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Davek
Member
2014-Aug-14 12:50 pm
...When I first heard Comcast was taking over Time Warner I thought it was in my best interest to end my service with Time Warner, even though I enjoy a $15 internet bill that would probably never be that low again if I cancelled. Then after a while, I thought I should probably keep it until things actually go bad.
Then I read these stories and I'm reminded that my initial plan really is the prudent move, as unfortunate as it is. | |
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Re: ...Damn it man! Reading your post made me annoyed for you and the situation you find yourself in. Good luck with your decision. | |
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Davek
Member
2014-Aug-14 3:10 pm
Re: ...Thanks, Odin. I'll just have to live with internet at work and the coffee shop, which by itself is fine. Losing Netflix is the disappointment. Been watching the Cosmos remake recently, thinking it's going to stink not having Netflix.
But if I keep the plan going, maybe when Comcast takes over they keep the $15 plan going, maybe not. If they don't and want to jack my internet to $50 or a $100 a month, then I'm faced with the problems of getting it cancelled, not to mention bogus equipment fees, false term contract claims, false sign up claims, and who knows what else. Ugggh. | |
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Re: ...The actual merger will take years. Why torture yourself? Current TWC is no contract, they need to give a cure period (notice) to change price, and they can't sign you up unilaterally for a contract. That's STILL illegal. So there is no risk on your side.
As for the termination fees, most people don't know the WORST thing you can possibly do is breach the contract (cancel). That immediately triggers the termination fee, and you have very little chance of getting any of that back. That becomes extra profit $$$.
If you are having service issues as a service provider, THEY are responsible for providing reasonable service. Now what is reasonable depends on the contract, but the onus is on the service provider NOT the customer. The best thing you can do is document the calls for service issues and if you get no joy, SUSPEND the service and begin remedies. In almost all cases suspension may or may not extend your contract, but it will allow you legal remedies while not paying in the meantime. The remedies vary according to the franchise (state law), but you can reach out to your town to get them. They are still regulated, believe it or not and those franchise documents supersede any national contracts you sign. This is known as order of precedence.
Also, I recommend that you not sign up for a contract if you are not willing to burden yourself w/ the termination fee (buyers remorse). Hit w/ a $980 term fee, I cannot fathom after 1 year. There must be more than the triple play in here. I read through the thread and there may be home monitoring (a total rip) in play.
This also brings up the fact that in my area TWC does absolutely ZERO contracts. I'm not sure on Comcast, but that in itself is absolutely consumer friendly.
I did violate my credo (sign a contract) with Verizon for FiOS because after 4 years their service has been stellar, and have always treated me as a valued customer. By signing the 2 year contract ($240 term, down $10 a mo) I saved a significant amount over the M2M so my risk was minimal. Even in contract they messed up billing (not uncommon) but it appears this latest billing software is much improved and almost human readable. | |
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| TechyDad Premium Member join:2001-07-13 USA |
to Davek
I'd love to cancel Time Warner prior to Comcast taking over. My problem is that Time Warner is the only wired broadband provider in my area. Verizon hasn't expanded FIOS to me. They only have slower DSL. Going wireless (e.g. Verizon Wireless or AT&T) would be too expensive for home use. Netflix usage alone would likely hit my caps. Getting rid of Internet isn't an option either. (I'm a web developer and my wife does freelance writing. We need Internet access.)
So we're stuck with Time Warner and, likely, Comcast in the future. | |
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Davek
Member
2014-Aug-14 3:17 pm
Re: ...I hear ya, Jason. Some people do need it. I fortunately don't. It's a toy for me most of the time, and occasionally needed for some things. Like looking something up, what have you. I do have DSL as an alternative, and it's provided by a very good local phone company. Service and support is great, but it's $40 a month. | |
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| rody_44 Premium Member join:2004-02-20 Quakertown, PA |
to Davek
Another customer with failed logic. Look at the dates on the receipt and date he was billed for. He returned them at least 10 days after he returned them. The bill is dated 7-14 which means he was billed at least 10 days prior to that. The receipt is clearly dated 7-14 | |
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| | KrKHeavy Artillery For The Little Guy Premium Member join:2000-01-17 Tulsa, OK Netgear WNDR3700v2 Zoom 5341J
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KrK
Premium Member
2014-Aug-14 6:44 pm
Re: ...What? The Receipt shows that he returned them on the 12th.
On his next bill, it showed the equipment not returned fee dated for the 12th, the same day he turned off service and turned in his gear. So the un-returned equipment fees were generated by the termination of his account.
