From their NPR underwriter spot
I hear every morning in the car.
Backing public radio -- sounds pretty respectable, eh?
|
|
Support for WNYC is provided by IDT: offering affordable, unlimited,
and uncensored monthly access to the Internet through a local call in
the tri-state area. Information is available at 1-800-245-8000.
From their NPR underwriter spot
I hear every morning in the car. |
I had originally intended for the IDT link on my home page to take you to The List's page of comments for IDT. IDT had convinced some of their users -- and apparently some of their staff -- to spam the listing with good reviews. This affected the numbers somewhat (each comment includes a numerical rating on a scale of 1 to 10, the mean of which is displayed in the area listings), but their rating was still low, and the bad comments told quite a story.
My intention could have been thwarted, for The List caught wind of this ballot-stuffing strategy (practiced by other ISPs too, no doubt) and took down all their comments. See their explanation.
Fortunately for you, good surfer, I had already downloaded all the bad comments from the IDT listing, for just such a contingency!
Mind you, I didn't include any of the good comments, which were all ratings of 10-out-of-10 and praised individuals at IDT...I'll post an analysis of these findings soon. My conclusions have much to do with my experiences at MacWarehouse and my own almost-subscription with IDT.
So, then: Enjoy.
From: Lewis De Payne <lewis@via.net> on 01/10/96
Rating: 2
IDT is another joke internet provider. I heard a radio ad for them,
their belief in inexpensive and *uncensored* access to the internet.
So I called and joined, getting a shell account. They sent me info
on my local access number. The port selector would give me a list
of systems to choose from. The system they put me on was not on the
port selector's list, so I couldn't access them. I left three msgs
on the same number that had just signed me up, and got no responses!
A week later, the phone number they gave me was disconnected!! When
I got my credit card statement, IDT had **DOUBLE BILLED** me!! I had
prepaid for a YEAR'S worth of service, and the charge showed up TWICE!
I called their offices (a toll-call) to complain... they could not
help me because their billing system was DOWN -- I would have to call
back later (they would not even take a message!). I called again, and
the rep said she would research the matter and call me back. She left
me a message days later, telling me that they had forgotten to send me
my startup kit (I never inquired about that!), but she did not address
any of the stuff I **had** inquired about (double-billing, not having
an access number any more!). These people are complete moronic idiots.
Do not deal with them, do not fall into their trap, do not give them
your credit card number. They are nothing but trouble.
From: Donna Francis <hannova@radix.net> on 01/12/96
Rating: 0
I'm shocked by the amount of glowing reports for this provider, and can
only assume that service has either undergone a miraculous recovery, or
they are stuffing the ballot box. My horror show at IDT/IOS during the
summer of 1995:
Signed on on a Wednesday for a shell/SLIP account.. Shell was set up the
next day... SLIP didnt work. Called costomer support who told me how to
correctly configure winsock for IOS.. (which marks the first of only two
times I was successful in getting support).. SLIP still not working.
Thinking they were correct that I was doing something wrong, I went back to
fiddling with winsock.
What followed was three weeks of leaving messages at IDT in New Jersey (a
toll call), waiting in voice mail limbo, attempting to reach the local sales
office (which was closed all the time), or had "only sales people who don't
have any tech experience. Sorry ma'am call the New Jersey, office".
Finally in frustration, I called the sales office in D.C. back (I guess
they had a tech support person IMPORTED for that one day, marking the
second and last time I was able to speak to support) to be informed that
the SLIP account didnt work because IT HAD NEVER BEEN SET UP. In light of
this, I recieved my second month of access free.
They could have kept it. They could not tell me how to correctly script
Winsock to use thier SLIP service and said they would get the much lauded
"Start Up Software" to me as soon as it got in (Mind you, it'd been a month
already, and no software, much less the SLIP account), and THAT would have
a correctly scripted version of Winsock on it.
Call the sales office... phone rings forever and a guy picks up who denies
being either customer support OR sales this time. Is there any one there
who can help me? No, it's a jewish holiday (None marked on the calendar that
I was looking at)that Monday. Well, could you take a message? No. Why not?
"I'm the only one here."
Add to that several more calls to voice mail limbo and waiting to talk to a
machine (I actually got called back by someone who left a message on my
phone machine... during business hours at home when I had given them both
my business and home phone number). And still nothing.
I was trying to cancel at this point. Had to put a stop on my VISA account
to do it. They never responded to e-mail, voice-mail or any faxes I sent
to cancel my account.
It was a nightmare. These people must run a scam in cties they dont
regularly provide for, because there is no other excuse for that.
From: Noel Berkowitz <panther@bc.cyberex.net> on 01/12/96
Rating: 1
IDT was a nightmare to deal with from start to finish. I had a nightmare
with every department at IDT. The salesman lied to me about many things ,
like when i could be connected,which was 2 weeks later and a multitude
of unreturned phone calls , from sales , support, billing and managers ,
no one could help me. Tech support almost never answered the phone even
after hours of trying. Left messages and they never called back. Access
numbers were very often busy. Well I think I have said enough..Of course
I switched to another provider after the first month of this nonsense
called cybernex , which so far has been the total opposite of IDT, and a
real pleasure to deal with.
From: thomas koriles <thekee19@thekee19.rabbit.net> on 01/13/96
Rating: 1
Dont listen to all the good comments since dec of last year. This service
is terrible. I down loaded 16 printed pages of complaints last month.
