Posts: 255
Threads: 14
Joined: Sep 2007
Reputation:
0
Has anyone else had their Internet Provider start processing an upgrade to include TV and phone services without authorisation? On 25th July I had an e-mail from Tiscali (my ISP) congratulating me on choosing their upgrade, which would be completed within a few days. Just prior to 25th July I had received 2 phone calls from Tiscali re upgrading, but I had made it quite clear that I did not want it as I am very happy with my present suppliers. However, on the evening of 25th July I was unable to access the internet and my computer was out of action for 5 days. Finally, I sent for comp. engineer thinking it was a fault on my equipment, but we discovered Tiscali were already working on my line to upgrade without my consent!! After many irate phone calls last weekend (and the threat of suing them for tampering with my account without my authorisation) I was finally back on-line last Sunday evening.
On Monday morning I received a welcome package from Tiscali - their engineer (it states) will come on 18th August to connect my TV set-top box (£30)....Tuesday morning another package to say they have contacted my phone company (BT) to say I am changing to Tiscali. I am now loosing the will to live. My weekly rating for last week Jim - is there a value less than 0 ??
Posts: 3,857
Threads: 266
Joined: Mar 2003
Reputation:
0
Smithy, That sounds awful. I know nothing about Tiscali, apart from what I read every week in my Computeractive magazine. I have to admit that nothing I have read would ever tempt me to join that ISP. At least with Virgin Media - they actually supply what they advertise. (PS you have been missed - I thought that you were on holiday).
Jim
Posts: 4,654
Threads: 200
Joined: Apr 2002
Reputation:
0
Smithy, a bit of adverse publicity works wonders - contact your local paper, radio station, Radio 4 etc. If just one of them takes up your cause, you shoudl get a grovelling response from Tiscali.
(I have made a mental note never to use Tiscali now!)
Posts: 255
Threads: 14
Joined: Sep 2007
Reputation:
0
Thanks for all the helpful comments, knew I could depend on the Forum.
Computer still not working as it should be, but at least I can still use it. I've summmoned my engineer again to sort out the glitches, then present his bill to Tiscali. To be fair, I have been very happy with Tiscali for last 3 years, but now will consider changing to another provider (is one any better than the other though??). I don't intend to let them get away with this, I even threathened to stay on the phone line until they gave me the name of who had authorised this upgrade - in my view they had committed a criminal offence by tampering with a customers account without consent. One hour (and 4 different Tiscali employees) later, I was still no wiser, so threatened them with legal proceedings if my original package was not reinstated within 48 hours....which it was, but I still feel very uneasy - calm before the storm sort of feeling.
(P.S. Thanks Jim...no, not been on holiday - reasons for my absence from Forum for a while - computer problems, plus decorator doing a lot of work which was finally finished last Monday. Also think my age is catching up on me as I have felt very much 'out of sorts' for past 3 weeks, energy levels at absolute zero, not like me at all).
Posts: 4,654
Threads: 200
Joined: Apr 2002
Reputation:
0
Smithy, glad to hear your computer problems are easing if not completely sorted as yet. If you've been feeling out of sorts and have no energy, I would pay your doctor a visit. Lots of things could cause you to feel like that, such as thyroid problems or anaemia. A simple blood test could identify the cause and then the doc could get you back on track.
Posts: 255
Threads: 14
Joined: Sep 2007
Reputation:
0
Computer down again this weekend so rang Tiscali on Saturday....Sunday their technician rang, and got me to check my computer whilst he was on-line to make sure everything was working properly. He also said it was absolutely against Tiscali's policy to change anything in a customers account without authorisation - said he will find out who authorised an upgrade for me and will ask them to contact me with a personal apology.
(Linda...thanks for tip re anaemia. I posted reply under 'Any Other Business - The Joys of Growing Old'. After doing some internet research yesterday, think you may have hit the nail on the head, I certainly have all the symptons).
Posts: 255
Threads: 14
Joined: Sep 2007
Reputation:
0
Well...after all the problems 2 weeks ago to resolve the unauthorised upgrade to my computer, on Sunday evening (2 days ago) I had a phone call from an outside contractor who was ringing to confirm that he was coming the following day to upgrade my TV and phone to Tiscali. After repeating the whole sorry saga to him, he got Tiscali to ring me yesterday, who promised me that there will be a thorough investigation into how this has happened and that I will get a letter with their findings, and at my request how they intend to recompense me for the considerable expense this has cost me - I suggested a letter of apology plus 3 months free ISP payments would be acceptable, failing which it could cost them a lot more plus adverse publicity. I'm getting too old for this kind of aggravation!
Posts: 4,654
Threads: 200
Joined: Apr 2002
Reputation:
0
You tell 'em, Smithy! You have been shabbily treated and deserve proper recompense......... or else!
]