Despise Comcast

[TeeJay1952]

I never wanted to be a network engineer nor have I applied for a job as one. Comcast insists that I operate as one.I have to identify problem, use web portal to search for answers, call India and then give my address and ph # for 10 times go and swap boxes (take a number wait your turn) and then have the dude or dudessa from India schedule a truck roll at my expense. When ya'll came to town it was $20 and HBO included. Now it is $140 no HBO and no support. A person being friendly is NOT SUPPORT! You hiring folks locally to solve my problems , now that is support.

 

[shortylickens]

 

[SunnyD]

When they'all came to town, for $20 you plugged their cable box into your TV and there was nothing to support. You either had cable or you didn't.

Today, you're expecting them to know the exact reason why one of ~30 possible internet connected devices on your home network that all run different OS's, network stacks, may or may not run IPv6, may be on wifi or wired, may be application related, OS related, hardware related, wireline related, configuration related, etc...

Yes, they're expecting you to know your devices because they can't. That can only know everything in their plant, that means everything up to the modem. Anything else is your issue.

Personally it irritates me to no end when they try to "support" something which I've already troubleshooted all the way down to their end, and I have explained exactly what I've done already and they insist I do it all over again.

 

[Ichinisan]

Why do you assume swapping the box would solve the problem? It could be a problem with the signal the box is receiving. In fact, signal problems are much more common than hardware malfunctions. What was the issue you experienced with it?

Exaggerating on the price doesn't help make your case. "$20 with HBO" clearly doesn't include Internet/phone or whatever service you have now...or you added additional equipment or changed from basic (usually about 20 channels) to expanded (typically channels under 100).

If it was an authentication issue, using a web portal might allow you to send a "hit" to your box to reauthorize it without waiting on hold for a phone rep. To me, I'd rather try the web portal. I wish my cableco had an option like that.

 

[Engineer]

As if Time Warner isn't bad enough (I hate them with a passion but there really is no competition here), I really hate to hear about the stuff Comcast does, especially after the merger proposal. I hope it doesn't go through or Lexington gets tired and builds their own network.

 

[FallenHero]

It's why I left comcast for Uverse. I'll take the slower internet speeds. Charging 10 dollars to add HBO, then another 10 to remove it a couple months later when it is simply a button click on their end is dumb. Uverse...log in, add HBO...HBO ten minutes later, no extra charges to do it. Same thing for removal...and now it can be done via the TV! Plus the menu is a billion times better and more organized.

I hope Comcast implodes.

 

[ImpulsE69]

https://www.yahoo.com/tech/comcast-rage-customer-pulls-gun-during-technician-93410096124.html

 

[John Connor]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMcny_pixDw

 

[el-Capitan]

When they'all came to town, for $20 you plugged their cable box into your TV and there was nothing to support. You either had cable or you didn't.

Today, you're expecting them to know the exact reason why one of ~30 possible internet connected devices on your home network that all run different OS's, network stacks, may or may not run IPv6, may be on wifi or wired, may be application related, OS related, hardware related, wireline related, configuration related, etc...

Yes, they're expecting you to know your devices because they can't. That can only know everything in their plant, that means everything up to the modem. Anything else is your issue.

Personally it irritates me to no end when they try to "support" something which I've already troubleshooted all the way down to their end, and I have explained exactly what I've done already and they insist I do it all over again.

Well for us on an IT board that is easy to say, but 'support' is much broader than only the devices within the local network.

I recently had FIOS installed. They did. But they didn't do it properly. Took 8 visits and 3 weeks to get a clean signal into the house. But they started billing me from day one. Also, they had sent me a router for a lower speed. Also, they chargen me for HBO, Showtime and full which i never subbed. Also they charged me for two cable cards, not one.

It took me a full three months to get all that resolved with their 'support'. I have spent _hours_ with these people on phone. It is a nightmare because they don't communicate internally and you have to start from scratch every. single. day.

 

[Jumpem]

...

 

[el-Capitan]

...

Yeah. Same shit, different label.

 

[Jumpem]

Yeah. Same shit, different label.

Not at all. If you have a problem they send someone out without a charge. They also have a local store where I can handle equipment problems.

When I was shopping for houses a few years ago FiOS availability was a requirement.

 

[alkemyst]

I like my comcast. I have triple play and rarely a problem Now I am at 105Mpbs down.

