I hate Telstra (rant) - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

05/07/2010 04:33:51 AM · #1

We (my husband and I) are going to Victoria to catch up with family (yes, it's been a loooong time). Business means we need to have active mobiles and access to the internet. Here's where the problems start.

We currently have Westnet at home (loooooove Westnet - you actually get to talk to an Australian in Perth - they return calls quickly and go out of their way to help you - my experience anyway). Our phones are Vodafone - have never had a problem with coverage "except in country Victoria".

Have had to purchase a prepaid Telstra Card and purchase an unlocked phone so that we can leave a phone message for important callers to call us on this new Telstra number.

Have purchased a laptop (as the blackberry is locked and even if we could put a different sim card in it it would not allow us to connect to the internet) and a Telstra Turbo wireless internet toggle.

Well, trying to get the Telstra Turbo prepaid connected has been a nightmare. The initial 'lets get it connected call' was fine with little waiting time. However it kept telling me there was no sim. I have waited for over 1 and a half hours for someone to speak to me to get this thing working. Spoke to a couple of people initally and advised that the sim card was popping out of the toggle about 4mm and asked if that was normal (felt it should lock in there somehow) was advised that that was fine. Over TWO HOURS later (very stressed by now listening to the same terrible tune play over, and over, and over and over, ......) I finally get to talk to someone about my situation. She asks about the card, advises that it should not be sticking out (nooooo kidding), advised that if I pushed it it just popped back up. I was advised to use my fingernail and push it in until it didn't pop back up. All fixed. Are you kidding me!!!!! Over two hours of my time waiting for THAT!!!! I hate Telstra.

Now, to set the earlier picture. Getting the new laptop all organised (typing on it at the moment). Downloaded Skype (have a son in Canada - crucial that Skype and the new Web Camera etc all work properly). Well open up Skype and everything works but the Webcam. So straight to Google for the answer. Oh no, a number of people complaining about the same thing. Crap don't tell me I purchased a crappy computer!!! Phoned Toshiba for help, was advised that I would have to pay (minimum $60) as it was related to other software and then they would assist. Declined. Surely I can find this on the net, just need to look harder. Back to Google - SUCCESS. Found an answer on a forum that advised that for some reason the Toshiba Satellite A500 (may effect other models with TV tuner) selects the tv tunner instead of the WebCam in Skype. Opened up Skype once and again and looked at the choices. The other one says it's a USB 2.0 cam (had seen this before but as I didn'd have anything attached by USB I didn't think to switch to it). Well for all of you who may be purchasing a new Toshiba and need to use Skype, please be aware that you need to selected the USB 2.0 Webcam option to get video. I can't believe Toshiba (as they would have known exactly what the problem was) did not advise just to select the other option in Skype. That simple. That sucks. Whatever happened to customer service.

Husband has just got back from the shops with a much needed bottle of bourban. Don't know there will be much left of the bottle after the day I've had!!!!!

Hope your day was better.

Stagolee

Kodak Easyshare C180

Canon EF 50mm f1.2L

05/07/2010 04:51:53 AM · #2

Very typical of Australian Telecoms. I have had much better service in third world countries, truly!!!

Judi

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

05/07/2010 04:53:02 AM · #3

Sorry to hear about your issues with Telstra. Out here...you have to be with Telstra....city dwellers really suffer when they try to bring their non-Telstra mobiles out here. Talk about controlling the market!!!

Anyways....when are you in Melbourne?

05/07/2010 05:14:46 AM · #4

We live on the Sunshine Coast, Qld. Travelling to Western District Victoria (should get coverage there) but when in the Mallee it will be a different story.

Initally went to the Telstra shop over a week ago to find out what I needed to organise. Waited over 1 and a half hours on the first day so left. Waited over 1 hour the next day to get 5 minutes of information. I would never be with telstra unless I had no other choice.

Today when on the phone I was directed to the Phillipines. They were very courteous (when I finally got through that is). So, they don't even keep the money in Australia and still charge outrageous prices. Telstra suck.

Stagolee

Kodak Easyshare C180

Canon EF 50mm f1.2L

05/07/2010 05:26:26 AM · #5

Originally posted by RamblinR:

I have had some terrible experiences with Telstra shops...Never would go back to them!! They are all franchises and duck for cover if you have a problem.

I had to return a USB Broadband Mobile card that was faulty as told to by a Telstra rep over the phone, they told met it needed to be replaced and it had to go back to the place of purchase, over an hour later in the shop still no head way with them saying it wasn't their problem they were just the franchise, eventually I threatened consumer affairs rah rah rah and they took it to be sent back. Numerous phone calls in the next three weeks before the card was available to be picked up. When I got it back home it was the same card with the same problem??
That was three years ago and I have cancelled all Telstra contracts even had to pay a cancellation fee on the mobile broadband but didn't care just glad to see the back of them.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

05/07/2010 05:29:24 AM · #6

Felling much better now.

Have had a couple of bourbans (I love it straight on ice).

Nothing much will bother me for the next few hours.

Covert_Oddity

Nikon D700

05/07/2010 05:54:44 AM · #7

I moved apartment about a year ago, tried to take my phone number with me, that turned out to be a HUGE mistake, mainly caused by, "Oh, you are on the new system, sorry, I only look after the old system, I'll transfer you".

I ended up getting the fair trading folk involved, shouting at various people in Telstra, had a Telstra case manager who I think I resorted to calling an "idiot who isn't listening", and all in all spent about 2 months without internet or landline.

I'm now with iiNet and naked ADSL, no more dealings with Telstra if I can avoid it!

Judi

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

05/07/2010 05:55:52 AM · #8

When will you be in Victoria????????