Where did they go???????
poor service 30 min to a hour wait
I have 115 exchanges calling one number in the detroit area for a local
call
tec servers lie..still trying to get a 15 day credit for a "no carrier"
back in november.
They will tell you anything to get you off the line
The only time I can get in is 9am to 930am. using my local number
they keep signing up more and more people and cant handle the volume
stay away
From: Don Andom <dando9@wavenet.com> on 01/13/96
Rating: 0
I too, am one who cannot beleive the glowing comments on IDT, and i have been
with them since September on 6mos. in advance. I have three sets of software
floppys, three log-in names and two passords. Now, the server, news.
wavenet.com does not respond so cannot access newsgroups or use an online
prgram such as FREE AGENT. Some people obviously stuffed the ballot box, as a
100% turnaround on this outfit in 60 days is impossible. If you don't beleive
that, call their "tech support" (HAH) I am only in THE LIST to find a new
provider, so figured would take the time to warn others...and especially don't
beleive those testimonials and Kudos for idt/ios. Forget it.
Don Andon
San Diego
From: Anonymous <nameless@gramercy.ios.com> on 01/13/96
Rating: 0
It was only a few days ago that I read endless pages of complaints about
IDT. Today, I see so many glowing reviews of them, all of which have been
posted VERY recently. Something fishy is going on here..
From: Jack Binsky <Sandyk@soho.ios.com> on 01/13/96
Rating: 0
The List has sold out! All these postings are NEW and PHONY!!!
No one can honestly say IDT is doing a good job ... it's all over
the newsgroups!!! I've got dozens of friends who can support these
statements.
The LIST had dozens of negative statements a week ago! They've ripped
everyone and their mothers off. Now they're flooding this list with
their propaganda ... several of us are thinking of taking out a class
action against these crooks!!
They've ripped me off of $200 ... double charged my credit card ... had me
spend $45. in long distance calls on hold ... and still I couldn't
get my account opened!!!
I don't know why the list has sold out like this!!!! I don't know what
they did with the postings that were here last week!
Who's taking kickbacks here????
From: Cn. Devio <thecount@earth.cnct.com> on 01/13/96
Rating: 0
The Comments below all had to be posted by IDT's Public Relations
because the rest of us are all filing claims with the Attorney
General's office, Better Business and Governor Whitman's Office!!!
They've taken our money and not given us service!!!
THE LIST has SOLD OUT!!!
From: Henry Weinstein <dscribedc@aol.com> on 01/14/96
Rating: 0
I have been waiting about six weeks now for my software from these guys
>and never gotten it. I am very nervous about the whole situation after
>reading your post on the alt.internet.access.wanted bulletin board. I
>would love to get more information about how long it took you to get on,
>whether you were charged more than you initially thought, etc. I'm
>considering severing my ties to the company after reading of your woes.
>Do you intend to stay with them?
From: Scott "Shayd" Roberts <shayd@bc.cybernex.net> on 01/14/96
Rating: 1
This is the same company as Internet Online Services (see below).
Why it is listed twice on the List, I do not know.
Please see the following Web page for comments about IDT:
http://www.cybernex.net/shayd/IDT.html
Scott Roberts
Former employee, IDT
From: Jason Rollo <jrollo2@aol.com> on 01/14/96
Rating: 0000
I can't stand IDT. After calling and being disconnected twice, I was able
to call and cancel my account. The people at IDT are rude and obnoxious.
One day, I accidently called the "800" number. A friendly person answered
the phone and asked if I would like to join. I said, "No, actually..."
suddenly
a loud click. The guy had hung up on me. Their phone number is always
busy, its NEVER a local call, and the customer service department has lots
to be desired. Another instance when I called, everyone was in the middle
of having a party and shrugged me off.
Their phone numbers are constantly busy! I got a connection on only
one instance. And not only is it NEVER a local call, but the call cost
me 8 cents a minute! Don't even think about going with these
crooks! You'll be sorry that you ever did! (By the way....their software
stinks!!!!!!)
From: David Hudde <david_hudder@msn.com> on 01/14/96
Rating: 0
IDT alias IOS is nothing more than snake oil heavily marketed in magazines
and now on television. By November they'll be advertising on QVC the home
shopping network. Advertising is the only thing this company does well. Their
sales people promise features that may or may not be part of the service,
depending on whether or not you happen to get assigned an "Alliance" IAP
from their growing list of mom-and-pop local companies that have a couple
of servers and modems. The Alliance provider in San Diego, CA, is currently
receiving over 100 new user accounts from IOS per month, and that number
is expected double or triple as IDT's marketing expands. Its unlikely that any
small local access provider could invest the capital to keep up with the number
of users being added each week. IOS/IDT is a Metro New York area IAP only.
Any other areas where they claim to have local access are not serviced by
IOS/IDT.
IOS/IDT are the only ones getting rich off this scheme. They charge their
customer nearly
three times as much as the money the pay the alliance group local IAP's to
service your account.
The dial-up lines are always busy, Technical support is a 201 toll call, the
waiting
times for a tech support person to answer the phone is, on average, over 1.5
hours,
and then when I do finally get through the tech support person could only say
"oh, your an alliance group customer, so you don't get the same features on your
account". It took a total hold time of another 2.5 hours to finally connect
with their
billing department to cancel my account. For the one lousy week of partial
service,
the crooks at IOS kept $30 of the yearly fee they charged to my credit card.
