So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodnight

Illustration from Pinterest

In the words from a song from one of my favorite movies of all time:

So long, farewell,
Auf Wiedersehen, goodnight.
Adieu, adieu
To you and you and you.

I'm usually not the best with goodbyes. But I will gladly say goodbye in any language to my long-time satellite internet provider, HughesNet. I've been a customer since April 2007. But I am so happy to say:

Au revoir (French)
Sayonara (Japanese)
Adios (Spanish)
Zai jian (Mandarin) 
Ciao (Italian)  
You're outta here! (Kim)

Golden Belt Telephone installed internet here on the County Line a week ago. I kept my HughesNet account open, just to make sure I was going to get quality service from GBT. I had planned to keep both active for a month because I have a 30-day trial period with GBT. 

They were honest. I'm within their service area "as the crow flies," but I'm on the outer limits. Plus, my house is smack dab in the middle of plenty of trees. It's great for reducing the heating and cooling bill. It's not so great for satellite internet. 

But, using a phrase from another song from a musical, "Wonder of wonder, miracles of miracles," the connection is faster with GBT.

So, yesterday, I called HughesNet to cancel. And for the umpteenth time, I was told that only the "account holder" could cancel the account. I have been around and around with them on this issue. I've been assured repeatedly that I am listed as an account holder. But, when it comes down to it, only the "man of the house" could cancel the internet.  

It doesn't matter that 99.9 percent of the internet usage is mine. It doesn't matter that I've been the caller when we've had problems or equipment upgrades (and given them more money, by the way). It doesn't matter that Randy has told them repeatedly that I am the authorized user on the account. It doesn't matter that we use a joint checking account to pay the bill. 

I was the one who called them repeatedly for the month we were without internet this summer. I was the one who drove to the Hutchinson Public Library and to my parents and to our church to get on the internet so I could do my job. 

I called again at noon when Randy came in for dinner. For the second time, I tried to cancel it myself. But it took Randy getting on the phone line to get it done. They wanted to send a technician out. They wanted to offer me a discount. And it gave me great satisfaction to tell them I would have welcomed a technician to quickly appear anytime during that month-long hiatus from service this summer. 

Nope. I'm done. Finis. Kaput. 

With Golden Belt, I have a Kansas number I can call if I have a problem. They actually speak English as their first language. They assured me that I will never be without internet for a month. Each of the three people I've dealt with so far have been friendly and prompt.

And best of all: I am the account holder. (So is Randy, but I can guarantee GBT that I'll be the one they'll deal with. And he's first to admit that.)

Hello, GBT! Welcome to my home!