Comcast

[PennBF]

Here is one for the books. I received my last Comcast bill and noted there was a $9.95 charge I had not seen previously. I called Comcast and they told me it was for the DVR I recieved "free" for as long as I had Comcast extended channels, etc. etc. when we first signed up for Comast 3+ years ago. I said fine..now why am I being charged $9.95..Here comes the slickness..They said because the HD was free but not the DVR..What say that again. I then asked to see the contract I signed 3 years + ago that said this and they said they would have someone call me..Yep, it's been over 2 weeks and no calls. I am now going to pursue with them again and if they continue to play the silent treatment I am going to call the state attorney general's office. It is now principle. Has anyone else had this flim flam happen to them??? Since when did a contracts say just HD and not DVR and the time length was 3+ years which is really an open time length? Weird and totally nuts!!!! :mad:

[l2ridehd]

One of the many reasons why survey after survey shows Comcast as having the worst customer service in the world for companies over 1 billion in revenue. And significantly worse. So there action plan is to take out ads (on their own media) saying how good service is rather then try to fix the problem. Comcast management is totally incompetent. I so wish there was a viable alternative. They will continue in the current way of doing business until customers start leaving them.

[RichieB]

I dropped Comcast like a hot potato when Verizon FIOS became available to me. Comcast refused to return my original $25 deposit on my set top box. When I mentioned the NY State AG, I got a check within a week. No utility or insurance company wants to deal with the state.

Our secondary medical insurance company was denying payment over a minor billing discrepancy. They paid in full when I mentioned the NY State Insurance Department in a letter of appeal.

[PennBF]

They have found a way to totally disrespect the customers and still book revenue. As I have said all a competitor has to do is go down to their office off of 441, (across from Lowes,etc) and take a picture of the waiting room and ask for the comments from customers in the room. On any given day some have waited an hour or more just to turn in or exchange their box or discuss a bill. To the person they are disgusted. Have been there when
there have been 10+ customers and only one person working. It is terrible.
I only hope some meaningful competition becomes available. I have spoken
to Direct TV and will most likely move to them. Just hate to go through the
hassle but will not have an option shortly. How does Verison work?:mad:

[RichieB]

We are very happy with Verizon FIOS. It was a HUGE improvement over Comcast, who was cutting back on the c.hannels in the package we had. If and when we become Villagers (another story), FIOS is something that we will definitely miss.

Problem is - FIOS is not available in TV. Your experience at the Comcast office is one of the problems with a monopoly. No reason to have more customer contact people, so you wait in line.

[twalker919]

Does anyone know whether Verizon FIOS plans to come to TV??

[JenAjd]

There is an alternative in Prism. It's through a telephone line, we have it and it's wonderful!

[John_W]

Does anyone know whether Verizon FIOS plans to come to TV??

In Maryland we had Verizon home phone, cellphone and internet but FIOS wasn't installed in my neighborhood until 2 weeks before we moved to TV, so we had Directv because I dropped Comcast in 2008.

Our Verizon cellphone was only $30 a month senior plan, so we had a home phone with no long distance for only $21 a month and Verizon internet was only $14.99 a month for life at 768kpbs speed.

So when I got here and went to Century Link and asked for a home phone with no long distance for about $21 they said no such thing. Then I asked for 768kpbs speed internet for $15 a month, they said no such thing. We kept our Verizon cellphone from Maryland for $30 a month and we pay Century Link $59 plus tax ($75 total a month) for 10mbps speed internet and a home phone with free long distance and caller ID. It's all way more than we needed but it was the best deal we could find and still keep our Directv.

Prism wasn't available in Tamarind Grove yet so we went with Directv again. I'm a big fan of HD and the one thing I noticed with Prism is it has more HD channels than Comcast but not as much as Directv, especially the premium channels. So if I'm paying $25 a month extra for Showtime and Starz you only get two of each in HD on Prism where on Directv we get 10 Showtime channels and 8 Starz channels in HD. The same can be said with HBO and Cinemax, so I would probably stay with Directv anyway plus the NFL Sunday Ticket is not available on Prism.

[RichieB]

Does anyone know whether Verizon FIOS plans to come to TV??

I doubt that you will see FIOS in The Villages. Comcast has a franchise agreement with the developer (I might be off with the terminology). In addition, Verizon will not be expanding FIOS beyond what they have committed to building. If they have made a commitment to build out your community, they will provide the service. Verizon has found that the cost of providing FIOS service is very high.

