Sir, - How long does it take to get a new telephone line? Eircom's charter guarantees that the line will be installed within 10 working days. We first applied for a phone on June 19th.
A couple of follow-up calls after seven days, and then after 10 days were met with assurances that matters were in hand.
A third follow-up call on July 8th, directed to a call centre in Drogheda, elicited the fact that our application could not be found. A second application was registered.
Ten days later, on July 18th, after being invoiced for 50 per cent of the installation fee, we paid our money and waited for 10 days. Having heard nothing further we contacted Eircom, and have been doing so regularly since.
We have been given numerous excuses: the technician is on holiday; there is no room on the exchange for a new number; an assessment is required as to whether to put the line above or below ground. . .
On September 3rd, having progressed from customer service to customer complaints and then to the chief engineer, we were told that an application has been made to Galway County Council for wayleave to dig up 110 yards of road. Approval of this application is not expected for eight to 10 weeks; add that to the 11 weeks that have elapsed so far.
A business contact in Canada wants to know if it is Ireland or India we are in.
Maybe Eircom, like Santa Claus, will come at Christmas. - Yours, etc.,
M.D.FERRISS,
Cloonluane,
Renvyle,
Co Galway.