# Why don't I want U-verse? Fuck you, that's why **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 25, 2012, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-i-want-u-verse-fuck-you-thats-why/632598 "2012-08-25T13:16:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-i-want-u-verse-fuck-you-thats-why/632598/61 "2012-08-27T20:50:35Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > That is GREAT to hear. Thanks very much! The guy was out today to start on the work on the outside of our house. Boom, Brighthouse. No prob! The whole home DVR is pretty bad ass, too. With Brighthouse, I had one DVR receiver (in my master bedroom), which was all well and good. . . but what if I wanted to watch a show in the living room that I taped? No dice. With Uverse, you get whole home DVR, so you can start and stop shows in any room of the house. ---
**Author:** ![Vita\_Beata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@Vita\_Beata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vita_Beata)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-i-want-u-verse-fuck-you-thats-why/632598/62 "2012-08-27T21:01:22Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > I’ve only heard of it on this message board. It’s all Verizon, Sprint and Comcast around here, at least for wired connections. Same here and learning of U-Verse is new for me also. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-i-want-u-verse-fuck-you-thats-why/632598/63 "2012-08-27T21:01:50Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > Pffft. Those guys were a godsend. I live in a rather isolated neighborhood, and for the entire 6 years we’ve lived here, the only internet service was Brighthouse. > > Brighthouse…well, let’s see how I can put this…is absolutely fucking horrible. Unreliable, intermittent connections, slow speeds, rude customer service, no resolution to the problems, no matter how many times you call… > > I was alerted to the fact that Brighthouse now has a competitor in our area by the presence of one of those ooh-sooooo-scaaaary tag teams of young males. > > They offered me a great deal, and I jumped on it. It’s being installed this coming Wednesday. > > I’m very much looking forward to calling Brighthouse with the news. > > So, thanks, roving U-Verse gangs! I have no idea if your internet service will be better (although I suspect it will be. I have since learned that a neighbor of mine has it and loves it.), but thanks to you, I am now out from under the yoke of Brighthouse tyranny. I had U-Verse when I lived in a part of town that had it available. Would have kept it if I could have. Dependable, and I didn’t have trouble with the tech support (AT&T’s billing department has its issues, though). ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-i-want-u-verse-fuck-you-thats-why/632598/64 "2012-08-27T21:03:22Z")
> [@Shawn1767](#): > > Why not start asking these guys your own set of questions? > > “Hey, how many people know where you are right now?” > > “When’s the next time you’re supposed to check in with anyone?” > > “Do you know if anyone saw you come on to my property?” > > “Can you help me get this couch into my van? Are you a size 8?” LOL! I like the way your mind works. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-i-want-u-verse-fuck-you-thats-why/632598/65 "2012-08-27T21:07:27Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > It is possible to get just the Internet service, and I believe it’s possible to get TV-only, but they definitely push the bundle. HAving helped make this phone call, the following method is EXTREMELY effective. ME: " I would like to order interent service only for this customer, he is with me on speakerphone, if you try to upsell any other services or reccomend any bundles I will hang up and call again and get the next guy, until I get someone who will sell me just internet and he can get the commission. Are we clear?" I have hung up on one guy once in 30-40 times using that line. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-i-want-u-verse-fuck-you-thats-why/632598/66 "2012-08-27T22:15:13Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > HAving helped make this phone call, the following method is EXTREMELY effective. > > ME: " I would like to order interent service only for this customer, he is with me on speakerphone, if you try to upsell any other services or reccomend any bundles I will hang up and call again and get the next guy, until I get someone who will sell me just internet and he can get the commission. Are we clear?" > > I have hung up on one guy once in 30-40 times using that line. Sounds like it would work. If not, they will push the TV service and will ask who your current TV provider is and will ask why you don’t want to change and will (I’m assuming) offer you some kind of free or discounted promotion and essentially you’re in for at least a good ten minutes of sales pitch. I had to call a couple of times after the service was established to correct a billing issue and they pushed it then too. _Whywhywhywhywhywhy? Pleaeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaase!_ That said, my sister-in-law has the IPTV service with their U-Verse bundle and as far as I know they’re quite happy with it. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-i-want-u-verse-fuck-you-thats-why/632598/67 "2012-08-27T22:42:57Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > HAving helped make this phone call, the following method is EXTREMELY effective. > > ME: " I would like to order interent service only for this customer, he is with me on speakerphone, if you try to upsell any other services or reccomend any bundles I will hang up and call again and get the next guy, until I get someone who will sell me just internet and he can get the commission. Are we clear?" > > I have hung up on one guy once in 30-40 times using that line. Congratulations, you probably got him fired for doing what he’s REQUIRED to do. If you’ve ever worked in a call center, you’d know that there are required scripts, failure to follow which can get people fired. In your scenario, either the phone guy skipped REQUIRED material and risked his job for that, or you endangered his job by screwing up his call/sale stats, which can get someone fired if they’re too low. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-i-want-u-verse-fuck-you-thats-why/632598/68 "2012-08-27T22:53:31Z")
