Dealing with servie providers like Comcast/ATT make me want to cry.

[Todd33]

I replaced my Comcast VOIP ($30/month) with Google Voice. I called to cancel it to save the money, they tell me my braodband will then go up $30/month since it is not bundled anymore (WTF, it already went up $15/month after the one year deal). So today I call back to play hard ball and give them one last chance. The lady tells me I can keep my 12Mbps for $40 for six months, but then puts me on hold to find any other deals. Of course my call gets dumped.

I call back and get another chick, she does not see that deal but offers me 2Mbps for $40. Uh, no. She then offers me 20Mbps + some crappy TV channels for $70. No. I get frustrated and tell her to cancel all my service and give her an earful about punishing loyal customers and rewarding new ones. Now I am forced to either deal with ATT (6Mbps for $25) or call back Comcast and pray for a better offer.

I am paid up for the next month so I have time. Any recommendations?

Edit: Sorry about the spelling, I turned off SC because it went haywire and underlined every word. Looking into it now.

 

[kyrax12]

I replaced my Comcast VOIP ($30/month) with Google Voice. I called to cancel it to save the money, they tell me my braodband will then go up $30/month since it is not bundled anymore (WTF, it already went up $15/month after the one year deal). So today I call back to play hard ball and give them one last chance. The lady tells me I can keep my 12Mbps for $40 for six months, but then puts me on hold to find any other deals. Of course my call gets dumped.

I call back and get another chick, she does not see that deal but offers me 2Mbps for $40. Uh, no. She then offers me 20Mbps + some crappy TV channels for $70. No. I get frustrated and tell her to cancel all my service and give her an earful about punishing loyal customers and rewarding new ones. Now I am forced to either deal with ATT (6Mbps for $25) or call back Comcast and pray for a better offer.

I am paid up for the next month so I have time. Any recommendations?

Edit: Sorry about the spelling, I turned off SC because it went haywire and underlined every word. Looking into it now.

WTF

 

[alent1234]

that's about right. looking to cancel cable and i thought time warner was $30 for 10mbps. turns out it's for 1. anything more and it's like $50 from almost everyone.

 

[Macamus Prime]

Do you really need to save the $$$? Or, are you doing this just because you feel wronged?

Also, ask if there is a retention department or a manager to speak to.

 

[AeroEngy]

I had a similar experience with Comcast.

I had the triple play TV, phone, internet combo with an extra receiver, DVR, Starz, and HBO. Some of my discounts expired and it was up to about $170 per month. So I call and tell them my current package is too expensive and try to get some new quotes. I told them I didn’t need the movie channels, the DVR, or the telephone. Their response was that if I dropped all of that stuff it would lower my bill to $155 after the increase to the non bundled rates … WTF. So after talking with a couple different reps who all told me the same thing I canceled everything but the internet ($59). They would not even give me the current promotion because I was an existing customer.

Interestingly, the last time my promotional rates expired I called them and they were more than happy to give me the current advertized “new customer” rates. However, this time their only local competition (Verizon) has stopped excepting new customers and now Comcast is very unyielding. They just kept telling me "You are currently getting a really good deal." ...

 

[AstroManLuca]

I've debated switching between DSL and cable service every year to constantly get the new customer rates, but it's too much hassle.

I have 7 Mbit DSL for $45 a month. Not the greatest but not too bad either. Cable would be faster but it would also cost $60/mo. No TV or phone service.

 

[Todd33]

Do you really need to save the $$$? Or, are you doing this just because you feel wronged?

Also, ask if there is a retention department or a manager to speak to.

I feel wronged. I am getting rid of a service (phone) and their response is to make my broadband the same price as my old combo. They want to play games, then they will push me to their competitor.

What is with the $40 for 2Mbps and $60 for 12Mbps? It is like the soda prices at the theatre. Hos about a 6Mbps for $40 and make 2Mbps $25? What A-holes.

A friend said you can just switch service to a roomate or spouse as a new user. Any truth to this?

 

[NoCreativity]

I had a similar experience with Comcast.

I had the triple play TV, phone, internet combo with an extra receiver, DVR, Starz, and HBO. Some of my discounts expired and it was up to about $170 per month. So I call and tell them my current package is too expensive and try to get some new quotes. I told them I didn’t need the movie channels, the DVR, or the telephone. Their response was that if I dropped all of that stuff it would lower my bill to $155 after the increase to the non bundled rates … WTF. So after talking with a couple different reps who all told me the same thing I canceled everything but the internet ($59). They would not even give me the current promotion because I was an existing customer.

Interestingly, the last time my promotional rates expired I called them and they were more than happy to give me the current advertized “new customer” rates. However, this time their only local competition (Verizon) has stopped excepting new customers and now Comcast is very unyielding. They just kept telling me "You are currently getting a really good deal." ...

Comcast wouldn't give me any deals because I didn't want triple play so I canceled after about 7 years of service.

 

[RPD]

I went through this with DirecTV to switch to Comcast. My situation was my DirecTV and AT&T DSL bill was about $120 (80 and 40). The DSL was slow, bottom rung, maybe 1 up from the bottom for speed. DirecTV I had a DVR, HD and whatever basic package they had at the time.

I call DirecTV before switching to see what they can do. I get told, sorry you have the least expensive package, best we can do is take $5 of your bill (GEE THANKS). Wife calls AT&T (under her name) and they tell her there's nothing they can do, other then offer bundle with phone/Uverse etc.

So I cancel both, AT&T says WAIT we can half your bill. Sorry too late DIAF.