 

[thestrangebrew1]

Yea I rarely have a problem with Comcast. I just have their internet right now but looking to ditch DTV and go back to them for cable. Well, the wife wants the cable. I'm trying to convince her to cut the cord.

 

[cronos]

It's why I left comcast for Uverse. I'll take the slower internet speeds. Charging 10 dollars to add HBO, then another 10 to remove it a couple months later when it is simply a button click on their end is dumb. Uverse...log in, add HBO...HBO ten minutes later, no extra charges to do it. Same thing for removal...and now it can be done via the TV! Plus the menu is a billion times better and more organized.

Uverse account management is definitely superior. I couldn't deal with their slow internet though, so went with Charter (currently Spectrum, ~$45 for up to 60 Mbps) just for internet but stayed on Uverse for cable TV.

I then decided that I don't really need to watch cable TV anymore so I cut that out completely. Got OTA broadcast channels and can DVR through Windows Media Center if I need to record/timeshift something.

 

[Newell Steamer]

Sure - but, the cost will have to be passed to you, of course.

We know that the scaling back of support is done solely to make even more money. Even if they never did gut things to the point of self service, they would still make a crap load of money.

Now, shut your mouth, keep paying that $140 and figure out how to fix things your damn self.

 

[Sonikku]

Yeah, having a choice between two different internet providers in town would be awesome.

Maybe someday. :\

 

[ViviTheMage]

pass, they have been caught throttling sites like netflix.

 

[Jumpem]

pass, they have been caught throttling sites like netflix.

It doesn't impact me as I only use Netflix for blu-rays.

You can also get around it with a VPN for very little cost.

 

[el-Capitan]

It doesn't impact me as I only use Netflix for blu-rays.

You can also get around it with a VPN for very little cost.

I found the throttle noticeable on all devices, don't matter if app browser or whatever.

Youtube is also throttled, to a point where it was unbearable for a few days.

 

[Ichinisan]

I found the throttle noticeable on all devices, don't matter if app browser or whatever.

Youtube is also throttled, to a point where it was unbearable for a few days.

He means he gets Blu-Ray discs by mail instead of using the streaming service.

 

[Leyawiin]

Got Comcast internet a week and a half ago. I love it. Fastest ATT DSL in my older subdivision with its copper wires is 3 Mbps for a staggering $41 a month. Got 25 Mbps with Comcast for $29.99. I did buy my own modem instead of paying $7 a month for a leased one.

 

[KentState]

Got Comcast internet a week and a half ago. I love it. Fastest ATT DSL in my older subdivision with its copper wires is 3 Mbps for a staggering $41 a month. Got 25 Mbps with Comcast for $29.99. I did buy my own modem instead of paying $7 a month for a leased one.

Careful with the self owned modem. Comcast decided to start billing me a rental fee and I had to prove it wasn't theirs.

 

[alkemyst]

Careful with the self owned modem. Comcast decided to start billing me a rental fee and I had to prove it wasn't theirs.

You need to call the HQ and not rely on the installer.

Trust me I have all my own gear usually, although I like their latest modem. It's been tits reliable and if I ever call (rare), they have no leg to push it off.

I am a network engineer though, I have had them on the phone these few times I needed it.

I am on triple play so the Motorola SurfBoard needs to be an Arriss device.

 

[TeeJay1952]

I am sorry about not being clearer. When Comcast works, it is a marvel. However getting the "Beast" to respond to a problem is what I am bitching about. The corporation is so large and segmented that getting everyone on the same page is exhausting.
When Comcast came to town, they opened local offices, had local support. They have since that golden age fired all but a few techs. You can wait up to a week for a truck roll. All techs are supposed to upsell you or attempt to blame you for problems so that you pay for support to get on their network. If I call for help I am talking to India. (Not that there is anything wrong with that. It is just so rare for the Indian brothers and sisters to spend any money here in my local community.)
My bill (No phone service for me) has gone from $25 a month to $145. What was the rate of inflation again? Comcast has made enough money to buy:
Local sport franchises that are now secure on Cable only outlets.
(Tigers, Red Wings and Pistons)
NBC Universal
And is now trying to acquire Time Warner.
All this has been possible because of my monthly stipend (and yours) Supreme Court has ruled that Corporations are people. Well Comcast is a fat greedy one. More profit, The heck with local commitments and offer new customers better deals than old ones. Upsell, move responsibility of use to end user and MAXIMIZE profit.