upc want to dig up garden?

danois

Went down to see my mam today and she told me upc called in to her and asked her could they dig up her front garden to lay pipes. They said they would give her a few euro off her next bill!!! Didnt say how much or if they would fix up her garden. They got her to sign a permission form. Didnt say how much garden they would dig up or anything, is there anything i can do now or does she have to let them. I feel like they are takin advantage of an elderly lady.

Thanks

Ranicand

danois wrote: »

Went down to see my mam today and she told me upc called in to her and asked her could they dig up her front garden to lay pipes. They said they would give her a few euro off her next bill!!! Didnt say how much or if they would fix up her garden. They got her to sign a permission form. Didnt say how much garden they would dig up or anything, is there anything i can do now or does she have to let them. I feel like they are takin advantage of an elderly lady.

Thanks

The UPC lines carry phone and broadband.

This is not really taking advantage if they put the garden back they way they found it.

These lines have to go somewhere.

ESB Eircom water they all have to pass under gardens and roads also.

Cable is new compared to the above but it is a utility and if everybody said no to letting the cables pass under their gardens we would all lose.

Before you go ape ask yourself what are you really objecting to?

Eircom lines in my area are rubbish if it was not for UPC I would be on 1 Meg if I was lucky.

Decoda

????? Dig up your garden to lay cables? Whats wrong with the 'public footpath / road'. Probably because the cost would be too prohibitive for UPC and would involve a Road Opening License, Deposit, etc. Also think about allowing those cable ducts to be laid across your property. What happens in the future if you plan to extend your property or if you damage the cables while working in your garden?

DC

stimpson

Nonsense. It's her property and she can withdraw permission if she likes. I'd be looking for a years free cable off them as a minimum. And I'd be looking for something in writing saying that her garden will be returned to it's original state.

Ranicand

stimpson wrote: »

Nonsense. It's her property and she can withdraw permission if she likes. I'd be looking for a years free cable off them as a minimum. And I'd be looking for something in writing saying that her garden will be returned to it's original state.

I did not say she can not withdraw permission.

And yes look for something in return and get the garden put back properly.

Once you get what you can get and have things put back properly there is no reason to say no.

danois

Thanks all think i will ring upc tell them she needs assurances in writting and c if they will give her free for year. Mind you once her garden will be fixed i doubt she be pushed for free upc she would think she is taking advantage of them if she did

Del2005

danois wrote: »

Thanks all think i will ring upc tell them she needs assurances in writting and c if they will give her free for year. Mind you once her garden will be fixed i doubt she be pushed for free upc she would think she is taking advantage of them if she did

I've friends who have UPC cabling on their house. They get UPC analogue free, from reading other posts could get digital for nearly free if they got of their a***. They get a letter every few years saying that they'll have to start paying for their TV. Their reply is come out and take your cable off our house and we'll pay. They've never paid for their TV.

What's my point. She should get free or nearly free TV for life not for a year as she is granting them access to her property to run their cables on her property.

j14

Exact sme thing here. UPC want to dig up
My Mams garden to lay cables. The guy called when I wasn't there and she signed a load of forms granting permission to dig up the garden. I've emailed the UPC guy involved and only got one reply so I rang UPC directly. Turns out if the work goes ahead she will get free analogue for life and 3 free tv points around the house for analogue tv. That suits her fine as she won't upgrade to digital as she thinks it's too confusing. Turns out our neighbour was demanding free digital, free multiroom, free broadband and free phone for life if he was to let them use his garden because he has a massive garden full of veg and greenhouses and stuff like that. I do feel like my mam was forced into signing the agreement though as she got decking done last year and the guy was very sketchy about whether or not they will have to lift the decking and if they do will they replace it. Not very happy about that.

Hugh Cream

danois wrote: »

Went down to see my mam today and she told me upc called in to her and asked her could they dig up her front garden to lay pipes. They said they would give her a few euro off her next bill!!! Didnt say how much or if they would fix up her garden. They got her to sign a permission form. Didnt say how much garden they would dig up or anything, is there anything i can do now or does she have to let them. I feel like they are takin advantage of an elderly lady.

Thanks

i suppose they have to lay the pipes some where,if they can manage to lay them some where else get them to do it,but if not go ahead and let them lay them in the garden.
why deprive that area of the chance of using upc?
btw what area is this?

