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Cable companies rank dead last for customer service

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Chat' started by Kickin, Jan 2, 2014.

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  1. Kickin

    Kickin Flea

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    http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57599488-93/cable-providers-isps-rank-dead-last-for-customer-service/

    I know why this is true. I recently switched my mother's cable/phone/internet to a new provider and tried calling the old company today to cancel that old service. The account is in her name but billing is in my name and is charged automatically on my credit card.

    First, they had no option online to cancel service. They had tons of options to add on to your service though or make billing changes. Then when I called they have no option in their automated system for it either, only options to change service but then in the sub-options again nothing to cancel. I switch over to account billing and finally get someone online. She transfer me to a new department that transfer me again to someone who tried to convince me to stay.

    Then after I repeatedly decline she tells me she has to transfer me again. Went to a new automated system and after finally getting someone on the phone they put me on hold for over 10 minutes. Then she tells me she can't cancel my service since I am not the account holder. I tell her they have me as the billing contact, charge it to me, and I've been paying it for years. Plus they never had an issue when I signed up for her service or when I call to add on any packages. Anyway she wouldn't relent and I had to hang up.

    Total time on phone was well over 1 hour and got nothing accomplished. :grrr:
     
  2. Guardian

    Guardian High-Roller

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    I just changed to WOW from AT&T. WOW notified AT&T. Done. Sorry for your troubles. I had 4 years or horrible customer service, now I am happy!
     
  3. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    UGHHHH... I feel for ya! I HATE calling those companies... returned a router to AT&T and waited 5 months for the refund (credit) to be applied. Each month required a call from me after the bill arrived. 30-45 minutes each... always assured this would be the last call needed. Finally, after some serious complaining to their escalation department got it taken care of...
    Communication companies SUCK at communicating. ALL OF THEM!!!
     
  4. Busyman

    Busyman VIP Whale

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    I had Cumcast and I didn't like them. However, I had no problem getting rid of them and there are multiple office where I could return my boxes.

    I am a happy camper since switching to FIOS. It's a much better service and my internet screams at 50/25.
     
  5. LV_Bound

    LV_Bound VIP Whale

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    As soon as the recording starts I hit 0 a dozen or so times to force them to connect me to an operator of sorts. Usually get to a live person sooner but that don't resolve getting incompetence on the other end of the phone. :eek:
     
  6. atcmurph

    atcmurph Watcher Of The Skies

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    Ugh, cable companies are the worst. I had Bright House, which had gotten way too expensive, plus, I was not impressed with the service. So U-Verse finally came to my area, and I signed up for way less. They tell you the "deal" you are getting is permanent. But in reality they raise your rate in a year and you have to call and threaten to change providers to get them to lower your rate again. Just ridiculous.
     
  7. Username

    Username VIP Whale

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    I got rid of cable over 15 years ago.....installed my own DirecTV system....they were GREAT when they first started...digital reception blew away crappy cable reception. But as time went on DirecTV is nothing more then a cableless cable company....maybe worse.

    We had two old non HD Tivo units and were very happy with them. Then last December DirecTV kept sending a signal that cause our Tivos to reboot many times a day.....until the one we used on our main TV burned up.....couple weeks later they sent a email apologizing for that. Big deal....

    To get another Tivo unit from DirecTV you had to pay $199.....I talked them down to $100.....so then we upgraded to a 60" HDTV because the new Tivo unit only came in HD.....What they didn't tell me was after spending $63.99 for their service without locals I also had to pay a extra $10 for HD service and another $10 for DVR service on top of my $5.99 for Tivo that I already paid. Then they charge you a additional $6 for the main TV receiver and another $6 for the secondary receiver box. But then they take off the $6 charge for the main TV because it's already included in the $63.99 charge, HOWEVER the .58 tax remains on the bill and they can't explain why or seem to take it off the bill.

    So last week I see the bill that is now $109 and said enough is enough...call to cancel......same thing as the Cable Co.....They make sure you go through their retention dept to talk you out of cancelling......I explained I will not pay the extra $10 for HD or the extra $10 for DVR service and hate paying taxes, especially when the extra $6 was removed....they said no problem and would take it all off my bill......well after 58 minutes I finally told the rep who somehow couldn't get it done to do it on her time and call me back later that day or the next day........NO call has ever come and once this winter is over it's back to the roof top antenna and a stand alone Tivo unit for the antenna. Most of the crap on TV is just repeats now anyways.

