Verizon FiOS? I'm about to go insane...

[MCunningham]

What are your thoughts on Verizon FiOS? We just moved 2 weeks ago and entered into Verizon/Comcast area (my old cable/internet/phone company was Armstrong, a small company out of Pennsylvania but I loved them-- great customer service).

We (by "we" I mean my husband) opted to get Verizon FiOS. First off, I don't see how the internet speeds are ANY different from what we had before, and I certainly don't see how it was worth the price they're charging. Secondly, the cable is pixelating all the time, so I'm really annoyed with that, and I think the DVR is a total pain to use (much worse than our old one or TiVo-- which, by the way, doesn't work with FiOS... I'm so bummed!)

Thirdly, we decided to get phone service through them. The phone works and all, but they didn't bother to tell us how to set up or use our new voicemail, so I've had it for a week and I don't know how to check it (I can hear that I have messages by the dialtone).

I keep calling Verizon (I've called about 12 times now over the past week) and I keep getting put on hold for 20-30 minutes at a stretch without being able to talk to a human being at all. I'm losing my mind!!!

What are your experiences with it? Am I alone? Do you guys know of any remedies to my issue here?

MC

 

[mrk]

I feel your pain. I also have Verizon fios (internet/cable/phone). The biggest dissapointment for me was when I realized my Tivo didn't work with the service. Had I known that I would have never changed my cable service (I was perfectly happy with Comcast). With the Verizon DVR I have to unplug it every couple of months (to reset it) or it won't record. And let's face it, Fall is here and I don't want to miss my shows! I agree, it's not as user friendly as Tivo either.

I don't know if you got any info from customer service about how to get your voicemails but the phone number they gave me to check voicemail (and set it up) is 412.343.0062. The password is probably the last four digits of your phone number.

Unfortunately, that's all the advice I have .... I've got about 1.5 years left on my contract. ugh.

 

[mrk]

also ..

... to be fair .... Verizon does offer a ton of stations .... of course I only watch about 10 - 15 of them but they are there.

 

[Havingfun]

better luck

Hi,

I just recently got Fios and after an adjustment period, it's OK. The DVR fills up much faster than the tivo and I have to constantly remember to delete old recordings or it won't work. The internet was really slow, but I finally got in touch with CS and they told me that certain wireless phones interfere with the signal. Once I unplugged those that were interfering that was better.

I wasn't unhappy with DISH or my internet provider either; I just got sucked into all of Verizon's propaganda.

Tracy

 

[LauraMax]

OMG I had Fios cable & it was an absolute disaster! I've found Verizon's customer service to be abominable. Their technical stuff is actually superior to most companies, but they're just too darned big & impersonal to give decent CS.

I had it for about a month & my HD box died. The first time I called I was on hold for about an hour before I got help. They scheduled three--THREE--service appts w/me, & of course they give a 4 hour window. Nobody showed up for ANY of the appts. I started adding up the time & I spent a total of 22 hours either on hold or waiting for service techs who never showed up before I gave up (not to mention a week without TV) & went back to Comcast (never did get the stupid Fios box fixed).

 

[cataddict]

I feel your pain....

I tried the regular Verizon DSL service several years ago and never could get it to work and their "customer service" (and I use the term "service" loosely) were either unhelpful, snotty or both. I finally just cancelled it and when FIOS became available I said no way no how not gonna do it. If I need to be condescended to I can find someone to do it that I'm not paying for the privilege.

 

[dreamyjeanie]

We've had FIOS internet for years and haven't really had any major problems. We were actually one of the first cities to get it and back then it had a few bugs, but they have long since been worked out. Added the TV part awhile back and it is OK too. Their original menu services used to be easier to use so I did hate it when they upgraded their system last year or so. But now we are used to it. Tech support can be annoying if you have to wait long. Some times we get through quickly and others takes quite awhile. Repair service in this area (N. TX) have been wonderful. Hope it improves for you.

Jean

 

[Beavs]

I have never heard of FiOS but I do know that Verizon offers nothing but fees and lousy customer service. The only time they were ever interested in working with me was when I switched to Time Warner. Good riddance Verizon!