Customer Loyalty?

It seems that there is no such thing these days. New customers, here is the world on a platter. Existing customers, thanks for paying your bill now get out of the way so I can make a sale.

WTF?

We have Fios. It's cool. The internet speeds are awesome. The HD cable package is pretty good. The customer service, well, let's just say that it isn't their shining star. I am a bit biased because they did some change in their billing system that resulted in me receiving a bill for $1200 a mere four months after I installed my service. A bill that took no less than 20 hours of my personal time to get resolved.

But, I can update my Facebook/Twitter (I don't tweet)/play Sodoku from my cable box.

Have I mentioned I work for the nations second largest cable provider and we can't do this yet? No, I can't get free cable either because we don't provide service where I live. Asinine, yes. I know.

Anyway, Fios. I have been seeing commercials over the last year. Free tv, free laptop, free, free, FREE! I like free. Where's my freebie? I like free stuff. I work hard for my money, I need free stuff.

Ok, I work for my money. The hard part seems to go in spurts depending on workload.

My point. Free. I wanted a freebie. I have been a Fios customer for 3+ years. I have endured botched installs and transfers of service, royally screwed up bills, ignorant "service" representatives and support "specialists", they OWE me.

What did they make me do? I have to disconnect our service, that is in Rick's name, and reinstall in my name, in order to get the promo. This means I have to get rid of all of my existing boxes and stored DVR content and be without service for a day. Yes. No internet for nearly 24 hours! Whatever will I do? It will be like a blackout and I will probably end up pregnant.

And then, 60 days after I am a good paying customer, they will send me a HP/Compaq coupon so I can go to their site and order my shiny, new netbook. I think I want it in pink. I'm pleased about the netbook but not pleased about the lengths I had to go to in order to get it.

Which brings me back to my original question. Is there such a thing as customer loyalty?