From: John Tserkezis 
Reply-To: Fidonet AVtech Echo 

Brenton wrote:

> These jokers have got it made.  They open a shop which does Warranty work for
> the phone manufacturers, and also perform non warranty work.  No matter, what
> they do, they make a killing.

  The name you mentioned rang a bell. (Fonebiz in rockdale)

  Some time back, I suspected I had a firmware issue with my phone, (Ericsson 
R310S), and called Ericsson to discusss options.  After talking to several 
first-level support monkeys, I managed to get a few keypresses out of the way 
and verify that the firmware on my phone at the time was not the latest.  I 
asked what changes were made in the latest revision, but they didn't know, (or 
wouldn't tell me).

  I asked how I could go about upgrading the firmware, they said I had to to to 
an authorised Ericsson dealer and book with them.  They asked for my area, and 
stated which dealer was the closest.  I instead asked for ALL the dealers in 
sydney.

  Armed with a bunch of names and numbers, I called and sussed all of them out. 
  Having spent all of my career in the service industry, and know how it all 
works behind the scenes, know what to ask, and know what to look for.  And what 
to avoid.

  Yes I know it was just a measly firmware upgrade, but I don't have patience 
for things that go wrong, and will avoid if I can help it.

  After talking to most of them (unanswered phone calls count as incompetent, 
and yes, I tried calling more than twice) tried talking to the receptionists, 
techs (if possible) whoeever.  I sused out a mob in North Sydney who appeared 
at least half-way decent, and made my way out there.

  Traffic was a bastard, parking was a bastard (AND I had a motorcycle!  To 
hell with trying to get a car out there!) took a while finding them (10 minutes 
walk to their premises), booked my phone in, went for a wander, bought a 
magazine, came back picked it up (no charge, it was done under warranty) and 
went home.

  All in all, a rather uneventful half day.  Just the way I like it.
Walking back to the motorcycle, I found a neat parking spot just around the 
corner.  I cursed at myself for not finding it the first time around.

  That's where Fonebiz comes into my story.  While susing them out, they 
"appeared" to have an aura of good reputation around them, I
couldn't put my 
finger on it, but they appeared to be out there, prompt, active and busy.
  However, the phone call to them just didn't do it for me.  Again, I couldn't 
put my finger on why, but my gut feeling said no.  I played the odds and didn't 
go with them.

  I do this EVERY time I have to send any of my gadgets back.  Sometimes I 
wonder if it's really worth the trouble, maybe it isn't.  It's hard to say, I 
rarely send anything back if I can help it, so numbers aren't on my side to 
prove it.

  Until, years later, I hear a name again, and am reminded to continue trusting 
my gut.

  Actually, I didn't even get to the stage where I find out about their 
charging structure.  If I knew, I definately wouldn't have gone with them. (I 
know I didn't go with them, but for me, it was a close call between them and 
the other mob in north sydney).

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Linux Registered User # 302622                         http://counter.li.org>
Fido: 3:712/610  BBS/FAX: +61-2-9716-8310  Internet: jt{at}techniciansyndrome.org

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