MacGyver

j14 wrote: »

Exact sme thing here. UPC want to dig up
My Mams garden to lay cables. The guy called when I wasn't there and she signed a load of forms granting permission to dig up the garden. I've emailed the UPC guy involved and only got one reply so I rang UPC directly. Turns out if the work goes ahead she will get free analogue for life and 3 free tv points around the house for analogue tv. That suits her fine as she won't upgrade to digital as she thinks it's too confusing. Turns out our neighbour was demanding free digital, free multiroom, free broadband and free phone for life if he was to let them use his garden because he has a massive garden full of veg and greenhouses and stuff like that. I do feel like my mam was forced into signing the agreement though as she got decking done last year and the guy was very sketchy about whether or not they will have to lift the decking and if they do will they replace it. Not very happy about that.

Analogue is probably going to be switched off in 2012 ( might be different with upc) so i would be looking for digital at all of those points.

Ranicand

MacGyver wrote: »

Analogue is probably going to be switched off in 2012 ( might be different with upc) so i would be looking for digital at all of those points.

Your wrong cable is a closed system and they can keep their analogue switched on as long as they like.

Dante

We got a discount on our TV and broadband subscription for allowing UPC to lay cables in our garden, you should try haggle them and see where it takes you.

cherie1990

I got my Digital plus tv free in 4 rooms, free 30mb broadband and free phone for life for letting them do mine, at first I thought that I was asking for a bit much and they refused but they eventually gave it to me.

They also had to put my garden back exactly the same way it was.

stimpson

Good for you.

danois

Its in bray so maybe upc finally getting broadband here. I dont mind them laying cables i know it has to be done. Its just that her garden might be ruined she loves her garden and to be told we will give you a few euro off your bill not even told how much i thought was a bit cheeky.

Thanks for all your replys

bob11

I had UPC run some cable in my garden as part of the new upgrades.
I got free Basic TV for life, approx €24 per month off my bill ..

dub45

Once again why cant UPC do something properly?

If they want access to somebody's property then surely they should formally write to the owner of the house stating exactly what they want to do, the likely level of disruption and the duration of the work.

Any offers that they make in terms of free connections etc should be included.

They should supply a contact number and a NAME! An appointment could then be made for them to visit the property and the owner could have someone there if they wished.

This would give the owner time to read the documents and to talk to somebody about what level of disturbance might be involved.

Also they should give a written undertaking about the restoration of the property and a contact for any unresolved issues.


UPC will be employing contractors to the work and the restoration work - UPC are very quick to distance themselves from contractors - who is going to follow up with these contractors if things are not restored to peoples satisfaction? What if garden property is damaged?

They are long enough in the business now to have some sort of proper procedure in place. Calling unannounced to a house and expecting the owner to sign permission without time to consult somebody is surely not best practise to put it kindly.

Also who is doing the calling? Are they actual UPC employees or contractors for example.

And after all its not that they spontaneously decide to install cable!

dub45

Hugh Cream wrote: »

i suppose they have to lay the pipes some where,if they can manage to lay them some where else get them to do it,but if not go ahead and let them lay them in the garden.
why deprive that area of the chance of using upc?
btw what area is this?

How do you trust someone who approaches you to dig up your garden and is sketchy about something that cost you a considerable amount of money? It hardly smacks of a professional approach?

I do feel like my mam was forced into signing the agreement though as she got decking done last year and the guy was very sketchy about whether or not they will have to lift the decking and if they do will they replace it. Not very happy about that.

danois

Thanks for that dub45 you managed to say everything I was thinking but in a clear and professional sounding way not a rant like me lol.

do you mind if i use your comment and reword it slightly when im emailing upc to ask them to tell me exactly what they plan to do?? thanks

dub45

danois wrote: »

Thanks for that dub45 you managed to say everything I was thinking but in a clear and professional sounding way not a rant like me lol.

do you mind if i use your comment and reword it slightly when im emailing upc to ask them to tell me exactly what they plan to do?? thanks

Be my guest:)

The more I think about this the more surprised I am at UPC's approach to this.

A number of questions have since occurred to me:

What exactly is the legal status of the documents that people are signing?

Who if anyone is signing them on behalf of UPC?

Has allowing a third party to dig up your property any implications for your own house insurance?

Is there anything in these documents to cover future access to the property by UPC? For example suppose there is some sort of emergency and they want to dig up the garden in a hurry? (and for example suppose the owner was not available at the time for some reason? hospital, holidays business trip etc etc)

Will there be an agreed time frame for both the work and the restoration?