DirecTV comes back and threatens me that because I changed my reciever type 20 months ago I'm under contract. I tell them bull fucking shit I am, I agreed to a 1 year contract over 4 years ago, but because I upgraded to a DVR 20 months ago that re locked me into a 2 year contract. I told them, show me where I ever agreed to that. They inform me its in your terms and conditions. So they try to scare me that I have 4 months or basicaly $80 per month I may be on the hook for, by breaching this contract.

I say, show me where I signed and agreed to this contract by changing my reciever I agreed to another 2 years. They couldn't and the only thing they sent me was terms and conditions. I never get a bill for any balanced they threatened.

So now I pay $80 to Comcast for 5x as fast internet and the same TV package, net $40 a month savings.

I just can't believe how shitty companies are when you cancel them. It's like wait so you NEVER want me to do business with you again, because thats what these actions are telling me.

 

[evident]

It's worse when you're just trying to get barebones service for your parents. you touched upon the $40 for 2mbps bullshit. every package seems to have a shitload of channels they dont even watch and services they dont need for $119/month (our fios triple play expired, and they won't let me get on the promotional rates unless if i switch then switch back).

putting myself in their shoes though, If they offer a 2mbps service for $20 a month or something, i could see alot of older people switching to that and paying less.

 

[Fausto]

I have been going back and forth with Comcast for a while now getting "promotional" rates whenever I can. Despite my efforts, my monthly bill is has doubled in the years I've been with them. I'm toying with the idea of just going internet-only and downloading the few shows I actually bother to watch.

 

[drebo]

AT&T has 3mb for $19/mo. I have 10mb DSL for $29/mo, pretty happy with it.

I had 12mb Comcast for $39/mo and when my 6 month "promo" ended, it shot up to almost $60/mo, so I called and asked for a new promo. Guy said no, so I said fuck off and cancelled. Went to AT&T and I enjoy my extra $30/mo to do with as I please.

 

[piasabird]

Just tell them you are switching to a competitor unless they give you a discount!

 

[ElFenix]

remember back when you didn't need to sign up for a multi year deal in order to get service? fuck being under contract.

 

[Insomniator]

Just tell them you are switching to a competitor unless they give you a discount!

This works most of the time, sometimes you don't even have to complain. My dad just called comcast, 3 times, because the first 2 were 20 something year old girls that literally had no idea what they were talking about. They were asking him for the link or section on the website where he saw the double play deal he's asking about.

3rd guy said alright what's your bill now? $126 I see... how about $85 for the exact same service guaranteed for the next 6 months. No switching plans no changes.

So... just get the right person on the line and you are set.

 

[piasabird]

Almost all contracts have some options for opting out. However, they could alsways charge you full price for your Cable Modem or Box or whatever. Lets see that will $499.99 for that DVR. Helps to read the fine print. ATT told me once I could pay a $50 service change to adjust my Satelite dish after I redid my roof. Then they said I could purchase a service contract for $5.00 a month. The contract said you could cancel it after one month, so I paid for one month of the service contract and then cancelled it. It is really hard to beat these people.

 

[Fausto]

This works most of the time, sometimes you don't even have to complain. My dad just called comcast, 3 times, because the first 2 were 20 something year old girls that literally had no idea what they were talking about. They were asking him for the link or section on the website where he saw the double play deal he's asking about.

3rd guy said alright what's your bill now? $126 I see... how about $85 for the exact same service guaranteed for the next 6 months. No switching plans no changes.

So... just get the right person on the line and you are set.

This is true. Being super-nice and friendly doesn't hurt either. I only break out the "I have been with you for x years and this is an outrage and I'm canceling my service and blablahblahblababbityblah" if I don't get anywhere with the nice-guy routine.

 

[AeroEngy]

Just tell them you are switching to a competitor unless they give you a discount!

That worked for me the last time ... however Verizon closed their local office and I am pretty sure Comcast knows it. Thus their unwillingness to negotiate.

 

[Todd33]

remember back when you didn't need to sign up for a multi year deal in order to get service? fuck being under contract.

I did this, today was my third time calling. I will give them one more chance on the 10th (the new promos start) and then call ATT.

 

[homercles337]

Just be glad you are not dealing with Charter. I had Comcast for many years before moving and having no choice but Charter. They are simply the worst company in existence.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Weird, never had this issue.

 

[Phoenix86]

Any recommendations?

Unplug your modem 20-30 seconds, clearly that fixes everything.

 

[Tsaico]

Yeah, I am waiting for the real competition to start. I pay out the wazoo for all the data plans I have, $80 for my home office static IP (16 MB), $30 for unlimited to my phone, and $40 for my mobile hotspot, where combined I use maybe 3 gigs a month. While I understand I certainly don't need the always on connections, and I am paying for the luxury, I need them just enough that without them, it is hard to do business at the service levels I want to keep.

As a side note, I find ATT to be totally absent of customer care services. I was originally a LA cellular, that got bought by Cingular, who is now ATT, so I was an old customer. On top of that, I have 6 cell lines. I called up to try to work out better prices for my services, didn't work. Not only that was so insulted by the CSR I ended up canceling all 6 and moving them to Verizon. ATT didn't even try to stop me. When I asked for a manager, She said one wasn't around, so I could either be on hold until he came back or try calling again, or just be transferred to the cancellation dept. Their business support is generally just as bad. With service tickets being dispatched as 8am-8 pm. Meaning, some companies are not only out for whatever reason that needs an ATT tech to come out, but also on the hook for overtime for someone to stay till 8 pm+ (I had a tech show up one time at 7:45 and was there till 9).

 

[Don Karnage]

Directv is the same way. Been with them for like 10 years. Every new subscriber gets a free HD DVR box and whatever they want but when i ask how much it would be to upgrade my old HD DVR it's 200 dollars.