[Asterisk-biz] RFQ: USA IAX Services, focused on support

[Paul]

I like to see some price break levels up front. Start me at 10c a minute 
as long as I know I what happens as my usage increases.

I would feel the same about anything I buy on a regular basis. If I had 
a computer store I would want to hook up with vendors who will 
definitely be giving me the price breaks when I am buying 25 printers at 
a time.

tmassey at obscorp.com wrote:

>
> The recent flamewar has spurred me to put out this RFQ.  I would like 
> to know what alternatives exist for customers who are interested in 
> IAX services that are focused on support.  It seems every e-mail and 
> every website advertising service leads with price, and service isn't 
> even mentioned.  Well, I want it the other way.
>
> So, I'm hoping that I can send out this RFQ and get some options from 
> companies that lead with the quality of their support, as well as a 
> reliable product.  Here's my list of priorities.  The first two are 
> must-have's, the rest nice-to-haves.
>
> 1) The ability to call a telephone number and speak to someone with 
> technical knowledge.  It doesn't have to be the first person I speak 
> to.  I just want to be able to speak to someone who can get me where I 
> need to be.  8-5 M-F is a requirement, but 24 hours (or at least 
> weekends) would be very nice.
>
> 2) A highly reliable network.  While I want good service to be 
> available, I'd rather not use it!
>
> 3) Some way of being able to monitor the status of technical requests. 
>  Something that shows me when work is done, without me having to bug 
> people.
>
> 4) Toll-free DID's with the ability to transfer my current numbers.
>
> 5) Month-to-month terms
>
> 6) No monthly fees:  straight per-minute, preferably with 6/6 billing.
>
> 7) Price.
>
>
> You will notice that price is last.  I will pay more for a provider 
> that can provide all of these items than one that does not.  Of 
> course, there is a limit on price.  But I'd pay a *lot* more than 
> $0.009 a minute for a provider that provides all six items on that list.
>
> I do not think this list is too hard.  For example, I get exactly this 
> level of support from one of my ISP's (Speakeasy.net), whether it's 
> with bonded T1's or their least expensive ADSL.  I can call and get a 
> person 24x7.  I can get technical support 24x7.  And I even get calls 
> back.  I've experienced it.  All I want is a VoIP provider that works 
> the same way.  They're more expensive than many providers:  While SBC 
> might charge $25 for a low end ADSL connection, Speakeasy might charge 
> $70.  Service does come at a price.  But worth every single penny.
>
> I would love to hear from actual customers.  But please don't say 
> "Provider X's service rocks!" if you've *never* had a major support 
> issue.  If you plugged it in and turned it on, I would *expect* it 
> would work.  *Anyone* can deliver great customer support when things 
> are working!  Tell me about times when you've had problems and how 
> customer support handled it then.  Did they answer the phone?  Did 
> they call you back?  Did they e-mail you back personally within an 
> hour?  With a solution?  Or a deadline for a soluiton?  Did they stick 
> to it?  Or didn't they?
>
> Thank you all very much for your response.
>
> Tim Massey
>
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