PLDT: From dislike to hate
I have several bad experiences with PLDT services and worse encounters with PLDT customer service reps. I realize that a million words have been written about how much PLDT service sucks but I really dont mind if this post somehow just gets lost in all the that negativity. After all, sometimes there is just a need to rant.
Last month, I had put out a request to have my PLDT landline disconnected. This was because my application for DSL could not be accommodated. They said that because the lines here at Mandaluyong have been upgraded already, it was no longer possible to tie it up with DSL. They offered an alternative – the SMART Bro. I informed them I already had SMART Bro connected and the service sucks too and that was why I wanted DSL. Another reason why I wanted the disconnection was because every time there is a power outage – even a short fluctuation – the phone lines go dead. And when it does, it takes a very long time for the phones to function again even after electricity has returned. So when GLOBE offered landline+broadband in one, I jumped at the chance to change.
Imagine my frustration when I was already talking to the customer service rep requesting for my account to be terminated. Before she could entertain me, she got my contact info… she asked why… she asked if she could change her mind… and she put me on hold for a longgggg time to check if she could do something about my DSL application. I hung up as the fifth beep – I was getting hynotized after all.
The day after she called back and wanted to make sure if my decision was final and if my mind was set. I said yes even before I heard her end her sentence. She then confirmed the termination of the line. Great right?
Well today, I got a billing statement from PLDT. Surprise surprise. So here I go again to call on my “best buds” from the PLDT hotline. I followed all instructions spit out by the electronic voice over but the girl I got on the other end was either stupid or new. Because she could not address my billing inquiries she told me to call another extension on the 171 hotline. I said – why can’t you just patch me through there? I mean hello – Im sure there’s some connection between you and wherever you want to send me right? She said no, I had to call again. Grrr. Ok ok so I did. The next girl that I got on the other end was either on the last hour of her shift of just got dumped by her beau because for some reason she was doing her best to be sarcastic in her response. I can imagine here eyebrows sky high as she mouths – “Wait na lang po for next month’s bill because the adjustment will be reflected there”… in an exasperated voice. Uh hello? Customer Service? Im the Customer but where is the Service? I had been very polite in all my dealings with you guys but really you cannot be frustrated already since I am just now talking to you.
Sigh. This wont be the last I gather of the rants that you will read about PLDT, the customer service and other services. And I have a lot more to say about Pinoy’s and their customer service skills – well that’s another post altogether. This just concludes my long relationship with PLDT. I hope I never have to deal with them again.
PLDT sucks. They have been overcharging me. You know the Guild Wars promo last year? I availed it last March 27, 2006. It’s supposed to be charging me for 1 year only but until now they’re still billing me with that!
Another thing is I lost connection from July 23, 2007 to August 2, 2007 and it’s their fault because they already told us that the error was on their side (Loss of configuration or something like that). They told me that they will give me a rebate but my billing came and they didn’t even deduct it!
I’ve been complaining to PLDT every year for 6 years already. Im a PLDT myDSL Professional subscriber since 2001. Thats 3000 a month and they still have crap service.
PLDT sucks I wish I could bomb the corrupt people there.
oh and another thing – yeah im using the professional package but my speed is just the same as their plan 999. sucks.
nat – I could feel your pain while I was reading your comment. Its so frustrating to deal with PLDT. But it is the same for the other telco’s too. Right now, I have to settle for something as I really need the connection that it overcomes the hassle I have to go through. Like you I guess as I am assuming you have stayed with PLDT no matter how much their service sucks.
[...] I am back! Ok ok I think I may just have to take it back. PLDT has now managed to install my DSL and I must say my frustrations are over. I had my complaints from [...]
pldt kuha ng kuha ng customers, wala namang facilities to offer. ang dami kinukuha applicants for lines, tapos wala na palang available cabinets.
next thing they will do, hahapin ang nearest unwilling victim hahanapan ng butas para maputulan ng linya, gagamitin ang kabinet settings para sa new client tapos tatagain ng reconnecting fees and penalties ang old subsciber.
sa unang tingin palang, nag-hahanap na sila ng paraan magkaroon ng pera. not to mention sunod sunod ang cost cutting nila. di kaya luga na sila and still trying to maintain an image of strength pero sa loob ay inaamag na sila?
then ito na ang punch line, in a span of 3-6 months (di pa tapos ang lock down period ng new subscriber) ay uulitin nanaman ang ang racket or modus operandi na ito. from land line to dsl and smart bro connection pareho ang system ng panloloko.
and incase ang new subscriber di makitahan ng butas, sisiguraduhin mahina ang service para madismaya at umalis or end and service before lock down period, oo nga naman. KIKITA SILA SA PENALTY CHARGES AND DO THE SAME THING TO THE NEXT UNWILLING VICTIM. eg tagal ng repairman, outdated payments, Parati Lang or waLang Dial Tone, or walang dsl signal.
then if bayaran na, may kulang papala!!!! ang sa liit ng P500 they will get a law office to charge you!!!!??? wow mas mahal ang ang professional fee manalo or matalo. patulan mo, gagastos ka rin. GEEEEEEZZZZZZZ.
