Crazy Verizon ad

[Billy Cox]

I saw this ad and wondered what in the world the marketing people at Verizon were thinking when they gave this the green light.

[John Kennedy]

Just had FIOS installed (phone, tv, computer). My thought would be that maybe Verizon could close their marketing division and put 'em all to work answering the phone. Verizon, God love 'em, can be one of the most difficult outfits to communicate with I've ever seen. You try to call 'em and you immediately are launched into an electronic maze - getting hold of a live human being is like pullin' teeth.

It took me several days to even be able to report a service problem. Went to one of their retail stores and was told by the manager, when I complained about it, that they couldn't get into the system any faster than anyone else. I have suggested to several of their employees that they needed to do something about the problem - but they won't. That's one of the less than charming things about American big biz - they could care less.

[Gary Swartzlander]

Please tell us what you were thinking? I'm not sure it's a particularly effective advertising piece, but beyond that I don't see anything objectionable.

[Charlene Clevenger]

I don't understand the problem with the ad.

Just had FIOS installed (phone, tv, computer). My thought would be that maybe Verizon could close their marketing division and put 'em all to work answering the phone. Verizon, God love 'em, can be one of the most difficult outfits to communicate with I've ever seen. You try to call 'em and you immediately are launched into an electronic maze - getting hold of a live human being is like pullin' teeth.

It took me several days to even be able to report a service problem. Went to one of their retail stores and was told by the manager, when I complained about it, that they couldn't get into the system any faster than anyone else. I have suggested to several of their employees that they needed to do something about the problem - but they won't. That's one of the less than charming things about American big biz - they could care less.

We switched to Verizon FiOS a few months ago. I like it better than Comcast except for the service. Comcast was very good at answering the phone. Between home and work I've called Verizon with problems 3 times and was put on hold for from 45 minutes to 2 1/2 hours.

[Gina Stevenson]

It took me several days to even be able to report a service problem. Went to one of their retail stores and was told by the manager, when I complained about it, that they couldn't get into the system any faster than anyone else. I have suggested to several of their employees that they needed to do something about the problem - but they won't. That's one of the less than charming things about American big biz - they could care less.


Are you talking about getting into their website to report something or via phone? What I've learned, when calling AT&T, is that if I don't want to go through their maze, I punch "0" (zero) 3x in a row ... just once won't do. Then it says something like it'll connect with the next available rep ... no maze of questions, punches, et al.

Not sure this will solve whatever for you, since I'm not sure what you're dealing with. 'Just an idea to try maybe?

[John Kennedy]

Fortunately, FIOS works better than the Verizon phone system.

[John Kennedy]

Are you talking about getting into their website to report something or via phone? What I've learned, when calling AT&T, is that if I don't want to go through their maze, I punch "0" (zero) 3x in a row ... just once won't do. Then it says something like it'll connect with the next available rep ... no maze of questions, punches, et al.

Not sure this will solve whatever for you, since I'm not sure what you're dealing with. 'Just an idea to try maybe?


Oh, I've used the '0' tactic with a number of automated systems. Most of the time the same irritating electronic voice informs me that my response is inappropriate.

[Gina Stevenson]

Oh, I've used the '0' tactic with a number of automated systems. Most of the time the same irritating electronic voice informs me that my response is inappropriate.

Yeah, come to think of it, it doesn't always work with everyone, after all.

[Paula Karr]

Oh, I've used the '0' tactic with a number of automated systems. Most of the time the same irritating electronic voice informs me that my response is inappropriate.

I may be about to become very popular with you all. Check out this site: http://www.gethuman.com/

:basic05

You're welcome, de nada, il n'est rien,
Paula

[Gina Stevenson]

Oh, wow! Good memory/good work, Paula. Saw that site [or one very similar] a few years ago, and forgot about it]. ;)

I may be about to become very popular with you all. Check out this site: http://www.gethuman.com/

:basic05

You're welcome, de nada, il n'est rien,
Paula

[Billy Cox]

Please tell us what you were thinking? I'm not sure it's a particularly effective advertising piece, but beyond that I don't see anything objectionable.

First, you must understand that first impressions are everything in advertising. The point is to get an immediate message without having to think about it.

I thought two things immediately when I saw the ad.

1. It reminded me of a plane going down in flames. (memory of 9/11?)

2. The arrow also seems to be like one of those recession graphs headed in the wrong direction. This was more of a second impression.

[Joanne Vergin]

I definetly saw the plane thing at first and thought that was where you were heading. I agree with the recession arrow too but I don't think many will see that.

[Mike Wooldridge]

I really wasn't sure what it was supposed to be. It looks a little like a F-117A stealth fighter. That aircraft is subsonic and doesn't have afterburners.
http://old.ournet.md/~crafts/img/f-117a_1.jpg

[Dana Grant]

I saw this ad and wondered what in the world the marketing people at Verizon were thinking when they gave this the green light.


I'm not sure I see anything wrong with it -- to me it looks like sort of a stealth-style mouse-pointing arrow that is evidently FAST because it's got a fire behind it........????? What am I missing?

[Marg Webb]

I may be about to become very popular with you all. Check out this site: http://www.gethuman.com/

:basic05

You're welcome, de nada, il n'est rien,
Paula

WHERE DO YOU ALL GET THIS INFORMATION!!!!!!!!!!!
I feel so lost in the Booney's!!!!!!

[Paula Karr]

WHERE DO YOU ALL GET THIS INFORMATION!!!!!!!!!!!
I feel so lost in the Booney's!!!!!!

If you go to Google and type in something like "reach live person on telephone," it will connect you to links. Google knows everything.

:laughing