    BTW we get our locals through our roof top antenna and the HD reception is better then DirecTV supplies or any cable I have seen. It's a FREE option if you can get reception until congress pulls the plug on antenna service. There was some lobbing to have that option eliminated for us cheap bastards...

    When TV service is your highest utility bill, something is WRONG ! ! !
     
  8. bardolator

    bardolator Lifelong Low Roller

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    Cumcast? What a name.

    Warner has my cojones in the vise at the moment. I plan to release them tomorrow in person at the office. Forget the phone. Somebody's business model must have decreed that a customer service line is a net loser.
     
  9. Jerseyguy

    Jerseyguy MIA

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    Switched from Comcast to Direct TV

    Mainly because it was much cheaper esp.when bundled with my other Verizon phone and internet. We dont have fios here so thats out.
    Comcast makes a "goodwill" donation to our development every year.
    DTV is probably fantastic if you live in the desert somewhere, but as soon as we get a heavy rain or snow like last night for instance, it goes out.
     
  10. bardolator

    bardolator Lifelong Low Roller

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    Agree that DirecTV is crap in storms.

    Warner service is better but its DVR's are crap. You're gonna get crap one way or another.
     
  11. MikeOPensacola

    MikeOPensacola El Jefe

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    I'm lucky, I'm with Cox Cable and their cust service on the phone is excellent. Open 24/7 and I always get through right away and get knowledgeable reps. Not so much true with past cable companies I've had. Comcast was pretty awful.
     
    Annual CCA (Casino Collectibles Association) Show at South Point
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  12. lotso-bear

    lotso-bear VIP Whale

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    This isn't surprising at all. Unfortunately, my only option in the area is Comcast so I'm stuck with them.
     
  13. Busyman

    Busyman VIP Whale

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    I've found DirecTV to be worthless unless you are "in the hills" or want Sunday Ticket.

    If DirecTV decides not to renew with the NFL they are dead.
     
  14. Username

    Username VIP Whale

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    I don't think they would be dead but would lose customers to wherever Sunday Ticket went.....for the first 2 years I had Sunday Ticket. Then the price jump so much it was out of my league. But since I am grandfathered in with east and west coast feeds from NY and LA I get my own little mini Sunday Ticket each week. I get between 6-8 games each week so that's enough football for me and it only coast me $7 total a month. Will miss that once I pull the plug on *D but bottom line must be met.
     
  15. Jerseyguy

    Jerseyguy MIA

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    I'm thinking about one of those new antennas

    Look like a mini dish that is supposed to bring in major networks. Id' use it as a backup to DTV. I'm stuck with them for another year and a half .
    If you picture a triangle, I live at one corner,NYC and PHL are at other two so I'm not sure if the thing would even bring in a picture.
    It's supposed to rain sunday so we'll probably lose the picture during football games again. Mrs JG is about ready to shoot the dish off the roof,yesterday afternoon for some reason we lost NBC entirely,not a cloud in the sky, so she couldnt watch or record Days of our Lives. Plus the Soap Opera Channel just folded so she really is pissed .Seriously, I know people have a hell of a lot bigger problems to worry about and we're not really self-absorbed people so dont yell at me its all for fun.
     
  16. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    I would call DirecTV. Perhaps the dish has shifted slightly and needs to be realigned. Remember, with digital, there is either a picture or there isn't. No in between.

    We had to do it 3 different times in Vegas because the wind would shift the dish just a little. Finally they came out and changed the mount.

    It's worth calling. Their service calls back then were free.
     
  17. Jerseyguy

    Jerseyguy MIA

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    Lifes never that easy Joe,with this stuff.

    When one network goes out they tell you that its not their fault its the networks signal to the satellite thats weak. NBC New York is weak but Al Jazerra is coming in fine.They charge you for service after 90 days unless you pay a $6 a month insurance fee. Its mostly weather related and for some reason NBC 4 at times, so I'm not paying them crap unless the whole thing gives out.
     
  18. uli_1515

    uli_1515 Low-Roller

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  19. C0usineddie

    C0usineddie VIP Whale

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    I have cox cable. always had great service and no problems. Just called the other day to see about getting a new hd box because I got a new tv. Took a grand total of mabye 10 minutes.

    I have nothing but priase for them.
     
  20. Jerseyguy

    Jerseyguy MIA

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    Is unhide a real word?

    Let me beat this dead horse one last time.
    After lunch I decided to watch a college bowl game on ESPN.
    DTV gave me an error message that said basically that theyre sorry tech difficultie with ESPNHD.But I could watch on sd which is probably hidden?
    I could go to menu to unhide .Unhide?Now were playing hide and seek .
     
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