From: Andrew High <squalles@panix.com> on 01/14/96
Rating: 0
I have to agree with other's comments that the high ratings given to IDT/
IOS were probably fake, or were given by people who have no experience with
another provider. This is my experience with IDT:
1. One of their sales people "looked up" our telephone number in their
database, and claimed that it was a local call. It wasn't. Nor was a
number, listed as being in Newark (a local call), in Newark. Our phone bill
was over $300.
2. Their modems were out of synch, or something, more than half the time,
so it was impossible to log on. We were often hung up on unexpectedly.
3. As others have reported, our service was not activated when it was
supposed to be. After calling technical support and waiting for 45 minutes,
it was "activated," but still wasn't actually turned on. They got it right
by the fourth call.
4. The one thing they did get "right," was the credit card bill. After a
threat to alert the Attorney General's office about the "always a local
call" scam, both in their advertising, and in their representations to us,
they promised to refund our money. We got the bill today, which included
a new charge for our account after the date that we cancelled, and no
refund.
People have written many angry complaints here. With this company, isn't
it likely that the issue is not about anger or bad service, but about
illegal conduct on IDT's part ? Advertising "always a local call" is not
just disreputable, but DELIBERATELY misleading and therefore illegal.
The Attorney General's office is receiving our call on monday.
From: Robert S. Andrews <randrew9@u.net> on 01/14/96
Rating: 1
Being an IDT subscriber has been a tremendous waste of time and money for me.
I have spent a tremendous amount money on long distance calls calling IDT-s
Technical Support and Customer Support lines trying to straighten-out problems
IDT caused due to poor service and incompetence on the part of their personnel.
My story would take too much time to tell on-line (I have kept a log of my
problems and I-m not on page 3 of a typewritten document). I AM DEMANDING THAT
SOMEONE FROM WITH SOME AUTHORITY CONTACT ME PLEASE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO
DISCUSS MY PROBLEMS (PHONE CALL PLEASE). YOU SHOULD HAVE MY WORK AND HOME
PHONE NUMBERS -- I WOULD PREFER NOT TO PROVIDE THEM VIA THIS MESSAGE. IF YOU
DO NOT HAVE MY NUMBERS, PLEASE E-MAIL ME BACK WITH THE NAME AND NUMBER OF
SOMEONE I CAN CALL THAT WILL BE WILLING TO HELP ME. IF ANYONE AT IDT CARES
ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS I BELIEVE YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED IN MY PROBLEMS. I
BELIEVE THEY CLEARLY ILLUSTRATE WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE THE RESULT OF A COMPANY
GROWING SO FAST THAT THEY ARE FORSAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE IN THE INTEREST OF
INCREASED MEMBERSHIP. THIS MISGUIDED SENSE OF PRIORITIES HAS BEEN THE DOWNFALL
OF MORE THAN ONE COMPANY IN THIS COUNTRY . . .
IF MY MESSAGE GOES UNANSWERED IT WILL ONLY SERVE TO CONFIRM WHAT I FEAR TO
ALREADY BE THE CASE -- THAT I HAVE UNFORTUNATELY SUBSCRIBED TO THE WRONG
INTERNET PROVIDER. PLEASE PROVE ME WRONG.
From: Tristan Bowich <tb@pobox.com> on 01/14/96
Rating: 0
After reading the comments about IDT/IOS, I have come to the
conclusion that most if not all the good comments are posted by
posted by the people at IDT or otherwise, I don't care. I will never
go with this provider ever again, and DO NOT recommend them to ANYONE.
From: Russ Shearer <rshearer@cris.com> on 01/14/96
Rating: 0
I called IDT after hearing a radio add. Three months later, Still have
not recived any of the setup info, software, etc. Called Sales to see if
the order was not enter into there system correctly, He told me to call
tech. and not to call the 800 number again! Called tech waited a hour on
my nickle only to find out I was not on record. I was told to call customer
service at another non toll free number. Person here said he would take care
of the charges to my card and have customer service rep cal me and give me
all the setup info since I already have software. Never recived a call and
the charges were not removed from my card. Called back to customer service
and told them the problems again, but that I wanted to cancel the service
I never recieved and requested all charges be removed. She said she was sorry
for the mix up, and that she would take care of everything her self. Charges
are still on my card and another was just added. I now have to have them removed
from my card by the credit card company.
STAY AWAY FROM IDT. THERE ARE OTHER COMPANIES WITH THE SAME DEALS!
From: George J. Vogler <zer019@icon.net> on 01/14/96
Rating: 4
Logging on is a bitch. it gets stuck on verifying my name and password, and
then says i'm not a real user. then some time after about 7:30, i get a busy
signal for an hour! and sometimes it will kick me off for no apparent reason!
From: Carter Brown <cwb@soho.ios.com> on 01/14/96
Rating: 3
You have out sold your support capabilities. The software I received does not
auto dial, I was not registered so the second help person had to enter my
account. Still didn't, the third help person, Ketan R. talked my through manual
logon. I finally got on after the third try with his patient help.
From: Terry L Anderson <tla@mozart.att.com> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
ordered account from 800 #, they promised to send next day. Pkg with
passwd mailed to me 22 days later and arrived 24 days later. 800# refused
to help - support number took average 30 min to connect each call.
