> From: Samuel Penn <sam@???>
> On Thursday 20 December 2007 16:25:38 James Courtier-Dutton wrote:
> > I find demon.net very good. I don't know what there support is like
> > now, because the last time I had to use it was over 3 years ago, so I
> > would say it is a reliable service!!!
> 
> Support has mostly moved to India. As a business user, I sometimes
> manage to get someone in the UK who actually know what they're talking
> about, but when I've had to use their Indian support desk it's been
> truly crap, and I've stopped recommending them to people because of
> this.
We had a similar experience earlier this year, but I have to say 
that the Indian call centre fixed some router issues really 
quickly (bizarre Belkin configuration). The big problem seems to 
be their relationship with BT OpenReach. I think we had five 
engineer visits before OpenReach actually fixed the line fault. 
Clare the bookkeeper has become an expert at getting the 
engineer charges removed from the bill! Tip: if OpenReach come, 
get contact numbers from the engineer. OpenReach's attitude is 
to close the fault immediately if they can't find the problem 
straight away. You cannot initiate OpenReach, your ISP has to do 
it. Net result is that you have to pester your ISP because 
OpenReach has closed the fault. The engineers are mostly good, 
but strangled by rules and management's desire to see good 
closure figures.
We've been with Demon for ages (15-20 years), almost since they 
started. Like all ISPs, they go through periods when demand 
outstrips capacity. On a package value for money basis, they've 
always been good and their terms and conditions are mostly 
reasonable. During the nightmare, we looked at moving to Zen but 
the overall package cost was significantly higher.
Basically, Demon are fine if you can look after yourself most of 
the time. If you have a broadband (but not voice) problem with 
your connection, your ISP's relationship with OpenReach is 
crucial.
Stephen
-- 
Stephen Pelc, stephen@???
MicroProcessor Engineering Ltd - More Real, Less Time
133 Hill Lane, Southampton SO15 5AF, England
tel: +44 (0)23 8063 1441, fax: +44 (0)23 8033 9691
web: 
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