I don't have Verizon as an option so I have to look at Time Warner. What a bunch of second stringers... here's the chat log from online chat... (don't worry, I went ahead and called customer service halfway through the chat).
Ben: Hello. Ben: Welcome. How can I help you today? you: hi you: i'm interested in ip phones for my home you: i currently have RCN phone service with two lines you: is that something i can easily replace? you: and can i keep my existing phone numbers? Ben: Let me go ahead and check the promotion that is available for you in your area. May I have the address and zip code where the installation will take place? you: and how does wiring work? you: ##### you: also, i'd like to learn about additional features of ip phones you: is there a web page which describes these? Ben: May I have your address?> you: ### # avenue, apt #X you: NY, NY Ben: I'm sorry for the delay. I'll be right with you. Ben: DIGITAL PHONE FROM TIME WARNER CABLE Ben: As low as $39.95/month plus one month FREE after 3 months of service! Ben: Unlimited local and FREE long distance including Caller ID, Call waiting and Call Forwarding. Ben: Keep your existing phone number. Ben: 30-day money back guarantee. Ben: NO CONTRACTS! NO CANCELLATION FEES! Ben: I can get you this promotion! You can keep your phone number, you would just verify portability when you call to confirm with customer service. You would also be able to add an additional line if you wish to. They would come and install this in your home for free. Ben: What I can do for you here is sign you up for this offer with no obligations. That way you would be able to call and confirm to verify everything. I will provide the phone number where you can call and confirm and schedule installation once we are done here, if you change your mind you can cancel before installation without paying for the service. Ben: Would you like to do that? you: i'm curious about other features you: ones that ip phones offer but regular phones do not Ben: Alright Ben: Digital Phone includes the most popular calling features at no extra charge: Ben: • Enhanced 911 - automatically transmits your address to emergency service providers. Ben: • Call Waiting - Never miss important calls. Ben: Lets you answer a second call when you're on the phone. With the press of a button, put your first caller on hold and connect with the second one. Ben: • Caller ID - Find out who's calling before you answer. Ben: • Call Waiting ID - See who's calling before you click over. Ben: Combines Call Waiting and Caller ID when you're on the phone to show the name and number of your second caller. Ben: • Call Forwarding - Forward calls to an alternate number. Ben: • Anonymous Call Reject - Ignore calls that don't display Caller ID. Reject incoming calls from people who have their Caller ID blocking turned on. Ben: • Speed Calling - Dial a phone number by pressing a single number on your phone. Ben: • Unlisted Number Option - Choose to publish or not to publish your phone number. Ben: • Voice Mail - Retrieve your messages from anywhere. Ben: Available for an additional $3.95 per month, you can check your voice mail using any phone, home or away. you: things like automatically calling multiple phone numbers so people only have to call me on one number to be sure to get me Ben: The above is a list of features that are standard with this offer you: and transfering a call i'm currently on using my cell phone to my home phone you: ok you: i can read that on the website though you: for some reason, i thought i was getting a live person you: is there a phone number i can call to speak to customer service? Ben: This is an online only offer available via this site. I can assist you in getting this offer here. You would be able to add any features you wish when you call to confirm. Ben: There are no commitments I just need some basic information, I do not take any credit card or billing information here. Ben: In order to sign you up for this promotion I will just need: Ben: Your first and last name Ben: Home phone number Ben: Best contact number Ben: Email address Ben: If you do not have a home phone I just need a contact number instead. you: is there a phone number i can call to speak to customer service? you: look at that! i can copy/paste too! Ben: This is an online only offer Ben: You can call to confirm once we are done here at the number I provide. There are no obligations you: 212-358-0900 you: there- you're off the hook you: i did it for you Ben: Thank you for visiting roadrunneroffers.com and allowing me to assist you. Have a great day. you: you didn't assist me you: but you have a great day too  Chat session has been terminated by the site operator.You are not currently in a chat session. |
It should come as no surprise that the person on the phone was also unable to help me. I wish I recorded the conversation because she was dumb as a box of rocks and tried to get away with it.
me: Can I forward my calls to multiple phone numbers? (like with grandcentral.com)
operator: Yes you can... hold on let me find out how to do that.
operator: Yes you can... just press *72, wait for a dial tone and then enter the 10 digit number
me: ok... and how do I enter multiple numbers?
operator: you just just press *72, wait for a dial tone and then enter the 10 digit number
me: ok.... and?
operator: that's it... you just just press *72, wait for a dial tone and then enter the 10 digit number
me: and how do I enter the second number?
operator: ok... hold on...
operator: you can only do that with a business number
(a total crock of shit if you ask me, but I gave up and got off the line after that one)
So basically what I learned is that timewarner's digital phone service sucks ass. It's about what you'd get from a regular phone service except it's digital (with the features listed above). The only real difference that I can see is that you get unlimited local and long distance calling. I'm all for saving money on my phone service, but if i'm going to switch to IP phones, I want to see some bells and whistles- again, the kind of features that grandcentral.com offers.
And no, grandcentral.com does not sponsor me in any way.
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