I called 3 times while waiting. Once they promised to FedEx my pkg but
they never did. By the time the pkg arrived I had given up and signed up
with another provider so I never used the service.
From: Fred Compton <fred@hocpa.att.com> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
Unable to connect to trunks 60% of time.. Unable to reach anyone in
technical, billing or sales (after signup). Have waited on landline for
billing and technical help for 1 hour
From: R. Marshall Webbe <marshall@spu.edu> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
Prompt in taking money, but not much else. They offer service in Seattle, but
when
setting up the account, the rep sez to direct all my questions to tech support.
Which
apparently never answers their phones. I spent two days just trying to get
someone to
talk to me long enough to cancel my account. (The same one I had started two
days earlier
until I had become fed up with their dodging.) I was rudely transferred or
ignored or
disrespected by phone employees that had not read the section in the employee
manual (if
it is even there) about phone etiquette. Invariably I would get transferred to
(you guessed
it) the tech support hell. The favorite employee past-time is transferring and
avoiding questions.
Finally, in an attempt to cancel the account, I cancelled my VISA number that I
had given them
so that they couldn't charge me for the account that I was not using and no
longer wanted, due to
their crummy attitude. Hopefully, when the money doesn't show, THEY will give
ME a call and I'll finally
have a conversation with someone in charge who wants information from me worse
than they want to
transfer me to someone else.
The embarrasing part is that I could have signed up with a local provider in
Seattle, with better
service, for half the price. The joke is on me, but I won't deal with East
Coast rudeness any more!
(And I was raised in NJ, rudeness capital of the East!)
R. Marshall Webber
marshall@spu.edu
From: Lynn Pecora <dani0304@aol.com> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
I wish I could rate this company less than 0. To start off, they spelled my
userid wrong. 4 long distance calls later it was fixed. I installed windows
95 - their software won't work with it. 3 weeks of calling tech support (a
long distance call) and being placed on hold for hours - it takes someone
who barely speaks english 15 seconds to tell me they'll send me upgraded
software - I'll have it in 2 days. 12 days later I have not received
software. I try to cancel account & get a credit for the month I haven't
been able to use it - I'm either transferred to a busy signal or to a phone
that
rings endlessly. This is the worst company I have ever dealt with and I
hope they go out of business.
From: Matt Febles <mfebs@westnet.com> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
A complete scam. Like a Kafka novel in their impersonal cruelty. Don't
bother trying to get the software to work, don't contact tech support.
You won't get through, if you are lucky you will be flamed by overworked
idiots. Cancel now. Don't give them your $$. If anyone knows of an
effective way to cancel, or better, get your $$ back, I'd like to hear it.
See http://www.cybernex.net/shayd/IDT.html for an honest assessment.
From: Ed Greaves <greaves@eden.rutgers.edu> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
Really a -10 if I could. This IS IOS, Internet Online Services.
DO NOT BUY OR SUPPORT THIS COMPANY!!!
For more info on why, check out all the bad press on this list under IOS.
Abysmal service, connections will not stay active. When attempting to download,
I would be disconnected if the file took me longer than 15 minutes. (Sure, I
should upgrade past 2400 baud, but that's no excuse, I couldn't even get a
batch
download to work.)
They are a rip-off, and deserve to be out of business.
From: Andrew High <squalles@panix.com> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
I have to agree with other's comments that the high ratings given to IDT/
IOS were probably fake, or were given by people who have no experience with
another provider. This is my experience with IDT:
1. One of their sales people "looked up" our telephone number in their
database, and claimed that it was a local call. It wasn't. Nor was a
number, listed as being in Newark (a local call), in Newark. Our phone bill
was over $300.
2. Their modems were out of synch, or something, more than half the time,
so it was impossible to log on. We were often hung up on unexpectedly.
3. As others have reported, our service was not activated when it was
supposed to be. After calling technical support and waiting for 45 minutes,
it was "activated," but still wasn't actually turned on. They got it right
by the fourth call.
4. The one thing they did get "right," was the credit card bill. After a
threat to alert the Attorney General's office about the "always a local
call" scam, both in their advertising, and in their representations to us,
they promised to refund our money. We got the bill today, which included
a new charge for our account after the date that we cancelled, and no
refund.
People have written many angry complaints here. With this company, isn't
it likely that the issue is not about anger or bad service, but about
illegal conduct on IDT's part ? Advertising "always a local call" is not
just disreputable, but DELIBERATELY misleading and therefore illegal.
The Attorney General's office is receiving our call on monday.
From: Mr. Anthony Thompson <twilight@inx.ne> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
IDT is a ripoff of major proportions!
After answering one of their ad's, I was told by the sales person that
I was signing up for a PPP account for $15 per month.
This turned out to be a complete *fabrication* by the sales person!
It turned out that I was setup with a shell account, with a PPP costing
twice the amount of the shell! ($30)
I immediately contacted the only number included with the
startup kit. (Technical Support)
The person I spoke to was not able to do much except send a note
to billing as well as giving me the phone number to cancel this account.
Amazingly, I did get through on the first call to billing, only to be
told that the computers were down and they would call me back!
Did they call me back? Not a chance!!!!
From this point on, all calls to billing were met with a
constant busy signal,seven days a week!
I even E-Mailed them from my new ISP (a reputable one this time).
They would not even return my mail requesting a conformation
that this account was canceled!
IDT is nothing more than a scam!
