AT&T DIGITAL LIFE 101 : Why Break Ups Happen
A resourceful review with useful tips for service providers regarding the deteriorating days of great customer service
Dear AT&T Digital Life (a.k.a. our "Ex"),
Regrettably we broke up due to your numerous, insufficient service outages. We get it. Consistency in support and service is hard to attain, given a national customer base.
We did receive your form letter today that we owe you money and we'll gladly pay our "E.T." (a.k.a. early term) fee of $227.40. To set the record straight:
1) You didn't cancel our account because it was unpaid - you promptly cancelled our account *while we were on the phone with you* complaining about *another* national service outage - specifically with your unreliable iPhone app. During our conversation we refused to pay for undelivered services by you. And you refused to issue any bill credit for your shortcoming, hence our breakup. 101 Lesson: Re-read this point if you don't understand a key reason why you lose customers.
2) 101 Lesson #2: When your customers are revoked account access, we are unable to revisit our bill history and details, any unpaid amounts, and we are left without any convenient ways to pay. You do want your money, riiiight?!?
3) While your letter indicates that our account is unsettled, we requested an invoice 2.5 months ago. Your letter just arrived yesterday, more than 10 days after it was printed. What timing! Ironically, you demand "immediate" payment. 101 Lesson #3: Prompt service should also be expected by those who manage your billings.
Ironically, your letter contains no bill detail, including the days we are being overcharged for monitoring *AFTER* service was turned off. We asked about that and was told there was nothing AT&T could do to adjust a bill after it was issued. #ForReal? Another 101 Lesson: Most customers do not pay for undelivered services with zero bill detail... but to show we're decent, good sports we'll "promptly" issue you a check to show how eager we are to end this painful, one-sided relationship. You have other customers to tend to!
4) We chose to pay you via snail mail to avoid your "convenience fee" we were told you will levy for representative assisted payments. We totally get it. 101 Lesson: Why provide service to a *former* customer? You'll never win us back that way (snark implied)! And please note - We're also current customers of AT&T Mobile and U-Verse and we're wildly considering dropping these services as well, given you don't offer integrated billing numerous years after your baby bells were all merged back into the clumsy company you've arrived at today. On a related note, we weren't surprised to see your stock price has been falling dangerously close to a 1-year all-time low. Yikes!
5) While we appreciate the consistent Digital Life "rep speak" informing us that the Digital Life app is free and therefore no bill credits can be issued when there's a national outage; we do not like having to educate your customer relations staff why the marketing messages you have on your home page (e.g. "Digital Life offers a simple all-in-one app that lets you stay connected to home from almost anywhere.") do not align in any way with how your company treats customers. Another 101: What security providers market is convenience and peace of mind. And when your app does not work and your service staff parrots worthless replies, it is neither convenience or reliably comforting.
Also please note: We could not connect to our home from "almost anywhere," including from within our home. Over several days. And your technical support department couldn't connect to our home, either. #Sad Luckily, our new security system - and especially the app - work like a charm!
As we round the final curve of this twisty, turbulent relationship, we only hope one day soon a class-action lawsuit finds its way to your inbox. We find it amazing how a corporate giant can issue such shoddy service and charge for it. But hey, it's all about bullying us into turning a few bucks to maintain your deteriorating bottom line, right?!?
Sorry if we've offended our friends and family who work for you who might see this review. I'd phone them to help us out but since our account was promptly cancelled by you, this game is officially o-v-e-r.
Sincerely,
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