PCs for People — Local services in Denver

Note: This is not a review of this location; this is only a review of PCs for People Internet. I've placed this review for every location in Denver, CO and St. Paul, MN, because there's no other obvious place to put it. So, the internet itself isn't bad. It's through T-Mobile's towers, so for most people with good T-Mobile towers nearby, it'll be decently fast. The service for the internet- through PCs for People- is trash. First of all, if you get this service, set a reminder for the first of the month you got it in for the following year so that you know to upload your eligibility documents again. They say that they'll tell you when they need eligibility documents again. No. They don't. At least, not via any means where you're sure to see it, because my mom and I both manage the email account we've connected to this service, and we never saw any email telling us we needed to upload documents. In fact, the only email I got was the one today where they said "hey, your service is ending TODAY", and that email didn't really tell me I needed to upload documents to renew it- I found out on the website. So I had to upload the documents and hope that they saw them today. (They probably will not see them today because I'm sure I'm not the only one whose documentation they need to look at.) By the way, if they don't approve the purchase today, it could be three to five business days before I get my internet back. Golly, thanks for the heads up guys. rolls eyes "Well, why didn't you just upload the documents in advance, then?", you ask. I tried. I checked last month (March), and they stopped me and said they'd let me know when they needed 'em. Yeah, uh. That was a lie. Needless to say, I did not remember when exactly we first got our subscription- just that it was at some point in spring. Come on, guys. Even my local social services location warns us about a month in advance and gives us that time to renew our services. Here's my recommendation: if you need internet cheaply, I suggest you look elsewhere. Try not to use this ISP unless you need portable internet for very cheap, or all of your other providers are too expensive, or just very poor quality. I know there are some companies that if you're already on one of their internet plans, you can't downgrade to the cheaper version without getting off of it for some time. I do recommend PCs for People's internet for getting off of another ISP temporarily for that purpose (assuming you can afford the hotspot you need to purchase with it). It's fine for that. It's also fine if you don't need help, or you set sufficient reminders for renewal yourself. But if you can't do those things, or you forget, you'll be out of luck. Some bonus tips if you decide to get the service anyway: Put the hotspot near a window. You'll get better reception that way. The internet is horrible with poor reception (obviously), but pretty good with good reception. Check multiple locations in your home for best reception. Regularly restart the hotspot, especially if you leave it plugged in basically all the time (which you probably will). Get a Wi-Fi extender, preferably one with at least one ethernet port. The hotspot has a poor range unless you're within about five feet of it; the extender will be better on range, albeit a bit slower than directly connecting to the hotspot. Plus, if you need an ethernet connection for anything, you can use the extender. The hotspot doesn't have an ethernet port. A VPN is always a good idea for internet privacy. But I noticed some sites were also a bit faster with a VPN. For recommendations, Proton is free, Mullvad is about $5.50. Both are sufficiently fast and safe, though. Anyway, I support this organization and what it does overall- and I don't think it's fair to rate this LOCATION badly based on the internet service, so I left five stars. But PCs for People Internet gets Three Stars. I appreciate what it does, but it needs improvement for me to solidly recommend it- especially to desperate folks who REALLY need...

Subject: URGENT: Order StillPending After 5 Days - Immediate Action Required To the PCs for the People Support Team, I am writing to demand an immediate update and resolution regarding my order for a hotspot and internet service, placed on Monday. It is now Friday, and my order status is still listed as "pending" with absolutely no communication or explanation from your organization. Furthermore, a charge of $105.49 has been held as "pending" on my bank card all week. I submitted a help desk ticket on Wednesday seeking an explanation and have received no reply. This lack of communication is unacceptable. Let me be perfectly clear about the damage this delay is causing. I am currently homeless, but I am actively working and taking a Google Cybersecurity Certification course to permanently escape my situation. The internet service I ordered from you is not for entertainment; it is the critical tool I need to do my coursework, work on my web projects, and secure stable housing. Every day that passes is another day I fall behind, another opportunity missed. I chose PCs for the People because you are supposed to help low-income individuals. I could have paid another provider and had service the same day, but I trusted in your mission. Instead, my money is tied up and I have been left without the one resource I need to pull myself out of poverty. This is not help; it is a barrier. This experience is another example of a grant-funded organization failing the very people it is meant to serve. After years of being unheard and disbelieved, I have built a platform to ensure my voice, and the voices of others in my position, are heard. I am the owner of the domains HomelessDenver.com, HomelessBoulder.com, and HomelessColorado.com. I created these sites to provide real, unfiltered information about which resources help and which ones hurt the homeless community. I had sincerely hoped to share a positive review of your service. I require one of two things to happen today: Fulfill my order immediately and provide me with a tracking number. Cancel my order, release the $105.49 pending charge on my card, and confirm the cancellation with me so I can purchase internet from a company that can deliver. I expect a direct reply to this email and my original help desk ticket today. William Lodge I am going to put this on the the first page of...

FRAUDSTERS. Wow somehow my 1st one star review and long account of how they ripped me off has suspiciously disappeared.

I'm serious you all these people will not only knowingly sell you faulty equipment they know is faulty. They regularly do so to people, then "offer" to exchange it which takes weeks, conveniently putting your outside of the return window and then ope sorry you're outta luck. 3 out of 3 of the Jexstream wifi device I got were faulty. They know this and send you a new pos until you can't return.

I already HAD a working device but a representative FALSELY told me I had to buy a new one because I let my subscription lapse for a short period.

I have patiently engaged in this bs process with them ALL YEAR. It has been a huge source of stress and time suck. I've spent hours upon hours on the phone with them. Each person lying in different ways. Except seemingly the one person who seems to have effed up telling me the truth and trying to help me which was then overridden by higher ups.

Despite all of this being horrible customer service and deeply unethical, I really tried to figure this out with them but that was a mistake they just exploited.

This company rips off marginalized poor people while they pretend to be people who help....