Talk talk saga continues

Following up on the last post about Talk Talk and their shocking customer service with my Dad.

He informed them of his departure - this is the message they emailed him

___________________________________________________________________
Dear XXXXXXX XXXXXX

Thank you for submitting your request for a MAC code for account number XXXXXXXXX. We have now generated a code for you which needs to be submitted to your new internet service provider before the code expires.

MAC Code : 12312312313
MAC Expiry Date : 10/11/2006

Once you have migrated to your new provider your Talktalk Broadband account will be disconnected and the appropriate charges added to your account. This charge will appear as 'Cessation Fee' on your final invoice. Please note that a cessation fee only applies if you are within the 12-month minimum contract period.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dear YYYYY,

Thank you for the MAC code. I have spent many weeks and and a considerable amount of time and money trying to have my broadband connected without success. I have been ignored by Charles Dunstone and your technical dept.

As I have never been connected, why do I need a MAC Code?

I have now cancelled all dealings with Carphone Wharehouse as THEY HAVE BROKEN THEIR AGREEMENT. I DO NOT EXPECT TO RECEIVE ANY CESSATION FEE OR ANY OTHER COST EXCEPT CALL CHARGES UP TO THE 17th Oct for which I have already paid.

Any such charges will be rigorously disputed in Court and in the Public domain.

___________________________________________________________________

To date - they have not replied

Avoid Talk Talk

As a Marketeer I use the web a lot

... and this means I come across a lot of websites and as this is my profession I look for cool idea, clever ways of satisfying customer needs and making a healthy profit.

But there are just some companies that seem brilliant on the outside.  Slick marketing, call centres, information packs.  One companies that really surprised me was TalkTalk. 

My father, who has been online for ages on a dial up had finally decided to move to Broadband.  It had come down in price and this was a thought out decision.  The phone service was moved and broadband was ordered.

He is still not connected.  It is over 5 weeks.  He has paid their expensive tech support phone number help lines and even wrote a letter to their CEO. 

After Poor and quite embarrassing service, he has since cancelled all contact with them

I think this is shocking.  Surely a man in his 50's at home is their ideal audience.  How a company can look great on the outside and fail so badly.  From his experience - AVOID TALK TALK !

Anyone else had any experiences with them - good or bad?