Category: Technology, Video Games, Customer service
With the imminent release of one of the most highly-anticipated console games ever, Grand Theft Auto IV, I decided it was finally time to purchase a “next-gen” video game system. That is, since GTAIV was only being released on the XBox 360 and Playstation 3, I wasn’t going to be able to use my wonderfully-entertaining Nintendo Wii to play it, so I had to pick one of the other systems.
At first, my decision was an easy one, one that would be made on price alone. The least-expensive version of the XBox 360 (the “Arcade” system) is roughly $280. The least-expensive version of the Playstation 3 is roughly $400. Plus, I soon discovered that if I purchased an XBox 360 along with GTA IV from BestBuy.com, I would receive a $50 Best Buy gift card for free, essentially bringing the price of the XBox 360 down to $230… what a deal! I couldn’t pass that up.
I quickly made my purchase on Monday, April 27th, 2008 and selected store pick-up for both the console system and video game. Shortly after placing my order, I received a series of e-mails from BestBuy.com letting me know that my $50 gift card was getting ready to ship, GTAIV would be ready for in-store pick-up on April 29th, and that the XBox 360 Arcade would be ready for pickup on April 28th, since the store was closed when I placed the order. Fair enough. This was shaping up to become the easiest game release ever. I had everything pre-ordered for store pickup, so no waiting in line and no worrying if they’d run out of copies before I got my hands on one. Boy, was I wrong about that.
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Posted by Ricky on April 29, 2008 at 12:17 pm · Permalink
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Category: Technology, TV, Customer service
I’ve been using a DVR (digital video recorder… like Tivo) for a couple of years now and love it. The model I have been using is an 8300HD, provided to me by my able company, BrightHouse Networks. While it may have a few quirks, it reliably does everything I want it to do with little difficulty. I can view TV listings, record single shows, set up series recordings, all in both standard definition and HD.
So, when I purchased a second HDTV and moved my old one to the bedroom, I felt like it was time to get a second DVR for the house. What I got, however, was a nightmare. Instead of giving me the 8300HD, a BrightHouse rep handed me the 8300HDC, a newer model. At first, I thought this was a good thing… new version, must be upgraded. No. Definitely not. In fact, it’s a major downgrade.
The new model is slow, unresponsive, randomly freezes, takes over 10 minutes to reboot, and often does not record what I want it to. It also is MISSING features that were previously available… features that are vital to a successful DVR.
One such feature is the complete lack of priority when it comes to setting up series recordings. Both boxes have 2 tuners and can record 2 programs at the same time. If I have it set up to record three different shows that are all on at the same time, the 8300HD would choose which 2 to record based on its priority list, which is set by me. The 8300HDC, however, has no priority list, so it seems to randomly select which 2 of the 3 to record. I have no control over it. So, I’ve had to cancel all conflicting shows to ensure that only the ones I absolutely want are recorded.
Occasionally, I’ll turn on the TV in the bedroom and find that the 8300HDC has completely forgotten how to tune in to channels and thus has not recorded anything since the last time I turned it on. Somehow I feel like that defeats the point of having a DVR.
So.. what’s my point here? First, if you have an 8300HD with BrightHouse, hang onto it. Guard it with your life. You won’t get another one if something happens to it. Second, if anyone out there works for BrightHouse or knows how I can replace my terrible 8300HDC with an 8300HD, please let me know. I’d love to get rid of this terrible piece of technology.
And please, don’t tell me to switch to DirecTV, Tivo, or Dish Network. Trust me, I’m already considering it.
Posted by Ricky on March 17, 2008 at 2:48 pm · Permalink
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Category: Customer service
We decided to not invest right now in a new Mac but my G3 iBook had a bad battery, a bad power cord and a broken keyboard. I searched on-line and ran across Powerbook Medic. They had all of the parts, brand new and sent them lightning fast! And when I had trouble with the new battery not taking a charge, a simple phone call had a new one on the way with a return label for the defective one. Way to go Powerbook Medic!
Dr. Disney
Posted by Dr. Disney on February 21, 2008 at 7:33 am · Permalink
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Category: Customer service
Bad customer service is a real pet peeve of mine — I thought I might share some short bad experiences periodically.
Went into a take and bake pizza shop chain called Papa Murphy’s yesterday evening. The young guy ringing up the orders at the register was wearing iPod earbuds. Maybe it shouldn’t have surprised me he got my order wrong, eh? Nothing says I don’t care about you as a customer more than earphones….
Posted by Dr. Disney on January 12, 2008 at 4:06 pm · Permalink
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