They engage in deceptive marketing, their billing department is
unreachable, and they do not return calls or mail!
In short, avoid this company like the plague!!!!
From: Robin Michae <Robin_Michael@NeTpower.com> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
Put these guys in the slammer! They are nothing more than common thieves
From: Matthew Carmel <oshadata@openix.com> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
I have read the other comments and agree with every
single one of them. This company is entirely disreputable!!!
I too was told a Hackensack number was local which turned out
to be false. I too recevied my initial sign up package nearly
a month late. And I too could not connect, got an inactive
password and could not get through to tech support.
I wrote a letter of complaint to the president and never
heard a word from him.
Anyone who signs up with these theives is making a big mistake.
Wish I had access to this website before I signed up but then
not having internet access did not make that possible.
Come to think of it, that is their scam - sign people up who
are ignorant about internet (like I was but hopefully will no
longer be) and steal their money. With all the new people
looking for access, they can screw alot of people and just walk away!
From: Steven Lem <lemmed@deltanet.com> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
Looked like the best deal in LA. Tried over and over with support to get on.
Another provider got me on in a day. At least they didn't rip my credit card.
I wasted a lot of time with them.
From: Bill Davis <wwtravel@cris.com> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
I "AGREE" with all the BAD comments about this company. I ALMOST signed
on with this bunch of MAFIA types.
I called late one night about 2 weeka ago and got a fairly NICE gut who
ALMOST sold me on this company.
BUT !! I looked at this list later last week and called IOS again.
And sure enough the RUDE service was there big as life and TWICE as UGLY.
There were hundereds of phones ringing in the back ground; and the guy who
answered was NOT a happy nice guy. Get the picture.
Plus its been TWO weeks now and I have not seen and thing in the mail from
when I asked to have someone mail me more info about this company.
If this is how it starts I don't need it at ANY price.
Bill
From: Link Keur <cbbblink@postoffice.ptd.net> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
Always busy. Misinformation about $15 rates. Very poor support. Days before
you get a response. Appear to be oversubscribing. I'm glad I don't have it!
From: Bill Davis <wwtravel@cris.com> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
To " ALL " Internet users:
BEWARE !! this company is NOW using the New name of " IDT "
When I called their 800-743-4343 number and asked for Information about
their company the FIRST words spoken to me were DO YOU WANT TO SIGN UP NOW
? Then I asked what was their company name and I was told it was IDT
not IOS.
Then I asked if they were associated with a company named IOS and they
told me that they never heard of that company before.
These sales people are VERY smooooth talkers so watch out.
Do NOT give them your CREDIT card number or you WILL be sorry.
This message is from; wwtravel@cris.com
By the way cris.com is getting better and they should have full 28,800
service before the end of the year.
From: Scott "Shayd" Roberts <shayd@bc.cybernex.net> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
I will announce prior to posting this that I am an ex-employee of IDT's and
currently work for a competitor. The 5 rating is to balance this out.
Note the above string of comments and ratings from:
studfind@soho.ios.com: no such user
stoneman@tribeca.ios.com: no such user
sunshine@haven.ios.com: Marty Klein worked at IDT when I was there,
and further, "Sunshine Lemme" isn't the same name. (though that is common).
Take a look later at the Internet Online Services page.
I have at no point needed to slander or fake entries here. As a matter of fact,
I was personally once spoofed on The List when I used to work for IDT.
From: Marv Thompson <marvint1@exit109.com> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
Think of the worst possible experience you ever had as a customer of some
company. Then multiply that by 1000. This still won't come close to all the
grief that you will give yourself if you sign up with IDT, IOS theives. I was a
member for three months and had constant trouble with their micky mouse modems.
The good new is that I never paid them one cent. Here is a tip. If paying by
AMEX or VISA call them and ask that they do not accept any charges from IDT.
They will comply. Prediction: This company will be shut down by the BBB very
soon. STAY AWAY!!!
From: William Davis <wwtravel@cris.com> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
Stay away from this company unless you are a masochist!
Better yet, try calling them. Nothing but grief.
From: wd <wwtravel@cris.com> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
BEWARE !! BEWARE !! BEWARE !! BEWARE !! BEWARE !! BEWARE !! BEWARE !!
I called this Company who is ALSO going by the NAME of IDT as to disguise
themselves as being the Infamous IOS. I asked them to send me out their
" FREE " software and I would sign up for a MONTH to MONTH service to see
if they were a good Provider or NOT.
This was about " 45 " days ago.
I NOW get a BILL on my VISA card for $135 for service that I have NEVER used
So if you truly want to get RIPPED off; then GO AHEAD and fall for their
CHEAP ads.
Also there were a LOT of posts here before that were taken OFF I think.
Because EVERONE that I have talked to on the Net has tols me HORROR stories
about IOS and IDT the same company.
If you get screwed just SUE the S.O.B.'s and ask for a large PUNITIVE
damage award from the judge to PUNISH these lying S.O.B.'s
From
Bill
From: Richard Ligeski <Richard.Ligeski@hol.heritage.com> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
I called to order the disks and was told I would receive
them in 2-4 days. It took 15 days to get them. Once I
did get them I tried to log on and got a busy signal.
Once I got past the busy signal I entered my password and
userid and it promptly hung up the modem and told me that
there was an error. I called, emailed, and faxed them for
help. I never received a person on the phone. I got responses
with email and fax. They said they did not activate my account,
and they would fix it. The next day I tried again and was kicked
off for a bad password. I faxed them again and they did not fix
it. So after more than a month I never got on! BE CAREFUL WHEN
CHOOSING THIS COMPANY!