> [@postcards](#): > > It’s easier to just _throw_ sand in the guy’s eyes; using a catapult would be overkill. No, no, you don’t understand. Throw sand in his eyes, then load him into the catapult and let fly. ---
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-i-want-u-verse-fuck-you-thats-why/632598/69 "2012-08-27T22:57:47Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > Congratulations, you probably got him fired for doing what he’s REQUIRED to do. If you’ve ever worked in a call center, you’d know that there are required scripts, failure to follow which can get people fired. In your scenario, either the phone guy skipped REQUIRED material and risked his job for that, or you endangered his job by screwing up his call/sale stats, which can get someone fired if they’re too low. I’m not seeing the downside of getting fired from such a job. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-i-want-u-verse-fuck-you-thats-why/632598/70 "2012-08-27T23:02:14Z")
> [@Kevbo](#): > > I’m not seeing the downside of getting fired from such a job. Mitt? Is that you? ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-i-want-u-verse-fuck-you-thats-why/632598/71 "2012-08-27T23:09:37Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > Congratulations, you probably got him fired for doing what he’s REQUIRED to do. Probably better to write a polite letter to the company. I imagine that would probably make them see the light and he would never get an upsell from the company again. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-i-want-u-verse-fuck-you-thats-why/632598/72 "2012-08-27T23:10:05Z")
> [@Kevbo](#): > > I’m not seeing the downside of getting fired from such a job. Try that being what’s available in your area to feed and shelter your dependents, who are counting on your income for survival. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-i-want-u-verse-fuck-you-thats-why/632598/73 "2012-08-27T23:11:14Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > Probably better to write a polite letter to the company. I imagine that would probably make them see the light and he would never get an upsell from the company again. I agree, better to go to whoever makes the policy instead of dozens of calls to someone who has no power to do anything other than follow policy if they want to stay employed. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-i-want-u-verse-fuck-you-thats-why/632598/74 "2012-08-28T00:18:15Z")
I think that \*may \*have been sarcasm. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-i-want-u-verse-fuck-you-thats-why/632598/75 "2012-08-28T00:20:37Z")
It would still be a better idea than harassing some call center person who’s being forced to go through the spiel (and probably hates it as much as the caller does) to pay the bills. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-i-want-u-verse-fuck-you-thats-why/632598/76 "2012-08-28T01:41:21Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > Never heard of U-verse either. Time Warner is pretty much the only game in town, thanks to contracts they sign with various municipalities. OK, ignorance fought. I had no idear it was a regional thing. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-i-want-u-verse-fuck-you-thats-why/632598/77 "2012-08-28T02:22:04Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > Congratulations, you probably got him fired for doing what he’s REQUIRED to do. If you’ve ever worked in a call center, you’d know that there are required scripts, failure to follow which can get people fired. In your scenario, either the phone guy skipped REQUIRED material and risked his job for that, or you endangered his job by screwing up his call/sale stats, which can get someone fired if they’re too low. and everyone who complied made a sale…its not that hard ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-i-want-u-verse-fuck-you-thats-why/632598/78 "2012-08-28T02:40:20Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > and everyone who complied made a sale…its not that hard And got fired for skipping required upsale scripting if they did it more frequently than a boss looking to cut payroll/staffing expenses wanted to accept, especially if that boss had a problem with that worker anyway. What part of “call centers REQUIRE certain scripts and will fire workers for non-compliance” do you not wish to understand? Or what part of “hit one worker with dozens of non-productive calls, you’ll help get him fired for poor stats” do you not want to acknowledge? I have worked in call centers and experienced the “follow the script exactly or get canned” rules. My own call center experience is mostly in non-sales situations (had one job that involved selling long enough to find out I sucked at it, quit about a week before I’d have been fired for not selling enough), but I do know that there are plenty out there that will fire workers for poor call/sales ratios. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-i-want-u-verse-fuck-you-thats-why/632598/79 "2012-08-28T03:26:57Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Where do you stand on catapults and motes? Late to the party (as usual), but only Jesus can stand on a moat. And the jury is out on how many angels can stand on a mote. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-i-want-u-verse-fuck-you-thats-why/632598/80 "2012-08-28T06:09:56Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > I have worked in call centers and experienced the “follow the script exactly or get canned” rules. My own call center experience is mostly in non-sales situations (had one job that involved selling long enough to find out I sucked at it, quit about a week before I’d have been fired for not selling enough), but I do know that there are plenty out there that will fire workers for poor call/sales ratios. They would seriously fire someone for not sticking to the script one time when the customer made it very clear that they wouldn’t buy anything if they did get the script, and then did buy something without it? I’ve never worked for a call center but I’ve worked for enough annoying places that make inflexible policies that often don’t work IRL, and that sounds more than a little bit crazy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-i-want-u-verse-fuck-you-thats-why/632598.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-i-want-u-verse-fuck-you-thats-why/632598.md?page=5)