Well, here I am again, writing a review on the same service.. again. I assure you, its not going to be nice ol review... again.
Now, lets review the Sifys advancements in customer satisfaction areas since the last time I reviewed it..
NOTE: Since I cant use special words to describe my feelings, I am using coded language for those concerned.
=========
a) Customer Support:
What can I say, it simple sucks, and more than ever. No matter how much the press (and politicians) lie to you about India being the next super power and all that crap, one thing thats never gonna change is the lame customer support from our IT companies or whatever. (and people are worried about outsourcing because of these people).
Heres how my conversation with their outstanding (considering that the customer care no. and mail is printed on back of the leaflet in big print) customer support goes most of the time...
[NOTE: Added Sarcasm.. not really]
ME - Hi, I am having some problems with someone trying to hack into my computer on the network here. I have his IP, and I would like him blocked permanently.
CUSTOMER CARE - (after waiting five mins) Please dial this for that and that for this, and you can wait for few more hours so an uneducated call center dumba can help you (I recommend not waiting for the later one, as the chances are, he knows nothing himself)
.. and if you ever do get to talk to them precious customer care guys/gals, heres how it goes..
ME - Hi, I am having some problems with someone trying to hack into my computer on the network here. I have his IP, and I would like him blocked permanently.
CUSTOMER CARE - (unclear connection for some reason)Sir please visit our site and .. blah blah blah...
ME - Already done that, and the site is useless
CUSTOMER CARE - I am unable to ban the IP myself, please give me your ID and I will contact some guy and hell call you back.
Chances are, theyll never call back, and youll have to call them back 20 more times until your head explodes. Did I mention that everyone in their customer care speak phluent hinglish? Nevermind!
Now the first logical choice in this scenario would be to call your ISP and ask them do do the same thing. But obviously, as we all prob know by know, they are all a bunch of retards you dont even know how to handle the mouse very well.
======
b) Your ISP
Forget Sify, the worst is your local cable guy. Forget asking them for any help, cause theyll just make it easy on themselves and recommend you to call the Customer Support, and that means.. well, read point A above.
Now I have argued with them over the logic of me paying my money to them on the time.. TO THEM and them forwarding me to Sifys lame customer support. But the thing is, they know nothing themselves. Always, an idiot will come to check MY IP for hours, only to establish ingeniously in the end that something is wrong at their end. I have no idea where they get these illiterate retards.. but they do get them.
======
c) The Connection
Here are the latest packages from Sify, and I consider myself lucky that I know about them considering my ISP kept on pushing the costliest pack they could find towards me. Right now I am using 256 KBPS Unlimited Night package (which is for some reason 1 hr less then 128 kbps night package)
I am gonna list unlimited packages which are useful for heavy downloaders like me.. Hourly based packages and packages with download limits arent really broadband in my eyes, no matter how fast the speed is.
------------
(*Night 10.00pm to 8.00am)
256 kbps, Night Unlimited Package for 1 month - Rs. 650
256 kbps, Night Unlimited Package for 2 months - Rs. 1200
256 kbps, Night Unlimited Package for 6 months - Rs. 3500
(*Night 9.00pm to 9.00am)
128 kbps, Night Unlimited Package for 1 month - Rs. 400
btw.. (read “lame”)
128 kbps, Unlimited Package for 1 month - Rs. 995
If the prices wont kill you, the customer support will.
=============
d) In the End:
I have more to say, about their stupid client based login program and similar stuff. But its useless. The thing is, Sify is still there, and surprisingly, it is cheaper than other alternatives in this area in Delhi. To top it all, I havent experienced and big connection losses, or disconnection in past few months. Occasional network disconnections are thanks to my local ISP with retarded illiterates instead of real workers.
I really havent seen any hyped Airtel and other services in this my area, and I have a feeling, they are all going to be same. Same as the MTNLs hyped up broadband is (512kbps connection with 500 MB download limit, jeez!).
In the end, Ill leave you with these tips >>
- Customize your connection, search on net for how. I am getting full bandwidth and know how to squeeze in some extra at some hours.
Viruses and Adwares cause a lot of speed loss and disconnections, take care of them first.
Instead of Sifys Broadband client, use Easy Sify (search on google) program to login. It is much better, and never disconnects (thanks to stupid heartbeat crap in original)
Dont bother with customer care, instead, exploit your local ISP and fore them into fixing stuff more often. I make them call Sify for me, only then Sifys service guy or whoever shows up.
Considering the changes since last 3 years, Sify still sucks. Surprisingly, I am rating it better than before in some areas.