Just decided to try something new in my blog world... complain to you about horrible service, bad products and things that otherwise just tick me off! Why? Because it doesn't seem to matter to those who can do something about the problem so maybe you'll think twice about buying, trying or using said products or services. This fun little new feature to the DoxA blog is called, "This Stinks!" (oh I hope somebody is paying attention.)
Comcast cable and internet service... this stinks! Why? Well lets go back to the beginning. After moving into our house we signed up for cable and because of franchising there is only one cable provider to use meaning we got Comcast. When it was time for the installation two gentlemen showed up in the midst of our move where we had yet to set up the TV's and computer however, knowing how to navigate around the technical I encouraged them to leave the equipment, test the lines and make sure everything was good to go. They did but left no information on how to work the equipment. No manuals, no channel guides... nothing! They kind of vanished after I signed the work order. But again I'm a smart guy, I can figure it out, so I plod ahead. But could not for the life of me get email set up. for two weeks I tried contacting Comcast and got the run around. Finally a technician was able to walk me through a "glitch" that was a clerical error when I signed up over the phone. Was corrected and a promise to credit my account $25 was made... Bill comes the next month no credit. I refused to pay. Comcast finally calls me and says, "What's up?" I explain... they apologize and they say, "It's taken care of but I'll have to pay what's current and the credit will show up in the next bill." Ha! never happened. So I ignore it, thinking, "Hey, it's only 25 bucks."
After six months my bill jumps way up because the promotional period runs out. So I call them up to cancell all the extra "free" stuff saying, "Hey I know you will still offer to your continued customers incentives, is there anything that you can offer now?" The rep hems and haws and says since I "downgraded" my service there wasn't much to do but if I wanted to add phone and premium channels then they could do something. I said I wasn't interested and just accepted the lower yet higher payment now.
Now we're talking months later and they call wanting to see if I'm willing to upgrade with Comcast phone (we use Vonage which is cheaper and we've kept our phone numbers from the desert... all that would have to change if we went with Comcast) I say no thanks, He says, "Well you know... I see you're paying $XXX.XX amount a month and we can, yada, yada, yada if you get this phone package. I explain don't need all the movie channels, etc. just want a lower bill... He says all that is possible with the phone added. I ask, "Is that only for a period of time? Like six months?" He starts to tell me how it will save money in the long run... "Will my bill go up again?" He knows I'm serious about this and flatly says, "It will." I tell him no thanks.
Then Thanksgiving weekend we're watching a show and our DVR starts acting up... cannont rewind a program without it going all the way back the start of the recording. This is so frustrating. I say that's it! ATT has been calling, sending flyers... even showing up at the front door offering their "superior" service. So, the next day I stop by an AT&T Store and ask questions. It looks really good. In fact, superior! So I go back home and do what the promo material suggests, sign up online so I can get $200 back. They schedule the installation, the guy shows up on time! spends all day reworking cabling testing signals... does the install and gives me a 30 minute demo of everything; how it works, shortcuts, internet, email... DVR!
So, we transfer Joy's email over to AT&T and give everyone notice and decide to wait 2 weeks for people to catch up with the switch. I then call Comcast on 12/29 cancell my service and the guys says, "Well, what can we do to keep you as a customer?" I tell them about their cruddy DVR and a little history of trying to get the bill lowered. He then asks me what I'm paying with AT&T and what services I'm getting. I tell him and he says, "Wow... We could give you a lot more channels, premium movie packages, accelerated internet and lower you payment ($10 a month less than AT&T). No mention of the phone package! I say sorry you had your chance! and insist they cancell my account. He does, tells me he'll keep it open for a week to let the tech come by and pick up the equipment. I tell him I'll return it, "Today!" He says, "Fine that way you'll be guaranteed to get your refund of the prorated payment sooner (Comcast charges you ahead of time, in other words you pay for the service you're going to get not for what you've had)." He then tells me my refund will be approximately $XX.XX.
So today, I look at my online bank account and guess what? Comcast decided to charge me for another month of service!!! I call Comcast and get this lame excuse of the technician needing to come get the equipment! I tell her I turned it in a week and a half ago. She says, well for my security I should call my bank and cancell the auto pay... I tell her, I didn't set up the auto pay with the bank but with Comcast and Comcast will have to withdraw the payment schedule!!! She tells me the refund will take about 3 to 4 weeks, I tell her I want to speak to a supervisor, she says I'll put you on hold to get one... she comes back on telling me to hold for the transfer... she comes back on telling me the supervisor has closed the account and the bank will be credited in 3 to 5 days.
Comcast... get it together! Don't you realize now that with AT&T UVerse You're not the only gig in town anymore? If I were you; I'd start threating your customers with a bit more respect. And Comcast customers I'd start asking for a lot more service... Because AT&T has got it going on!
