Hi ho, hi ho its off to EastLink we go

I changed to EastLink this week for my phone, Internet and cable. The move was smooth but not without extra work which I needed like a toothache. It its Election month and I’m lobbying for the disabled night and day. The extra work and problems with EastLink will go on for weeks. The change was made for a small monthly savings and the illusion of better service.

Like most people, I had been with Aliant for decades back when they were called Island Tel. I remember the early struggling years on PEI in the 70’s when Island Tel was synonymous with having one’s phone cut off. Those warm, friendly people in accounts.

As my fortunes improved, it became apparent that Island Tel’s monopoly made them imperious in their customer service. They never listened: they told you what to do.

When deregulation started to hit PEI we contemplated going with – get this – our own equipment, a shocking concept. We did a small amount of business with Island Tel and our 3rd level manager warned us not to think about switching equipment unless we wanted to lose our business with them. This was the old “heavy handed treatment”. Most of the business was going to a nephew of another 3rd level manager but we sucked in our pride and stayed loyal to Island Tel.

I met our old manager, now retired and working as a commissionaire, this spring. He has the same imperious attitude ingrained in him by decades inside “the phone company”. Seeing him try to push me around one more time reminded me of the great scene in “Fun with Dick and Jane”. When they hold up the business office of Pacific Bell, the customers in the line applaud the robbers.

There are a lot of nice people within Island Tel. We’ve met them over the years. There are also some people who still think they have a monopoly. They’re worse in Halifax at the old MT&T Company. They tell you what to think and do.

Aliant became like an old shoe, not perfect but comfortable. As my children moved out they were getting the new service EastLink for phone, cable and Internet. I was told emphatically that I was an old fart for staying with Aliant. EastLink’s service was faster, cheaper, whiter brighter. So what, I said.

Then last month Bell ExpressVu sent me a letter that my fees were going up $5 per month. There was no reason. They just wanted more money. They do that every year. I used to pay $35 a month and now I pay $54 no $59.

This was the straw that broke the camel’s back, the catalyst for change. Doing some Internet shopping I discovered service from EastLink was the same or better and the price lower. Good bye Aliant. Hello EastLink. It’s never too late to change.