ETD: 968 Vonage issues; Broadband; Top Ten Things a Consultant Shouldn't Tell a Client

[E-Tailer's Digest]

E-Tailer's Digest --- Everything for the  Retailer
  Issue #0968      April 4, 2006
  George Matyjewicz, Moderator         mailto:georgem at gapent.com
  Published by:  GAP Enterprises, Ltd.  http://www.etailersdigest.com
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     CONTENTS
  [1]  Greetings
  [2]  Vonage issues
  [3]  Broadband
  [4]  Top Ten Things a Consultant Shouldn't Tell a Client

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  [1]  Greetings.
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Hi All:

List member Steve Moore tells us about some issues he has with 
Vonage, and is wondering if anybody else has similar issues.  I 
question whether it is Vonage or the infrastructure.  I also wonder 
if customer service is going down hill for a lot of companies who are 
cutting back.  What do you think?

We have some interesting stats on broadband.  In the midwest U.S., 
they get fast access and reasonable costs.  But check out 
Bermuda.  It may make you think twice about moving to that gorgeous 
country (even with the $49 RT ticket from NYC ;-)).

List member Phil Glowatz tells us the Top 10 things a consultant 
should never tell a client, or that a client shouldn't hear from 
their consultant.  Quite funny.

Now, let's get to everything for the retailer.

Sincerely


George Matyjewicz, PhD
Chief Global Strategist, GAP Enterprises, LLC
mailto:georgem at gapent.com
http://www.etailersdigest.com

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  [2]  Vonage issues
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I have had a problem with Vonage ever since I signed up with them. In 
a nut shell they have poor/slow customer service with no service 
techs that can come to your home or business.

I started out with poor audio quality on my phone line for about 6 
months. After about 20 phone calls I finally got the issue cleared up.

However by clearing up the phone issue, now I cannot send or receive faxes!

I have rattled up the chain of command and they always want all my 
info again and want me to rerun ping tests etc. I have told them since
they changed my bandwidth settings and my fax worked before they 
should be able to solve my problem.

I even went so far as to Call HP and purchase a 1 yr. service 
agreement so they can make sure my fax machine is operating correctly.

In closing, Vonage would be a great deal for the money with their 
unlimited long distance service through my cable modem if everything 
worked correctly! I told them they should spend LESS money on 
advertising with their annoying commercials and more on customer 
service and technicians that can come to your home or business.

I have learned through the cable company they are trying to stop 
Vonage from using their cable lines.

I would be interested in seeing if anyone else has had a similar 
problem with Vonage.

Steve Moore
Business Card Specialists

+++ [Moderator's Comments] +++
I question whether it is Vonage or the infrastructure they use to 
transmit.  I used to live in Atlanta, and the worst problem we had 
there was Bell South.  They had old lines in a lot of places, and had 
continuous problems.  They were at our home and office a couple of 
times a week.  They also had serious problems when lightening 
struck.  It would knock out lines, and blow modems.  I probably went 
through a dozen modems in three years there.

George

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  [3]  Broadband
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Here are my speeds from Indiana...I am paying $44.95 per month for 
Insight cable for the computer connection.

Communications 3.2 megabits per second
Storage 384.5 kilobytes per second
1MB file download 2.7 seconds
Subjective rating Awesome
Connection type Cable
Region Indiana
Data size 1024KB

Steve Moore
Business Card Specialists

+++ [Moderator's Comments] +++
Thanks Steve. In The U.S., we seem to have decent speed and 
relatively inexpensive costs.  See next post for outrageous costs and 
slow speeds,

George

+++ Next Post] +++

How lucky you guys are in the 'home of the free'

I have a DSL connection in Bermuda at a cost of 89.95 to the ISP and 
89 to  the local telco. Total approx $179 per month.  My results were

Communications 81.2 kilobits per second
Storage 9.9 kilobytes per second
1MB file download 1.7 minutes
Subjective rating Slow  (that is an understatement!)

No further comment is necessary


Best regards

Richard
Bespoke Solutions Ltd
www.BespokeSolutions.com
Skype: bermudabuzz


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  [4]  Top Ten Things a Consultant Shouldn't Tell a Client
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10. That was my first guess as well, but then I really thought about it.

9. You should see the hotel I'm staying at.

8. Hey, I just realized I was in junior high when you started working here.

7. I like this office space. I'll have them put me in here when you're gone.

6. My rental car looks nicer than that junker you're driving.

5. Sure it'll work; I learned it in business school.

4. So what do you need me to tell you?

3. Of course it's right; the spreadsheet says so.

2. I could just tell you the answer, but we're committed to a three 
month project.

1. What are you, stupid?

Phil Glowatz

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