srhuston's Journal: Verizon Sucks Hairy Moose Balls

So waaaaay back in January, I got my notice that DirecTV DSL was going bye-bye. After doing a bit of research, I figured that Earthlink was going to be my best bet, since Verizon doesn't know how to give someone a static IP in New Jersey (figure that one out), and being a sysadmin I need one (read: want). Easier for the firewalling...right. That and Speakeasy doesn't have any deals with Verizon, so I can't get their "sysadmin package".

Anyway, I cancelled my DSL in the second week of January, figuring it would take 2-4 weeks before Verizon finally got off their ass and unprovisioned my line, and then I could give Earthlink a call. I'm sure anyone who's had to deal with the local phone company monopoly knows where this one's headed: my line is still provisioned for DSL, even though the motherfucking ISP is no more. And hasn't been for over a month and a half.

Of course, Earthlink can't do anything until Verizon moves. I tried calling them SIX times already, and every time I end up sitting on hold (speakerphones are nice for this sort of bullshit) until I have to leave my office to do something else, and hang up. Usually about a half hour or so. Finally found an email address where I could complain^H^H^H^Hrequest 'service' (I got an idea... service *this*), and their response? "Thank you for your recent email. We appreciate your inquiry and understand your concerns. Unfortunately, we are unable to resolve this issue via email. In order to
assist you, we request that you please contact our Billing office at ..."

GAAAAH!

Two words. Nuclear fucking weapons, okay?

Thanks Denis, I needed that.

Now, if I had the money to do it, I'd be half tempted to raise a lawsuit here. Monopoly practices and all that jazz. Why? Well, if I were to *ORDER* DSL from Verizon, I'm sure that would be setup right quick. Because they can do that. But, I want to order it through somebody else? Nooo, we can't have any of that. I mean c'mon now, there's no reason for them to unprovision my line, because if I don't have Verizon DSL, I must not want *any* DSL, right?