18 December 2012

Orange Sucks!

Nearly two years ago I made the big mistake of signing up for a two year contract with Orange to get a 'free' iPhone 4. As it happens I did save a lot of money because I was spending more than that on SMS messages with Vodaphone's pay-as-you-go service at the time. However, the combination of Orange and iPhone proved to be a terrible choice! Admittedly, I went for the iPhone after many personal recommendations and didn't do any real research into the iPhone, and I went with Orange because I could get cheaper calls to certain close friends who were already with Orange.

Initially I couldn't make any phone calls on my new iPhone, and that was very frustrating. The signal was there, three bars at home & five bars in town, but as soon as I answered te phone I barely had time to say, "Hello!", before the call was cut off. My iPhone indicated 'no signal' despite being able to see the antenna from where I was standing! Putting the phone on the table brought the signal back. Picking it up again caused the signal to vanish completely! At the time I phoned Orange who put me through to Apple. Apple said is was a known problem and all I had to do was upgrade my operating system.

Upgrading from IOS4 to IOS5 wasn't as smooth as Apple made it out to be. All my music was lost, along with some photos. Other photos became permanent in the sense that there was no longer an option to delete them. It just happens to be that they are photos of my ex! Connecting to the computer and 'exploring' the iPhone didn't help either. I could see new photos I had taken but couldn't find the 'undeleteables". Anyway, back to the signal problem, nothing change there. Sometimes I would get no signal for days & Apple told me to reset my phone when that happens. That hasn't happened since IOS6 though.

After some searching on the internet I discovered that the problem I had with my iPhone was common, and a number of people had been told to upgrade by Apple but it didn't seem to solve anybody else's problem either. Adding a horrible bulky case to the phone (as suggested by Apple) did help slightly in high signal strength areas but was no use at home.

Since buying the iPhone4 I have got used to using it for SMS messages rather than for making calls. I later got a VOIP number for free which works where I have wifi access, so it's better than it was. The iPhone is great for photos, satnav and a few other things I have found it useful for. As a phone it is terrible. It also lacks a lot of the features I had gotten used to on my old Samsung G600. I don't understand why that is, a company like Apple not having some of the most basic features of a smart-phone on what was supposed to be the smartest smart-phone on the market. Though I'm seriously doubting that these days. I think people are buying Apple because of their past reputation. Their future is looking bleak. Who wants a top of the range computer that has been glued together, and had all the components inside glued together so you can't replace them? I think the real Apple has died along with Steve Jobs, RIP.

Orange recently changed over to EE. About a week before the changeover I all but lost my signal at home. They sent me a letter with the good news that I had been upgraded to 3G in this area. Whoopie, a faster transmitter with a weaker signal! I would settle for being able to make phone calls from home. Now I can't even send SMS meessages most of the time. I don't need to pick up the phone to lose signal any more, it's just not there at all! When I first got there were a couple of places in the house where I could use the phone hands free but after the 'upgrade' I can no longer make calls from home at all.

Now, since a few weeks ago, it seems that Orange are on an aggressive campaign to try to phone me. It's annoying because I keep receiving missed call messages without any any message left by the caller. I only found out it was Orange by searching the internet for the number and seeing complaints from other people in forums. Of course, if I had a signal I could just call the number back! I am nearing the end of my contract so I guess Orange are trying to upgrade me. I logged into my Orange account online to send them an email but couldn't find any method of contact other than phone or post! There was a complaints option so I selected that and it downloaded a .PDF file. Reading through the file I did find an email address for customer services, which is the email address they recommend sending complaints to. So, I sent off a nice little email:

To: customer.services@orange.co.uk
Dear Sir/Madam

I keep getting missed calls from Orange on my phone number 0XXXXXXXX, at least one each day it seems. Could you please stop call me on my mobile phone because I don't have a good enough signal to receive calls. When I answer a call my signal disappears so I don't bother answering. From what I have read on the internet it seems to be a known problem with the iPhone but Apple won't do anything about it. My contract finishes soon and I will be looking into another option at that time. In the meantime I would appreciate it if Orange stop trying to call me this number.

Kind regards

Carl.


And this was the reply I received:

Please accept our apologies, we are in the process of improving our e-mail service, and cannot deal with your e-mail enquiry at this time.



