Complaint Forum Proposal

[M3lton]

I propose to Verizon that they start a forum exclusively for complainers and their complaints.

That way, those of us who are happy with what we have and made the choice to purchase can continue on helping each other with positive words and wisdom about the phones we own and have questions about.

Does anyone else agree?

Maybe they could start that forum today.

I would love to see a complaint/nag free HELP/INFO forum on here someday.

[AFguy1]

I second that motion, wholeheartedly.

[supitsmike]

While I would love this, it won't happen. That would mean all the mods would probably spend thier time there, it would give the notion to people that that's the "solution" forum to look for all their answers, and it would probably start some hardcore trolling.

[M3lton]

Well, they can add auto language filters and have a mod on there 24/7.

I don't think people would look at it as the "solution" forum, because those of us who are smart just know it's for nagative Nancies that lead miserable, sad and negative lives.

It's like building a playground for children, they're not mature enough to play with big toys, so you give them something to distract them while the adults talk about real life.

[AFguy1]

Indeed, that is probably true.  I've just been skipping over the ones who are acting "ignorant" and only helping the sincere ones.  People will get a whole lot more help and satisfaction from Verizon, if they werent so darn hateful, demanding, and threatening.  

[y0diggity]

I see your point Mike, but I'm sure some sort of an adjustment to their proceedure could be made. And you have to admit, it'd sure be nice to not scroll through a ton of "My Eris doesn't open my garage door and sccop the poop in the yard and the sales person said it would" posts. Time could actually be spent discussing the handsets that we have and answering user's questions about those handsets.

I'm just sayin'. It'd be nice.

[somegirl]

In general, complaints go something like this:

"I am unhappy about x. If Verizon doesn't fix x, I'm leaving!"

The vast majority of the complaint posts are not really supposed to be here, because the complainer is trying to convey a message to/get a response from Verizon directly. This is a peer-to-peer forum.

If you give them a section of their own, they will assume that this is the appropriate place to voice concerns to Verizon, and that Verizon reps will be responding to their complaint. This will lead to more complaints, both because their desire to post grumblings has been validated (in their eyes) and because Verizon "isn't listening" to them.

It doesn't matter how big of a peer-to-peer banner you put at the top, people will ignore it.

While I would love to see boards full of help and free of whining, I don't think it's going to happen.

[M3lton]

I get where you're coming from, but what it would do is allow us, who don't complain and don't want to read it, to tell them to go elsewhere.

Yes, complaints may increase, but they will be able to be in one section. It would also increase the use of the forum and support area, which Verizon I'm sure would be pleased to know that they are getting lots of publicity.

There's no way to stop people from complaining, but giving them a specific place to do it will allow them to have an outlet and allow others of a more positive nature to steer clear.

It's like a detox center.

I'm not saying it will cure the forum or provide an ultimate solution, but it would be nice to tell people where to go when they start complaining.

[supitsmike]

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@M3lton wrote:

I get where you're coming from, but what it would do is allow us, who don't complain and don't want to read it, to tell them to go elsewhere.

But wouldn't that specific forum BE for complaining?

Yes, complaints may increase, but they will be able to be in one section. It would also increase the use of the forum and support area, which Verizon I'm sure would be pleased to know that they are getting lots of publicity.

Just because it's in on section it doesn't make it any less ugly. {please keep it relevant}

There's no way to stop people from complaining, but giving them a specific place to do it will allow them to have an outlet and allow others of a more positive nature to steer clear.

I agree, giving people an outlet is good. Giving people an "Everything goes here" section isn't. It's hard to structure a "Complaint Area" because when someone is upset they don't see the line of inappropriate and appropriate. They just see what they want.

And I think that you can agree, with the time that you've been on here, that it'll be intensely hard to speak reason (well, reason without a waspish attitude ) with a 'positive nature'.

It's like a detox center.

I'm not saying it will cure the forum or provide an ultimate solution, but it would be nice to tell people where to go when they start complaining.

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I agree with somegirl completely. Though I do agree with you too. Sometimes coming on to this Android forum (and believe me, I've been on here since day one), for it to only be polluted with repatative threads sucks. Nothing I can do about it.

Seriously though, with all the work we do on here you'd think we'd be getting paid or something.

Or at least CL. 😄

[M3lton]

Haha! Yeah, you'd think we'd get paid. Since I see more replies from a few of us than I've ever seen by a Mod or Admin.

It's crazy.

And the Complaint Forum is just a proposal. Maybe more of a dream. And it would need a lot more discussion and planning by the forum Admins and Mods.

Maybe someday people will just be happy and complain a little less, but until then I'll keep dreaming.

[prisaz]

I have noticed over the years (1 1/2) many people come and complain first without first looking for a solution. Then we who would like to help, must say stop give us information and perhaps you can find help here. I see a valid time to complain when no solutions are being found. But let's not give people a place to start out with a complaint. These forums are better suited for starting out with a question and issue, then looking for a solution.