There is NOTHING on the photos that show what specific date the bill was sent, but they do show through the time period of August 5th.
So, yeah. Your post = fail. | |
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McShaken Premium Member join:2006-02-20 Olympia, WA |
McShaken
Premium Member
2014-Aug-14 12:51 pm
Wouldn't it be wonderful if...people would simply just band together and cancel service, en masse, to protest? Shareholders get all of the glory when discussions revolve around who's "really" important... Pull the customers out of the equation (along with their revenue stream) and you'll see the shareholders fleeing like rats on a sinking ship. But who am I kidding, we've turned into a society that complains without taking action. So bend over everyone, Comcast isn't done with us yet... | |
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| tshirt Premium Member join:2004-07-11 Snohomish, WA |
tshirt
Premium Member
2014-Aug-14 1:08 pm
Re: Wouldn't it be wonderful if...said by McShaken:people would simply just band together and cancel service, en masse, to protest To protest what? that a user ends his contract early and gets charged the all ready known EFT? or that the hand written equipment pickup receipt isn't credited on a bill on the same date? for a DOCUMENTOR, he doesn't seem to understand the next step in presenting his receipt (photocopy or fax) to billing and waiting the 5-10 days to receive credit for the returned items. No doubt that Comcast's customer service could use some work, people are stretching the envelope, trying to present "Comcast is satan" type news blurbs | |
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Re: Wouldn't it be wonderful if...Why is he billed for unreturned equipment immediately? Why don't they wait a billing cycle to see if the equipment is returned rather than getting a free loan from the customer for the value of the equipment?
All of those people who have bills for modem rentals have to pay their bill in full or have their service terminated. Even if you have receipts for equipment, the bill seem to continue every month and you have to fight for billing credits each month with promises it won't happen again. | |
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| | Too @66.249.83.x |
Too to tshirt
Anon
2014-Aug-14 1:47 pm
to tshirt
said by tshirt:said by McShaken:people would simply just band together and cancel service, en masse, to protest To protest what? that a user ends his contract early and gets charged the all ready known ETF. He had a 2 yr contract for a discount he ended early at 1 yr. And so why is he upset he has to pay the fee he agreed to upfront? | |
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Davek
Member
2014-Aug-14 1:57 pm
Re: Wouldn't it be wonderful if...I agree. When a company wants a term commitment, even with a 'discount', it should be a red flag to everyone to do business elsewhere. Like Comcast, those companies can increase prices and fees during that term, as well as provide poor service, and there is nothing you can do. | |
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to Too
He should have read the Comcast Business contract before signing. It clearly states that the customer pays for two years and, in return, Comcast is not required to deliver anything. | |
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| | | | SunnyD join:2009-03-20 Madison, AL |
SunnyD
Member
2014-Aug-14 2:34 pm
Re: Wouldn't it be wonderful if...said by kmcmurtrie:He should have read the Comcast Business contract before signing. It clearly states that the customer pays for two years and, in return, Comcast is not required to deliver anything. This. Comcast doesn't do contracts on (most?) residential services anymore. Contractually obligated to pay the ETF and fees on business accounts which DO require a minimum term agreement decided upon by THE CUSTOMER from 2 to 5 years in duration. Much grief and misplaced rage about nothing here. | |
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| | McShaken Premium Member join:2006-02-20 Olympia, WA
1 recommendation |
to tshirt
said by tshirt:To protest what? The overall contempt that Comcast has for their own customers including, but not limited to: • Lobbying efforts that limit competition • Usage caps/overage fees • Horrible customer service • Bogus fees • Never ending rate increases • Championing the fight against net neutrality • General shenanigans like this | |
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to tshirt
Could use some work? No, my house could use some work. Comcast needs destroyed and rebuilt, there is no hope in salvaging this turd of a company. They lie, cheat, steal, and anything else immoral and or illegal that they need to do to get every dime they can from you.