From: Cheryl Deering <deering@mars.superlink.ne> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
Literally the _worst_ company I have ever dealt with--and that is saying a lot.
Bad service across the board, from the modems that never picked up/or
disconnected constantly to tech help that was almost always never available to
days spent trying to contact billing or customer service, it was just one
problem after another dealing with these people. The BBB couldn't close this
bunch down fast enough for me. . .
From: Tri Nguyen <neyugn19@wavenet.com> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
Terrible services I've ever had .Do not subcribe with them.
From: cj chun <doulos@gramercy.ios.com> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
It's a lousy company. The only way I got smeone to call me was cancelling my
credit card charge, and then getting three months free usage b/c I played
hardball. Why am I staying with IOS? Bc/ everybody is leaving it. Therefore,
I can get online all the time!!!!!
From: Timothy McNulty <phylos@why.net> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
Beware, BEWARE. IDT is evil. These people are completely unethical, and after
all I've been through with them, I believe they conduct is almost criminal. I
hope and prey the justice will be done, and swiftly to keep IDT from ripping
people off. There is no excuse for the way the treat the would be costumers
(victums). It only cost me $50 in long distance to their costumer support and
tech support to try to get my problems resolved, but all I ever got from them
was lies, lies, and more lies. How can any streight thinking person work for
IDT and sleep at night knowing they are working for a company that takes
costumers money and in return provides absolutely no service at all! The
salesman that sold me my subscription to IDT said I would hardly ever get a
busy signal, and if I did, I could call back immediately and get through.
Wrong! In the evenings it could take me an average of 200, yes thats two
hundred, attempts to connect. Even at 2am it would take about 50 attempts.
Please beware, don't make the same mistake that I did. When I cancelled their
service they said I'd get a credit on my VISA, wrong, they lied, no credit, but
believe it or not I got another debit! Unauthorized! Like a dummy, I called
back and waited another hour on long distace to try to get it corrected. They
said no problem, that it was taken care of. Wrong two weeks later and no
credits so I wrote my VISA and got a forced credit. How can these people still
be in business and not in jail? Beware, beware, BEWARE!
From: Richard Brannigan <@ix.netcom.com> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
I ordered IDT over the phone on November 6th 1995 for SLIP/PPP access on
a pay per month basis. They told me it would take 7-10 days to receive
it in the mail. On November 17, I read www.thelist.com. I called my
Master Card to try to cancel authorization on anything that said IDT.
They told me there was already a charge from "IDT- Internet Services" of
$17.40. They couldn't cancel authorization, but they said they could
put the $17.40 on dispute. I got credited back for the $17.40 fortunately.
On the early morning of November 18th I called IDT in New Jersey from San
Diego, CA. They didn't have an 800 number to call to cancel so I had to
call long distance. I got in first call. I told them I wanted to cancel
and that I haven't used the account yet since I haven't received it.
They asked why I wanted to cancel, and I told them I read bad comments on
IDT from www.thelist.com. They told me I would get a call soon with
directions on where to send the disks back since I wouldn't be using the
service. On November 25th, I received the packet in the mail that I was
supposed to have received within 7-10 days. It was postmarked November
22nd.
To tell you the truth, I don't trust IDT. I got charged on my
credit card even before I got to use the service. When I had ordered, I was
told I would be billed a month after I start using the service. They sent
the package on November 22 (from what the postmark indicates)which was 16
days from the time I ordered on the phone. Furthermore, the date they
sent the package was 4 days after I canceled. Also, whenever I do a search
for IDT users on IRC with /who *.ios.com I get only a few users. Why would
I get only a few users when this company is supposed to be huge? Another
thing is why would a company have a cancelation number that is not toll
free when the subscription number is 1-800? Are they trying to discourage
people from canceling?
If you are considering gettting IDT, look at the facts. Do some
investigating. Ask around the IRC but be skeptical whether the person
you are talking to is a bonafide user or an employee of IDT.
If you are waiting for IDT to get to your mailbox, do the same as
above. And don't be afraid to cancel.
My recommendation is not to subscribe to this telemarketing business.
But, it is your money.
From: Paul Hensley <paulh19@server.iadfw.com> on 01/15/96
Rating: 2
I posted the previous comments before reading the existing ones. WOW!
Had I read these comments before, I would probably not be using these
people now. But I'm here.
POINTS
Software- Yeah, it sucks. I was too ignorant to realize that the version they
sent would not run in Win95 ( or at least be more of a setup nightmare than
I could handle ). I don't think it was tested by the average idiot before they
sent it. Shame. At least Win95 has its own browser.
Customer Service- Sheeesh! These folks need to educate thier people.
I spoke with three people while trying to get connected ( no I'm not going
to cry about an hour on hold- try calling the guys who made your own
computer system and see how long it takes you!!). The first two were
slightly more than a bit confused- like a new customer service rep at the
local cable company- but easily enough manipulated into chasing down
some experienced help. The third person I spoke with deserves four stars.
I wish I could remember her name. She set me up with a temporary account
that allowed me to connect to my e-mail ( new address, unfortunately ) and
explained that whatever devices they were smoke-testing out here in
Dallas/Fort Worth should be running within 24 hours ( this in fact is what
actually occurred ). MORAL: You get what you give with customer service
so don't git yer knickers twisted!!!
