In preparation for moving, I needed to cancel my Verizon DSL account. Naturally, I Googled “cancel Verizon DSL” to get instructions, and the first page of results is filled not with information from Verizon, but with horror stories. That’s never a good sign.
Sighing, I searched “cancel” in Verizon’s help system and immediately got the 800 number to call — so far, one click. I called. After a few quick voice prompts, I got transferred to Kelly: an agent working in a United States call center, who already knew the phone number I had given the computer earlier (which isn’t the case in some call centers).
Kelly: How can I help you?
Me: I’m moving, so I need to cancel my service.
Kelly: Do you need to transfer your service to another address?
Me: No.
Kelly: You have a two-year contract, so there’ll be a $99 early termination fee.
Me: Yep; I expected that.
Kelly: Okay. We’ll turn off your service on Wednesday. Is there anything else I can help you with?
Me: Nope. Have a nice day!
Start to finish, the call was under six minutes.
I struggle to see how that could possibly have gone any better. Either Google lied to me through ranting, or whatever problems Verizon once had are fixed.
I don’t know, but I do know that at least AT&T answers its phones, is pleasant with customers and actually comes when they say they are coming.