What is the biggest pork pie you've ever been told by a network?

Thine Wonk · 15-03-2015, 18:23

I was just reading another thread about a user that was told that the reason why Three ended unlimited tethering was because of Ofcom and other broadband providers allegedly losing customers so it had to stop!

What pork pies have you been told by a call centre or phone shop?

Name and shame!

DevonBloke · 15-03-2015, 18:53

I can remember once Plusnet telling me that my adsl might be slowing down at night because I'm on a long line and street lighting might be affecting it.
This had to be the biggest load of crap ever right?
Nope, was just about to send an email to the boss when I found several articles stating that the extra electrical interference from street lighting can and does affect long lines.
That was a close one, I would have looked a right wally!!!!
Hahahaha

Thine Wonk · 15-03-2015, 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevonBloke

I can remember once Plusnet telling me that my adsl might be slowing down at night because I'm on a long line and street lighting might be affecting it.
This had to be the biggest load of crap ever right?
Nope, was just about to send an email to the boss when I found several articles stating that the extra electrical interference from street lighting can and does affect long lines.
That was a close one, I would have looked a right wally!!!!
Hahahaha

That might have some basis as you say, RF interference might cause that through the copper pairs acting like an aerial, certainly the long cable would reduce the quality of the signal at the end too.

I have seen a few stories on these forums over the years about what phone companies have said about their competitors in order to convince people to sign up.

Roush · 15-03-2015, 19:05

Here's a pretty big pork pie: http://www.wilsonsbutchers.co.uk/sho...9#.VQXXvy2In0c

Aetnla · 15-03-2015, 19:51

Shops lying about when 4G is coming. The EE shop lied to my mate saying his area will be getting 4G in October 2013 but didn't get it until earlier this year and still yet to get indoor 4G. The Three shop also lied to me about when my area will be getting 4G and told me November 2014. There's still no sign of 4G in my area on 3 yet.

clewsy · 15-03-2015, 20:42

Three shop I have to say were honest with me and told me that coverage would be patchy and not worth bothering with, went the call centre told me it would be good coverage.

Best one for me was O2 telling me that Tesco mobile gets cut off when they need space for their customers, followed by "don't tell anyone I told you".

mrMick · 15-03-2015, 20:52

Sky once told me my ISP (at the time, ADSL24) doesn't exist. They hung up on me when I asked them to explain to me where my internet service was coming from, who i'd been paying for the last two years.

Or how about Three, with "We have superfast broadband with unbeatable coverage with a minimum of 30Mbps everywhere". That was a blinder! I had to pick myself up off the floor with that one..

psionic · 15-03-2015, 20:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thine Wonk

I was just reading another thread about a user that was told that the reason why Three ended unlimited tethering was because of Ofcom and other broadband providers allegedly losing customers so it had to stop!

What pork pies have you been told by a call centre or phone shop?

Name and shame!

One particular phone shop told a colleague I was with that Bluetooth only works with phones that have a blue LED

TelevisionUser · 15-03-2015, 21:03

What is the biggest pork pie you've ever been told by a network?

"We have a consistently good service in the local area"*

*

Spoiler

denyo1977 · 15-03-2015, 21:19

Three years ago this happened:
After sending an email to T-Mobile complaining about the fact that I could get nearly double speeds with their Internet Booster compared to the Full Monty (which apparently wasn't uncapped back then), my partner and I were basically called liars. Someone from the director's office called and said the speeds we mentioned (7.0down and 3.3up) weren't even possible on T-Mobile and that I was connected through Wifi. He even started going on about 4G not being available in the north!!!!! , HSDPA only allowing a max of 3.7 and he was confident that my speeds weren't real.

d123 · 15-03-2015, 21:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by clewsy

Best one for me was O2 telling me that Tesco mobile gets cut off when they need space for their customers, followed by "don't tell anyone I told you".

There is an element of truth in that, O2 do run on a priority service, and an O2 contract customer would get priority over an MVNO customer. If a cell was congested it does effectively cut off/slow down the Tesco customer for its own customers,

It's often complained about on the Giffgaff forums as they get the lowest priority available which is why their data service is often poor.

Thine Wonk · 15-03-2015, 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by d123

There is an element of truth in that, O2 do run on a priority service, and an O2 contract customer would get priority over an MVNO customer. If a cell was congested it does effectively cut off the Tesco customer for its own customers,

It's often complained about on the Giffgaff forums as they get the lowest priority available which is why their data service is often poor.

Agreed, except I believe this doesn't apply to Tesco as it is a 50/50 partnership and I hear that Tesco customers have the same network priory as O2 consumer customers, not 100% sure, but I think they do.

d123 · 15-03-2015, 21:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thine Wonk

Agreed, except I believe this doesn't apply to Tesco as it is a 50/50 partnership and I hear that Tesco customers have the same network priory as O2 consumer customers, not 100% sure, but I think they do.