Initial mailing- Got mine in seven days.
Instructions- Yes, they do work.
Local calls- Mine is, sorry for the rest of y'all.
Overall service- No toll-frees. I'm paying about twenty bucks amonth for
unlimited PPP. I like this, since I spend 10-20 hours a week on the net.
On a bad day I have to try connecting 3-4 times. This happens about
once a week. I give it a five because I have no basis for comparison.
ANYWAY- I certainly wouldn't blame anyone for avoiding these folks after
reading all the bad press, but if someone spoke to me over the phone the
way some of these comments are written, I think I would hang up as well.
If you're interested, I'm happy with the service, but shop around. Nine out
of ten positive comments go unvoiced.
From: Bill Wachsmuth <doodles@gramercy.ios.com> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
IDT must be the worst there is. Their Orange county phone lines went down for
A WHOLE WEEK and it was only after faxing them twice a day and FINALLY using
AOL to send e-mail that they finally replied that I could use a temporary 800
number- this was after 4 days of being off line. When their numbers don't work
for whole days at a time I use aol to e-mail them and several days later they
reply (if they reply at all) that there is nothing wrong at their end,
everything is fine NOW- perhaps I have a problem on my end. I told them that
that was like saying that you don't understand why World War II happened- the
Germans are perfectly peaceful people NOW. They are in New Jersey and don't
have an 800 number for tech support. I hate IDT. I just wish that I could
switch and take my e-mail address, which is linked to my web page on another
service. If I could give them a score of negative one million I would.
From: Richard Wecher <rwecher@cts.com > on 01/15/96
Rating: 1
Terrible service,intro documents had access phone # which was not in
service
Tech service put me on hold 3 times for 20-30 minutes before talking to a rep
(where I finally found out the line had been dropped), and another time for 40
minutes
before I gave up. No 800 tech support number, so thats a lot of time on
long distance hold. Even after talking to 3 reps, unable to config well
enough to connect. On hold for 20 minutes (again, no 800 #) to cancel.
My experience was not a happy one. Strongly suggest extreme avoidance.
From: kris burroughs <krisb@soho.ios.com > on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
Listen .. called up salesperson - John Rewich, told they'd open up my account
immediately. Two weeks later, can't get him to return my call.
Called Customer Service, once,twice, three times. Each time put on hold 25-45
minutes -
long distance. Each time they promised to look into it why my account wasn't
opened (they said they had my money order). Each time was promised they'd
call back within an hour. An HOUR!!! They NEVER RETURNED ANY CALLS AT ALL.
Okay, now I'm e-mailing the pri**ks. I've spent a fortune in long distance
calls to no avail. I've threatened legal action. Finally I get a kit in the
mail. It has password and login. DOESN'T WORK!!! More calls! More long distance
charges. They'll look into it. THEY'LL CALL ME BACK IN AN HOUR. Another
two weeks. Finally my account gets opened up.
I log on, next two days the server goes down. I get e-mail from IDT to
send $75. or they'll discontinue service. I just mailed them a money
order for $75 and I haven't gotton more than an HOUR on line with them.
More calls ... More E-mail (I'll be damned if I let these bastards get
the better of me). A week before they were telling me they can't figure
out why my account wasn't opened as they had my money order in hand.
Now I was being told by their accounting department that they had
never received ANY MONEY FROM ME. More e-mail. More long distance calls!
I'm getting the paperwork ready to file with the Attorney General's office!
Finally it gets straightened out!!! So .. a basic shell account that supposed
to run me $75. probably will run me $200. for 6 months after all the expenses
(that's assuming they don't pull any more shit with my account).
The wierd thing about this is that by now I've read countless stories about
this company DOING THE EXACT SAME THING to dozens of others. People have
given up and totalled the money to a total loss (I guess that's what
they're counting on).
DON'T
Don't
PLEASE ... D O N ' T DEAL WITH THESE CROOKS.
If they're screwing you -- PERSIST!!! File with the Attorney General's
office, call the Better Business Bureau, send a letter to Governor
Whitman's Office of NJ condemning these thieves .. also send her copies
of all the documents you sent to these agencies. Everyone in this company
DESERVES TO BE BEHIND BARS!!!!
From: Israel Jacobs <ijacobs@aol.com> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
The LIST should delete all the 'phony' company comments
made from 1/9-1/13 that were made about IDT. IDT is nothing
but thieves.
Right now these postings are being discussed all over the
net about the scam that IDT is playing on the LIST!!!
THESE ARE THE FACTS:
IDT ARE CROOKS!
IDT WILL TAKE YOUR MONEY!
IDT WILL LIE TO YOU!!!
THEY WON'T RETURN PHONE CALLS!!!
GOOD LUCK IF YOU EXPECT TO GET AN ACCOUNT OPENED WITHIN
6 WEEKS ... but ... believe me ... they'll charge
you for the 6 weeks you went trying!!
God help you if IDT has your Charge card. They have been
know to double bill and add ridiculous charges to peoples
accounts!
From: IDT/IOS = RIPOFF <.@chelsea.ios.com> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
It is so obviuous that most if not all the good comments are posted
by either IDT officials or whatever. This business is a scam with
very rude tech people.
