Steve Forrette <forrette@cory.berkeley.edu> (05/25/90)
In article <8173@accuvax.nwu.edu> you write: >Well, the PacBell representative I spoke with disagrees. He said that >I must choose a default long distance carrier. When I had two lines installed in PacBell territory this past January, I had no problems when I requested no long distance carrier, other than a somewhat confused "Why would anyone want to do that?" Furthermore, the PacBell rep told me that I would have six months to change it to the carrier of my choice for free - after that, it would cost me the $5 or whatever it is. I recently made my selection, and the rep indeed said "Oh, I see ... Your service is less than six months old, so there's no charge." BTW, I had done this for security reasons, hoping that it would throw off someone tapping into my line. (I'm not all that paranoid - there have been several instances of this during the past year where I live). When I first signed up for service, the rep indicated that the error recording would be non-descript. But, actually, it was quite descriptive. Basically, it said "This call requires a long distance company access code. Please hang up and redial the call using the code." My second line was on another exchange (#5 xbar of all things), and that recording went as far as directing me to the Yellow Pages to find long distance companies to call!
john@bovine.ati.com (John Higdon) (05/25/90)
Brian Litzinger <brian@apt.bungi.com> writes: > Several people responded that having no default long distance carrier > can happen in the normal course of business. I.E. you just ask for no > long distance carrier. > Well, the PacBell representative I spoke with disagrees. Double Well, that representative should be reported. I order telephone lines constantly for remote broadcasts and other purposes where they want a phone on the site. These are the questions I am *always* asked and the answers I give: Jack type: RJ11C Touch tone: Yes LD Carrier: None "Fine, thank you for your order, Mr. Higdon." Ordering lines with no carrier is SOP. I'm beginning to believe that the greenest trainees are put in the residence service order department. Do what I do: whenever you order residence service (and I've ordered plenty of that in my time) ask immediately to speak to a supervisor. Say, "I have a complex order here and I don't want to have to repeat it all twice -- once to you and again to the person you will have to turn me over to." If you are dealing with service in the San Jose area, ask for Chris or Mrs. Ford at 811-5700. John Higdon | P. O. Box 7648 | +1 408 723 1395 john@bovine.ati.com | San Jose, CA 95150 | M o o !
david@llustig.uucp (David Schachter) (06/13/90)
In article <8173@accuvax.nwu.edu> brian@apt.bungi.com (Brian Litzinger) writes: >Well, the PacBell representative I spoke with disagrees. He said that >I must choose a default long distance carrier. He even showed my the >form he was filling out, and under long distance carriers was: AT&T, >MCI, Sprint ... However, None, was nowhere to be found. There wasn't >even a blank line or other field. My apartment has two lines, billed to different parties and different in most features, but connected in a hunt. The second line (the non-pilot line) has no 1+ Equal Access carrier (this has been verified the hard way), just as I specified when I ordered service from PacBell. -- David Schachter llustig!david@mips.com ...!uunet!mips!llustig!david david@llustig.UUCP (MAYBE)
sirakide@uunet.uu.net (Dean Sirakides) (06/15/90)
In article <8173@accuvax.nwu.edu> brian@apt.bungi.com (Brian Litzinger) writes: >Well, the PacBell representative I spoke with disagrees. He said that >I must choose a default long distance carrier. He even showed my the >form he was filling out, and under long distance carriers was: AT&T, >MCI, Sprint ... However, None, was nowhere to be found. There wasn't >even a blank line or other field. I've signed up for service through Illinois Bell on two separate occasions. The first time was about three years ago. The account rep asked all the usual questions about features and packages (one of which was unmeasured service!) and then came to the "time to choose your default LD carrier". She claimed AT&T would be the "simple" choice because the billing would be combined. In any case, she said I must choose a carrier. I've recently (~4 wks) set up service again. This time when we reached the LD question I got a different response. The rep said she could not sign me up for a carrier. What she did do was read me a list of the "biggies" and offered me the 800 number of which ever company I wanted. Consequently, since I have a hoard of calling cards, I have no default LD carrier. P.S. The set up cost me $55 and I was given three available numbers to choose from (I was told only business lines can request numbers). I was also asked during the feature questions "if I had the phones with the buttons or the dial!!!" Dean Sirakides | Motorola Cellular Group ...uunet!motcid!sirakide | Arlington Heights, IL Of course I speak for myself, not my employer...