Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Telus special promotion not so special.
Hearing the Telus radio ad promoting getting Telus high speed internet and a laptop computer reminded me of a friend who had taken advantage of (or is that had been taken advantage of by) a previous Telus high speed internet plus computer “special” offer.
Signed up for 3 years of high speed internet and received a free computer, but downloading took forever. Enquiry revealed that the computer lacked the RAM to take advantage of high speed internet.
Being willing to be a self-advocate and being persistent eventually got Telus to pay for a RAM upgrade which a friend installed. Now the high speed internet being paid for is useable.
Whether corporate greed, a lack of concern about customer care, a Dilbert-esque triumph of marketing over engineering realities or some combination thereof – it is a cautionary tale.
So if you are thinking of signing up for this latest “special” offer, be sure to check out the technical specifications first. You also might want to a little price, model and features research.
And if “took advantage of” the earlier computer offer applies to you and your internet is anything but high speed … you might want to check your RAM.
Signed up for 3 years of high speed internet and received a free computer, but downloading took forever. Enquiry revealed that the computer lacked the RAM to take advantage of high speed internet.
Being willing to be a self-advocate and being persistent eventually got Telus to pay for a RAM upgrade which a friend installed. Now the high speed internet being paid for is useable.
Whether corporate greed, a lack of concern about customer care, a Dilbert-esque triumph of marketing over engineering realities or some combination thereof – it is a cautionary tale.
So if you are thinking of signing up for this latest “special” offer, be sure to check out the technical specifications first. You also might want to a little price, model and features research.
And if “took advantage of” the earlier computer offer applies to you and your internet is anything but high speed … you might want to check your RAM.
Friday, April 18, 2008
And they're worried about a sex show?
This announcement, for the upcoming Kid swap event at ARC has me wondering how one goes about determining the market value of the kids to be swapped.
Obviously, a smart well mannered kid is worth more than a dumb ill-behaved brat. How is the value scale from perfect angel to offspring from hell determined? Does one trade one super kid and two brats for one so-so kid?
Is the swapping limited to kid (or kids) for kid (or kids), or can kids be swapped for material goods? Can a super kid earn you a yacht in trade? Can a Mercedes sweeten the pot enough to swap a problem child for the peace and quiet of a childless home?
Inquiring minds seek the answer to these and many other questions arising in regard to this swapping of kids at a city owned facility.
And what’s next, a wife swapping event?
Obviously, a smart well mannered kid is worth more than a dumb ill-behaved brat. How is the value scale from perfect angel to offspring from hell determined? Does one trade one super kid and two brats for one so-so kid?
Is the swapping limited to kid (or kids) for kid (or kids), or can kids be swapped for material goods? Can a super kid earn you a yacht in trade? Can a Mercedes sweeten the pot enough to swap a problem child for the peace and quiet of a childless home?
Inquiring minds seek the answer to these and many other questions arising in regard to this swapping of kids at a city owned facility.
And what’s next, a wife swapping event?