From: dale <mrdaleb@soho.ios.com> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
I am VERY sorry! I was tricked by an employee of IDT/IOS to send my
previous comment. He helped me and then told me that if I sent a comment
via this web page that he would get $10. I was appreciative of his help and
thought I was sending a comment to IDT
ITSELF!! NOT HERE!! obviously many were tricked!! as someone wrote --
"the ballot box is being stuffed!"
I am truly sorry to anyone who winds up using this service on account of that
message. I see now what slippery snakes they truly are!! I can not tell you how
pissed off I am!!!!!
From: N. Colonius <Nealc10@aol.com> on 01/15/96
Rating: 1
I do not recommend this service because:
1. Calls to technical support(NOT toll free) have extremely long wait
time. I've call 3 times, and waited 80 minutes, 30 minutes, and 55 minutes.
I gave up after 80 minutes, and never talked to anyone. The 30 minute call
was wasted, just learned there system was down. I still have trouble
connecting
on the signon screen, and tried to get help on the 55 minute wait, but
technical
support was not able to help. My connect problems only occur only in the
evenings,
so I believe their system is just overloaded.
ALSO, their answering machine said the wait would be 20 minutes, and the
explanation
was "thats as high as the recording can go". IDT's web page says the average
wait
time is only 8 minutes for tech support. This is just not true.
2. The system is virtually impossible to connect to in my area between 6 and
10 pm.
Bottom line, if these guys would tell people what's going on, and provide just
a reasonable
effort on tech support, they might be OK, but they aren't accceptable at this
time.
From: Carter Brown <cwb@soho.ios.com> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
Your system really sucks. Iwait 30 to 40 minutes to get help. Tonight I waited
30 min and your phone disconnected me. Rather than start over with help I'm
thihking of getting my money back. I have lodded on it took me almost an hour.
I tried to access my mail and was denied access. But since I cna't get tech
support, what the hell can I do now
From: Carter Brown <cwb@soho.ios.com> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
This system is terrible. I have been trying for three days either to log on or
get help support. With much difficulty I log on but I am denied access to my
mailbox. I waited 30 miniutes on hold then your telephone system threw me off
From: Carter Brown <cwb@soho.ios.com> on 01/15/96
Rating: 0
IDT sucks. I am calling from Nassau Co, getting a line takes between 5 and 10
minutes this evning. At least I have figured out how to get a connect with my
modum. I cannot access my mailbox and I can not get through to tech support. I
tried your internet address for tech support and of course that was not working
either.
From: eyeguy@dwx.com on 01/16/96
Rating: 1
nice software package, but got busy signal for three straigh days
finally got thru, log in would not work.
Attempted to call tech support, hung up after 25 min. on hold at my expense.
I've got better ways to spend my time and money. and I did.
I got a different provider.
Use a provider in your own city!!!!!
From: Jeff Tham <jct@mindspring.com> on 01/16/96
Rating: 0
They're giving their users credit to post positive comments on this list.
I think that shows you how unethical they are.
And all the comments sounds like sales hype.
From: S. Jacobs <Yennyya@aol.com> on 01/16/96
Rating: 0
IF YOU SEE A COMMENT WITH A '10' YOU CAN BE SURE IT WAS
POSTED BY AN I.D.T. EMPLOYEE .....
BECAUSE NOBODY!!!!
LET ME REPEAT ... NOBODY!!!!!!!
CAN GET ANYTHING OUT OF THESE GUYS
BUT GRIEF !!!!!!!!!
IDT is concerned with one thing - SEPARATING YOU FROM YOUR MONEY!!!!
and nothing else!!!
NOW THEY'VE GONE SO LOW AS TO FLOOD THE LIST WITH
THEIR PHONY COMMENTS!!!!!
DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY!!!! THEY'LL BE OUT OF BUSINESS SOON!!!
EVERYONE SHOULD DO "EXACTLY" WHAT THEY're DOING EXCEPT instead
of FLOODING THIS PAGE ... FLOOD THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE,
the BETTER BUSINESS DEPARTMENT as well as the POSTMASTER
GENERAL.
IF ANYONE LIKES THE WAY IDT TREATS THEM, my FRIEND HAS A BRIDGE
GOING FROM MANHATTAN TO BROOKLYN HE'LL SELL YOU!!!
YOU CAN PUT A TOLL BOOTH ON IT AND MAKE A FORTUNE!!!
SORRY FOR THE COMMENT ABOVE BUT THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IDT IS SELLING!!!
AIR ... EMPTY AIR!!!!
From: Bob Huszar <huszar@earth.cnct.com> on 01/16/96
Rating: 0
I guess if the wind chill factor can be below zero, I can rate
these COLD, HEARTLESS THIEVES the same way!!
What can I add to these comments except in no way, let them
get a hold of your credit card number. If you're that foolish,
why not lend it to me. At least you'll have someone blowing your
wad that's not laughing at you!
From: tom sihg <tsihg@nix.com> on 01/16/96
Rating: 0
They be thieves. They offer stupid people discount if they make good
remarks. Stupid people sign up, make stupid remark praising IDT.
IDT turns around and screws stupid people.
Stupid people get what they deserve!
From: MsPost <Mspost@prodigy.com> on 01/16/96
Rating: 0
IF YOU LIKE SEX, THEN THIS IS THE PLACE TO COME -- HANDS DOWN!!!
WHY???? Because IDT will screw you like none of the rest!!!!
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