Comments on: Comcast sCares: Scenes from the Trenches in the Battle with Wretched Combastic Service

By: John

John — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:26:18 +0000

There are gazillions of stories out there like yours. You’re not alone. The only language that Comcast understands is “Cancel my Subscription”. They will be the first ones to tell you that you can always take your business elsewhere (snicker, snicker, knowing that they have a monopoly in a lot of areas). They also know that they are in bed with the other major players in the industry keeping the prices artificially high and driving would be low cost providers out of business.

By: Mike Ramey

Mike Ramey — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 02:23:40 +0000

Sad, sad, SAD! Mickie, sometimes you have to take your butt and your green money elsewhere! Or, if you HAVE to stay, learn how to ‘kevetch’ [I believe this is the correct way to spell this term, which is yiddish slang for complaining] higher up in the food chain. Never hurts, even in an employer’s market to get the numbers to people whose names either begin or end in the initials V.P., or the term, supervisor. Also, when someone won’t give you a refund on a credit card, and you want to make a point, just call your credit card company and put a block on the card for this account. Yeah, we’ve done battle with Com’blast’, and ‘AT & Scream’, as well as others. Most of the time, service is good or better. But, there comes a time when we have to ‘turn up the steam’. And…please, don’t let my wife have to do any complaining. “If Mama Ain’t Happy, Ain’t NOBODY Happy!”

Sigh…tight economy & lose brains! TTFN

By: Ardith

Ardith — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 21:07:58 +0000

I’m so sorry to hear your story, Mickie. Hideous customer service abounds. It’s amazing that companies like Comcast seem to think you’re paying them to torture you.

On a somewhat related note, and about the miracle that is supposed to be digital TV, we’ve been unable to view four public TV stations since we switched. Either the view is uber pixalated or there’s no signal at all. I submitted an online inquiry/commentary on the issue. What the “lead technician” told me, after asking where I lived, etc., is that it’s likely an antenna issue, our antenna mind you. Really I ask? Why would that be and why is it that the potential for transmission issue never came up in the big campaign about going digital? Larry replies that it has been, at least through their ads. I counter with I guess I missed those ads due to the digital transmission issue.

Meanwhile, Larry goes on to beguile me with the virtues of digital TV and I quote, ” Digital TV will be better than the old Analog. There will not be the changing of color, multiple images (out of Focus), snow or skip that so often upsets the analog.” Say what? I haven’t seen any of that stuff since I was a kid, says I.

So anyway, the problem persists and it must be due to our wimpy antenna. Sigh.

Hope it all works out for you, Mickie.

Regards,

Ardith
Marketing Communications Think Tank

By: Mehgan O'C

Mehgan O'C — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 19:34:15 +0000

To be honest, the only way to get through to Comcast is to CANCEL service. For several years, Comcast was my only option. I went through the same song and dance you did. The one time I actually got good customer service from a tech (showed up on time, got the job done and didn’t leave mud stains on my carpet), I tipped him each $20 b/c I was so shocked!

Last year, AT&T came to town. I’m not saying they don’t have their own technical issues, but the overall service is better and they actually listen to you on the phone (I swear there is a big screen TV with “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” on the in the background of the Comcast call center).

The other alternative it to launch a wicked Internet smear campaign – remember the footage of the Comcast tech asleep on some guy’s couch? In the end, Comcast ranks up there with AOL as one of the most awful organizations to be “tied” to.

By: R.S.

R.S. — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:32:01 +0000

I am a former Comcast customer who experienced similar problems. I simply downgraded my cable plan and they turned-off the service. I was down for about two weeks of no cable programming. They stated they would send out a technician but nobody showed up. Granted it wasn’t a wiring/cable issue. They scheduled a visit by the technician twice and the technician never arrived.

Following that I canceled Comcast altogether and I have been a satisfied DISH Network subscriber for several years. For Internet,I am a very satisfied user of Verizon Fios Internet. DISH ($50) + my Verizon Fios bill ($40) is a lot less than Comcast. Since you are in a rural area – Hughes.net is a better alternative to Comcast, if you can’t get Fios.

Vote with your checkbook.

By: Susan Brackins

Susan Brackins — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 02:30:36 +0000

I’ve been in the similar Comcast Hell you just described more than once. The customer service is enough to make a normal person POSTAL! Good luck in your efforts my friend, in the meantime; let’s say a FIOS prayer!