My knowledge of this is from a retiree newsletter.

[HelenLCSW]

I spoke this morning with the Comcast rep who is our installation contact person -- she has been most attentive and responsive. I told her about the service complaints; she said that part of the delays at the present time are due to the changeover from analog to HD; however, she agreed that this is no excuse for rudeness or poor customer service. She said she would pass these complaints onto her supervisor who she is certain will investigate further-- they are aware that there are alternatives in TV such as Prism and DirectTV. Did my best -- hope it helps --

[PJ]

There is an alternative in Prism. It's through a telephone line, we have it and it's wonderful!

JenAjd, do you have Prism in the Villages? I checked online, and when I put in my zip 32159, it said "not available" this area. Maybe that website is out of date?

I'm looking for TV service + internet, and am anxious to get rid of Verizon wireless, as it constantly kicks me offline! So annoying!

Thanks for any suggestions!

[CaptJohn]

Try zip 32162 also.

[islandgal]

http://www.moneycrashers.com/comcast-xfinity-vs-verizon-fios/

[Mikeod]

http://www.moneycrashers.com/comcast-xfinity-vs-verizon-fios/
Especially if you read the comments section! :22yikes:

[old moe]

One of the many reasons why survey after survey shows Comcast as having the worst customer service in the world for companies over 1 billion in revenue. And significantly worse. So there action plan is to take out ads (on their own media) saying how good service is rather then try to fix the problem. Comcast management is totally incompetent. I so wish there was a viable alternative. They will continue in the current way of doing business until customers start leaving them.

Agreed! Bad Bad company, but we have no others? :crap2:

[villager]

I would love to know how long the agreement The Villages made with Comcast is good for. I know they are the only cable company allowed in The Villages, but is this forever? I would love for the POA to research this and start a campaign to change it.

[Bogie Shooter]

I would love to know how long the agreement The Villages made with Comcast is good for. I know they are the only cable company allowed in The Villages, but is this forever? I would love for the POA to research this and start a campaign to change it.

Change it to what??

[mrdills]

Remember the word " Negotiate " it works for me all the time...

[villager]

Change it so other cable companies, like Brighthouse, can come into The Villages. I would think Comcast would sit up and take notice if they had competition in the area.

[Chi-Town]

Change it so other cable companies, like Brighthouse, can come into The Villages. I would think Comcast would sit up and take notice if they had competition in the area.
Lived in a town up north that let a second cable company have an equal opportunity to serve the residents. It was Wide Open West (WOW), and people couldn't leave Comcast fast enough. The best thing was that it was the highest rated cable company in every Consumer Reports survey. BTW, Comcast got no better.

[RichieB]

Lived in a town up north that let a second cable company have an equal opportunity to serve the residents. It was Wide Open West (WOW), and people couldn't leave Comcast fast enough. The best thing was that it was the highest rated cable company in every Consumer Reports survey. BTW, Comcast got no better.

When Verizon finally got into our town, all that Comcast was doing was disconnects for quite some time.

It's amazing what competition does.

[RichieB]

I would love to know how long the agreement The Villages made with Comcast is good for. I know they are the only cable company allowed in The Villages, but is this forever? I would love for the POA to research this and start a campaign to change it.

You should try, as a group (bigger the better) to petition the POA. If nothing else, you should be able to get some kind of answer.

[Pturner]

They have found a way to totally disrespect the customers and still book revenue. As I have said all a competitor has to do is go down to their office off of 441, (across from Lowes,etc) and take a picture of the waiting room and ask for the comments from customers in the room. On any given day some have waited an hour or more just to turn in or exchange their box or discuss a bill. To the person they are disgusted. Have been there when
there have been 10+ customers and only one person working. It is terrible.
I only hope some meaningful competition becomes available. I have spoken
to Direct TV and will most likely move to them. Just hate to go through the
hassle but will not have an option shortly. How does Verison work?:mad:

Hmmm, sounds like a good YouTube video. :024:

[Russ_Boston]

Every town I know of has one fiber and one cable choice. I guess technically you can have more but the companies want an exclusive (obviously).

Is it technically possible to have two copper companies (i.e. Comcast or Brighthouse or Cox) run off the same lines?

[Indy-Guy]

JenAjd, do you have Prism in the Villages? I checked online, and when I put in my zip 32159, it said "not available" this area. Maybe that website is out of date?