And at all times find out who you are dealing with and who they are employed by. UPC use contractors for many purposes - for example many of the CSRs appear to be employed by contractors rather than directly by UPC. I have UPC in writing attempting to distance themselves from information I was given by a CSR and citing the fact that they were employed by a contractor.

Also never trust UPC - get every commitment in writing and with a signature.

They have a well proven disregard for rules and regulations and the law when it comes to themselves.

danois

Thanks again another thing i just thought of its a council house would upc not need councils permission too

dub45

I would assume so but wouldnt you think that any halfway competent company would have that covered in their planning?

You should contact the council and see what the story is from their point of view.

DingDong

danois wrote: »

Thanks again another thing i just thought of its a council house would upc not need councils permission too

They usually get a blanket wayleave from the council. danois give UPC a call and they will address any worries you have. Your mothers garden will be fully reinstated to it previous condition.

dub45

DingDong wrote: »

They usually get a blanket wayleave from the council. danois give UPC a call and they will address any worries you have. Your mothers garden will be fully reinstated to it previous condition.

Under no circumstances should this advice be taken. Get everything in writing UPC have consistently proven that they cannot be trusted.

DingDong

dub45 wrote: »

Under no circumstances should this advice be taken. Get everything in writing UPC have consistently proven that they cannot be trusted.

Your entitled to your opinion Dub but I speak the truth. I'm sure the wayleaver will call out to you and go through all the details.

dillo2k10

If they knocked at your mothers door and requested that she make the decision then and asked her to sign it then she can cancel the contract if she wishes to as she was in a way pressured into doing so.

Also get everything in writing. I would be very suspicious if they are using contractors to do the work or to restore your garden. If anything goes wrong or they do not finish the work then its not down to UPC to fix everything and some times the small contractor will not be in a position to do so.

DingDong

dillo2k10 wrote: »

If they knocked at your mothers door and requested that she make the decision then and asked her to sign it then she can cancel the contract if she wishes to as she was in a way pressured into doing so.

Also get everything in writing. I would be very suspicious if they are using contractors to do the work or to restore your garden. If anything goes wrong or they do not finish the work then its not down to UPC to fix everything and some times the small contractor will not be in a position to do so.

The civil's contractors are major companies in the Irish market(used by most telco's & councils) not small time operators. Photos are taken before and after to insure its restore to its previous condition.

dub45

DingDong wrote: »

Your entitled to your opinion Dub but I speak the truth. I'm sure the wayleaver will call out to you and go through all the details.

And what authority are you speaking with?

Who does a person ask for when they ring UPC for instance? It's not as if you are dialing a regular company with a regular switchboard.

dub45

DingDong wrote: »

The civil's contractors are major companies in the Irish market(used by most telco's & councils) not small time operators. Photos are taken before and after to insure its restore to its previous condition.

That's just a broad bland statement and adds nothing that would answer the ops concerns.

If photos are to be taken then that info should be coming to the people concerned from UPC not from posts on boards.ie surely?

DingDong

dub45 wrote: »

And what authority are you speaking with?

Who does a person ask for when they ring UPC for instance? It's not as if you are dialing a regular company with a regular switchboard.

I work for UPC and see this on a daily basis Dub. The wayleaver should have left his number on the permission slip if not UPC have a rebuild support help line which you can be referred too. They deal solely with any rebuild issues such as this.

dub45 wrote: »

That's just a broad bland statement and adds nothing that would answer the ops concerns.

If photos are to be taken then that info should be coming to the people concerned from UPC not from posts on boards.ie surely?

I feel it does dillo2k10 expressed some concerns that a "small contractor" AKA bob the builder is to carry out the work.The contractors does excellent work I've seen it first hand, often leaving the place in better shape than they found it. Would you not feel more assured that a reputable civils contractor is being used?.

Correct this info should come from UPC and that's why I said to contact them, which you said "Under no circumstances should this advice be taken".
The best advice danois can get is to contact UPC and have a representative meet and go through all the details.

dub45

DingDong wrote: »

I work for UPC and see this on a daily basis Dub. The wayleaver should have left his number on the permission slip if not UPC have a rebuild support help line which you can be referred too. They deal solely with any rebuild issues such as this.

Surely any reputable company will not knock on a door unannounced and expect a person to sign permission forms there and then?

A person is entitled to know exactly what is involved in any such request and be given time to consider it.