I don't remember the exact specifics, you could well be right, having said that, I wouldn't expect Tesco PAYG customers to be tier 1 even if Tesco contract customers were, as I seem to recall that even O2 PAYG customers were only tier 2.

As I say though, it's all pretty hazy.

darkjedimaster · 15-03-2015, 22:05

When I enabled tethering on Orange years ago, I was promised by a rep that the tethering would be a set limit which I agreed on, but when my next bill came in at £350 for the month, as they didn't keep to their side of the tethering cap. When I contacted them about it, they denied that the call I made making the agreement ever took place. So I refused to pay & the next month they sent me through another bill for £700, which was the original £350 that they billed me, plus a further £350 as they had terminated my contract. This was about 6 years ago now & every so often their collecting company gets in contact with a letter asking for money, and I just file it in the bin. Not really bothered if it stays on my credit file, as they can whistle if they ever think that they will get that amount out of me.

Thine Wonk · 15-03-2015, 22:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by d123

I don't remember the exact specifics, you could well be right, having said that, I wouldn't expect Tesco PAYG customers to be tier 1 even if Tesco contract customers were, as I seem to recall that even O2 PAYG customers were only tier 2.

As I say though, it's all pretty hazy.

Same for me and the contract / PAYG spit I think you're right on too. It is hazy for me, but something in my head tells me Tesco and O2 are equal priority with their respective PAYG & contracts.

clewsy · 15-03-2015, 22:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thine Wonk

Same for me and the contract / PAYG spit I think you're right on too. It is hazy for me, but something in my head tells me Tesco and O2 are equal priority with their respective PAYG & contracts.

So it wasn't such a big lie. However surly these masts can't work out who to kick off when its full as that would take time ana slow everything down more so. You sure this happens and isn't all talk to get people to go to contracts?

enapace · 16-03-2015, 00:54

I got told by EE that a SIM Card I was holding in hand didn't exist and was a figment of my imagination.

The Lord Lucan · 16-03-2015, 01:03

Three's 2014 public roll out list...

d123 · 16-03-2015, 01:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by clewsy

So it wasn't such a big lie. However surly these masts can't work out who to kick off when its full as that would take time ana slow everything down more so. You sure this happens and isn't all talk to get people to go to contracts?

No, the network controls how and where a sim can connect (at its simplest level) you don't pay your bill your outgoing usage is totally restricted, the network knows exactly which IMSI can do what.

Another example is in an emergency the network can restrict all subscribers or only allow selected high priority users to connect (MTPAS in the UK), normal customers can only gain access to 999/112 with all other use rejected at network level.

jabbamk1 · 16-03-2015, 13:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Lord Lucan

Three's 2014 public roll out list...

Three's 2015 public roll out list....

DevonBloke · 16-03-2015, 15:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by enapace

I got told by EE that a SIM Card I was holding in hand didn't exist and was a figment of my imagination.

Are you sure it wasn't a bottle of Scotch??

de525ma · 16-03-2015, 16:08

When my mother cancelled her Vodafone contract due to the lack of 3G in North East Scotland - the cancellations team told her that all the other networks used their transmitters anyway so there would be no difference if she switched.

That was a whopper.

Grain of truth I suppose - some MVNOs use Voda, and they had just started the Cornerstone stuff with O2 at the time.

DevonBloke · 16-03-2015, 16:24

Ah, I see where she went wrong.....
She should have substituted "North East Scotland" with "The UK"

lightspeed2398 · 16-03-2015, 16:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by jabbamk1

Three's 2015 public roll out list....

Taking even more off in April are they?

Chrysalis · 16-03-2015, 17:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thine Wonk

I was just reading another thread about a user that was told that the reason why Three ended unlimited tethering was because of Ofcom and other broadband providers allegedly losing customers so it had to stop!

What pork pies have you been told by a call centre or phone shop?

Name and shame!

giffgaff.

On their site they claim they block adult content and require an adult passport or drivers licence to unblock because ofcom told them to do so, this was way before all the news about isp's adding porn filters.

15-03-2015, 18:23	#1
Thine Wonk Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 14,577	What is the biggest pork pie you've ever been told by a network? I was just reading another thread about a user that was told that the reason why Three ended unlimited tethering was because of Ofcom and other broadband providers allegedly losing customers so it had to stop! What pork pies have you been told by a call centre or phone shop? Name and shame!

15-03-2015, 21:03	#9
TelevisionUser Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Storbritannia Posts: 28,930	What is the biggest pork pie you've ever been told by a network? "We have a consistently good service in the local area"* * Spoiler Pinoccio alert!