[bcarroll7]

Thank you all for the lively discussion on this topic. It would be best to have people start out with a question and some info so others can help find a solution. We are hoping to put some topics/blog posts together to help people who first come to these forums learn to use them more easily, and we could possibly give some examples of what makes a good forum post.  It is likely that whatever board format we set up, people who want to complain will do so. 

Thanks again!

[SuzyQ]

Interesting discussion here.  If I may weigh in with my 2 cents....

If there was a "complaint forum", I probably would not spend much time there.  I came here, originally, for help with my new cell phone, and stayed because after searching for my answers, I found I could answer more questions than I needed to ask.  Working at home, on my computer, I have time to keep up throughout the day (most  days, not all!) with discussions, and I enjoy the interaction and being able to solve problems.

I don't enjoy reading complaints, or threats, or rants from those who don't want help, but just want to vent.  And those folks love to vent in many places, as we all know.  Posts get repeated multiple times thinking it will get more attention that way, and I don't think having a specific place for venting will prevent the same posts from showing up on other boards as well.  In fact, it may encourage complaining and venting....and that would serve no purpose, IMO.

In short, I think those of us that do spend time here helping and answering questions would avoid the complaint board, it would add to board clutter, folks are going to complain and vent regardless, so why encourage it?  Emphasize that this is peer-to peer support and help, NOT a complaint forum.  The mods have enough to do handling the board without ASKING for complaints!!!

I think I may have written more than  2 cents....oh, well.  Have a wonderful evening!!

[bcarroll7]

I just wanted to clarify my comments above. I am not advocating for or against a complaints board, and we would not want to do anything to encourage complaints which are for the sake of complaining. We do want to encourage real questions with enough information in them to allow the smart people on this forum to give some real answers.  I was just pointing out that, whether or not we were to create a complaints board, those who want to complain will find a place to do so.

Thanks for weighing in, SuzyQ!

[sadfioscamper]

A dedicated site would be great but only if Verizon staff charged with providing solutions actually read it.  It helps to vent and feel like you're being heard on issues positive and negative but let's face it.  If things are working the way they're supposed to, you are likely neutral about it unless someone asks you your opinion. Afterall, you're PAYING for the service to work right and for you to be charged an amount that you feel is what you signed up for.  It's when you feel taken advantage of with no opportunity for recourse that you are more adimant about searching for an outlet, a reliable, trusted source that can get you to that neutral space that you thought you were paying for. In my circumstance, i've been overcharged for services that I don't have every single month.  I only have one tv and one dvr box yet for four months, one after another I call and complain, they credit me and then the charge shows up again even after I've been promised it has been fixed.  Certainly I can go back to Comcast but they threaten me with an outrageous contract fee which implies I'VE done something wrong.  Where's the recourse here?  People who are on this site that are 'happy' with Verizon are either getting paid to post or have way too much time on their hands.  If you reall are avid supporters, help ME understand what you would do in this circumstance?

[caroled]

 question #1. . . Where can Verizon customers go to get results after months and months of not getting any help from Tech Support, Verizon Stores at the Mall, FIOS Stores, Letters to Verizon Hdqs., Notes attached to your bill and the guys (and gals) you see working on lines in your neighborhood?

question # 2. . .If this forum is set up to help people, why do your protest when we reply with our experiences?

question #3. . .How can we make people considering Verizon aware of problems we've encountered?

[Brittany_R]

I agree! I was treated very rudely at the Kennerly location in South St. Louis County and I would like to talk to someone about it

[ignatz713]

Hey, that's a great idea!

So where do those of us who are being hosed by FIOS go to complain?

Where do we go to regale those who aren't happy with the outrageous prices being charged by FIOS about the fact that Cablevision, crooks that THEY are, are now sending people to my DOOR to try and get me BACK to Cablevision, to the tune of ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS a month for EVERYTHING I HAVE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!

Cool deal, huh? Just one problem. The guy had me, but then, being the crooks that they are, asked for the FIRST MONTH'S payment in advance. Well, that brought up all the foul bile that Cablevision has built up in my endocrinological system for the past 28 years when they were a fascist monopoly in these here environs and I kicked him to the curb.

By the way, when their disconnect guy called, he told me that the owner of Verizon was just as unethical and crooked as the Dolans. No doubt, but since there is price fixing going on between ALL of the cable companies, what is the poor schmuck consumer to do?

Exactly.

So, where is the disgruntled hosed consumer supposed to go to voice these complaints about the crooked as Cablevision FIOS? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?????????????????????????????????????

[topdog]

The best way to complain is to drop your service and find another provider.  Then those who stay can use this forum for help!  I have learned so much from just reading the forum.  Most of my problems get solved right here!!!

[sadfioscamper]

Yes, sure!  But they're probably afraid that a dedicated space for something like that would overload their crappy system.

[caroled]

I have been having problems for months and would like to advise people of Verizon's lack of concern. Telling us Corp. does not want to hear it and potential customers won't have access to the lack of concern, doesn't make sense. Can you direct me to a place where I can tell my experience with Verizon? I wish I had the opportunity to hear of other disaster stories other than those from members of my 3 Computer User Groups.