Already had dialup with Slingshot. Thought we would upgrade to broadband. So went online and filled out the online form. First problem, told us the username was invalid. Duh, already been using the username for 3 years. So sent an email to complain. Not a lot happened. Rang up to see what was going on, but no record of our email.

Tried to sign up to broadband over the phone but the guy at the other end said there was a problem with the suer id. Waited another couple of days..... Rang again, ah yes, your user id has numbers in it and that will not work with the broadband system. What!!! Suggested that they find a solution. Waited another couple of days...... 2 weeks later, Slingshot must have been doing a broadband push. Got a call asking if we would like to upgrade. Oh yes please, did try 2 weeks ago, but nothing happened.

This time the guy on the phone said, no problem will get this sorted right now. Oh dear, ummmm your user id has numeric in it and that does not seem to want to work. Let me email our techos, I am sure they will sort it out. Waited another week.

Interestingly Slinigshot cannot make outbound calls?? I suggested a couple of time that someone may like to call us to advise on progress, oh no sir we are in inbound call centre. Huh, what kind of customer service is that?

Anyway after about 6 weeks we get the broadband up and running with our free modem. Oh wait a minute, no they got that wrong too. Our first invoice for the broadband included the $79.95 for the 'FREE' modem. Man-o-man!! What next. Well they lost the credit card details so the payment did not process.

I know they like to keep things simple, but I think they may be a bit too simple.

Anyone else had similar experience?

No wonder take up of broadband in New Zealand lags the rest of the world. Even when you try it takes too damn long!