Comcast Screw Job!

[Irving]

The boxes are annoying but don't bother me too much. What DOES bother me, is that I have to "power cycle" my modem and wireless router nearly every single day (many times at 3+ more times a day) to keep an internet signal. I've had Comcast out more than once for this. They can't tell me what is wrong. All I know is that for whatever it is I'm paying for internet, I sure as hell shouldn't have to unplug my equipment several times a day to get service. Oh yeah, and this is like the 3rd modem I've had in two years as well.

[TS12000]

Are they giving you the linksys blue and back routers (wrt54g etc)? I have had soooo many of those that are completely shit with similar problems to what you describe.

[Irving]

I think it is a different one. I've had this same problem at other houses before as well.

In fact, at one house, my computer wouldn't have internet, but all my roommates would.

[ColoWyo]

When we moved out here to the sticks, I was worried about not having cable and having to go to Direct TV. As it turns out, direct has actually been great. In six months, it's only gone out twice. Once for snow on the dish which I just swept off and once with a huge storm right over the house, but that was only for a couple of minutes.

I wouldn't hesitate to go satellite.

[DOC]

Comcast can byte me. If you look into what those box really do you will see that they are 2 way... I assume to turn everyones house into a Nelson family of sorts to find out what they like to watch and sell advertising space. So the rubb is they are spying on you and charge you more for it. A lot of business is going to Direct TV and Dish Networks. Maybe they think they will bounce back after a while?

[SSChameleon]

It's long, but the gist is, I can double my cable bill or stick with the channels that you can get for free with a digital antenna.

Aaron > My channels keep disappearing unless I pay more $ for some box
Baldoza > Hello Aaron_, Thank you for contacting Comcast Live Chat Support. My name is Baldoza. Please give me one moment to review your information.
Baldoza > Hi Aaron, how are you today?
Aaron_ > I sent an email and the response to my email told me to log on for live chat
Aaron_ > I want to know how many channels will be left if I don't pay your extra fee for some digital box
Aaron_ > My TV is less than one year old, but I keep seeing messages that say it is out of date and can't accept Comcast digital
Baldoza > I understand your concern regarding losing channels due to the Digital migration Aaron. I sure can check the system for the channels that will be received with your TV without the equipment.
Baldoza > I would like to confirm that your zip code is 81008, is that right?
Aaron_ > yes
Baldoza > And you also have Basic cable service, correct?
Aaron_ > Yes
Baldoza > Still checking for the line up.
Baldoza > Thank you for waiting Aaron.
Baldoza > I was checking on multiple resources for the list and it seems that our program engineers are still setting up the channel list for your area.
Baldoza > But with basic cable, you should be able to get local broadcast channels.
Aaron_ > Which channels are those? Are you telling me I'll basically only get the channels I could get for free with a digital antenna?
Baldoza > Yes, that's why we would suggest that you upgrade instead.
Aaron_ > Wouldn't it be cheaper to just cancell my cable?
Baldoza > Because having another service with your internet service will keep the rate at $42.95.
Aaron_ > You are telling me I must pay more to get the same channels I used to get when I signed up with comcast?
Baldoza > Those channels and more. This is all part of the Digital migration that was also mandated by the government.
Aaron_ > So the extra money I now have to pay was mandated by the government?
Baldoza > We have been developing Digital service for the past years too. But it was mandated by the government that network should transfer to digital signal to free analog signal as that is what they mainly use for communication and have been having problems due to the traffic in the signal. And with the networks moving to digital signal, there is now a need to have that equipment and the package that has those channels in them to be able to receive it.
Aaron_ > So why do I have to pay for the digital box? With as much as I pay comcast, shouldn't it be included?
Baldoza > The Digital starter with the equipment included is $53.99. But if you upgrade now, you may be able to get a promo or introductory offer for the package.
Aaron_ > How much would just internet access cost?
Baldoza > That would be $12 more. So $54.45 plus the $5 modem rental.
Baldoza > Sorry, it's $54.95.
Aaron_ > So my options are pay more for just internet or pay more for the upgrade?
Baldoza > The upgrade too will give you more features and channels, Aaron.
Aaron_ > If I wanted more channels I woud have ordered them. I just want the channels I origionally had. Does teh Digital Starter for $53.99 include internet access?
Baldoza > Digital starter is for the cable service alone.
Aaron_ > That's double what I'm currently paying.
Aaron_ > What if I keep Basic service. How much will the digital box cost?
Baldoza > There are certain markets that get to hvae that option Aaron, so earlier, I checked on the list if the area you are at also has it. But I'm not seeing the charge for the equipment with basic cable. Meaning, that you can only get the equipment with an upgrade. What I would suggest though is that you chat with our sales team if your market has the Family Tier package. That packge will not cost as much as Digital starter but is very limited. That package will have the set top box included.
Baldoza > If you are interested in more information about it, I can get you over to our sales team for them to check if the package is still available.
Aaron_ > So you are saying the package I have is no longer available?
Baldoza > It's still available, but would require more than basic cable to acquire the box.
Aaron_ > So, If I keep basic cable my channels will be reduced to only network broadcast channels. The only way to keep the channels I origionaly wanted and ordered is to upgrade my service?
Baldoza > Yes, that's correct.
Aaron_ > What is the minimum cost to upgrade?
Baldoza > That information can be answered by our sales team. Best to get it straight from them so that you get a more accurate information.
Aaron_ > Then let me speak to them.
Baldoza > Will do. Give me just 2 minutes to place in some notes ahead for you so that they can have an idea of what we have already discussed.
Baldoza > Ready.
Baldoza > Do you have any other concerns for me Aaron before I do transfer you over?
Aaron_ > I have many concerns, but they are above your paygrade
Baldoza > I understand. I'll transfer you over now.
Baldoza > Please hold.
Baldoza > Please wait, while the problem is escalated to another analyst
Lidaliza > Comcast thanks you for your interest in our services. Welcome to Sales Department! you can call me Izzy for short, and it's nice to have you on chat.

