I have been trying to get my business phone line transfered out of my old business location since February 14, 2012. It is March 12, 2012 and still NO business phone line.
Okay, this is the situation.
I decided to move my small business (3.5 employees) out of office space that was costing the business $800 per month, with a month to month lease (good deal, but still $800 per month). Company decision was made to have employees set up home offices, and keep main phone line and locked files at my home.
Because I have phone/Internet/cable provider #1 in my home and phone/Internet/cable provider #2 at my office, and the office was being moved back home, I decided I wanted to switch business service to provider #1.
On February 14, 2012 I contacted provider #1 and said I would like to switch my phone from phone/internet/cable provider #2. Provider # 1 indicated this was no problem and assured me that phone would be fully transfered by February 18, 2012. However, on February 18, 2012, there was no phone and provider #1 indicated they needed my provider # 2 account number to make the switch. But this wasn't clear because the caller from provider # 1 had such a heavy accent, I couldn't make out what he said and it took until the next day to realize it was provider # 1 calling with this issue. This was understood after talking to 4 different representatives at provider # 1. So, I provided the account number and they assured me they would have the number switch by February 28, 2012. This same scenario happens one more time and on March 5, 2012 I decide I need to just stay with provider # 2 (who I have never talked to until March 5, 2012 about this phone line.
Switching to provider # 1 wasn't looking good and was now two weeks out of my office and still no phone, so I tell provider #1 I will just stay with my current provider, provider #2.
I, for the first time, call provider #2 to request my phone line be switched to a new location. I ask to drop Internet and Cable.
I am told this is possible, but Michael also shares that my business account shows no phone number associated with the account. Michael assures me, after being told the whole story, that it is possible to have my current business number ported over to my home, and a contract is on it's way for me to sign in less than 10 minutes. I sign the contract thinking all is good to go, and I will have a business phone line that rings in my home. But, this is to good to be true... Michael calls me back and tells me that my number is no longer available. I can have a new number, and he would be glad to send a new contract for this transaction.
I start to think... why is this so complicated???
I have had this same number with provider #2 since 1997. The year I started my business.
Frustrating.... oh so frustrating!!
The kicker is.... I am getting calls from customers on my cell or via email asking why when they call my office phone number they get a message that the phone is no longer working or in service. Just to make people wonder if I am still in business!!
I have spent 6.8 hours on the phone with both providers # 1 and # 2 this month.
So, I still wait..... one week later and the business services representative Michael L. still hasn't located my number to give it back to me!!
I am still paying my bill. I never asked provider # 2 to do anything but switch my number from one location to another. Provider #1 requested the number three times and provider # 2 never would release it... But, they lost it???
How does this phone system work anyway? Can't they find this number easily by punching the number into their system? Can't they easily punch the number into their computer system and just give it to me?
I am being patient for now. I have sent Michael and email and left him a phone message today (March 12, 2012). Lets see if he will let me know what is going on?
So tell me what you think?
