Are you familiar with CenturyLink? It is a FORTUNE 500 company that calls itself “a leading provider of Internet, TV and voice.” You’ve probably seen their television commercials with the tagline: “Your link to what’s next.”
In fact, they may be the stupidest company on the planet.
According to the Consumer Affairs website, CenturyLink carries a one-star rating – that’s one out of a possible five – based on 929 reviews and complaints. Here are a couple of reviews:
“CenturyLink is seriously the worst company in the entire world,” says Lisa from Utah.
“Save yourself some grief and go with a different company!” says Nancy from Colorado.
“I was sooo pissed [about CenturyLink] I just about stroked out today!” says Noel of Iowa.
Well, it doesn’t take long to get the gist of this… CenturyLink sucks. But I don’t want to be the kind of person who just makes statements without backing them up, so I would like to offer this actual Live Chat conversation I had with “Kim”… and you can judge for yourself.
Thank you for contacting the Control Center Web-Portal support team. This is Kim. How may I help you?
Jim: I am logged into my large business account attempting to pull a traffic utilization report, but nothing is happening…it just keeps going back to a blank traffic utilization page. This issue started a few months ago and has persisted
Kim: What Internet browser are you using please.?
Jim: I have attempted to use five different browsers, including IE6, and none of them work
Jim: I should note that I am using an iMac; the same iMac I have been using for the past five years, but clearly Centrury Link changed something
Kim: IE9, IE8, IE7 is compatiable with the portal. Do you have the option at this time to log into IE9.
Jim: Mac cannot get IE7, 8 or 9. Are you telling me that you made changes that now only allow PC users to access information?
Kim: Mac is not compatible with the portal. In order to run the traffic utilization report, you would be able to run it with IE9.
Jim: I CANNOT GET THAT. Who sets up a program that only operates on one browser and doesn’t even tell their customers?
Kim: You would be able to access it, however you would not be able to use Mac.
Jim: so, you are going to dictate the kind of computer I use? you are kidding me, right
Jim: this is some kind of joke
Jim: there is a camera somewhere
Jim: and I am being punked
Jim: right?
Kim: I’m sorry, however all internet browsers are not compatiable.
Jim: no, you changed something
Jim: and you never even gave us a heads up
Jim: and I am paying for this service and cannot access the data
Jim: unless I buy new computers
Jim: is that accurate?
Kim: Yes, when we made an upgrade to our portal June 1,.
Jim: why would you do that?
Jim: why would you exclude all Mac users from your system and NOT tell us?
Kim: No, we are not saying that you would need to buy a new computer, however to be able to run the report you would only be able to run it on IE9.
Jim: which is only accessible through PCs
Jim: NOT iMacs
Jim: so yes, I would have to buy new computers
Kim: I’m sorry, however we can not run all operating systems…
Jim: you only run one
Jim: one
Jim: how is that possible
Jim: and HOW could you NOT tell your customers you were doing that
Jim: that is inexcusable
Kim: I’m sorry, is there anything else I can assist you with?
Jim: you haven’t assisted me with anything
Jim: you are leaving me high and dry
Jim: andyou are doing nothing to help me
Jim: nothing
Jim: unless saying “I’m sorry” counts as something
Jim: and it does not
Jim: How can I access my data without buying new computers?
Jim: please, enlighten me
Kim: I see you are using firefox, which is not working for you.
Kim: I don’t have any other suggestion to tell you, other then having accessiable useing IE9.
At this point I just gave up. I did leave a voice mail with our account manager, but it’s been five days and he has not returned my call, which makes me wonder… exactly which century is this company linked to?