Quite honestly the more I think about it the more appalled I am at this sort of approach. And the amateurish nature of it is borne out from what the op has said above. If the people involved are incapable of leaving a phone number who would trust them to dig up their garden?

Can you explain to us if you are familiar with the "process" why UPC adopt this approach and do not write formally to all those potentially affected by this with all the details I had listed elsewhere?

Its a wonder given UPC's recent behaviour that they don't text those potentially affected and require them to visit the website and sign up for myupc to find out how they might be affected:mad:

DingDong wrote: »

I feel it does dillo2k10 expressed some concerns that a "small contractor" AKA bob the builder is to carry out the work.The contractors does excellent work I've seen it first hand, often leaving the place in better shape than they found it. Would you not feel more assured that a reputable civils contractor is being used?.

Correct this info should come from UPC and that's why I said to contact them, which you said "Under no circumstances should this advice be taken".
The best advice danois can get is to contact UPC and have a representative meet and go through all the details.

You are in no position to give assurances here. If something goes wrong in the future pointing to a post on boards.ie from your good self will be of little use for the op. And using a so called reputable contractor is no guarantee that a job will be carried out properly.

In recent times a so called reputable contractor carried out work on behalf of Dublin City Council on remedial water works in my area and their behaviour was a disgrace. They treated people in the area with total contempt, for example a young lad was sent around doors to clean the muck of them with his bib and spit. A two foot deep uncovered hole was left directly outside the door of an 80 year old lady with very bad sight and I could go on.

It should not be necessary for the op to contact UPC. After all they dont want to have their garden dug up or to have to put up with the associated disruption. UPC should be contacting his mother with all the appropriate information in writing and an apology for turning up at her door unannounced.

And I stand by my advice get everything in writing from UPC they cannot be trusted.

DingDong

dub45 wrote: »

Surely any reputable company will not knock on a door unannounced and expect a person to sign permission forms there and then?

A person is entitled to know exactly what is involved in any such request and be given time to consider it.

Of course they don't. People are given time to think if they need too. Some people sign there and then while other require longer. It completely up to the home owner to sign or not. In my experience it's very rare for someone to sign straight away. The norm would be for drawings method statement and insurance details would be shown to home owner.

Quite honestly the more I think about it the more appalled I am at this sort of approach. And the amateurish nature of it is borne out from what the op has said above. If the people involved are incapable of leaving a phone number who would trust them to dig up their garden?

Can you explain to us if you are familiar with the "process" why UPC adopt this approach and do not write formally to all those potentially affected by this with all the details I had listed elsewhere?

If you ever worked on project the scale UPC has undertaken you will understand why its best to call to the customers door. A letter can go missing or be treated as junk mail. If the home owner requires a letter after first contact it can be supplied.

You are in no position to give assurances here. If something goes wrong in the future pointing to a post on boards.ie from your good self will do little use for the op. And using a so called reputable contractor is no guarantee that a jobe will be carried out properly.


In recent times a so called reputable contractor carried out work on behalf of Dublin City Council on remedial water works and their behaviour was a disgrace. They treated people in the area with total contempt, for example a young lad was sent around doors to clean the muck of them with his bib and spit. A two foot deep uncovered hole was left directly outside the door of an 80 year old lady with very bad sight and I could go on.

What has that got to do with UPC nothing. UPC contractors are supervised by direct UPC staff who insure the quality and standard of their work.

It should not be necessary for the op to contact UPC. They should be contacting his mother with all the appropriate information and an apology for turning up at her door unannounced.

And I stand by my advice get everything in writing from UPC they cannot be trusted.

I have already offered to have some one contact danois. That all I'll say on the matter.

dub45

DingDong wrote: »

Of course they don't. People are given time to think if they need too.

So why is anyone allowed sign on the spot then? Surely eveyone needs time to think about the implications of having part of their property dug up? And it certainly appears from the thread that the UPC people involved were not exactly competent in this case. Can you tell us who does this job of calling around to peoples' houses?

DingDong wrote: »

Some people sign there and then while other require longer. It completely up to the home owner to sign or not. In my experience it's very rare for someone to sign straight away. The norm would be for drawings method statement and insurance details would be shown to home owner.

If you ever worked on project the scale UPC has undertaken you will understand why its best to call to the customers door. A letter can go missing or be treated as junk mail. If the home owner requires a letter after first contact it can be supplied.