Lidaliza > I would be more than happy to assist you today. How are you doing?
Aaron_ > I've been on chat for close to 45 minutes and still don't have the answers I want. That's how I'm doing.
Aaron_ > I want to know how much Comcast is going to increase my rates to keep the same channels I've been receiving with the digital upgrade.
Aaron_ > The last analylist gave me a price that is double my current bill.
Lidaliza > I am sorry to hear that!
Lidaliza > Let me check it for you, and please allow me also to review your service.
Lidaliza > I do appreciate your cooperation.
Lidaliza > I am now retrieving your account, please stay with me.
Lidaliza > I can see here in your account that you currently paying $21.37 for basic cable alone.
Lidaliza > If you want you can upgrade it to our Digital Starter promotional rate of $39.99/mo for 6 months only.
Aaron_ > My last bill was for 28.49 for basic cable, but if you say 21.37 we'll go with that.
Aaron_ > What will it be after 6 months?
Lidaliza > After 6 months regular rate applies, which is $53.99/mo.
Lidaliza > Would you like me to upgrade your cable service now?
Aaron_ > No
Aaron_ > What are my other options. The ones where my rate doesn't double in 6 months?
Lidaliza > Therer is none,
Lidaliza > All our promotion will back to regular rate after 6 months.
Lidaliza > You currently have Basic cable that has more than 3o channels.
Lidaliza > While Digital Starter has more than 80 channels.
Aaron_ > Those 30 channels are going away unless I get your digital box.
Lidaliza > Plus one ree digital box is included.
Aaron_ > Is there any way to only keep the 30 channels on basic without a service upgrade?
Lidaliza > I am sorry, there's none.
Lidaliza > You really need to upgrade your service to digital cable.
Aaron_ > Is there any fee for cancellation on my account?
Lidaliza > There's none/
Aaron_ > Is there any way to get the box so the basic channels will still work?
Lidaliza > Digital box is only compatible on digital cable not on basic cable.
Aaron_ > And the most basic digital cable package is 53.99 per month?
Lidaliza > Yes, you are correct.

[ChunkyMonkey]

I missed comcast hispeed net dearly..but I would never go back to them. They changed their programs on me 3x in the past 5 years. I went with direct TV and unfortunately ended up with 10mbps qwest dsl. QWEST isn't any better in QC, however, with direct tv bundle, I dont have to deal with them directly just yet.

[trlcavscout]

Comcast can byte me. If you look into what those box really do you will see that they are 2 way... I assume to turn everyones house into a Nelson family of sorts to find out what they like to watch and sell advertising space. So the rubb is they are spying on you and charge you more for it. A lot of business is going to Direct TV and Dish Networks. Maybe they think they will bounce back after a while?

[Drilldo]

I just gave comcast the boot for missing 3 appointments to transfer over my service and fix the lines in the home.
I am getting nearly identical channels for 1/3 of the price and it is locked in for 2 years. I am not a huge fan of qwest, but when you bundle with Direct tv, they give you another $10 off a month.
Check online and see the deals they have, then enjoy telling comcast to get screwed.

[DOC]

I was being serious for once too.