Comcast - Sort of Sucky, Sort of Not

[bertine]

So, comcast doesn't seem to be able to get it right. Setting up my internet took months when I first got it here and then downgrading my service from standard cable to basic cable has been a pain too. I just want antenna service so I can watch the news and sometimes zone out but they kept telling me that they couldn't get into my building and now they have turned off all my channels so I just get snow.

Anyways, every single time I have called about this, despite the cable being in Eric's name, I have had excellent customer service. Now if their service techs could get their act together. Seriously, what is up with that?

Comments

[sacramentalist.livejournal.com]

Some techs partake in something called "featherknocking". They tap lightly, or make some minimal effort to say they went somewhere and the customer wasn't there. Then they go for breakfast.

[xingularity.livejournal.com]

My roommate Andrew is a tech there, if you're interested I can totally get his contact info for you and he'll actually get it fixed right. He's one of the few techs that actually does the job correctly. :)

[seattleforge.livejournal.com]

Isn't antennae service done next year?

[bertine.livejournal.com]

i don't know. is it? it is called "basic service" or something like that. basically it is broadcast channels with wgn, some shopping channels and cnn thrown in. i don't get any reception here, even in HD.

[bertine.livejournal.com]

Maybe. Let's see if they fuck it up again. It shouldn't be so freaking hard to do.

[bertine.livejournal.com]

Yes, I hate that. I got so mad at them for that.

[seattleforge.livejournal.com]

Okay, so not antennae service, but basic cable? Everything but digital is gone in a few months.

[bertine.livejournal.com]

It is super stripped down service the one that cost an extra two bucks if I have a cable modem.

I know about the broadcast switch but are they changing the cable company ones too?

[seattleforge.livejournal.com]

Yep. It's all digital. No analog packages.

[bertine.livejournal.com]

and i suppose they will charge more.

fuck that. i don't want to pay anything more than i am for tv. i just don't watch enough of it.

[seattleforge.livejournal.com]

Y'know what.. the package you're talking about is probably digital. You should check before getting all pissed off. You tricked me with this antennae talk.

Just so you know, this is Federally mandated to free up spectrum for other purposes.

[bertine.livejournal.com]

ok, i am confused. are you drinking? :P

I'll wait until they tell me i have to change to worry about this. Then I'll post about how I hate comcast.

[bertine.livejournal.com]

http://www.reuters.com/article/industryNews/idUSTRE497BMZ20081008

OK, it looks like I will be fine.

[seattleforge.livejournal.com]

Pffft.. Have *I* been drinking, indeed!

[woodoo24.livejournal.com]

Nope...I just put a new antenna up at my mom's house. What is happening in 2009 is broadcast services are switching from analog to digital. So you will need a digital settop or a new TV with a digital tuner to receive broadcast TV with an antenna after Feb. 2009. The broadcast channels are much better quality in digital and you can actually get free HD programming off air.

[woodoo24.livejournal.com]

:) Nope again...these changes in Feb 2009 only affect off air broadcasts TV. Cable companies are not required to go all digital yet. While Comcast in the TCs does offer all digital to their Digital Tier customers they still have a full selection of analog channels for their Basic Tier customers.

[bertine.livejournal.com]

And that is why I want basic.

[seattleforge.livejournal.com]

Interesting...

[smlarl.livejournal.com]

I'm with you. I'm sticking to basic cable as long as I can. Living way out in the boonies we don't get diddly without a HUGE outdoor antannea or cable or satelite, etc. I got the FCC price regulated basic as basic gets cable which is all I need to watch the main channels (the only ones we would watch anyway) and to get a deal on high speed internet. Then I called and complained that I was going to cancel if they didn't lower my price so they slashed it by nearly half. I get cable for $9 a month. :)

[bertine.livejournal.com]

I don't need a lot of channels, it is just nice to watch somedays when you don't want to watch a movie or something.