Anyone with a brain can see that these repeated documented stories are the norm from this god forsaken company, not the exception. | |
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| | NormanSI gave her time to steal my mind away MVM join:2001-02-14 San Jose, CA TP-Link TD-8616 Asus RT-AC66U B1 Netgear FR114P
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to tshirt
said by tshirt:... he doesn't seem to understand the next step in presenting his receipt (photocopy or fax) to billing and waiting the 5-10 days to receive credit for the returned items. 5-10 days? I received the notice for my returned DSL modem the day after I dropped off at the UPS store. And four days later, my bill showed the removal of the rent. | |
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| | | KearnstdSpace Elf Premium Member join:2002-01-22 Mullica Hill, NJ |
Kearnstd
Premium Member
2014-Aug-14 3:51 pm
Re: Wouldn't it be wonderful if...Heck this day in age the moment he returns the equipment it should be flagged as returned via entry at the service center. Everything is computerized, 5-10 days is simply not acceptable. | |
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| | | | tshirt Premium Member join:2004-07-11 Snohomish, WA 1 edit |
tshirt
Premium Member
2014-Aug-14 4:25 pm
Re: Wouldn't it be wonderful if...said by Kearnstd:Heck this day in age the moment he returns the equipment it should be flagged as returned via entry at the service center. Everything is computerized, 5-10 days is simply not acceptable. BUT it was not returned to the service center, Comcast SENT a "tech"(usually the lowest end, vehicle approved field guy, sometimes even a contractor) but in this case a home security guy, who may not have filed it right away/correctly/at all. My suggestion was since standard procedure failed that he might need to remind BILLING about the receipt, the 5-10 days is exactly because it is on paper, rather than directly in the computer system. | |
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| | | | | WhatNow Premium Member join:2009-05-06 Charlotte, NC
1 recommendation |
WhatNow
Premium Member
2014-Aug-14 6:54 pm
Re: Wouldn't it be wonderful if...I am sure the tech had to dispatch and close a ticket to pick up the equipment so there is documentation that something was picked up. The tech may not have completed the pickup transaction of the equipment but that is Comcast's problem not the customer's problem. Companies can make a fortune on just the overnight float if they are big enough. | |
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| zduice join:2001-03-03 San Dimas, CA |
to McShaken
sadly, most people only have one option for service. | |
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78036364 (banned)
Member
2014-Aug-14 1:21 pm
Re: Wouldn't it be wonderful if...said by zduice:sadly, most people only have one option for service. First if you have cable you most likely have access to both DirecTV and DishNetwork. There is also possibly OTA or no TV. If people had the balls to cut service it wouldn't take long for these companies to shape up. | |
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| | | zduice join:2001-03-03 San Dimas, CA |
zduice
Member
2014-Aug-14 1:47 pm
Re: Wouldn't it be wonderful if.....yeah that would be nice if everyone had line of sight or their apartment management allowed satellite dishes. What about Internet? DSL and Satellite is not always a viable option. Fiber is only available in few markets. | |
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Re: Wouldn't it be wonderful if...If your Apartment Manager is banning Satellite, you need to read him the FCC's OTARD rules and how much shit he can get in for acting like that. | |
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Re: Wouldn't it be wonderful if...Yes, but if you like your apartment and don't want to get booted, it is best not to piss off your landlord. | |
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Re: Wouldn't it be wonderful if...Granted, but if they are going to act like that, its best to find out now, vs down the road getting a letter saying your in violation of bunch of rules they never told you they came up with. | |
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to McShaken
said by McShaken:people would simply just band together and cancel service, en masse, to protest? Consumers won't do it. It's far easier to bitch and moan than it is to make an effort to stand your ground. | |
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| Lone WolfRetired Premium Member join:2001-12-30 USA |
to McShaken
I cancelled my service on Tuesday and returned my equipment on Wednesday. Goodbye Triple Play.
I'd rather watch OTA TV and use my smartphone for voice and Internet until I try another provider. | |
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A new gameA new game...... Get about 10 or so Comcast customers together that want to cancel their service and have them all call Comcast at the same time and the first to get their service cancelled wins a years worth of Internet or TV service from another provider if they have one to choose from. | |
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Re: A new gameThe problem is, you would need to buy them a house in a market where another provider exists... | |
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Re: A new gameWell there is AT&T, at least we have that choice, but in no way in heal would we be able to with 6 cable boxes all watching different channels along with 6+ computers. Comcast is our only real choice we have also.
But a new house hmm, that could awesome prize. | |
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FureverFurryRIP Daphne: 3/12/05 - 6/19/12 Premium Member join:2012-02-20 49xxx Zoom 5341J ARRIS WBM760 Vonage VDV-21
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Only at Comcast ...Only at Comcast is the subscriber always wrong. There are scads of complaints about subscribers returning equipment and have their receipts only to be billed for that so-called unreturned equipment. So they provide proof and then get turned over to collections due to a "system error" faster than you can say "awesome".
Then there are those "audits" in which owned equipment suddenly becomes Comcast-owned. Jump through hoops; charges removed only to reappear. Or make an account change and the CSR unticks the customer-owned bit on the account. Back on to the Prove-to-Comcast-I-Own-It ferris wheel.