15-03-2015, 18:53	#2
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	I can remember once Plusnet telling me that my adsl might be slowing down at night because I'm on a long line and street lighting might be affecting it. This had to be the biggest load of crap ever right? Nope, was just about to send an email to the boss when I found several articles stating that the extra electrical interference from street lighting can and does affect long lines. That was a close one, I would have looked a right wally!!!! Hahahaha

15-03-2015, 19:04	#3
Thine Wonk Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 14,577	Quote: Originally Posted by DevonBloke I can remember once Plusnet telling me that my adsl might be slowing down at night because I'm on a long line and street lighting might be affecting it. This had to be the biggest load of crap ever right? Nope, was just about to send an email to the boss when I found several articles stating that the extra electrical interference from street lighting can and does affect long lines. That was a close one, I would have looked a right wally!!!! Hahahaha That might have some basis as you say, RF interference might cause that through the copper pairs acting like an aerial, certainly the long cable would reduce the quality of the signal at the end too. I have seen a few stories on these forums over the years about what phone companies have said about their competitors in order to convince people to sign up.

15-03-2015, 19:05	#4
Roush Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 2,938	Here's a pretty big pork pie: http://www.wilsonsbutchers.co.uk/sho...9#.VQXXvy2In0c

15-03-2015, 19:51	#5
Aetnla Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: England Posts: 293	Shops lying about when 4G is coming. The EE shop lied to my mate saying his area will be getting 4G in October 2013 but didn't get it until earlier this year and still yet to get indoor 4G. The Three shop also lied to me about when my area will be getting 4G and told me November 2014. There's still no sign of 4G in my area on 3 yet.

15-03-2015, 20:42	#6
clewsy Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Midlands Posts: 2,860	Three shop I have to say were honest with me and told me that coverage would be patchy and not worth bothering with, went the call centre told me it would be good coverage. Best one for me was O2 telling me that Tesco mobile gets cut off when they need space for their customers, followed by "don't tell anyone I told you".

15-03-2015, 20:52	#7
mrMick Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cambridge Posts: 1,259	Sky once told me my ISP (at the time, ADSL24) doesn't exist. They hung up on me when I asked them to explain to me where my internet service was coming from, who i'd been paying for the last two years. Or how about Three, with "We have superfast broadband with unbeatable coverage with a minimum of 30Mbps everywhere". That was a blinder! I had to pick myself up off the floor with that one..

15-03-2015, 20:53	#8
psionic Forum Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Crystal Palace TX Posts: 19,702	Quote: Originally Posted by Thine Wonk I was just reading another thread about a user that was told that the reason why Three ended unlimited tethering was because of Ofcom and other broadband providers allegedly losing customers so it had to stop! What pork pies have you been told by a call centre or phone shop? Name and shame! One particular phone shop told a colleague I was with that Bluetooth only works with phones that have a blue LED

15-03-2015, 21:19	#10
denyo1977 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 695	Three years ago this happened: After sending an email to T-Mobile complaining about the fact that I could get nearly double speeds with their Internet Booster compared to the Full Monty (which apparently wasn't uncapped back then), my partner and I were basically called liars. Someone from the director's office called and said the speeds we mentioned (7.0down and 3.3up) weren't even possible on T-Mobile and that I was connected through Wifi. He even started going on about 4G not being available in the north!!!!! , HSDPA only allowing a max of 3.7 and he was confident that my speeds weren't real.

15-03-2015, 21:38	#11
d123 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,993	Quote: Originally Posted by clewsy Best one for me was O2 telling me that Tesco mobile gets cut off when they need space for their customers, followed by "don't tell anyone I told you". There is an element of truth in that, O2 do run on a priority service, and an O2 contract customer would get priority over an MVNO customer. If a cell was congested it does effectively cut off/slow down the Tesco customer for its own customers, It's often complained about on the Giffgaff forums as they get the lowest priority available which is why their data service is often poor.

15-03-2015, 21:42	#12
Thine Wonk Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 14,577	Quote: Originally Posted by d123 There is an element of truth in that, O2 do run on a priority service, and an O2 contract customer would get priority over an MVNO customer. If a cell was congested it does effectively cut off the Tesco customer for its own customers, It's often complained about on the Giffgaff forums as they get the lowest priority available which is why their data service is often poor. Agreed, except I believe this doesn't apply to Tesco as it is a 50/50 partnership and I hear that Tesco customers have the same network priory as O2 consumer customers, not 100% sure, but I think they do.

