ExpressVPN disaster with Zattoo Switzerland and dreadful customer support

I’ve used ExpressVPN for 4 years on a Linksys 3200ACM router mainly to connect to Switzerland for various work related matters and the TV service Zattoo (on an AppleTV).

During the last year, Zattoo access has become more and more difficult until becoming unwatchable (Zattoo displays a message “too many IPs addresses accessing”).

Zattoo customer support has asked me to use Switzerland-2 server. This server did not appear in my list of available servers. There was only one for Switzerland. After lengthy and confusing discussions (they would not believe me), they issued a new activation key (and account) and bam, Switzerland-2 appeared in my list. Switzerland-2 seems to work with Zattoo. This went on for a few months until suddenly, Switzerland-2 again disappeared from the list of servers. New round of discussions and issuing a new account/key. We are in business again.

Three days ago, we are at it again. Lengthy discussions, I ask for a new key and they refuse it as “it had been offered as a one-time courtesy”. We battle again and they offer me a 15 days extension on my subscription, thanks but not the point and somewhat mean as well. After a new round, they accept but tell me the responsible department will contact me within 5 to 7 business days to issue the key. I can’t believe it and tell them so but the do not answer messages.

On top of that, the router admin web UI has started crashing multiple times a day.

How the Switzerland server list might be linked to my subscription is beyond my comprehension and I’d be glad if someone (hello ExpressVPN!) could provide a logical explanation.

I’d also appreciate an explanation on why you decide it takes 5 to 7 business days to issue a key for a customer who cannot access services that have been paid for. I have a clear impression that I am punished for being pushy in my requests.

Unfortunately, I have no alternative to ExpressVPN. I’d be miles away already if I had.

Basically VPN companies sometimes make the service good only within the refund window and after slow it down/make service worse to make bandwidth for new customers. Maybe this?

Also consider Zattoo DE instead of Switzerland. You can watch it in all EUR countries.

I’m also looking for an alternative to Express VPN. Having similar problems with the Switzerland server and Zattoo.
Looking for suggestions to alternatives.
Thanks

Zattoo DE has a very different set of channels and is also limited to three months in the EU. I live abroad most of the time but also use it in Switzerland proper. It has been perfectly fine much longer than the refund period, but ExpressVPN started to promote its service with Zattoo aggressively rather recently and I think they outgrew their infrastructure for CH. Anyhow, I got an email a few minutes ago from a supervisor and they have issued the new account, so I’m good again until not again.

Alright I hope it works then, ig VPNs are never perfect