With all due respects to your good self that is nonsense. How many doors are called to only to find people are out? Why aren't people given an information pack with all necessary details from the very start?
No matter how big a project is doing things properly from the start surely helps it? Upsetting elderly people and not having proper information available from the start is hardly a sign of competence?

It is also very intimidating for older people to be presented with forms to sign at a door and after all these are likeliest to to be found in during the daytime.

DingDong wrote: »

What has that got to do with UPC nothing. UPC contractors are supervised by direct UPC staff who insure the quality and standard of their work.

I have already offered to have some one contact danois. That all I'll say on the matter.

It has everything to do with your argument that using a reputable contractor will ensure good work. The crowd that did the work in our area were supposedly supervised by Dublin City Council.

And I have a letter from UPC attempting to disassociate themselves from one of their subcontractors!

Again I would repeat to anyone having any dealings with UPC get everything in writing from them they are not to be trusted as a company.

lesserspottedchloe

UPC did this in my garden a year ago.They would've had to dig up and wreak all the tiles in our hall in a rented house otherwise but the solution we settled for was for them to lay cables from the footpath up our garden and in through the side wall of the house instead. I was really worried at the time but I need not have been as they did it very neatly and put everything back EXACTLY as it was before and they even put the little bits of soil that were displaced into a plastic bag and took it away with them! Really there is NO need to worry, this is very common and they take great care with your property.

dub45

laylah wrote: »

UPC did this in my garden a year ago.They would've had to dig up and wreak all the tiles in our hall in a rented house otherwise but the solution we settled for was for them to lay cables from the footpath up our garden and in through the side wall of the house instead. I was really worried at the time but I need not have been as they did it very neatly and put everything back EXACTLY as it was before and they even put the little bits of soil that were displaced into a plastic bag and took it away with them! Really there is NO need to worry, this is very common and they take great care with your property.

There is no one saying that they wont. However their approach is appalling.

They do this so often they should have it down to a fine art with all the details available up front and not be calling to people's doors unannounced and upsetting them.

Kevin!

dub45 wrote: »

There is no one saying that they wont. Their approach is appalling.

They do this so often they should have it down to a fine art with all the details available up front and not be calling to peoples's doors unannounced and upsetting them.

They did this to my granny actually, they had to cut a few branches off a tree in order to lay cables

&

I'd probably let them dig up my front garden to get upc in my estate, sick of 3mb broadband

lucernarian

dub45 wrote:

So why is anyone allowed sign on the spot then? Surely eveyone needs time to think about the implications of having part of their property dug up? And it certainly appears from the thread that the UPC people involved were not exactly competent in this case. Can you tell us who does this job of calling around to peoples' houses?

That's a bit unreasonable now in fairness. People are entitled to do what they want with prospective contracts up to and including shoving it where the sun don't shine, on the very doorstep. Furthermore, this criticism of UPC seems to be based on primarily third-hand information coming not even from the OP, but the OP's mother... It's unfair to discount everything DingDong has said, who has a proven track record of providing helpful and accurate information on this forum, while simultaneously taking the OP at face value (no offence meant to any poster).

I strongly disagree that it's somehow inappropriate to call to people's doors unannounced, with the proviso that any householders are given due deference and given plenty of time to consider issues if they so wish for any time. Furthermore, letters can be hand-delivered and placed in a letterbox even if the householder is out, thereby guaranteeing that they receive contact from UPC and not depend on An Post. I have several poor experiences from that semi-state and I wouldn't trust them with any important letter.

Speaking of registered letters, I can easily imagine a variety of people becoming very worried were they to be told they have a registered letter to pick up in the local delivery centre. That could be a court summons or a fine notification or even medical results etc. To find that it's just UPC looking for wayleave would probably anger more people than calling on a door unannounced.

hdowney

not sure how i would feel if they called to the door asking for forms to be signed to dig up my garden (actually i think my first question would be well why the **** didn't you lay the damn things ten yrs ago when the houses were being built, you didn't even lay regular analogue then!:D but that is another story!). i think i would certainly want to have time to read through them, ask about a million and one questions and get assurances in writing before signing anything. but that is just the type of person i am.

i would hope that if it was my mother they got at the door not me she would have the common to not sign there and then either - but i think she would!

as to what the previous poster said about reg letters i agree. if i missed the posty or something and was told i had a reg letter there waiting for pickup (and i wasn't expecting something) it would give me the wobbles. i'd be like what have i done wrong that i am getting a reg letter. so it may do more harm than good cos once i go get the letter and find it is just upc looking for permission to dig i am gonna be pissed that they put my heart rate up and gonna point blank refuse out of frustration!

there has to be a middle ground between the two tbh

dub45

To_be_confirmed wrote: »

That's a bit unreasonable now in fairness. People are entitled to do what they want with prospective contracts up to and including shoving it where the sun don't shine, on the very doorstep. Furthermore, this criticism of UPC seems to be based on primarily third-hand information coming not even from the OP, but the OP's mother... It's unfair to discount everything DingDong has said, who has a proven track record of providing helpful and accurate information on this forum, while simultaneously taking the OP at face value (no offence meant to any poster).

