The last day of Pipex and the First day of forever after.

well.

After 4 years of service, after 1456 ish days the business that started as Homecall has closed.
Pipex in Manchester shut its doors on technical support yesterday as the business is outsourced to Manila.
I don't know how many staff worked there in total, but each and everyone added in some part to what we became.

But the doors closed on a good business, to be replaced by one
6,666ish miles away or 422,410.83 inches away whichever you prefer.
To be supported by a group of people who will try hard but not deliver the service expected.
So either way we closed the doors, shook hands and said our
farewells.
Firstly we had to destroy the evidence.
A suggestion was for petrol to be added and them the addition of a
match would speed up the process.
There was a lot of evidence to get rid off.


There was beer.
and "Vodkat" (Don`t ask but it makes you blind if you drink too much of it)

We said goodbye to Transcom/pipex/Homecall/Tiscali in the time honored fashion so known to all in Technical Support.

Though it is surprising how many people cant do it right.

Anyway, this is all who where left of the Manchester base.

If your a customer of Pipex reading this I do apologies.
We tried to keep the business in the UK, we really did.
But we ate twice the size of people in Manila so cost 10 times more.
I sure you will get your refunds and service eventually.
Most probably when the business comes back to the UK and we can do whats needed to repair the damage (Not very likely I am afraid).

So anyway.
We drank. and ate and there was merriment in the office.
Some of the actions where not too pleasant..........

Get off him Mickey.
I am sorry, we tried to control them we really did.
But sometimes a mouse has to do what a mouse has to do.

Then rest of us ate food and drank Vodkat.







Garry was happy.
So everything went well.

As the day progressed a number of people became a little more happy.
and happier, until you couldn't understand what they said.
So everything was normal, which was good on the last day.
But eventually it was time to go.
Time to leave the safe haven of technical Support and spread our wings to the outside world.
Andrew was eager to help with the clearing away.
Something about having a date with Stella.
Who ever she is........
Then it was over.
The office empty.
Very empty.
so empty that there where desks that I would swear had stuff on them one moment which wasn't there the next. Everyone had bought something I presume..............................

Souvenirs are memories you can show others, which i guess is right...






So to the pub we go.
I have to explain here something about Garry S.
Since we have been dressing as we wish he has turned up as an action man every day, combat trousers, tattoos etc.
I go to get a few drinks and he asks for a "GUINESS AND BLACKCURRANT".
He might as well have been wearing a dress.
So I made sure his drink was fitting for a girl.
Murdered a good pint he did.
Sheeeesh.

A few OLD faces show up. Paul here has been AWOL for about three months.
"I heard there was Beer" was the best he could come up with.

Hey Semp. glad you turned up.

"Hey soft lad, ya shizzle whats going on, I was just planning the best place to throw the Molotov cocktail on that there building. And its MR Da Semp to you"

Needless to say we didnt burn the building down.

Nice to see you Peter.

"Well I had to check first in case there was any bouncers around like, you know what problems I ave with bouncers."

And surprisingly enough there wasnt any call for any.
Good lad peter.
Well done.

Mr Papple was happy
Nick had his pint.

We are very pleased to report that the vein in the side of his neck has now started a life of its own.
It currently hunts down people who cannot use an underscore.......
"_" in case you don't know.

Nathan was missing Iggy at this point, he had got drunk and he wasn't there to abuse him. He was so upset........

He was taken away by his other half and wasn't aloud out to
play again for the rest of the day after this.
So much for the HardBoy image.
You be good to that young lady Nathan or she will slap ya :D









So we end this entry with a picture of a number 25.
God that coffee was bad really.

So, so long to everyone.
All the friends I have made, all the coffee I have drunk.

One more toast to be had.

"To the very best call center in the world, and to the people who made it, God bless you all"

Ian Out.