Hi, I'm from AT&T & I'm here to help you. Right.

August 20, 2008 2:44 PM

I'm considering upgrading my internet service. I currently have basic DSL from AT&T bundled with a landline. Today a couple of guys with "AT&T uverse solutions provider" ID's came to the door and want to sell me this Uverse service. I'm suspicious.

The sales droids (pretty slick guys, you know the type, have an answer for everything no matter how outrageous the objection is) are canvassing the neighborhood with handwritten lists of house numbers. I really don't think they work for AT&T, badges notwithstanding. They have simple sales presentation materials, but their general personas were kind of that of the old "door-to-door magazine salesman" milieu. They told me they are coming around to check up on people who haven't responded to any of the mailed offers for the Uverse service. Well, that part could be true enough- sales material that hits my mailbox detours to the trash can before I get back to the house from the mailbox. I blew them off by telling them my wife pays the phone bill.

I suspect they'll be back. Anyone have any experience dealing with these types of people? Could they be legit?

posted by pjern to computers & internet (10 comments total)

Don't know about the salespeople, but just got U-Verse TV & Internet installed at my new apartment, and it's pretty darn slick. TV interface is great, and the STB is pretty killer too. You can always order through AT&T's site, but maybe the salesmen have a deal? You shouldn't need to pay anything in advance; they bill you for the services, so as long as you don't have to front cash or a credit card number, what's the harm? You can always call AT&T and check and see if they are legit, but I bet they are.
posted by JakeWalker at 2:53 PM on August 20, 2008

They want to sell you the cable TV too and make another $30 a month from you.
posted by smackfu at 2:59 PM on August 20, 2008

Well, my phone + internet is $90 a month plus $70/mo for Dish Network. So if I can get reasonable internet and minimum TV for 3 sets for less, I might bite.
posted by pjern at 3:15 PM on August 20, 2008

OTOH sometimes door to door people are really canvassing for breakins. Make sure they really work for AT&T.
posted by konolia at 3:26 PM on August 20, 2008

They are very possibly/likely third-party contractors working on commission, not AT&T employees. Nevertheless, they should have identification.

Uverse isn't a scam, it's a service bundle and should be evaluated against comparable service bundles.
posted by dhartung at 3:45 PM on August 20, 2008

U-verse subscribers also get free WiFi at Starbucks stores.
posted by kindall at 3:55 PM on August 20, 2008

AT&T has indeed been using door-to-door salespeople to promote their U-verse service. dhartung is probably right that they're contractors.
posted by zsazsa at 3:56 PM on August 20, 2008

We recently upgraded to Uverse from AT&T DSL when a guy came knocking on our door. He told me he works for a third party hired by AT&T. We are real happy with the both the cable TV and internet service.
posted by Daddy-O at 4:00 PM on August 20, 2008

I'm an AT&T employee. They're sending contractors door to door. Verizon is doing the same thing for FIOS.

If you are interested in UVerse, you could also call AT&T on the phone and order it as well.
posted by hazyspring at 6:57 PM on August 20, 2008

They identified themselves satisfactorily, and they are, as dhartung said, contractors. It looks like I'm going to give them a shot, Thanks, all.
posted by pjern at 7:14 PM on August 20, 2008