[HKNewBi]

Hello listfolk

My brother has Now TV broadband in his home, he signed up 6 months ago on an 18 month deal.

He has changed job and now requires broadband at home. He spoke to PCCW and they gave him 2 options.

1) Wait until his contract runs out in Dec 07 and then get a combined package.

2) Take out a seperate broadband service.

This would take his total bill to around $500 a month.

This seems slightly ridiculous. Why can't they just add BB to the TV package?

Anyone experienced this and found a solution to this problem? Tried sticking a network cable into the PCCW router but no joy.

Thanks

[Oman Mercenary]

Well, he might try "hitch-hiking a [free] ride on any passing unencrypted Wi-Fi signals he might find.

I have a "Sniffer" which will not only seek out and display any Wi-Fi signals that it finds - but will also plug into a USB port and allow the computer to send and receive Wi-Fi via the unit. It comes with a long cable for best placement - and could even be extended too.

I used it for one Europe trip to find accessable free Wi-Fi connections rather than be screwed for 10 "Urines" by the Holiday Inn in Paris.

I'll sell it for $600 if anyone's interested in acquiring it. Still got original shipping box etc....

[KnowItAll]

He should get a bit persistent. I've found that asking the person on their phone for a supervisor always helps. Spin a story about how he needs it for his business and if they don't agree, he is going to switch his phone, long distance and everything else to the competitor of the day.

Just don't get off the phone until they agree ...

In my experience they eventually do come around and compromise.

[discobay]

I agree that you should be persistent and if this is greeted with the proverbial Chinese Wall hang up and ring again. They have numerous telesales staff. Try reeling off your rants at a rate that only a fluent English speaker would understand then keep repeating until they pass you onto another operator with a better command of the lingo.

[yu270322]

if he had 12 mths contract remaining on his 18 mths contract, pccw cs rep should be more than happy to waive his existing agreement and set up a new account with both TV+internet service, they would make more sales that way, right? correct me if I was worng...

OK, here's the answer, the cs/sales person thinks...
1) it took too much time to write a report to waive the existing contract (about 5-10mins)
2) the first bill after the internet service starts is going to screw up, charging fees for both the old and new plan, and someone will have to write another report to correct it (another 5-10mins for the report, a week to 2 for the result)
3) if the TV service plan was something like buy 1 channel (18mths)get 1 free(12mths), your bro'll lose all the "free" channels and end up paying more for the nowtv service, then it makes sense to set up a seperate broadband service.

oh and one more thing, they no longer offer ESPN/STAR SPORT channel as a "free" channel, it starts about 2 days ago and the price for espn/star will go up soon since they got the boardcast right for english football league for the 07/08 season

hope that answer your question

raymond

[justsomebody]

Dont bother talking to sales from PCCW/Cascade, have a chat with the sales people that are hanging out by the MTR Stations, they are more helpful since they make their living based on commision. If you catch them at the right time, they can also have your installation fee waived which I believe is $400-500?

It can go either way,

1) they cancel your old nowtv contract and offer a new one with existing broadband service on a one time 18month contract.

2) they install broadband on the same line with its own contract and leave your old existing nowtv contract.

Good luck

[HKNewBi]

Thanks guys,

He argued and argued and argued until they agreed that it was a bit ridiculous and then argued a bit more until they agreed they would cancel the old contract and set up a new one.

Has taken 2 weeks though!

[yu270322]

so they actually decide they use take 10 mins to write that FCH report to waive his penatly rather then fighting your bro over the phone in that 10 mins?

good to know that your brother finally gets what it wants...

one more thing, I strongly suspect that the guy who refused to cancel his old contract and set up a new one is based in mainland china, PCCW has two call centers in Canton, plus two in HK so there's a good chance your brother's call was handled by a cs in china.... they just don't care..... trust me.... I'm an insider....