" is worth ignoring due to his many rude and unfounded assumptions.Albert would do well to take his own advice and instead of getting rude use his brain and recognize he doesnt know what youve already been through with sbc and what youve already communicated with them.

Secondly, companies like sbc and at&t are not mindreaders - they are corporations that DO keep records of their calls with customers and transactions. That is how they do business. So they should be able to look up each conversation youve had with their employees and arrangements made. If as you said they did not complete or deliver something as you mentioned by the time they originally told you, it SHOULD be in their notes. If its not, or they mysteriously lose them as theyve been known to do, they need to improve their record keeping or they are knowingly doing shady practices. With a company like sbc and at&t it could just as likely be one or both.

So make sure you keep excellent records of all your contacts and calls with them, what they agree to, orders, dates and times of contacts, who you spoke with, etc..
Not that its any consolation, but i know of too many people who have or have had service with sbc / at&t and share the issues and worse you mentioned with them. Its good your not just rolling over and accepting deceitful business practices and poor service quietly, as that just makes it easier for them to continue providing inferior services.

Dont worry about the poorly educated or educated and ignorant people such as Albert who dont even take their own advice with refraining from judging what they dont fully know. As mentioned, your experiences with these corporations are quite common, and they are notoriously disorganized and their service is often quite spotty. Just do a search for poor sbc or at&t dsl service or such and see how much comes up on the net.

Answer 3

i have been a customer with sbc at&t for 2 years now ok number 1 the dsl modom you have has to work with your computer it depends on what year your computer is in plus in no they dont charge for help either they will help you set up dsl modom that came in the mail ok you getting what i am saying to you number 1 every time you call sbc these people dont have record of your calls got to think this over with your self ok every time you do this you are calling them diff time in getting diff rep all the time they dont know whats going on ok they are not mind reader i bet when you call them you are upset in wanting to cuss some one maybe it is you that needs to take your time on this in stead of getting mad at every body in use your brain my god how is it that you got to college this far come on man use your for some thing this simple in plus it depends on why they are chargeing you in what for after all your computer is out of date go bye a new one ok

Answer 4

i havnt had no problems with my at&t dsl why are you? you might have to take alot of stuff you have off your computer for it to work right ok. maybe you have to much stuff on your pc and to many icons that can slow it down and make it mess up ok. but i havnt had any problems with att or dsl im sorry that you are tho ok i hope you get it fixed and taken care of ok by your in my prayers

Answer 5

I have not had any problems with my ATT DSL service..