When I worked in the travel sector in the 80s the rumour within the industry was that Saga over-booked all their holidays by 10% because, how shall I put it, they estimated that that percentage of their clients would not be able to go on their holidays. Saga kept the deposit, of course.
BT Open are a nightmare and are short of numbers at the exchange boxes, especially if you have any developments on the area. It is not the first time I have heard Virgin used as an excuse, even when they have no facility in the area. Sky are no better because they are just puppets to BT Open and have no control over their own service, until BT Open decide to connect. Basically having all three serves you no better, because BT Open have overall control, as in some areas a few years ago Virgin would have to piggy back off BT Lines. Time the government sorted this out.
Things are no better here with telecoms. My old ISP who also supplied the phone was totally incompetent. Unable to do anything because they didn't own the lines or exchanges. They had their help lines in African countries and even the native French speakers couldn't understand them. No chance for me then. I cancelled my contract with them in January and had to return my modem. They supplied, eventually, the paperwork to return it. A month after I had received and paid the final bill, they informed me that I hadn't returned it and would charge me €60. I e-mailed them and received a reply to say they had made an error, but would take the money from my account, then refund it a month later. No, I don't think you will, so I put a stop on the bank paying them. A week later they sent me a stern letter saying I owed them money because of non-return of the modem and a new set of paperwork to return it. I ignored it, and yesterday I finally believe I am free of them when they showed my balance at zero. Tonight I have received several e-mails inviting me to take out a mobile plan with them. I don't think so.
Wonder when the prem fixture list comes out, that´s when it will seem all the realer! Long weekend here, much needed after the last one of partying. The Telecomunications market here, is one dirty oligopoly, but it is opening up a bit more much I am sure to Mr. Slim´s annoyance. Have a good weekend all, nearly there! I guess it is a Bank Holiday in Blighty too, but Monday let´s hope there is some silverware on the party bus!
