Tell me

 Anyone out there use Viasat for their internet?

We are living out in the country right now. Our computer is not yet set up, because we don't have a provider. My sister uses her StraightTalk phone as a hot spot. It meets their needs, so we figured that we'd probably just do the same.

Then this came in the mail: 

Tim suggested that we check into it. 

So, I called. 

A friendly woman asked for my address to make sure they provided service to our area.  I thought that was strange since the postcard was mailed to this address, but I gave it to her. She brightly said that they did service our area, and she offered to put me through to a sales representative. 

I thanked her and listened to another round of the same recording as I did waiting for the first representative.

Another woman came on the phone. This one asked for my name and then my address once again. I spelled my last name carefully using the military phonetic alphabet for my last name. 

She thanked me. I said that I just had questions about their service. My post card did not mention a hookup cost. What would that cost? 

She said that she would connect me to a specialist. (!!!!)

So I waited again.

A young man came on, and once again, I spelled out my name. Once again, I provided my address. He asked questions. One was 'who is your existing provider?' I said that we just moved here. 'Owning or renting'. 'Own.' Who provided service at your previous address?' 'Breezeline.' 'Why aren't you continuing with them?' 

Uh... that struck me as odd. I said because this is a rural area, they don't service this area, and frankly we are not impressed with their customer service.'

He said, 'Let's get you set up with a home visit shall we?' 

I said, 'We aren't there yet. I need to get some basic information. How much is the hookup fee?'

He began telling me that it all depended, without telling me what it depended on. 'The technician would explain this when he made his visit,' he said in a placating voice.

I said that I was not interested in a home visit if he couldn't even provide me with basic information.

He danced around a bit, but finally said it would be between 0 and $500 to hook up. Monthly fees would be between $69 and $200. Again he said that it was all depending while not telling me what it depended on. 

I mentioned the postcard offering service at $61.99 a month. He seemed very surprised at that price. "I am holding it in my hand right now," I said.

'Let me see when we can get a technician out...' he said.

"No," I said. "This feels very scammy."

He was surprised and sounded wounded. He asked me why I would even think such a thing. 

I said, 'Have a good day,' and hung up as he said, 'Wait, Ms -------'.

Is this the way business is done now? Craziest phone call ever.