It's been awhile coming but we finally got set up with gig internet. Speeds have been ok before but we needed better speed for streaming and deployment. It's rough to code then suffer through slow upload speed.
Day of Install.
Tech called shortly before the Dads in Tech meet up. Unfortunately the meeting was in middle of the tech's arrival window. I was hoping to join but knew I couldn't cause he would need attention. Hoped it would be a quick install and I could catch the end of the meeting.
It was not quick.
The tech comes to the door and asks, "Did they ship you modem?"
"No."
"They were suppose to ship you a modem, an enterprise one." I knew that was wrong. He said "I'll go out to truck call manger then call you in 5 to 10 minutes."
While he was in truck I checked the appointment email and texts "Tech will bring modem." So I open a chat to provider.
"Tech is here said they were suppose to mail a modem, I thought he was bringing it."
The Chat replies "Rest assured the technician will bring the modem. Is there anything else I can help you with?"
"He's outside right now, no modem, is calling office," I then try to find out what modem the tech needs. So I can tell him. I think he had bad info cause this is a personal account.
"It depends on your service plan." Then immediately before I can respond chat says "I haven't heard from you do you want to continue." They have been very slow to respond, not me.
"Yes" and I send them plan name. At this point the tech calls tells me he's can't install this type of modem. He's a wire tech and this is a digital install but he will email about it."
I send this info to chat. Then they say I need to verify you account "What's your number?" We'd already been chatting for fifteen minutes and just now they want to make sure I'm me.
"The one we're on now" and I send number.
"That doesn't match our records" Dear reader this is the number I used to schedule the appointment. It's the number I use for any account questions. When I call the system says "We have an account associated with this number let me pull up your details.'
Chat asks for street address. I send them that and another phone number that they might have. They want to do 2 factor authentication. They ask for an email, I give the one associated with the account. "That doesn't match. do you have another primary email?" I send my main email address. They email me a code.
I get verified. Can also see the tech has removed the cones around his truck. It's now the end of the appointment window, it's been 19 minutes since he called. He sat there that long and never updated me. He's leaving.
Chat asks if he's still there, I tell them he's leaving hoping they respond fast in case I need to wave them down.
Chat says ok, they'll contact installation for a reschedule. Another long wait till they asks "When will be good time?"
"Same time tomorrow."
"Please wait." more waiting, "I'm working on this"
We've been chatting 55 minutes at this point. I ask about delay and they say still checking on availability. I just reply any day 9-2.
"Will 8:00 work?" (Is 8 between 9 and 2?)
"Can't be here till 8:30am"
"9-10? 10-12?"
"9-10am works."
"Can we do 8 and I'll note to arrive till 8:30." Then why did you just ask about 9am?
I give up fine. I just won't have a break after school drop off, "That works."
Immediately they respond I haven't heard from you in a few minutes would you like to continue. Second time they asked this while they were working on something. Either they've have this as a keyboard shortcut to look busy or it's auto timed.
"Yes, All I need is the appointment scheduled."
"Okay tomorrow is no longer available. Will (two days later) 2:00 - 4:00 work?" it's been five minutes since you asked. How it get filled so fast?
"No, No cannot be here that late."
How about three days later at 8:00 but I tell them to wait till 8:30.
"Sure."
Finally rescheduled an hour and 25 minutes after chat began and 40 minutes since they started to reschedule.
The Next Day
I get a text that installation is scheduled for Friday. "You will be charged that evening." Wait!, I was already charged on the night of the original installation date. The sales person that scheduled it, moved my payment date a few days to match the date the upgrade was set to begin. To avoid being charged twice.
I hope this is just and automated form email but don't want to risk a double charge then having to get it fixed afterwards. Back to chat. This time I open with all my contact information, hoping to save time. I'm trying to type why I need to chat but there's no wait. Chat responds before I can type the reason for my call.
They need to verify me and ask where to send the code. I say email so, I can finish my text. Well, they text the code so I switch over to that conversation and get the code. Send it and start my story again.
I summarize "My installation was changed but I've already paid. I want to confirm I won't be charged till next month." Another long pause then they ask If I still want to talk. Must be automated to keep the agents active.
They confirm that I won't be charged till the next billing cycle. Then I ask them to email me the info. Eventually they said they will send note to have the team send the email. Still haven't received that email.
Installation Day.
Tech calls at 8:17. I'll be there in 20. He arrives on time. He looks at poles outside aims his phone at them. Then comes to door with a box. He has a modem, already better than last guy.
I show him the office. He's says they can't use the current line will have to add a new line. The line is not that old but maybe they do it just to avoid issues later. When we got new washing machine they said buy new hoses, we won't install with old hoses.
He also says he'll have to drill a hole for the line and I need to move the stuff in that corner. But I have plenty of time to that inside while he works out side.
I wish they'd told me that in any of the previous emails, phone calls, or text messages. I had already cleaned under the desk and had the cords organized so it would be easy to unplugged old stuff and plug in new.
Now I needed to clean out the corner. It's just boxes and books. I moved them down the hall to keep the office uncluttered. It's a lot, so several trips. I got my steps in for the day.
While I move stuff the tech works at the pole and outside wall of the house. He comes in measures from window to wall. He goes out drills the hole and feeds in some wires.
He comes back says he need more room some we slid the book cubes over. He installed the jack for the fiber. Once that is ready he attached the fiber and plugs in the modem.
He goes outside to clean up while the modem comes online. When he comes back he activates it with his phone, lets me set up passwords. Says if I name the modem the same as old one everything will auto attach to it. But I may have to restart stuff.
I start connecting devices. He asks if he can take lunch in his truck while I connect stuff and for me to come out if I have questions. I fine with that. I check that everything works and I have speed.
I played with stuff a bit. The tech ate lunch and left. I get my own lunch and watch a couple episodes of Star Wars: Visions. Then I have to move everything that I sat on the table back to the office.
Wrap up and Next
I reorganized that corner. Still need to adjust the cords. One is hanging in front of the desk, I'm going to run it behind it at some point.
Update: The plug is too fat to fit between desk and wall. I'll have to clip the cord to the desk.
I did not get charged for service that night so looks like that was fixed. It took longer than it should have but we're set up now.
I still need to test the connection in the garage office. That's where I take calls with the camera on. I'll do that Monday or Tuesday.
Update: Joined a Virtual Coffee Co-working Zoom. Told I would mute as I was testing set up and they suggested writing about it. "Working on it." Connection worked fine, the flex office is just under the office where I usually code so connection was strong.
-$JarvisScript git commit -m "Fast and Furious XXV"
Cover Image is my LEGO Photography of a minifig wearing a shirt with binary code. The code means Lego.
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