For the moment, can we ask you to use one of our alternative Customer Service channels, where our advisors will be happy to answer any question or resolve any enquiry you may have.



You can contact us, between 8am to 10pm by :-



  • dialing 150 from your Orange handset or
  • calling us on 07973100150 from a landline*
  • Our Text Service provides text message support on 150 - just send 'help' to 150
  • If your abroad you can also contact on 07973100150**
  • You can manage your account online, 24 hours a day at Your Account
  • You can also manage your account and get answers to most questions, using our Your Orange app, available to download for all smartphones
  • You can talk to one of our agents using our Click to chat services on our website
  • Alternatively, our Orange helpers are always ready to provide support if you visit our social media sites @OrangeHelpers on twitter or search for Orange Helpers on Facebook



Apologies once again, but we hope to be back soon with an even better email service, so we appreciate your understanding at this time.



*calls are charged at local rates if you're a BT customer, but if you're with another provider it may cost more so do check

** calls are charged at international rates.



NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER
This e-mail (including any attachments) is intended for the above-named person(s).  If you are not the intended recipient, notify the sender immediately, delete this email from your system and do not disclose or use for any purpose. 

We may monitor all incoming and outgoing emails in line with current legislation. We have taken steps to ensure that this email and attachments are free from any virus, but it remains your responsibility to ensure that viruses do not adversely affect you.

Everything Everywhere Limited
Registered in England and Wales
Company Registered Number: 02382161
Registered Office Address: Hatfield Business Park, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9BW


This is one of the largest communications companies in the UK and they can't redirect their emails while they are upgrading their system! They can't supply an alternate email either, by the look of it. What are the staff who usually answer the emails doing? Twiddling their thumbs? Watching Xmas TV? It looks like I'm going to have to use the old fashioned method of snail mail, which they probably won't read if writing to other large companies is anything to go by. I will try their Facebook account if I can use it without logging in. Twitter is a waste of time with the tiny limit on how much can be written. I'm certainly not using my Facebook account to send a complaint to a company, and give them access to my personal information! Who thought mixing business and personal on a social website was a good idea?

Well, I have had a ol' good moaning session now. In a few months it will be bye-bye Orange and bye-bye Apple (unless ALL the problems with iPhone 4 have been solved on the iPhone5 AND the contract doesn't cost any more than I currently pay). Incidently, it seems Orange is perfectly ok to use around here with other makes of phone, but after their inability to provide me with a working solution I no longer wish to use them as my supplier.

UPDATE

I have tried to visit Orange's Facebook page but that is useless to me so I thought I'd have a look at the Twitter page. That is also useless but does have another web address for help from Orange. Have a look at the top of their Twitter page at https://twitter.com/OrangeHelpers and you will see the following paragraph:

We're here everyday, 8am to 8pm, to help with your questions about everything from handsets to contracts, apps to bills & tariffs to texts orangehelpers.co.uk/help

So, I clicked on the link for orangehelpers.co.uk/help and it took me to an off looking website that appears to have no connection to Orange at all. Looking up the domain name brings up the following:

    Domain name:
        orangehelpers.co.uk

    Registrant:
        Ronny Schmidt

    Registrant type:
        Unknown

    Registrant's address:
        Marktstrasse 1
        Gaegelow
        DE
        23968
        Germany

    Registrar:
        InterNetx GmbH [Tag = INTERNETX-DE]
        URL: http://www.internetx.de

    Relevant dates:
        Registered on: 07-Dec-2012
        Expiry date:  07-Dec-2014
        Last updated:  07-Dec-2012

    Registration status:
        Registered until expiry date.

    Name servers:
        ns1.above.com
        ns2.above.com

    WHOIS lookup made at 13:40:07 18-Dec-2012


I really don't think those are Orange's contact details, nor EE for that matter! I don't think Orange has a good idea about how to use technology. This is terrible! Even worse that I would expect from a 'one-man-band'!

Ah well, snail mail it is then. I just hope they have somebody in the mail department who knows how to read...

13 September 2012

Google Drive

This looks good :-)

Google Drive



It is now available on harding-internet.me.uk, too :-)

iPhone 5, what do you think?

