Job Discussion Forums

[thelmadatter]

I have been trying for a week to get Sky (satellite) to fix my antenna (again). According to the contract, they are supposed to respond within 48 hours of a service call. I called last monday (3/1). Wed night comes and no one shows. I call. Told that someone would be by on Thursday. Spend Thursday evening waiting with no results and call again. Received profuse apology and promised that without fail Friday.

Guess what? No show again. Call Friday, quite indignant (but telling the operator that I knew it wasnt her fault personally). Again with the apologies and would I please allow a visit today (Sat)?

Well I think you can guess what happened (or rather what didnt happen)?

Geez and I thought Sky was one of the better companies!

Im ready to cancel my service on Mon - I dont need TV that badly, unless any of you can think of anything better.

Anyone have experience with Direct TV?

[ls650]

[Ben Round de Bloc]

My first reaction when I read your post was, She must be new to this country.

If you think of the general philosophy of most people or companies that provide services to the public as being the opposite of what you're probably used to back home, then the way things work in this country make sense (sort of, more or less, m�s o menos ) The philosophy here is centered on the provider rather than on the client; that is, you as a client/customer are fortunate that we provide our service to you.

Based on my own experiences, I'd have to say that your description of Sky's way of doing business with you is more the norm rather than the exception of how things function here. Plumbers, electricians, Telmex, banks, the utility company, city government departments (especially city government departments,) propane gas companies, department stores, restaurants, public transport, you name it; the philosophy is If you don't like the way we do business, then go somewhere else (where you'll get the same type of service or worse,) or in many cases, There is nowhere else to go, so take it or leave it.

I've noticed that even though locals complain a lot about poor service, they also accept it as a reality of life. If they like the prices at a certain department store or the food at a certain restaurant, they'll still continue to patronize those places even if the service is bad. If the mechanic says your car will be ready at noon and you arrive to pick it up at 1:00 o'clock, that would be about right, although you still might end up waiting another half hour or so for the job to be finished. If garbage pick-up is scheduled for Tuesday, the garbage truck might get there on Tuesday . . . or maybe Wednesday or some day the following week. If you drive way across town to keep an appointment with a lawyer, an appointment that you had made over a week in advance, he might not be there. When you arrive, his secretary may tell you, "He left for Miami two days ago and should be back sometime next week." It probably would never occur to the lawyer to ask his secretary to call and cancel his appointments (service-provider-centered philosophy again.)

Besides, it's usually not standard practice to do something when you say you'll do it in this country, either in business situations or social situations, so it's no big deal. The only advice I can offer is this. Get used to it. It's not going to change, and you'll only get ulcers if you let yourself become upset by such things.

[Guy Courchesne]

Agree with Ben here...it all gets done manyana in Mexico, which is 2 weeks to never.

Would you like to have some real fun? Try oredering a new phone line from Telmex. Would love to hear from anyone here on this. 8 months seems to be the average wait on this one.

[chula]

Ahhh, Telmex. I remember 2 years ago when they said we�d have our phone soon.

[Guy Courchesne]

My wfe named one of our dogs 'Chula'. I've never gotten an accurate reason why. Maybe you can help?

[thelmadatter]

Thanks a lot -- NOT! I was asking for some practical advice and I got none.

[chula]

Oh, advice....hmmm. I guess everyone will probably say what�s already been said---calm down, this is Mexico and this is how things work. If they see an angry gringa they think it�s funny and do more to push buttons, especially at immigration. Yeah, it�s frustrating, and we�ve all been there (or are there now, hence the reference to immigration). What you could do would be to ask around and see if anyone has a friend or relative that works for Sky and see what they can do. That�s usually the fastest way to get anything done.

And as far as Chula, I�ve heard that it means pretty, in regards to a girl, or cute, in regards to animals or, well, something that�s cute. That�s basically what I know. And that it�s a good thing, but that chulo can have other, not so favorable connotations. It�s one of the things that guys grumble at me as I walk down the street. That and sabrosa. Yup, I guess I�m tasty.

[ls650]

[chula]

Ha ha, books in Mexico. That�s a good one!

[Ben Round de Bloc]

Thelmadatter, I still stand by my advice that the best way to deal with the type of frustration you mentioned is to get used to it. Accept the fact that that's the way things are in this country.

Chula did make a good point, however, when she said if you know someone who works for Sky, that connection could speed things up for you.

I was in a similar situation with Telmex once. Our phone bills come all the way from DF, and sometimes we don't get them until after they're due. If that happens, phone service is cut off. You are expected to remember which date of the month your phone bill is due, and if you haven't received your bill before then, you have to go to the phone company's main building downtown and get a duplicate. The first time that happened to me I didn't know the procedure, so my phone service was cut off. After being advised of the procedure, I paid the bill via a duplicate + a reconnection fee, but several days later (and several phone calls to them from a pay phone,) still no service. I mentioned it to my students one night at school during break. One of my students said, "What's your phone number?" I told him. He went and made a phone call, came back, and said, "You'll have phone service by the time you get home from school tonight." He was right. I did. His sister-in-law worked for the phone company.

[impala_street_scraper]

the more i read about life in mexico and the people's attitudes the more it sounds like australia! lol. so maybe i shouldnt bother going?

[ls650]

[Guy Courchesne]

Hey Chula...where in Mexico are you?

My dog Chula is macho...now I know why he's got a complex...

[lozwich]

Hiyas,

Ok, the time for just sitting back and observing is over, now I feel like putting in my 2 pesos..

impala: Life in mexico is nothing like life in Australia. Believe me, I've tried both, and apart from the huge similarities in topography and flora, there's not much else the same. But the only way for you to find out what you prefer and what drives you mad about the place is to come over and see.

ls650: I don't own a tv here in Mexico, and sometimes I think I would have gone completely mad long before now if it wasn't for the excellent bookshelf of English books we have here at my workplace, that are ONLY for the teachers. But, the times I do see Mexican tv, I get to a) practice listening to Spanish and b) to understand more about the culture by the programs they watch. Yeah, a lot of the time I think its complete garbage and not really what I look for in entertainment, but I strongly believe that tv can provide an interesting look into what the locals are taking in, and what the values of a country are.

and lastly,
Thelmadatter: I really empathise with you. The times when I need to get my superhumungo gas tank filled, or do something else with any big beauracracy (spelling??), the lack of service is a bit of a downer, but I have discovered that the quickest way to ensure absolutely nothing gets done is to get angry about it. Hopefully by now you have found a person with 'inside information' to help you out and your tv reception has been restored.

Have a great day, one and all..

Lozwich.