ClearLink is horrible!

[fritzy]

I called CenturyLink on Tuesday, Sept 27th and ordered the Triple-Play:
TV, Internet and Telephone. After 1 hr and 15 minutes, I was given an install date of Thursday, October 6th (today) between 1 and 5PM, the earliest date available. As you might have guessed by now, after my waiting 5 1/2 hours, they never showed up, never even called me to tell me they weren't coming. I called them at 5:15PM. asking what happened. They said they weren't sure about the address, at which point I pointed out one of their trucks was around the corner from me the day before.(I live in Duval.) Anyway, they told me I would have to reschedule. After waiting 5 1/2 hours for them, with not even the courtesy of a phone call, I told them to forget it.

Note: I went to Publix to buy dinner, feeling frustrated. The check-out lady asked how I was doing. I gave her the short version of this story. She said her son had the same experience with ClearLink.
So....... please beware of CenturyLink.

[villagegolfer]

Clear link? Never heard of them.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

'Velly intellesting'...........

http://www.corporationwiki.com/Florida/The-Villages/clearlink-communication-l-l-c-3686422.aspx


I found reference to Clearlink having been TV's own high-speed internet provider at some point in the past and was sold to Comcast a number of years ago:

http://www.thevha.net/the-villages-voice?article=36&op=3&issue=4 see paragraph 2


Seems as though they're an authorized installer for Comcast now:

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28823 (though this thread isn't real recent.........)


At a minimum, it's confusing!!

Bill :)

[Mikeod]

ClearLink or CenturyLink?

[graciegirl]

I have heard tales like that about Comcast time and again. I do NOT understand such poor customer service!!

[John_W]

Clearlink is the installer for Comcast. If you're not getting cable you'll never know about them. In my previous life in Baltimore I dropped Comcast and went to Directv in 2008 and never regretted it for a second. However, I'm a huge sports fan, but even if your not, the amount of HD channels on Directv is almost double over Comcast cable.

Century Link is a different company that offers Prism TV, similar to Verizon Fios but in limited areas, high speed internet and telephone and has the ability to bundle Directv with their services.

I currently have Century Link 10.0 high speed internet and telephone with unlimited long distance and caller ID for $55 a month plus taxes. Directv is much more since in my situation I have NFL Sunday ticket, which is not available on cable, meaning I can watch any NFL game broadcast in the U.S.

[whippersnapper]

I have heard tales like that about Comcast time and again. I do NOT understand such poor customer service!!

I went to the villages less then a month ago she had 2 little boxes to convert from analog to digital and phone and internet. she wanted dvr with standard and she was told her bill would increase another 40 dollars. I work for a major cable company in another state and was trying to figure out how they could charge 180 dollars. We went to comcast office in the villages where they qouted her and there was a line. I asked her where the main office was and we drove to leesburg. Seem villagers maybe getting charged to much due to village cable people in that office not understanding packages. I was able to get my mother phone internet and digital package for 20 dollars less then she was currently paying and not a contract or special. If you have the time drive to the leesburg office. Also when asking about package they are trained to point out the most expensive. tell them you dont want all the fancy showtimes and hbos's and they will point to a package 60 to 80 dollars lower.

[BnCinME]

Clearlink is the installer for Comcast. If you're not getting cable you'll never know about them. In my previous life in Baltimore I dropped Comcast and went to Directv in 2008 and never regretted it for a second. However, I'm a huge sports fan, but even if your not, the amount of HD channels on Directv is almost double over Comcast cable.

Century Link is a different company that offers Prism TV, similar to Verizon Fios but in limited areas, high speed internet and telephone and has the ability to bundle Directv with their services.

I currently have Century Link 10.0 high speed internet and telephone with unlimited long distance and caller ID for $55 a month plus taxes. Directv is much more since in my situation I have NFL Sunday ticket, which is not available on cable, meaning I can watch any NFL game broadcast in the U.S.

We're closing on our home in Tamarind Grove on the 17th. We just ordered the package through Century Link for the phone, internet and Directv package. They were nice to deal with so far and even told us about the option of stopping service when we're up north. Do you have any problems with the internet?

