Comcast!!!!

[propita]

What else need I title this than that--says there's a problem right there, huh?

So on June 4, Hubby and I cancel Comcast cable tv, switch to Directv, and take back all the crappy new Comcast boxes that make no sense with vcrs. Directv comes out and installs a pretty dvr that makes recording idiot-proof.

We kept Comcast internet because: 1) ATT's not available where we live; 2) even if it were, our house wiring is incompatible; 3) even if it were compatible, it's 1/4 the speed of Comcast (per the ATT guy--who was a totally great guy named "Bob" and a ST fan. I told him about you guys. Maybe he's joined?)

Anyway, I get my comcast bill in June and they bill me for tv. Understandable, what with timing. So I pay the bill and figure I'll get a credit. July's bill--no credit there and they're billing me for tv.

So I call comcast. "Oh, we never had it entered that you cancelled. So sorry." I look online a few days later. No credit and I'm still being billed for tv. Call again and speak with a supervisor. Same result. Repeat.

Finally, today, I'm told to NOT pay the bill because "I'm credited." Uh-huh. Don't pay a bill and have it reported that I didn't pay it? Screw my credit off a stupid cable bill? I ask for a supervisor.

1) I don't trust your system to not report me for not paying this bill, as I'm being instructed.

2) If I pay this bill, am I going to be amassing credits that are never actually applied to my account?

3) What is wrong with your system? Supervisors should be able to access accounts to prevent these repeated problems.

Nice lady told me to not pay the bill--it's covered, as is the next month, because of credits. I had that much in credit? What the hell? Oh, and she gave her name and employee id (hope that's good). Their system updates only once a month(!!!) when payments are made. How stupid is that?! When the problem's with the payment itself? And to not allow supervisors to correct mistakes? It's not like such activity can't be tracked, or tracked and limited so no one overdoes before a tracking report is generated.

BTW, I love my dvr. I love that all I had to do was push a few buttons and it'll record all new (and only new) episodes of my shows--by title.

Only question--in the "history" listing, can I delete the "deleted" and "cancelled" shows from the listing? It's long.

 

[TheKeeper]

I had a similar situation with Comcast during my move to a new residence last year. Much confusion, double billing and extra billing between the old address and new. A phone rep told me they wouldn't credit my account, they would send a refund check. They ended up crediting the account anyway.

Frankly, they're nuts.

 

[Snaploud]

My Comcast DVR works fine. It's a Motorola Dual Tuner/HD TV Ready model and an aesthetically-pleasing shiny silver.

 

[Amaris]

We have Time Warner, and when comparing our local satellite companies, Time Warner actually has the better deal for the whole package. My biggest gripe with Time Warner is their use of Scientific-Atlanta equipment. If it were possible to have a Yugo of DVR cable boxes, Scientific-Atlanta would qualify.

 

[Warp Coil]

Well, what did you expect from a company that has won the coveted award as the worst company in America?

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/fasterforward/2010/04/comcast_wins_consumerist_worst.html

I dropped Comcast as soon as Verizon's FiOS service was available in my neighborhood. Much happier.

 

[propita]

Yeah, it took us awhile--and I think it's costing us a bit more. But Hubby says he doesn't care because we're getting more.

The dish had to be installed away from a "living area," which meant it was attached to our chimney. The guy installing the dish said that one battery pack's charge on his drill was usually good for two full installations. He went through the charge of two full packs. Our chimney is good brick, and solid.

 

[Spot's Meow]

Yeah, we recently switched from Comcast. Worst company ever.

About the AT&T internet, I have used their DSL (the second tier) as well as Comcast's internet connection and I can honestly say that I noticed no difference in speed. Maybe if I was downloading movies or something, but for every day internet usage it wasn't noticeable. The cheaper DSL is worth it!

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

I would actually go back to DISH or get DirectTV over Comcast if either one of the idiot companies would fix it so someone with no SW facing could get the entire channel lineup.

All the SD stuff, and I think the local channels, come from 2 satellites over Texas.

I had to settle for Comcast when I moved in March.

 

[RoJoHen]

Yeah, we recently switched from Comcast. Worst company ever.

About the AT&T internet, I have used their DSL (the second tier) as well as Comcast's internet connection and I can honestly say that I noticed no difference in speed. Maybe if I was downloading movies or something, but for every day internet usage it wasn't noticeable. The cheaper DSL is worth it!

I recently had AT&T's DSL and was able to stream Netflix through my PS3 just as fast as my current high-speed cable internet.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Fortunately we don't have Comcast around here, we have Cox, and I haven't had any huge problems with them. Although they keep jacking up their prices, which - coupled with the fact that there's only two or three shows I regularly watch, all of which I can get through iTunes (or, in the case of This Week in Baseball, through MLB's own website) - are pushing me towards dumping cable entirely.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

As a former Comcast customer, I hate them with the raging fire of a billion suns.

 

[Linklinker]

Had the same problem. Funny thing was that their database had the correct information but they sent me a ridiculous bill anyway.

I canceled my service and a month later they send me a bill with last months full amount plus late charges and the current months bill.

I call them to complain and all I can get is an options menu that doesn't get me anywhere. Akin to a Choose Your Own Adventure book featuring Comcast customer support.