Phone convo with Shaun

[guest2013-1]

I just had a phone conversation with Shaun (who phoned me after I sent him an sms on how slow everything and how helplessnessdesk is useless) and spoke with him for close to 40min.

Lonegunman, I specifically raised the issues you had (in your post) with him. He assured me that he's not trying to bullsh1t us and that they are in no way wanting to bribe us. (His own words, I just mentioned that I'm getting alot of resistance on the forums)

Nothing (according to him) will be kept secret, he was fully prepared to get someone to take minutes even. I suggested we get Luis to be there as well (for the more technical stuff/questions/answers) and he thought it was a good idea.

I flighted the idea which mbs had, or free internet to schools (or the community) and he ate it up. He told me (before I even could mention this) that he doesn't just want to steal our ideas and not give something back, the free internet to schools would have to be suggested by management, but he said that customer service would definately be of the benefit at the end of the day.

I took the liberty to tell him about our previous experience with Sentech as such, he couldn't believe it (or did a very good job in pretending to not believe it)

He personally helps on the helpdesk/finance department etc. If someone with a query phones him (like a refund) he immediatlely handles it by walking to finance department and sorting it out then and there. His turn around time (which he aims for) is around 3 days. (so ic, I suggest you do call this man...)

He sound sincere. I don't want this to be another CUG, which it won't be. He even laughed and said, that if you guys think he's trying to bribe you, the meeting can be held at a mcdonalds where we can only have a milkshake.

The meeting is also not only limited to 5 people. Obviously, 50 would get a bit insane. He said even 8 would be fine.

I urge anyone who slammed this idea to reconsider. Take your previous experiences with other companies and just consider the fact that WBS might be sincere (or, not WBS, but definately Shaun and Luis)

What do you say?

 

[mbs]

Nice, NOONE. But, caution must still be the watchword - tell him to get a formal statement from his management, in the form of a written letter to RPM as the MyADSL founder, of their firm committment to commissioning a connection at X premises within Y period at ZERO cost to the worthy cause. The basis for the deployment is WBS's firm committment and belief in a cooperative stance with its client/user base, manifest in a free-of-charge installation and future usage for the worthy cause, with a joint support/mandate from both the provider and the user community. Once this is in your and RPM's possession, then we can talk further. Obviously, you should post the letter on this forum...

 

[ic]

Just for the record, Shaun did call me yesterday morning after my automated hourly emails no doubt made a mockery of his inbox

I did post all this in one of the threads somewhere, plus the subsequent conversation with Mary-Ann in Accounts, the money is not back in my account, but I live in eternal hope...

I still support the idea of an IRC chat between Shaun and iBursters - which I regard as being basic Customer Service...

My objection to the face 2 face meeting is that it will result in a feeling of disenfranchisement on the part of forumites. I would rather everyone felt they could sit in (via IRC) even if they don't converse they can still listen in & feel they aren't being left out. Also, even if I personally were voted as one of the 5..8 I would not be comfortable representing all the forum members.

Conclusion: IMO IRC still the best bet & I would like it to be a regular thing - not just a once off & then no communication with iBursters until there is another crisis.

 

[guest2013-1]

Shaun sound old school, never even used IRC and deals with things hands on rather than typing an email to finance department, he goes there and waits till they have done (refund) whatever they needed to do.

So I guess we could probably convince him to join in this chat (with the help of Luis and whoever) and do something like this

 

[ic]

Shaun sound old school, never even used IRC and deals with things hands on rather than typing an email to finance department, he goes there and waits till they have done (refund) whatever they needed to do.

So I guess we could probably convince him to join in this chat (with the help of Luis and whoever) and do something like this

- now the reason - yesterday he tapped out an email to Mary-Ann whilst on the phone with meself, so old school my foot .

My experience with IRC is limited, however I am prepared to make an appearance at an IRC chat with Shaun or anyone else @ WBS for that matter (lord knows a bunch of us have tried @ #iburst where Dylan sometimes hangs out - but doesn't say anything...

 

[w1z4rd]

i would be willing to setup ICS servers for the school MS or nix, whateva. No charge. And Shaun, if you are reading this. It would make wbs look so good considering telkoms lack of bandwith donation.

 

[mbs]

Nice, PAN - that's the kind of culture and approach that's needed! It's the kind of underlying ethos that should underpin all computing endeavours, IMHO, and not leastly, corporate business activities too. Be all that as it may, however, the obvious image benefit to WBS (and MyADSL) is actually the Sword of Damocles which will keep everybody honest - imagine if WBS renege on their promises to the user community, and we go public about the potential negative impact on the needy cause that were given the no-charge facility!

 

[scavern]

I don't know how other members feel about a meeting with only 5-8 people participating... personally I think an open forum on IRC would be a good idea. Even if it is just for 10 mins.