I strongly disagree that it's somehow inappropriate to call to people's doors unannounced, with the proviso that any householders are given due deference and given plenty of time to consider issues if they so wish for any time. Furthermore, letters can be hand-delivered and placed in a letterbox even if the householder is out, thereby guaranteeing that they receive contact from UPC and not depend on An Post. I have several poor experiences from that semi-state and I wouldn't trust them with any important letter.

Speaking of registered letters, I can easily imagine a variety of people becoming very worried were they to be told they have a registered letter to pick up in the local delivery centre. That could be a court summons or a fine notification or even medical results etc. To find that it's just UPC looking for wayleave would probably anger more people than calling on a door unannounced.

I believe it is plain silly to call to someone's door in this way. The ops story has been supported by a number of other posts in the thread.

Any utility company should know exactly what is involved in seeking this permission and have all the likely questions answered in some sort of publication and ready for the occupant.

In particular, issues like the extent of the work, the likely duration of the work, the likely impact of the work (noise etc) and the time for restoration of the premises should all be detailed. Issues such as insurance matters etc could be addressed in the document as well as what would happen in the event of future access being required.

Any offer that UPC are making to the occupant should also be detailed.

Would it be that hard to present this information up front?

The occupant should be encouraged to take time to read the documentation and consult whoever they wish but encouraged to return the completed documentation within a specified time frame. Again there should be a contact provided who would be in a position to answer any further questions.

There is no indication as to the status of the people calling on behalf of UPC or how informed they are as to the work to be carried out. We dont know the status of the forms people are being asked to sign - are they legal documents?

I believe that any utility company that allows a person to sign up on the spot particularly an elderly person is only inviting trouble for themselves further down the road.

Ding Dong is talking on his own behalf presumably and has no authority to represent UPC. He was giving broad assurances which are worthless to any person in the op's position.

Once again I repeat my advice that anyone in this position should get everything in writing. It cannot be said often enough that UPC simply cannot be trusted.

Sponge Bob

UPC customer service cannot be trusted, their engineering department is different Dub45. If they offer a good deal...and confirm in writing...I advise people to sign the wayleave. They will do a great deal if yours is the corner house at the entrance to an estate and will give you feck all if you are the last house :cool:

ted1

i honestly don't see what ever one is whinging about. It'll take a day or two and they'll put back as it way it was. Christ With people expecting so much compensation and forward notice nothing would happen. It's No wonder the countries infastructure is the way it is.

In our estate they laid the fibre down the middle of the road and them the large cable along the facia and soffit of the houses. It was greatly well comed by the estate and we all have the best broadband. It costs over

dub45

Sponge Bob wrote: »

UPC customer service cannot be trusted, their engineering department is different Dub45. If they offer a good deal...and confirm in writing...I advise people to sign the wayleave. They will do a great deal if yours is the corner house at the entrance to an estate and will give you feck all if you are the last house :cool:

The engineering department is just a unit of a company that overall has comprehensively proved its lack of trustworthyness, its lack of respect for its obligations under its own terms and conditions, its lack of respect for the national regulator, its lack of respect for the data protection act, etc etc.

You say if they are offering a good deal? How is an elderly person suddenly presented with forms to sign at their front door supposed to judge what a good deal is? Why isn't any offer made available in writing to each tenant?

Do we know what documentation is left with people who sign the forms they are present with? Are there signed formal commitments given on UPC stationery? If the op's post its to be believed the mother was given nothing except the promise of a few shillings off the next bill?? Trust them?

Originally Posted by danois
Went down to see my mam today and she told me upc called in to her and asked her could they dig up her front garden to lay pipes. They said they would give her a few euro off her next bill!!! Didnt say how much or if they would fix up her garden. They got her to sign a permission form. Didnt say how much garden they would dig up or anything, is there anything i can do now or does she have to let them. I feel like they are takin advantage of an elderly lady.

