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Since signing onto Sky TV last year, I also became aware that I'd have to sign up with BT as well, which took me by surprise, as I was very disappointed that I couldn't stay with NTL (who I'd been with since 1996).
I phoned BT Customer Services and after being held in a queue for the best part of an hour. I spoke to one of these advisors who spoke very poor English and I had to keep repeating after every word I said - the main thing he said was that it would cost £125.00 to have a line installed!!!
This took me aback, meaning I'd have to cancel NTL and get the line disconnected and to spend a small fortune to have a new one put in. So I paid this over the phone, and after a lot of being put on hold I was informed that I'd need to arrange a date for installation, which I did. I was then told that this would come through the post in the next 5-10 working days. Within the course of that fortnight the letter arrived giving me date and time, which I got all prepared for and took the day off work so I could be at home and see this taking place.
On the day of the appointment I got up early ready for their anticipated arrival - time passed on, the morning had moved into the afternoon, and I was now getting so annoyed and stressed about this. So I phoned them up, being put on hold for 45 minutes (!!) and eventually spoke to someone... By this point I couldn't control my anger. I didn't use swear words or anything, I was just very firm and demanded to know why they hadn't turned up. I was put on hold again whilst they investigated - this was for another half hour!!
I got through to a friendly woman who spoke to me and looked into why they hadn't arrived; all she told me was that my job had been cancelled. By whom?? It wasn't me!! So I had to arrange another appointment for 2 more weeks!!
Within the next week, another appointment letter came through my door informing me of the new date... I then took another day off work so this could be done, and on the day of this appointment... GUESS WHAT!! They didn't arrive!!
I phoned up the BT helpline again and was put on hold for 30 minutes. I eventually got through to a Sales Rep who had very bad English. I was very angry and wanted to know why the same thing has happened again... The rep obviously took my anger personally and then put me on hold again. After waiting for 20 minutes, just when I thought I'd got through I discovered that he'd hung up on me!!!
I was absolutely furious by this point!! I spent more time being left on hold, and probably spending an absolute fortune on phone calls!!
I had to book two further appointments for separate engineers to come out. Both jobs were cancelled as well!! Why?! It wasn't me!!
I then decided to write an official letter of complaint - things started moving to my satisfaction!! An engineer came out and checked my line and noticed there wasn't one, so he sorted it out and at last it was all up and running! If only that'd happened at the beginning??
I was refunded the full cost of the line connection and I got an official letter of apology and the necessary amounts that I had paid out were all waived.
The initials BT sound for something very different - I think you get my drift!!
By: Paul
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The plain fact is I just want to be able to use my phone, and that's it! I don't want techincal problems or bill queries. I'm realistic enough to know this is bound to happen at some point. When it does I want an intelligible conversation with someone on the other end of the line. I do NOT want BT's cost cutting programme to be made at my expense! What is wrong with employing people who's FIRST language is English? What, anyone who speaks English well, costs too much???!! In that case BT you and your miserable Directors, (greedy bosses a la your average BANKER,) lets hope your company goes tits up, your share price collapses, you lose your pension and someone from the Indian sub-continent gets your wildly OVERpaid job! Believe me you deserve to lose it! Their names are: Ian Livingston, Chief Exec and Gavin Patterson, Chief exec BT retail.
It is too much to be disquisitve at this point to recognize the absolute versus comparative economic advantage that necessitates outsourcing, a reality of life in this day and age. We won't go there.
But the statement you made with regard to the technical support system manned by Indians whose oral English skills are deficient is unfair.
Major firms on this side of the Atlantic have outsourced no less; and from what I have seen and understood, the employees in India have been given crash courses in American English, not that it is more prestigious for them as claimed to be by their own nationals, but to make them intelligible to us valued customers.
I myself have on occasion engaged in extended conversations with them and find there is nothing unclear about the way they speak. Granted, some have a tendency to speak at break-neck speed. All I need remind them is, "Excuse me, sir, mind if you slowed down a little." They very politely oblige and appreciate the way we treat them, with respect.
Pardon me if what I suggested in part derogates or detracts from the effectiveness of British English (I hope my terminology here is correct). I'm not. I think they deserve a fair shake - that's all.
Sam, the tiger
When we hear daily on the news such fractured structures as "is refusing to," "media or criteria is," 'for you and I," "is comprised of," ad nauseum, one wonders.
A few days ago, I spoke to a new Brit who emigraged to the Toronto area from the UK to book a rental vehicle for a two-week holiday abroad. Her distinctive accent was a dead giveway. She emailed with detailed information: UNLIMITED KLS (if you get the drift); that if I didn't book and pay for it now, "the car could sell out at any time," inter alia.
Perhaps some of you can explain to me if her expressions are idiomatically native to British English. I knew what she meant, but that's not how I would express myself. So how bad is she or how good am I? I am sure not all British immigrants reside in her category.
My wife watches Coronation Street. I don't, as I have a hard time deciphering what the characters are driving at. Not all those who are indigenous to UK and whose mother tongue is English speak the way they do. Right?