Yesterday, 2-10-10, I had a service call done, to fix “hum lines” (Ghost lines that slowly move bottom to top, which usually measure 1/3 of the screen) from my cable and “antenna TV” Note - Free TV’s in line 1, Buckeye Cablesystem in line 2. <br />
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I thought everything would have gone OK, but that’s not how it really went. <br />
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Before I begin, I must warn you, I have had “Tracy, ” the “best” technician, in my home to fix the same issue. She was the escalation person, after many calls on this same issue. Needless to say, the issue was not solved. <br />
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I also must make note of the Buckeye Tel situation that I went through with the same exact people. I paid for caller ID, but did not get other Buckeye Tel (Buckeye CableSystem phone) customers on the Caller ID. Yes, this included friends and work. I finally got fed up and quit all services. But had to come back, due to Sage Telecom’s inefficiencies, costing me even more money, than Buckeye Tel.<br />
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With all said, their track record is not good, with pinpointing and diagnosing issues. That’s mostly what I had to deal with yesterday. My issue was not fixed. The Tech person wanted me to still have “hum lines, ” and be satisfied with just getting the service. He seemed to appear as though I was privileged to be able to get Buckeye. But you may pick that up in a few minutes of reading on.<br />
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Service call was made for the “hum lines.” Yes, “CHRIS K” was on time, within the window. It was about 1:30 PM. I showed him in – Instantly got the “the reason for your hum bars are…” I had to interrupt him. I proceeded to mention that it was not my equipment, since the last time I had gotten brand new equipment (literally less than 30 days old to this service call). I mentioned that the hum lines go when I plug in the RCA, component and coax cables, even all separately.<br />
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I was going to have the box switched… which did happen, but the same issue persisted. It just took the power plug to be plugged in, while any cables were connected to “LINE 2” (Buckeye Cable Port line). We then switched Buckeye to “Line 1” and same thing happened, just reversed lines inputs. <br />
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All of the sudden, my heater, my turned off computer, my lights, etc… were at issue. But remember, If it were one of those, you would see the same issue in the FREE TV (on line 2 now, from line 1). That was not happening. Free DTV had no lines, until Buckeye’s Cable was hooked up. That instantly should say something… especially since my antenna is on powered amplifiers. It’s not power or anything a/c powered in the living room. <br />
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My next thought was that it was… why did they not check the electrical components of the converter box? “Chris K” checked the signal level, but not the voltage in or out. Remember, Buckeye is supposed to be superior to knowing their equipment. Testing it only anchors this. Testing of voltage was not done, which should have been done. He also asked why I had gold splitters. I told him that they are for my local Free DTV… however, the coax splitters were not hooked into the box, in any ways. A good investigator… or engineer/tech, would have seen that first off.<br />
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This was the same level of service as with the phone. If I had a dial tone, and a non-Buckeye Tel cell phone calls and it showed up… the problem did not exist. Forget testing… never happened.<br />
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Beyond the lack to testing of their Tech, “Chris K” seemed to not be very happy. He did not seem to smile once. It almost sounded like he was being put out to work. What’s more, I was watching my local TV, or Free DTV… He told me that WBGU-DT4 (WBGU-Encore), which Buckeye does not carry (but is local), would go away. Somehow, he didn’t realize I was watching a station that they did not offer, showing lack of knowledge of their own product/service. I had to tell him that WBGU-DT4 was not carried by Buckeye, but was local…and that I had my own antenna… after re-hooking everything back up.<br />
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Suffice it to say, the tech/engineering aspect of Toledo, Ohio’s Buckeye CableSystem has major training issues. They also appear to not be knowledgeable of their own equipment or products. Due to this, I have canceled TV… and at an earlier time, cancelled Buckeye Tel phone. Their Customer service on the phone is exemplary! Just terrible at engineering and tech services, on service calls. <br />
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Note that service calls have been very late in the past… but that is not up to the customer service… that’s once again, tech/engineering/dispatch.