Construction is currently underway for expansion of the FTI Hall of Shame. I held a private induction ceremony yesterday for the newest member and, based on recent experience, feel they certainly are deserving honorees. Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with great ineptness (as they have demonstrated to me), I give you the folks over at Comcast Cable. Dealing with them is certainly not "Comcastic". For reference, I note they have dropped this slogan. Rightly so.
My monthly routine of paying bills was a bit different this month as I noticed my internet/cable bill had gone up $15 from the normal $129.99. I know we hadn't made any service changes or ordered any premium movies or events, so, I called Comcast Thursday to inquire about the difference. It turns out I was charged a "prorated" $15 for the month for HBO service. Now, I maybe watch a total of 20 hours of TV a month. That's it. We have 150+ channels here at the compound and I think I view the same 4 regularly. I have so many because of the bundling of features along with my internet service I originally picked a package over 6 years ago that was most economical and, yet, delivered the stuff I wanted. One of the services was high definition broadcasting for both of the TV's located inside the Executive Living Quarters. HBO was thrown in 6 months ago as an incentive when I had an earlier issue, but, I really don't watch it that much and was prepared to let it go away. In speaking with the customer representative on the phone, it was obvious they don't want to lose any customers. I have read that customers are increasingly turning to Netflix and internet streaming programs to their computer versus traditional broadcast methods, so the cable companies are losing out. She made me an offer to allow me to keep the all of the same services I had, waive the $15 HBO charge, and move me to a $99.99 per month package for 1 year guaranteed. "Let me get this right: Same Services, waive the fee, keep the HBO, all for one year for a hundred bucks a month. Is that right?", I asked. "Yep, pretty cool, huh?", she replied. "OK, sign me up", I told her. I hung up the phone and thought I had scored a major deal.
Coincidentally, about the same time, Mrs. Kfred, our Institute Director of Safety and Chief Judge Judy viewer (we both LOVE Judge Judy), called to mention we had lost service on one of our TV's. She called Comcast herself as well and was advised that the control box was old and to return it for a replacement. I thought that as an odd coincidence, but, hey, whatever. She did so on Fri and waited for me to return to the compound later in the day expecting me to set it up. It really is a pretty easy switch-out and I did so with relative ease. Firing everything up, I noted that our high definition channels were blocked with the message that I needed to call Comcast in order to "order this service". I go to the other TV, switch on the high-def channels, and everything is functioning perfectly. Hmmm.............something is haywire here. I call Comcast again, run through their automated phone tree maze hoping that somewhere, somehow, a real live someone will pick up the phone and I can resolve the matter. Finally "Julio" answers the line and I explain to him my predicament. He investigates my account and finally asserts that my new $99 monthly package DOES NOT include high-def programming. I told him of my previous agreement and he said they could add the high def service but that it would be another $10 a month and a service work order to do so would be filled within in 48 hours. WHAT!? Now at this point, I am a bit peeved as I had the original phone rep. repeat the terms of the offer twice so there would be no misunderstanding. I asked to speak with a supervisor and was told there was none available at the moment and that I could call back. I let them know that they could set their clock by my follow-up call.
Calling back within 20 minutes, I immediately asked to speak with a second level Supervisor. "Caesar" comes on the line and confirms to me that the package I moved to was not a high-def. package and that for another $10 a month, I could, indeed, be enjoying all of the great programming that Comcast offered. I politely and firmly informed me that was not the terms of my earlier agreement and quite honestly, did not care for how Comcast ran their business. He profusely apologizes for my inconvenience but that he can not offer me high def. programming without the added $10 monthly charge, but, would throw in Showtime, STARZ, and Cinemax for no charge for the next 6 months at the monthly level of $109. Figuring that was the best I could do, I agree to the deal and now all is as described.
I still haven't paid the bill to this point, so, figure I will call Comcast Saturday to confirm the amount I owe I get a 3rd phone rep who now gives me another, lower amount due! Though I figure if I keep calling enough times, they will eventually pay me some money, it is frustrating that there is no consistent number from any of these people. She also tells me that my "agreement" outlines all of these terms. I ask her, "what agreement?" "You didn't get an agreement?", she asks. "I will send you one. What's your email address?" For Christ's sake, YOU ARE MY EMAIL PROVIDER!! YOU GUYS DON'T KNOW?
I still haven't received an agreement, I don't know what I owe; I do, though, have high definition channels to watch. I am going to call again today and run the gamut with them again. I think they have a Wheel of Fortune type wheel there at Comcast Central which they spin to determine your monthly bill. In the meantime, I am collecting memorabilia to house here at the Shrine for ineptness. I think it will be a large display.
Coincidentally, about the same time, Mrs. Kfred, our Institute Director of Safety and Chief Judge Judy viewer (we both LOVE Judge Judy), called to mention we had lost service on one of our TV's. She called Comcast herself as well and was advised that the control box was old and to return it for a replacement. I thought that as an odd coincidence, but, hey, whatever. She did so on Fri and waited for me to return to the compound later in the day expecting me to set it up. It really is a pretty easy switch-out and I did so with relative ease. Firing everything up, I noted that our high definition channels were blocked with the message that I needed to call Comcast in order to "order this service". I go to the other TV, switch on the high-def channels, and everything is functioning perfectly. Hmmm.............something is haywire here. I call Comcast again, run through their automated phone tree maze hoping that somewhere, somehow, a real live someone will pick up the phone and I can resolve the matter. Finally "Julio" answers the line and I explain to him my predicament. He investigates my account and finally asserts that my new $99 monthly package DOES NOT include high-def programming. I told him of my previous agreement and he said they could add the high def service but that it would be another $10 a month and a service work order to do so would be filled within in 48 hours. WHAT!? Now at this point, I am a bit peeved as I had the original phone rep. repeat the terms of the offer twice so there would be no misunderstanding. I asked to speak with a supervisor and was told there was none available at the moment and that I could call back. I let them know that they could set their clock by my follow-up call.
Calling back within 20 minutes, I immediately asked to speak with a second level Supervisor. "Caesar" comes on the line and confirms to me that the package I moved to was not a high-def. package and that for another $10 a month, I could, indeed, be enjoying all of the great programming that Comcast offered. I politely and firmly informed me that was not the terms of my earlier agreement and quite honestly, did not care for how Comcast ran their business. He profusely apologizes for my inconvenience but that he can not offer me high def. programming without the added $10 monthly charge, but, would throw in Showtime, STARZ, and Cinemax for no charge for the next 6 months at the monthly level of $109. Figuring that was the best I could do, I agree to the deal and now all is as described.
I still haven't paid the bill to this point, so, figure I will call Comcast Saturday to confirm the amount I owe I get a 3rd phone rep who now gives me another, lower amount due! Though I figure if I keep calling enough times, they will eventually pay me some money, it is frustrating that there is no consistent number from any of these people. She also tells me that my "agreement" outlines all of these terms. I ask her, "what agreement?" "You didn't get an agreement?", she asks. "I will send you one. What's your email address?" For Christ's sake, YOU ARE MY EMAIL PROVIDER!! YOU GUYS DON'T KNOW?
I still haven't received an agreement, I don't know what I owe; I do, though, have high definition channels to watch. I am going to call again today and run the gamut with them again. I think they have a Wheel of Fortune type wheel there at Comcast Central which they spin to determine your monthly bill. In the meantime, I am collecting memorabilia to house here at the Shrine for ineptness. I think it will be a large display.
These chaps are worse than used car salesmen. (Sorry) Not enough competition. Well written!!
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