Thanks

dub45

ted1 wrote: »

i honestly don't see what ever one is whinging about. It'll take a day or two and they'll put back as it way it was. Christ With people expecting so much compensation and forward notice nothing would happen. It's No wonder the countries infastructure is the way it is.

In our estate they laid the fibre down the middle of the road and them the large cable along the facia and soffit of the houses. It was greatly well comed by the estate and we all have the best broadband. It costs over

Yes it is absolutely outrageous that people might want to be warned about people trespassing on their propery and digging up their gardens - how dare they stand in the way of "progress"!!!!:rolleyes:

Jumpy

Man ... Is it possible to see a thread in this forum that isnt made up of 50% Dub45 whinging?

dub45

Jumpy wrote: »

Man ... Is it possible to see a thread in this forum that isnt made up of 50% Dub45 whinging?

Yep the vast majority of them in fact!

Jesus Wept

dub45 wrote: »

Yes it is absolutely outrageous that people might want to be warned about people trespassing on their propery and digging up their gardens - how dare they stand in the way of "progress"!!!!:rolleyes:

Jeez Louise, Captain Buzzkill.
I just want to come into your garden and dig it up tonight, all this notice and stuff, sheesh, I won't bother me hole.

not cool dude, not cool.

Sponge Bob

The engineers are a lot less dismal than that sh1thole of a call centre of theirs in Limerick. Please cut them some slack Dub45.

They should first leave a note to SAY they are coming along next week with the wayleave forms maybe, other than that they are following proper procedure.

dub45

Sponge Bob wrote: »

The engineers are a lot less dismal than that sh1thole of a call centre of theirs in Limerick. Please cut them some slack Dub45.

They should first leave a note to SAY they are coming along next week with the wayleave forms maybe, other than that they are following proper procedure.

Whose proper procedure exactly?

How can any procedure be considered remotely adequate when an elderly lady is left not knowing what she has signed and a relative has to resort to boards.ie in an attempt to find out what's going on?

Thats not a proper procedure for any organisation to be using.

gramo

danois wrote: »

Its in bray so maybe upc finally getting broadband here. I dont mind them laying cables i know it has to be done. Its just that her garden might be ruined she loves her garden and to be told we will give you a few euro off your bill not even told how much i thought was a bit cheeky.

Thanks for all your replys

Im in bray and the work is just finished in my estate.. I have a cable going from the back of my house to the house behind me. Birds **** on my clothes line ect..
Im calling today and demanding everything for free for life or I will cut the cable myself...

How did you ever get on?

Premier

Go for the jugular, get what you can, TV, Hd, Phone and broadband, full package, Theres a guy in waterford on a corner house and the main feed is comming in from his to the estate, for the last 20 years and has never got a bob, a few months ago upc was back to upgrade, He didnt give a ****e caus I installed a fta+terrestrial pack for him after upc had the balls to cut him out after he couldnt afford his basic . , he called me to ask me what to do as hes getting on a bit, i told him to tell upc to contact his solictor to find a way through, low and behold he has everything now plus i believe a few bob.

STB

Ranicand wrote: »

The UPC lines carry phone and broadband.

This is not really taking advantage if they put the garden back they way they found it.

These lines have to go somewhere.

ESB Eircom water they all have to pass under gardens and roads also.

Cable is new compared to the above but it is a utility and if everybody said no to letting the cables pass under their gardens we would all lose.
........

No these lines do not have to go somewhere and most certainly not through peoples private property. I have a serious problem with the elderly many of whom may be vulnerable to being doorstepped by people to sign pieces of paper. The cheek!

This is a successful commercial Pay TV provider we are talking about who should be using main roads NOT accross people private property. It is NOT an essential service. It is an opt in. If they want to cable the city, let them do it legally and properly without leaning on the vulnerable.

Cable is NOT new. It has been in Dublin for example since the late 60s.

Ranicand wrote: »

Your wrong cable is a closed system and they can keep their analogue switched on as long as they like.

Analogue for life eh.... clever wording that isnt it. The simple matter is that UPC WILL be switching off their analogue service. It is one of the reasons that lines are being upgraded in the first instance. Most UPC customers would now have digital boxes. I most certainly cant see analogue cable lasting any longer than terrestrial analogue which is due to switch off next year. Not alone is the content limited, it makes no sense to run a parallel inferior and antiquated analogue service alongside a new digital one.