THEY ARE SICK
ginawa nila ito sa isang kalye sa tondo and nilagay na non payers and blacklisted buong block!!!!! thats odd!!!!!! pero mga nakatira doon mayaman at middle class. naku PLDT MAGSARA KA NA
WALANG PERPEKTONG COMMUNICATION SERVICE KAHIT CELLPHONE. PERO PLDT DI KA MIGHTY AND MAKAPANGYARIHAN. BULOK KA NA THAT IS WHY KUMIKITA ANG IBANG PROVIDERS.
yeah your right! PLDT Service sucks! For about 4 weeks waiting for a repair.
lilo – I dont think they have changed the way they do service.
Don’t I agree with all you guys.. Damn PLDT. We used to be prepaid line users and I decided to switch into postpaid line ’cause I’m tired of topping up my account before being able to use my phone.
So, here we go. The line got upgraded. We were just subscribed with the service for barely two weeks and we got a bill of P1,000. We even got this service charge coz I once called about our phone line’s inaccessibility. I dont mind the service charge and all the shit… But here’s the catch. Our phone lines still inaccessible. It would ring once, twice. Then as soon as I pick up, I get disconnected. Friends who call me said that it sounds as if someone is picking up but then again we don’t even hear our phone unit ring.
And yeah, I agree about that strategy of pissing off customers just so they would have to pay for the lock in period penalty.
Dumb ass service. They suck big time.
I am sorry to hear that kyretica. I think though overall our country’s infrastructure is not as advanced as we would like it to be…
wag na kayo pakabit ng pldt dsl kasi pangit. hindi maganda ang service. 1 or 2 yrs ang lock in ng mga yan. bago magpakabit magbasa basa muna ng mga comments dito sa internet para malinawan tayo.
ran9 – I have my complaints about PLDT but its no different with other providers. You did not indicate the details of your experience so what you are saying sounds hollow. Pls. elaborate.
PLDT – Philippine Long Disconnected Telecom? Im so happy with my 1st 3 months sa pldt… ang bilis ng connection, parang wala akong naalala na downtime… ahhh well…. after that was a hell! dun na cguro nagsimula ang kanilang modus operandi, trying to make you quit, unfortunate for them, I persevered!
Halos araw araw na akong tumatawag sa kanila…171/172 ..halos memoryado ko na yung questions/procedures
..buti nlang di kami nagka phonepal… ilang beses narin naka punta sa bahay to check, anyway, medyo na fix na yung problem about a month or two.. after that, I still have to call them like 3-5 a month.. tumatawag lang ako after an hour of trying to do the procedures to revive the internet which is not limited to power cycle, unplug & re-plug the wires, off & on ang modem, disable & enable the interned connection, mag tracerout, ipconfig etc… yes, im very patient. ü
but not anymore! last night was worst ever! I still need to submit my files to our boss and the internet was down since 5pm and it’s 11pm already so I decided to call 171 but it says “the number you dialed is not yet in service” huh? tried 172 and 173… still same. tell how should I call them? (well, I trash my smart sim for obvious reason – they suck too!) I tried to call my cellfone, it works and so my friends landline. grrrr!!!!!
Advise ko lang, wag lang ang PLDT! yes, some providers have shortcomings too but not as hell as theirs!
(originally I wanted to get a globe liine kaya lang full na daw yung port nila sa area namin) ..a oo nga pala, I just remembered during the connection period ( i’ll just make this short ü) pag inquire ko sa globe satellite office, check kaagad nila yung location ko sa map pc nila. Ayon, within 5 mins lang tapos na, di daw ako pwede magpakabit kasi nga walang bakante. I then jump to PLDT (no choice kasi) Pumila ako dun kasi kailangan sa main office talaga. Submitted my form tapos wait nlang daw sa tawag nila. a week after wala parin tumawag, so ako nlang tumawag sa office nila at buti nlang I remember the name of the person assisting me, well, sabi daw nila inspect pa daw nila ang area which will take daw 3-5days (mins lang nga sa globe)… another week passed, wala feedback parin, so I applied again in another office (another area) where I have a referral, after 2 weeks of intensive follow-up, nakabitan din… haaaay… at yung spice nito, after 2 weeks, tumawag yung person who assisted me in the previous pldt office saying we are on our way to your house to check the area… hehehe.. ang galing nila.. wala akong masabi. O kaya nya yan? wahahaaha
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