[John_W]

We're closing on our home in Tamarind Grove on the 17th. We just ordered the package through Century Link for the phone, internet and Directv package. They were nice to deal with so far and even told us about the option of stopping service when we're up north. Do you have any problems with the internet?

The services are great, the only problem I had was with billing. I originally had a package for $59 that was telephone with unlimited long distance and 1.5 speed internet, they had said taxes would make it about $75. When I got my first bill in July it was $202. I called them and spoke with someone in Orlando, who I told what I was told at their Hwy 27 office and that his company was a bunch of liars and I didn't even want long distance on my local phone but was forced to take it. They transferred me to Charlotte, NC to the "Save Desk", although he said don't tell anyone else that. The guy there knocked my bill down a $100 to $102, the hookup and installation charges were involved so that was reasonable. He then upped my internet to 10.0 speed and lowered my bill to $54.99 plus taxes.

[VillagesFlorida]

The services are great, the only problem I had was with billing. I originally had a package for $59 that was telephone with unlimited long distance and 1.5 speed internet, they had said taxes would make it about $75. When I got my first bill in July it was $202. I called them and spoke with someone in Orlando, who I told what I was told at their Hwy 27 office and that his company was a bunch of liars and I didn't even want long distance on my local phone but was forced to take it. They transferred me to Charlotte, NC to the "Save Desk", although he said don't tell anyone else that. The guy there knocked my bill down a $100 to $102, the hookup and installation charges were involved so that was reasonable. He then upped my internet to 10.0 speed and lowered my bill to $54.99 plus taxes.

Most times the initial bill for these kinds of services include a "partial month", depending on when during the month the services were installed, plus a full "next month", since they bill in advance, usually. Also, sometimes there are one-time fees for installation or other items. This could account for the high first bill. This has happened to us and at first look the total can be very shocking and unexpected. When I take the time to analyze the charges, and look at the dates covered in the bill, I understand how they arrived at this seemingly large total.

[John_W]

Most times the initial bill for these kinds of services include a "partial month", depending on when during the month the services were installed, plus a full "next month", since they bill in advance, usually. Also, sometimes there are one-time fees for installation or other items. This could account for the high first bill...

That's true, the initial month is always higher but I felt almost triple the amount a little excessive. To fill in some more of the details, the plan I had signed up for at their Hwy 27 location was quoted at $59.99 and on the bill it was listed at $77. That's when I said I was lied to. Also while I was on the phone speaking with their rep in Charlotte I looked on their website to see a plan for $54.99. When I mentioned that to him, he said I'll give you that plan and up your internet speed to 10.0 and knock $100 off your initial bill which admitted was inflated. So I must admit they went out of their way to rectify the situation and their service has been great.

During the initial visit I had requested to have a phone with no long distance. In Maryland I had such a phone with Verizon which was $22 a month, they said if they did that then they would have to charge me $40 for the internet and not the $19.99 as advertised. I told them in Maryland with Verizon I had a local phone for $22 a month, internet 1.5 for $19.99 a month for life and Verizon Senior Plan cellphone for $30 a month, all three together was less than $75. Anyway, I still have my Verizon cellphone which is only $34 a month and includes a lot of minutes.

[MCCoene]

I called ClearLink on Tuesday, Sept 27th and ordered the Triple-Play:
TV, Internet and Telephone. After 1 hr and 15 minutes, I was given an install date of Thursday, October 6th (today) between 1 and 5PM, the earliest date available. As you might have guessed by now, after my waiting 5 1/2 hours, they never showed up, never even called me to tell me they weren't coming. I called them at 5:15PM. asking what happened. They said they weren't sure about the address, at which point I pointed out one of their trucks was around the corner from me the day before.(I live in Duval.) Anyway, they told me I would have to reschedule. After waiting 5 1/2 hours for them, with not even the courtesy of a phone call, I told them to forget it.

Note: I went to Publix to buy dinner, feeling frustrated. The check-out lady asked how I was doing. I gave her the short version of this story. She said her son had the same experience with ClearLink.
So....... please beware of ClearLink.
Are you sure you were dealing with Clearlink Installation Services, and not COMCAST directly? They, Clearlink, are only permitted, by contract with Comcast, to do initial installation services. You mentioned that you called them at 5:15pm. That would be impossible since the phones are put into voice mail at 5:00pm. what number did you call?

