Third time's a cheat...
http://contentmarketingtoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/geicotherapistthrowingkleenexbox.jpg
----- Original Message -----
From: "Glen Waldrop" <gwl...@cngwireless.net>
To: <af@afmug.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2015 3:27 PM
Subject: Re: [AFMUG] reasonable request
Let's try this again...
----- Original Message -----
From: "Glen Waldrop" <gwl...@cngwireless.net>
To: <af@afmug.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2015 2:41 PM
Subject: Re: [AFMUG] reasonable request
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jay Weekley" <par...@cyberbroadband.net>
To: <af@afmug.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2015 12:53 PM
Subject: Re: [AFMUG] reasonable request
This is a communication we received from someone shortly after IBEC
folded.
"Seems to me that you guys are kind of trying to take a little advantage
of the unfortunate plight of the IBEC customers. We got charged $100.00
by IBEC for a modem to get set up for their service and then paid a
fairly reasonable monthly fee of 29.95. For this investment we only got
just a little over a year's worth of service before we received word
that they are ending their service due to their inability to overcome
the tornado damage from April 27 2011. Now you guys seem to be trying to
capitalize on the present circumstances that IBEC customers find
themselves in by charging double the setup charge and double the monthly
fee. It's either you guys or back to dialup service for us IBECS at this
point. It would just be nice given the status of the current economic
situation for someone to have a little sympathy on those of us who are
already struggling to make ends meet. I believe I read where WISP banded
together to help you guys out and get up and running again after the
Tornado back in April, so it would be nice to see you all do unto others
as you would have others do unto you. I know you all are a business and
have to make enough money to stay afloat, but it would be nice to feel
like there was a company out there willing to give the little guy a
break every now and then. Hopefully you guys will reconsider the
situation and decide to give us a better deal than is currently being
offered, because at this point frankly a lot of us IBEC customers are
gun shy due to the rug being pulled out from under us. I mean what's to
prevent you guys from doing the same thing to us a few months down the
road after we put out the money to get set up with your service? Signed,
frustrated in Crane Hill. "
Brett A Mansfield wrote:
My area is a lot of people that seem to be entitled about everything.
They are cheapskates of all cheapskates. If they can get away with
paying less they will. And the few customers I have that did pay a $50
install fee back when I charged it are the ones I have the hardest time
getting to pay their bills. It is certainly different in every market.
The vast majority of my customers are brand new families that are just
starting out.
Thank you,
Brett A Mansfield
On Oct 6, 2015, at 10:39 AM, Ken Hohhof <af...@kwisp.com
<mailto:af...@kwisp.com>> wrote:
We overlap with Rise. They do free install + first month free. When
I fire a customer for egregious nonpayment problems, I often see a
Rise dish appear on their house. And then disappear a few months
later.
One former customer is on their 5th WISP dish on their house. Rise
has installed and de-installed twice.
If your area is very upscale, maybe what Mark says isn�t true. I am
not so lucky, and my experience is similar to Mark�s. We will break
the install fee into 2 payments if the customer makes a credible case
they can�t pay it all at once, like retirees on fixed income.
*From:* Mark Radabaugh <mailto:m...@amplex.net>
*Sent:* Tuesday, October 06, 2015 11:28 AM
*To:* af@afmug.com <mailto:af@afmug.com>
*Subject:* Re: [AFMUG] reasonable request
We have tried both free install, $25 install and $75 install. There
is a significant correlation between the number of short term (<90
day) non-pay disconnects and the free or $25 install. Keeping the
install high enough that the customer has at least some skin in the
game makes a measurable difference.
Mark
On Oct 6, 2015, at 12:20 PM, Ty Featherling <tyfeatherl...@gmail.com
<mailto:tyfeatherl...@gmail.com>> wrote:
I wasn't speaking globally. In our area the only company that is
offering free installs is the one that can't seem to keep customers.
-Ty
On Tue, Oct 6, 2015 at 11:11 AM, Brett A Mansfield
<li...@silverlakeinternet.com <mailto:li...@silverlakeinternet.com>>
wrote:
Companies that are hurting for customers are not the only ones
that do free installation. I am not hurting for customers at all
(I'd actually like to offload a few) and I do free installation.
Anyone that has a quality product at the right price for
customer and the ISP can afford to do a free installation
because that customer will be very loyal and stay with you for a
long time.
Thank you,
Brett A Mansfield
On Oct 6, 2015, at 9:47 AM, Ty Featherling
<tyfeatherl...@gmail.com <mailto:tyfeatherl...@gmail.com>> wrote:
I basically told him just that. I told him the only providers
giving away installations are those that are hurting for
customers. I gave him all to positives about our company and
service and told him I hope he finds what he is looking for
from another provider.
-Ty
On Tue, Oct 6, 2015 at 9:26 AM, Ken Hohhof <af...@kwisp.com
<mailto:af...@kwisp.com>> wrote:
You can�t always get what you want.
But if you try sometimes you just might find
You get what you need.
I would take the position that your service is the best
available in your area, and it costs what it costs, no
promos or freebies. If it�s the best, people pay your
price
on your terms to get it.
You know all those 50 year old guys you see driving new
Corvettes? Most of them have wanted one since they were 20
and kept asking the dealer when they were having a sale. So
they drove Malibus for 30 years, until they paid the asking
price for the Corvette.
Do these guys walk up to supermodels and say �Hey, babe,
if you�re ever giving it away, call me�? Does that ever
work? And if it did work, would that change the
desirability factor?
I�ve had people like this ask once a year if we were
having
a promo or free installs yet and finally after 2-3 years
order service. The fact that you don�t give it away
enhances your brand image as the best.
Or they just continue on their quest for fast, good and
cheap with a guarantee but no strings and no upfront cost.
And a pony.
*From:* Ty Featherling <mailto:tyfeatherl...@gmail.com>
*Sent:* Tuesday, October 06, 2015 8:43 AM
*To:* af@afmug.com <mailto:af@afmug.com>
*Subject:* [AFMUG] reasonable request
Check this out, via our website contact us form:
"Message:
I would like to use your service but I'm tired of endless
promises from vendors regarding reliability and available.
Up to xmps is a hollow promise.
I would like to use your service but I'm not willing to pay
an installation charge or sign a "contract", and want 24x7
availability and reliability.
What can you "garrantee" that will satisfy my requirements?
Thanks"
I replied with my best explanation of how internet service
works in the real world. I let him know we could possible
get him a dedicated connection and included an estimated
cost so that he could see the difference. His reponse was
to ask what our plans are to support UHD
(Ultra-High-Definition) streaming video. He thinks it is
ridiculous that he can only get HD streams to work.
I think I got through to him but damn, what the hell makes
a person think they can demand more while saying they
shouldn't have to pay installation or have a contract. He
finally left me with "let me know if you ever have a
promotion for free install and no contract."