For a technology company, Comcast's procedures for returning equipment and recognizng what is - and is NOT - their equipment is appalling. Nice revenue stream. | |
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1 recommendation |
en103
Member
2014-Aug-14 1:30 pm
Call the BBBI had a similar issue 'many' years ago with Verizon. I returned devices and cancelled the service at the 'corporate' (not affiliate) store 1 day after starting service. VZW 'lost' their cancellation (I had my copy) and kept billing me, and attempted to send me to collections. After a call to the BBB, they backed off. | |
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Was charged for 6 months for a modem I ownI was one of the customers charged for a modem I owned. It took 1 month to sort out, but Comcast did refund the money.
Think about all of the people that don't notice. | |
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MertJen
Anon
2014-Aug-14 3:33 pm
Re: Was charged for 6 months for a modem I ownMe too. I got charged each month for three months. Had to call each month to get it fixed. They finally got it figured out, then I moved. It then became their modem again. More calls and chats... | |
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dvd536as Mr. Pink as they come Premium Member join:2001-04-27 Phoenix, AZ |
dvd536
Premium Member
2014-Aug-14 2:30 pm
Gold star monthlooks like comcast is having a gold star month this month. | |
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crom
Anon
2014-Aug-14 2:35 pm
What??wait wait wait??? his ETF is 960 freaking dollars? WTF. That's insane and he has already finished one year of his service too? Jesus H Christ. | |
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TechyDad Premium Member join:2001-07-13 USA
5 recommendations |
TechyDad
Premium Member
2014-Aug-14 2:55 pm
Document, Document, DocumentThe lesson here - and with all of these Comcast cancellation stories - is that you need to document, document, document. Record calls, keep receipts, and save all e-mails. Make sure you have a trail of documentation so when Comcast tries to charge you for X you can point to where they repeatedly said you wouldn't be charged for X. | |
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IowaCowboyLost in the Supermarket Premium Member join:2010-10-16 Springfield, MA |
Thinking of switching to satellite because of this nonsenseIf Excede ever gets their $70 for 150 GB offering in my area I may kick Comcast to the curb for good. My usage is about 40-50 GB per month and is mostly web surfing anyways. I do some YouTube. Mom does Facebook games but those require download to computer only so latency isn't an issue. | |
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sandman9r Premium Member join:2003-11-09 Franklin Square, NY |
Who Are The Happy Customers on the Homepage?When I read these unbelievable stories, I wonder who in fact are the Happy Customers for Comcast on the dslreports homepage? At least one person a week writes about an easy experience. Are these horror stories online truly one in a million? Look at this list from a few weeks ago detailing the companies with the worst customer service: » www.prdaily.com/Main/Art ··· 999.aspxIt seems as if no matter what company you do business with, it sucks. Are we simply too cynical? Are the minority of customers who have been angered getting the most press? Here are my favorite big companies: Optimum, Amazon, Yahoo, New York Times, Bloomberg, Geico, VW, Home Depot, Microsoft, Macys, and JetBlue. Am I a hack? I like the fact that the products/services of these companies just 'work.' That's all I ask for as a consumer. | |
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KrKHeavy Artillery For The Little Guy Premium Member join:2000-01-17 Tulsa, OK |
KrK
Premium Member
2014-Aug-14 6:35 pm
Needs to sue them abou the termination fee. They never delivered the terms... of the contract, so therefore the contract is void, and he's not breaking it.
No WAY he should pay the termination fee. | |
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| WhatNow Premium Member join:2009-05-06 Charlotte, NC |
WhatNow
Premium Member
2014-Aug-14 7:03 pm
Re: Needs to sue them abou the termination fee. They never delivered the termsIf these stories keep hitting the news I am surprised some law firm has not started a class action lawsuit. It may be in the contract that you can't sue. At this point that may not hold up in court. | |
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aSicapplication specific Premium Member join:2001-05-17 Wakulla, FL |
aSic
Premium Member
2014-Aug-18 9:21 am
Equipment ChargeI actually still owe $400 to Comcast for an un-returned modem. Even providing the paper receipt of its return did nothing. Supposedly the employee was terminated, so my receipt cannot be verified. There have been no attempts at collection other than blacklisting my name. I'm sure they know the charge is BS, which is why nothing has moved in 5 years.
That's why the account is under my wife's name in the new house. | |
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sykl0ps Premium Member join:2011-06-23 Archer, FL |
sykl0ps
Premium Member
2014-Aug-19 9:17 am
COX had done the same to meCOX did the same to me, but the first I heard about it was when a collection agency contacted me. It had been a year since I returned the equipment, but luckily I had the little receipt still. | |
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