[mikeandnancy1112]

We have had nothing but great service from Comcast, and we have had the service both internet and television for over 2 years.

[jblum315]

I agree about Comcast. My tv is from DISH, but I've had Comcast internet and phone for 2 years and no complaints.

[Bosoxfan]

Clearlink is the installer for Comcast. If you're not getting cable you'll never know about them. In my previous life in Baltimore I dropped Comcast and went to Directv in 2008 and never regretted it for a second. However, I'm a huge sports fan, but even if your not, the amount of HD channels on Directv is almost double over Comcast cable.
I have NFL Sunday ticket, which is not available on cable, meaning I can watch any NFL game broadcast in the U.S.

I did the same back in massachusetts we had Charter.We dropped them in 2009 & went with Direct TV & have had them since! The only complaint is the offers to new customers aren't extended to existing ones.Although we call & never pay full price for our sports packages .We have center ice,the NFL ticket & MLB !

[fritzy]

Thanks for the posts everyone.
I inadvertantly mentioned ClearLink when I actually meant to talk about CenturyLink.
I was upset at the time, so please forgive my error.
Anyway, I did call CenturyLink that day at 5:15 and they answered the phone. Didn't help, as I stated above.

[cquick]

Oh, dear, I am so sorry to hear this about Comcast. We had Brighthouse cable in Orlando and it was great, the service was great, the installers and repair people were polite and on time.......I don't think I want to go Dish TV.......hope Comcast improves.

Maybe someone will tell them to read the posts!

[Bill & Carolyn]

I recently initiated Century Link with DTV (10mbits Internt - which I find a trifle slow since I live in Northern Va and get 35mb with FIOS) the install was done on tiome and with no problems. I haven't had a bit of trouble with the quoted price or biolling. I'm sorry you are having so many problems.

[FloridaSmokey]

I recently also had a run in with CLEAR LINK. I thought I was speaking to a CenturyLink representative when I was placing an order for internet service with CenturyLink. The representative for ClearLink led me to believe that I was speaking directly to CenturyLink when in fact ClearLink is a 3rd party that also signed me up for another 3rd party service for Tech Support that I specifically and quite clearly told them I did not want. However the representative for ClearLink signed me up without my authorization and was automatically billing my bank account for over 4 months before I caught it. I have contacted ClearLink and reported this illegal business practice that they are engaged in, but as of yet they have not yet corrected their theft of my money. Look at your bank statement if you’ve ordered internet service with CenturyLink, you may also have been speaking with ClearLink and have been signed up with a 3rd party tech support that you did not want. It will show up on your statement as Tech Support at a rate of $9.99 and they are not associated with CenturyLink, so it won’t show up on any bill associated with CenturyLink.:ohdear::ohdear:

[Finallyfree]

If you are south of 466A consider Brighthouse, higher Internet speed, free first month and unbelievable customer service seven days a week.

[KeepingItReal]

.....

[looneycat]

I recently also had a run in with CLEAR LINK. I thought I was speaking to a CenturyLink representative when I was placing an order for internet service with CenturyLink. The representative for ClearLink led me to believe that I was speaking directly to CenturyLink when in fact ClearLink is a 3rd party that also signed me up for another 3rd party service for Tech Support that I specifically and quite clearly told them I did not want. However the representative for ClearLink signed me up without my authorization and was automatically billing my bank account for over 4 months before I caught it. I have contacted ClearLink and reported this illegal business practice that they are engaged in, but as of yet they have not yet corrected their theft of my money. Look at your bank statement if you’ve ordered internet service with CenturyLink, you may also have been speaking with ClearLink and have been signed up with a 3rd party tech support that you did not want. It will show up on your statement as Tech Support at a rate of $9.99 and they are not associated with CenturyLink, so it won’t show up on any bill associated with CenturyLink.:ohdear::ohdear:

aside from the fact that this is a year old thread, I ordered everything from centurylink and have not had these problems...did you initiate the call??