said by bicker :

They are no more greedy than you are -- than any of us are. And they're required to operate the way they operate.

I also don't hate or love Comcast. I only care about reality. I actually have a choice here. I can choose between three different subscription television providers, and my neighbors even have four choices. And Comcast is still the best option for us. Not because I like Comcast, but just because they happen to have the best offerings.

said by bicker :

And indeed they're doing what they're supposed to be doing: Maximizing long-term shareholder value. Doing anything else would open their management up to shareholder lawsuits.

If you don't want to live in a capitalist country, move. Barring that, don't rag on businesses doing what they're obligated by law to do.

said by NHTracker :

First off, yes, it is ridiculous that Comcast is doing this. Why should I pay a premium to see a human being in the flesh? Doing things online works well when it works, and when it doesn't the clueless folks in the call center are not much better. Sometimes it really helps to be able to explain things face to face with someone.

Second, don't give me that crap about poor people being poor because of mismanagement. You my friend have obviously never been piss poor so you are having a difficult time relating. Do you know what it's like to be poor and have your car break down? Now your out of money and have nothing to eat, so you write a check for $10 worth of food and pray that it doesn't clear before pay day. Woops, you forgot that banks are able to almost instantaneously post checks nowadays! At least back in the day you could write one on Wednesday and feel confident that it wouldn't clear until Friday. Yet what blows my mind is your bank can turn around and put a 5 day hold on your PAYROLL check. So they can almost instantly post your $10 check for groceries, yet they can't with your paycheck? BullS&%*! So now your $40 in the hole for your $10 check when you include the ISF fee. These fees only continue to hurt the people who can afford it the least. Do you honestly think these fees would ever even apply to the people who are well off? Of course not, they actually have money to budget!

Third, I am sorry but last time I checked Comcast, much like many other companies charging these fees nowadays, are not even remotely being hurt by the minimum wage salary of the people taking payments. The fact is these companies are charging them because they are GREEDY and simply just because they can. More and more big businesses like Comcast, BofA, etc., are sticking it to the poor people and senior citizens because they have absolutely no moral fabric. Anyone remember Enron? GEEZ!

said by atticinsane :

Time Warner started doing the same thing since Comcast is the one really implemented this.. Charging a $1.00 fee for paying your bill in person. It is said that it was done to discourage crowds. (If truth be told)

said by goober22 :

Agreed. There would be CSR sitting there being paid regardless if anyone at all every came in. Do they charge $1.99 to setup an account?

said by Greg_Z :

The CSR is hired to man the phones, not take bills. I remember walking into a Call Center once, where the window is now shut, and you have to drop your bill in the drop box by day's end to be credited for your bill.

Call Centers are not Payment Centers. Matter of fact, when I go to drop off my power bill, the girl in the Customer Service Center is there to answer questions, not take payments. There is a drop box on the wall that is collected from during the day.

said by comcrap90 :

that sucks too..i go to the comcast office and did you notice at my comcast office . there are no chairs to sit down .have to wait in a line to process the bill . i guess thats why every one around me has satellite,, ;)

said by comcrap90 :

that sucks too..i go to the comcast office and did you notice at my comcast office . there are no chairs to sit down .have to wait in a line to process the bill . i guess thats why every one around me has satellite,, ;)

said by fiberguy :

And also.. money holds on deposits are the same no matter who you are. Most places/banks hold instate checks for 24 to 48 hours and out of state checks for up to 5 days. That has nothing to do with being poor.. or in poor neighborhoods.

I'd like to see a bank that has a policy based on your wealth vs state and federal banking laws.

said by fiberguy :

What does being poor have to do with not having a checking account in the first place?
...
By the way.. I'd almost guess that it would be harder to find a bank that doesn't offer a senior free or regular free checking account that it would be to not find one.

said by TKJunkMail :

Some people like to pay in cash because they live off of the financial grid. They earn their money under the table in cash; don't have checking accounts or credit cards; and avoid paying anything to Uncle Sam. Not to mention illegal immigrants that don't want the scrutiny checking accounts create.

said by SJC_Comcast :

Average process time is about 90 seconds, that's $90 / hour per CSR, I would love to make that!

said by Zoder :

they shouldn't be buying cable tv if they can't afford it.

said by perfimage :

this payment was at an actual COMCAST office, and again, in person, with cash.

Some folks do not like to pay things by mail and like the opportunity to get it done right there and then with a receipt in hand.

said by wee96 :

I've never understood why people goto the office to pay the bill...why dont you mail it? How bout online? I agree the fee is lame, but its very easily avoided.

said by rody_44 :

that sucks. 1.99 to pay at the window is just wrong in my eyes.

said by Zoder :

What about poor people who don't have checking accounts? I know the obvious is they shouldn't be buying cable tv if they can't afford it. But every time I've been to the payment center to exchange a box, there are people in front of me paying with cash.

It seems like this policy hurts them the most.

said by perfimage :

It is time for the governments to step in and better control these ridiculous charges and fees that these companies keep wringing from their customers.

said by perfimage :

Yes, the subject says it all. Comcast is not charging it's customers to pay their bill!!