Tech Republic give a quick run-down of the new iPhone 5, launched yesterday:-

http://www.techrepublic.com

What do you think? Would it be worth your while to upgrade?

Alien World by Mariana

Alien World is a new poem by a friend of mine. I'm putting a link here to her poem for all of you who enjoy poetry.

http://allpoetry.com/poem/9957335-alien_world-by-Mariana

If you enjoy Alien Life then you may also enjoy some of her other poems at http://allpoetry.com/Mariana

04 August 2012

Absolute Clarity; Allow the Truth to Reveal Itself

It's a simple question: Are you happy?

How would you like to undertake an incredible, inspirational journey that could change the way you look at life? Would you be interested in learning how to see life for what it really is? What if you could discover the secrets to achieve your dreams?

With Absolute Clarity, you might discover some of the secrets and tools you need to unlock life's greatest mysteries--mysteries that can't wait to be discovered. You'll be inspired to find the answers to some of life's biggest questions.

* What is this thing called life about?

* How beautiful and amazing can life really be?

* How radiant can you feel?

* How can you influence people around you in an incredible way?

* How wonderful would it be to experience life at its fullest and most abundant?

Most people look for a better life, yet very few find it. A great life awaits you, and the secret is simple: be open-minded.

Imagine mastering that which is of utmost importance to you; having the thoughts, feelings, and qualities you need to have to create the life you want to live; and creating a more fulfilling life with an open mind and heart.

When you start applying the content and ideas in this guide, you'll be able to learn faster than you ever imagined, take on new ideas, and steer your life in a new direction.

--> Click here to learn more

You can read a preview of Absolute Clarity by Kevin Harding if you click on the picture after clicking here.

This is an excellent book, and a MUST READ! I'm not just saying that because it was written by my own brother, read it yourself and see how you can improve your life. Come on, the digital version is on a couple of pounds ;-)

20 July 2012

How to replace and iPhone4 or 4S screen and touchpad

Thankfully mine is intact but should you damage your iPhone's screen or touchpad, and your phone isn't covered by any warranty, then this useful video show's you what to do and what tools you will need to do the job yourself.

Click here to see the video.

Have a nice day ;-)

Carl.

18 July 2012

My New Business in Internet Marketing


I have just completed my five week course with Rob Cornish (actually there was a surprise sixth week we were told about after starting the course, so it was six weeks in all), and am now in the process of putting my Internet Marketing business together. I have a separate blog for the business, so please have a look and let me know what you think.

I need some constructive criticism at this early stage.

Click here to see my business blog

Click here to download me free offer

Please get in touch through either website or this blog and let me know what you think. The free offer is a eBook full of business ideas. There is no obligation to purchase anything in order to get the book.

Hope you have a pleasant day.

Take care

Carl.

19 May 2012

Back on Facebook... for now?

Right, I'm back on Facebook for the time being. I finally figured out all the new privacy settings. Wow, it's so complicated now. Don't really want to spend so much time keeping up with it all so I will be spending a lot less time on Facebook from now on. I really can't be bothered with all the unnecessary new privacy complications, plus the new friend groups I am forced to have added to my perfectly fine groups list. As for the timeline, I don't like all that history showing on my profile page like that, it's awful. History should be automatically deleted after a few months. Facebook appear to be making a tonne of money from my discomfort. I have found a way to disable all Facebook adverts so they shan't be making money from me that way. As for selling on my data, are they doing that? All I can do about that is to make sure I delete old stuff. Need to find out how to go about that. Maybe create a new account every year and delete the old one? We'll see.

05 May 2012

I have left Facebook temporarily

Due to privacy issues, and after having spent time trying to sort out other issues that prevented me using my Facebook account recently, I have decided to temporarily close my account until I get the time to sort it out. I am on Google+, so see you there if you have a Google account. What has changed on Facebook? Well, I had settings set so that only friends could view my list of friends, and only certain people could access my wall. Since the change over to the dreaded Timeline I just discovered that anybody can see anything, so I've closed my account to prevent any privacy issues. I have no idea when I will be back on Facebook, it could be a couple of days or a lot longer. To be honest I have had enough of Facebook and am only there for certain friends who don't want to move elsewhere.
Take care
Carl.