Getting Comcast TV is an Obstacle Course
Story in a nutshell:
- Upgraded to Digital Premier using the web promotional plan ($79.99 for 6mo)
- Picked up two cable boxes @ Livermore, CA Office. They told me my plan would include expanded basic channels, wanted to sell it as extra, adding that it would also remove the promotional pricing I had from the Web, since they don't have access to those. Told them to leave it alone, weill fix on the Web.
- For a day I had all channels on the two cable boxes, however was missing expanded basic on TV's without a box.
- Contacted Live Chat (IM) support, who said they woudl need to schedule a technician to check out my TV's..etc. Was trying to explain her that everything inside the house was OK, and I thought they had to adjust (remove?) a filter in the Comcast box outisde the house. She specifically said no, I needed inside service. I let her schedule it, just so the problem gets registered (have entire chat session in text file).
- later the same day (yesterday, April 30th) I lost access to ALL channels but 1-33.
- Called Comcast Support, who said he saw a service schedule, he wanted to cancel that since he could fix my problem on his own. Then he hardly heard me (bad line) and agreed to call me back immediately on another line.
- 10 minutes later since he did not call, I called again, talking to another Agent. She said somehow my upgrade to Digital Premium from days ago got canceled, so my account now only had limited basic. She said she could fix that, but she could not just undo the cancellation, had to upgrade me again, and did not have acces to the same prcing packages available online. She recommended I re-order on the Web.
- Same day (April 30th) I reoredered Digital Premier on the Web. The end of the online ordering process is a live chat, and the Agent there find me an even better package price. First good news. However, she insisted on scheduling a service visit to install. I could not get her understand that I have the boxes already hooked up, they were operational just hours before until someone canceled my package by mistake, so there is no need for install. I tried to tell her that the only thing missing here was perhaps the work outisde my home, in the Comcast box on the street. Since she insisted, I let her go ahead and schedule an "installation" anyway. But she could not give me a date this week ( just hours ago I had a schedule for Friday morning), only next week, and I am traveliing a bit, so now it is out on May 8th.
Now for the worst part: she could not activate any of my upgraded channels either, saying I won't have any of that until the technician visit. (I have this script file, too)
- I called Support again, perhaps they could send a signal to activate my boxes again. No such luck, they said if they touch it, I would lose my Internet pricing.
I'm at the point that I don't mind paying the "tax" for an unnecessary service visit, but at least I want TV service back. I know it is possible, when I picked up the two boxes at the Comcast office, they were activated again. I think it is ridiculous that I spent a total of 5-6 hours communicating with Comcast on this "major project". And I really don't know why I am left without cable access for another week when I already had it and it was removed by Comcast's mistake.
Would appreciate any help - either turning it on remotely, or sending the technician this week.
Thanks a lot!
:-)
- Upgraded to Digital Premier using the web promotional plan ($79.99 for 6mo)
- Picked up two cable boxes @ Livermore, CA Office. They told me my plan would include expanded basic channels, wanted to sell it as extra, adding that it would also remove the promotional pricing I had from the Web, since they don't have access to those. Told them to leave it alone, weill fix on the Web.
- For a day I had all channels on the two cable boxes, however was missing expanded basic on TV's without a box.
- Contacted Live Chat (IM) support, who said they woudl need to schedule a technician to check out my TV's..etc. Was trying to explain her that everything inside the house was OK, and I thought they had to adjust (remove?) a filter in the Comcast box outisde the house. She specifically said no, I needed inside service. I let her schedule it, just so the problem gets registered (have entire chat session in text file).
- later the same day (yesterday, April 30th) I lost access to ALL channels but 1-33.
- Called Comcast Support, who said he saw a service schedule, he wanted to cancel that since he could fix my problem on his own. Then he hardly heard me (bad line) and agreed to call me back immediately on another line.
- 10 minutes later since he did not call, I called again, talking to another Agent. She said somehow my upgrade to Digital Premium from days ago got canceled, so my account now only had limited basic. She said she could fix that, but she could not just undo the cancellation, had to upgrade me again, and did not have acces to the same prcing packages available online. She recommended I re-order on the Web.
- Same day (April 30th) I reoredered Digital Premier on the Web. The end of the online ordering process is a live chat, and the Agent there find me an even better package price. First good news. However, she insisted on scheduling a service visit to install. I could not get her understand that I have the boxes already hooked up, they were operational just hours before until someone canceled my package by mistake, so there is no need for install. I tried to tell her that the only thing missing here was perhaps the work outisde my home, in the Comcast box on the street. Since she insisted, I let her go ahead and schedule an "installation" anyway. But she could not give me a date this week ( just hours ago I had a schedule for Friday morning), only next week, and I am traveliing a bit, so now it is out on May 8th.
Now for the worst part: she could not activate any of my upgraded channels either, saying I won't have any of that until the technician visit. (I have this script file, too)
- I called Support again, perhaps they could send a signal to activate my boxes again. No such luck, they said if they touch it, I would lose my Internet pricing.
I'm at the point that I don't mind paying the "tax" for an unnecessary service visit, but at least I want TV service back. I know it is possible, when I picked up the two boxes at the Comcast office, they were activated again. I think it is ridiculous that I spent a total of 5-6 hours communicating with Comcast on this "major project". And I really don't know why I am left without cable access for another week when I already had it and it was removed by Comcast's mistake.
Would appreciate any help - either turning it on remotely, or sending the technician this week.
Thanks a lot!
:-)
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Inappropriate?Wow, I stepped out for two hours and by the time I got back I had 3 voicemails from Comcast:
- from Corporate HQ in Philadelphia
- from the California Executive office
- from the local office here.
An hour later I had the Comcast tech out here, he removed the trap outside, on the street just as I expected, then phoned in to close my order and enable the boxes again. I'm all settled now.
Learnings:
- GetSatisfaction works. Publicity is powerful.
- Comcast listens, kudos to them (including @comcastcares on twitter)
- The Execs and techs involved in such elevated customer care are doing a wonderful job, but it's like putting out lots of little fires. I think at one point it will rise to the level that will convince Comcast to invest more ( a LOT more) in training their support troops so that there would not be fires to put out in the first place.
- Oh, have I mentioned that GetSatisfaction works? :-)
I’m happy
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Yea Zoli! Glad to hear it! -
Woo-hoo! -
Inappropriate?Thanks for sharing your story, Zoli Erdos. Particularly the happy ending. We're thrilled that you had a quick resolution and that Get Satisfaction was of use for you!
I’m grateful
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Inappropriate?I spoke too early. I now have service but they totally messed up the accounting, charging me for a different package then I subscribed to. Will this never end?
I’m frustrated
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Inappropriate?Please let us know how your contact with them goes w/r/t this accounting error.
I’m still hoping it gets smoothed out
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Inappropriate?Well, I received a few voicemails and emails on Friday (4 days ago), all wanting to call me back. I sent all the information by email, with account detail, scripts of Comcast live chat that clearly shows I am being charged fod packages I did not agree to. I thought they had all the info they needed to resolve this, or at least get back to me. Perhaps everyone forgot the issue over the weekend.
Dear Comcasters: I still have an open issue! And please don't leave me voicemails again, I am at a conference and flying cross-country tomorrow, really have no time for phone-tag. Email is a perfectly correct media, especially when it comes to documenting facts.
I’m frustrated
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