More dead than alive - São Paulo

Image credit: http://guiblogado.blogspot.com

I am hoping that I will be able to finish this blog post before the data plan on my cell phone runs out. I don't have high hopes. You see, since Wednesday, the cable modem at our house is not working. The cable TV is not working. They are "morto" or dead. 

They are both the responsibility of a company called "Vivo" or alive. I believe I don't have to explain that irony. Ah, the little blue dude above in the image is the Vivo character--in this case I believe he should be lying on his side without "sinal da vida" (sign of life).

Anyway, I find myself somewhat restricted in what I can say about Vivo. Primarily because I don't want them to find out about it and cut me off from even cell phone (yep, also their product). Secondly because BH and I have friends who work there. Thirdly, because BH used to work there. Wait, the third point should actually be a reason to post bad stuff about the company...but in fact, BH's time there (13 years!) was pretty good. We used to even get priority response to any system blips, but alas, the paycheck stops and the good service does too. We are now some of the little people...

As everyone can probably guess, data/cable/satellite/cell companies are the biggest complaint magnets here in Brazil.  And probably in the world (note to self: check this whenever we get cable back, probably in 2015). Here is the chart from Procon, the consumer defense organization. These "tech" companies hold six of the top 10 complaint positions. Vivo is way out front, almost double the closest competitor (another cell phone company). It is, as I like to say, Queen of the Pigs (this should not be confused as a compliment from a Palmeiras fan). You might as well go big.

I am really glad I got invited to a Superbowl party this year so I don't have to worry about the Big Game being a big dud on Sunday. Cause I'm guessing Vivo will still be morto then.