Man Angry At Verizon Hurls Phones

[Kris Kumar]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/Central/05/14/store.rampage.ap/index.html' target='_blank'>http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/Central/05/14/store.rampage.ap/index.html</a><br /><br /></div>Jason Perala upset with the cell phone service, decided to walk into the Verizon store in the local mall and yell at the employees. And this is what he said to the reporters after causing more than $2000 in damage.<br /><br />"Then I just lost it," he said. "I just started grabbing computers and phones and throwing them. I just destroyed the place. ... I kind of regret that I did it, but I hope my message got across."<br /><br />What the report doesn't mention is what his gripe (message) was. Any guesses?

[Mike Temporale]

Wow. This is something I would have expected from an AT&T customer. Seeing as there are so many AT&T customers that are pissed with AT&T. But Verizon.... I thought people like them, along with T-Mobile.

No doubt this guy flew off the handle over something stupid that was out of the hands of the local store. :roll:

[Janak Parekh]

Wow. This is something I would have expected from an AT&T customer. Seeing as there are so many AT&T customers that are pissed with AT&T. But Verizon.... I thought people like them, along with T-Mobile.
They do, coveragewise. Maybe the bill was too expensive, though... :lol:

--janak

[Jerry Raia]

Verizon Customer service is legondary, as in terrible and useless. I was in a verizon store 2 days ago and watched as a customer was yelling about getting screwed. Its pretty common.

[David C]

I’d venture to say that his type of thing happens at any carrier’s store. I work for a wireless carrier, (not Verizon) and we get phones thrown at too.

I think the current trend is that people like to hate their wireless carrier. Wireless phone have become so personal these days. No one likes their coverage, no one likes their price, and everyone wish their carrier have better phones. When phones don’t work they way they are suppose to, people take it personally. There is this report I read somewhere that says people trust their wireless carrier only a little bit more then used car sales.

From the article, the guys says that “hopefully, this get some message across”. The truth is, the message will probably not get across. We get yelled at, and threaten every day. It is to a point where every one is adorned to it, and no one cares. With all the stress level associated with working at a wireless store, most people that work there do so not because they want to, but they had to. I my self will probably leave the store as soon as I graduate. For now, this is the best paying job I can get while going to college.

Bottom line is, treat you wireless worker a little nicer. Most of us are willing to help people. The only time that we won’t do anything is because the customer already wants to beat up someone when then walk into the store . Our job doesn’t pay that much, believe it or not. Make them your friend, it's easier that way.

The real policy making is done somewhere high in the corporate office. People who work at retail stores are very very disconnected with the corporate office. While the corporate people sits behind some comfy desk dreaming up of new marketing promo and gimmick. Retail store workers are poor college kids trying to make a buck while finishing school.

If I can make a change, I’d take away the whole wireless carrier system. Instead, a free and public ultra wideband system that uses VOIP is something that will make everyone happier.

[Kris Kumar]

I think the current trend is that people like to hate their wireless carrier. Wireless phone have become so personal these days. No one likes their coverage, no one likes their price, and everyone wish their carrier have better phones. When phones don’t work they way they are suppose to, people take it personally.

How true. I share that same feeling. Every time I am driving and discussing some sensitive topic with someone, and the conversation is getting serious, and kaput, I hit a dead spot and loose connection. That definitely makes me feel annoyed :evil: (but luckily not as annoyed as the guy in news).

[Santa Fe]

My first phone was a party line, you had to get an operator to make all calls and the sound was pretty poor. Compared to that a little inconvenice with cell phones is a small annoyance given where we have come from and where we are going.

[Aerestis]

I regularly beat up my service provider :D

[Mike Temporale]

My first phone was a party line

I wonder how many people today would know what a party line is? My in-laws had one at the cottage until a couple years ago. You don't tend to see much of them anymore.

[Tim Williamson]

"Jason Perala, 22, of Fargo, told The Forum newspaper that he planned only to yell at employees at Verizon Wireless."

"Police said Perala took off his shirt and put on safety glasses before throwing around computers, phones and other items."

Uh, so I guess everybody carries around safety glasses in case they just so happen to want to destroy a store? :roll: What an a-hole, who doesn't deserve to get his message out. :evil:

[Kacey Green]

I'm a little young, would someone mind explaing this concept of a party line to me?

[Santa Fe]

Well my young friend, back in the old days most everyone shared one line in a certain local area. So, for example, I shared a phone line with about ten other "extensions" or homes. Everyone's phone had a distinct number of rings. Human nature being what it is when the phone rang a lot of nosey folks would pick up the phone to listen in to your private conversations. So even then us early adapters had something to complain about. Seems to me (being the old guy here) that we have to take a long view on new technology and not lose so much brain damage over trivial stuff like dropped connections. Complaining helps improve the service but loosing sleep over it only makes your life more difficult. Sorry it wasn't about a "party".

Ride more horses and drink more dark beer. :D

[Kacey Green]

Whoa 8O phones and lines must have been expencive back then.