15-03-2015, 21:55	#13
d123 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,993	Quote: Originally Posted by Thine Wonk Agreed, except I believe this doesn't apply to Tesco as it is a 50/50 partnership and I hear that Tesco customers have the same network priory as O2 consumer customers, not 100% sure, but I think they do. I don't remember the exact specifics, you could well be right, having said that, I wouldn't expect Tesco PAYG customers to be tier 1 even if Tesco contract customers were, as I seem to recall that even O2 PAYG customers were only tier 2. As I say though, it's all pretty hazy.

15-03-2015, 22:05	#14
darkjedimaster Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Deathstar Posts: 15,398	When I enabled tethering on Orange years ago, I was promised by a rep that the tethering would be a set limit which I agreed on, but when my next bill came in at £350 for the month, as they didn't keep to their side of the tethering cap. When I contacted them about it, they denied that the call I made making the agreement ever took place. So I refused to pay & the next month they sent me through another bill for £700, which was the original £350 that they billed me, plus a further £350 as they had terminated my contract. This was about 6 years ago now & every so often their collecting company gets in contact with a letter asking for money, and I just file it in the bin. Not really bothered if it stays on my credit file, as they can whistle if they ever think that they will get that amount out of me.

15-03-2015, 22:06	#15
Thine Wonk Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 14,577	Quote: Originally Posted by d123 I don't remember the exact specifics, you could well be right, having said that, I wouldn't expect Tesco PAYG customers to be tier 1 even if Tesco contract customers were, as I seem to recall that even O2 PAYG customers were only tier 2. As I say though, it's all pretty hazy. Same for me and the contract / PAYG spit I think you're right on too. It is hazy for me, but something in my head tells me Tesco and O2 are equal priority with their respective PAYG & contracts.

15-03-2015, 22:54	#16
clewsy Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Midlands Posts: 2,860	Quote: Originally Posted by Thine Wonk Same for me and the contract / PAYG spit I think you're right on too. It is hazy for me, but something in my head tells me Tesco and O2 are equal priority with their respective PAYG & contracts. So it wasn't such a big lie. However surly these masts can't work out who to kick off when its full as that would take time ana slow everything down more so. You sure this happens and isn't all talk to get people to go to contracts?

16-03-2015, 00:54	#17
enapace Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 4,249	I got told by EE that a SIM Card I was holding in hand didn't exist and was a figment of my imagination.

16-03-2015, 01:03	#18
The Lord Lucan Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Scotland Posts: 4,966	Three's 2014 public roll out list...

16-03-2015, 01:14	#19
d123 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,993	Quote: Originally Posted by clewsy So it wasn't such a big lie. However surly these masts can't work out who to kick off when its full as that would take time ana slow everything down more so. You sure this happens and isn't all talk to get people to go to contracts? No, the network controls how and where a sim can connect (at its simplest level) you don't pay your bill your outgoing usage is totally restricted, the network knows exactly which IMSI can do what. Another example is in an emergency the network can restrict all subscribers or only allow selected high priority users to connect (MTPAS in the UK), normal customers can only gain access to 999/112 with all other use rejected at network level.

16-03-2015, 13:16	#20
jabbamk1 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: London, UK Posts: 8,759	Quote: Originally Posted by The Lord Lucan Three's 2014 public roll out list... Three's 2015 public roll out list....

16-03-2015, 15:37	#21
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	Quote: Originally Posted by enapace I got told by EE that a SIM Card I was holding in hand didn't exist and was a figment of my imagination. Are you sure it wasn't a bottle of Scotch??

16-03-2015, 16:08	#22
de525ma Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Portsmouth Posts: 787	When my mother cancelled her Vodafone contract due to the lack of 3G in North East Scotland - the cancellations team told her that all the other networks used their transmitters anyway so there would be no difference if she switched. That was a whopper. Grain of truth I suppose - some MVNOs use Voda, and they had just started the Cornerstone stuff with O2 at the time.

DS Forums

What is the biggest pork pie you've ever been told by a network?

16-03-2015, 16:24	#23
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	Ah, I see where she went wrong..... She should have substituted "North East Scotland" with "The UK"

16-03-2015, 16:48	#24
lightspeed2398 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 1,325	Quote: Originally Posted by jabbamk1 Three's 2015 public roll out list.... Taking even more off in April are they?

16-03-2015, 17:24	#25
Chrysalis Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Leics Posts: 581	Quote: Originally Posted by Thine Wonk I was just reading another thread about a user that was told that the reason why Three ended unlimited tethering was because of Ofcom and other broadband providers allegedly losing customers so it had to stop! What pork pies have you been told by a call centre or phone shop? Name and shame! giffgaff. On their site they claim they block adult content and require an adult passport or drivers licence to unblock because ofcom told them to do so, this was way before all the news about isp's adding porn filters.