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NCC Forum Home Page -> NCC - General Discussion -> HACKS in the "trades" giving other tech's a bad name...
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John D


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HACKS in the "trades" giving other tech's a bad name...
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We've been having internet troubles here at the 40 Watt. Service dropouts, connection problems, whatever.

I've checked all of our gear... the wireless router, network switch, and all the CAT5/6 cables & connectors - all check out. Must be the service. Sheryl calls Comcast and sets up a service call for this AM.

(Now to prelude, I told Sheryl that I'd like to have the guy climb the pole, cut off a few inches of the cable, and re-terminate to the demark... "F" connectors are notorious for degrading after a few years ((bare copper exposed and it WILL oxidize), and I want a tight, new connection out there.)

Guy shows up. Looks at the modem and immediately dismisses our problem with "We've had issues with those, and I'll replace the ground device as well". So Mr. Professional Installer Guy dis-mounts the modem from the back-board, unscrews the feed from the ground isolator, screws on a new isolator, new short jumper, connects it to the modem, and plugs it in. (Now during all this Sheryl is in her office working...) Bingo - the internet is back up... but there's a problem with our in-house network. The wireless Tx doesn't recognize the new modem and is basically saying ***?? No biggie... Mr. Professional Installer Guy must know enough to hold in the "reset" button for 5+ seconds, which lobotomizes the router... bingo, network is up - albeit unsecured - meaning it's open wireless internet access. Again, no biggie for a few hours.

I get home, and find this: (and he didn't replace the connection out on the pole - musta been too cold for him....)

ComcastHACK2.jpg

People bytch about the cost of labor, Unions, etc... but this is why these HACKS are drilling holes through your house, stapling cable to you siding, and why they work for the cable company... not a "real" shop.

(My work below).

 



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John D. - St. Louis Park, MN.

1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
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John D


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BTW... I'll be re-working "Mr. Professional Installer Guy's" work as soon as Sheryl logs off for the day...


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John D. - St. Louis Park, MN.

1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
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Chris R


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The problem is, if you want to call it a problem, most homeowners dont give a shat what it looks like down there, they just want their stuff to work. So when a guy fixes the problem, their mindset is typically "got you all up and running again, have a nice day" and they are on their way to the next call.

Typically its out of sight, out of mind in some mechanical room and all most homeowners want is it to work. Im like you, I like things to be neat and tidy so if I needed to find a wire or terminal, there isnt a mess of wires there to move around. Make sure you complain to the company, usually it doesnt do much good but my feeling is they still need to know about it as every company deserves to get feedback on this sort of workmanship.

He should have noticed how neat you had it before he started the job and finished with the same neatness.



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Chris - Ramsey, MN.

Dear Optimist, Pessimist, and Realist.

While you guys were busy arguing about the glass of water. I drank it!

Sincerly,

The opportunist.
John D


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Chris, you pretty much nailed it... and it's the difference between residential & commercial. John/Jane Doe has no point of reference - if it works... good - they don't know what a quality installation & attention to detail is.

If I did work like that on my sites/clients I'd be thrown out, and then fired.

Just got off the phone (after 247 tiers of menus) and set up another service call. This time they WILL be starting at the pole and working their way into the house... and STAYING on-site for more than 15 seconds to verify the service doesn't drop.

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John D. - St. Louis Park, MN.

1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5

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John D


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Ok, about 15 minutes time, a few screws, 1/2dz ty-raps... and:

UnHacked.jpg



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John D. - St. Louis Park, MN.

1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
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SShink


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John D wrote:

Chris, you pretty much nailed it... and it's the difference between residential & commercial. John/Jane Doe has no point of reference - if it works... good - they don't know what a quality installation & attention to detail is.

John, you are a consumate professional!  I think most 'cable guys' are only on the job temporarily until they find something else to do.  I don't think they get paid much either...  This is the rat's nest in my house!

Maybe I need to have you stop over and do some 'cleanup'!  laughing



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Tony Hoffer


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Send those pictures to Comcast... They cant get any better unless they know what they are doing wrong.. (Not that Ill hold my breath for change).

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John D


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eek2   Stan - that's just awful...

I'm beginning to think these guys are like sweat-shop workers - piecework. The more calls they bang out, the more money.

What's funny is they're just shooting themselves in the foot. What would you rather diagnose a problem on... a rat's nest or a dressed/labeled install??



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John D. - St. Louis Park, MN.

1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5

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Lost in the 60s


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John D wrote:

eek2   Stan - that's just awful...

I'm beginning to think these guys are like sweat-shop workers - piecework. The more calls they bang out, the more money.

What's funny is they're just shooting themselves in the foot. What would you rather diagnose a problem on... a rat's nest or a dressed/labeled install??

 Pretty sure they are "contractors' and get paid flat rate. They do just like the pics....slam it together and go to the next job. Detail and accuracy don't make more money for them...rolleyes



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Jon H


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Several years ago I had an issue with Comcast. They promised to tuck the cable under my siding and did a really poor job of it. I pitched a bitch and had a supervisor come out and re-do the job nicer than I would have. He gave me a card with his cell number on it and said if I EVER had an issue to contact hi, directly. Well, one night about 10:00 I had an issue gave him a call. He was off but got the on call supervisor to call me back and we got my issue resolved. I have found it does pay to speak your mind. These guys get rated and it only takes one awe-**** to wipe out a whole bunch of at-a-boys.

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Jon H.  Lino Lakes
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JD,
Tony and Jon are correct you should send Comcast the pictures with a short note. They can’t fix something if they don’t know it’s broke.
So send them the pictures and report back.


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Kevin

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John D


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Squeaky wheel gets the grease...

Two guys showed up yesterday afternoon... and these were "field" guys. The very 1st thing they did was unload a ladder, and climb up the pole. What did they find??... The first few feet of my feeder drop was water damaged/corroded due to gnawing by tree rats.

They replaced the entire aerial run from the pole into the garage. (Signal strength was too good! An attenuator needed to be installed at the modem to get the signal down to acceptable levels for the input)

I also gave them copies of the photos to give to the supervisor.

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John D. - St. Louis Park, MN.

1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5

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