I'm looking for TV service + internet, and am anxious to get rid of Verizon wireless, as it constantly kicks me offline! So annoying!

Thanks for any suggestions!


I currently have Prism TV here in The Villages in the village of Poinciana. To find out if you can get Prism in your village go to the Centurylink office located near Target just off 441/27 they know The Villages and know where it is offered in The Villages.

To get it hooked up they had to come out a couple of times to do what ever they do outside the house and then they came in and took care of the inside and I have had no problems. After they hooked it up I took my old equipment to Comcast and good bye Comcast.

[AJ32162]

Switched to CenturyLink PRISM - more channels for a much lower price. I'm so happy to be rid of Comcast.

[CarGuys]

Is there any way TV Homewoners can petition to get Fios in TV.

All you previous Subscribers understand where I am coming from.

Comcast and the rest are like going from a Race Car to a Pedal Cart.

[mrf6969]

had comcast tv here for 4 yrs. I switched to Dish and the picture quality was much better but you do lose signal during hard storms. I will say that the Dish customer service is soooooooooo much better than Comcast was.
Hope they have gotten better for their sake as there are choices here.'
I talk to people just outside the Villages that have Brighthouse and they rave about it. Too bad we are locked into some contractual deal here in TV with Comcast. What ever happened to FREE ENTERPRISE??

[janmcn]

Brighthouse has the best product, best service, and best price. I started out last year paying $80 for cable, internet, and unlimited phone service. The second year it went to $90. There's no installation fee or service contract. They showed up early for their appointment. Their customer service is the best. If you ever get a chance to sign up for Brighthouse, do it. I have no affiliation with the company, only a happy customer.

[PennBF]

My frustration is the change over from one (Comcast) to another. We have the Comcast DVR's and like them. Not sure what others offer? I know I will have to bite the bullet soon and switch. But just dislike the idea of having go through the process to have it done. Can anyone share their experiences in making the change over. I spoke to Comcast a few days ago and it was like the old shell game on the streets of New York City where they put a pea under a walnut shell, move the 3 around and ask you to guess which has the shell? Comcast kept moving the pea around for various prices and each time the price grew. :mornincoffee:

[Russ_Boston]

My frustration is the change over from one (Comcast) to another. We have the Comcast DVR's and like them. Not sure what others offer? I know I will have to bite the bullet soon and switch. But just dislike the idea of having go through the process to have it done. Can anyone share their experiences in making the change over. I spoke to Comcast a few days ago and it was like the old shell game on the streets of New York City where they put a pea under a walnut shell, move the 3 around and ask you to guess which has the shell? Comcast kept moving the pea around for various prices and each time the price grew. :mornincoffee:

I went from Comcast here in MA to Comcast here in TV. No real issues but you need to be patient with their customer service! The one thing that is actually better in TV with Comcast is their new whole house DVR (like Dish or Direct). Didn't get phone since we use Ooma (and love it by the way!).

[Jim Straz]

I went from Comcast here in MA to Comcast here in TV. No real issues but you need to be patient with their customer service! The one thing that is actually better in TV with Comcast is their new whole house DVR (like Dish or Direct). Didn't get phone since we use Ooma (and love it by the way!).
I agree with Russ that the whole house DVR is a very good thing. When you read comments about Comcast, which is the only land line choice in TV, you have to take into consideration many of the comments made on this forum and digest them to figure out what they're really trying to say.

ANY customer service to a community of 55 plus is a challenge to start with. 15% of the people hate paying for tv to start with, and thus will resent any product except an antenna they can stick up on their roof. 15% don't want to pay for any month of tv when they are somewhere else, but don't understand the suspend process. 15% don't read carefully what they're signing up for, like the guy who said he didn't get a 'free' DVR with his HD, as it's very clear on the form. DVR service $10. 15% have to complain about anything and everything. Heh everybody join this posse to lynch Comcast.

Comcast offers a great triple play at a very fair price. No weather to deal with, and great internet speed along with very good telephone service. I'm leaving Dish in the mountains of NC, and all it's interruptions.

This topic will always be like politics or gas vs electric carts, as there is no way to please all. Try and keep an open mind, and to all the hate mail this will generate, I respond in this manner. "Please take your nap first" Have a nice day.

[Bogie Shooter]

I agree with Russ that the whole house DVR is a very good thing. When you read comments about Comcast, which is the only land line choice in TV, you have to take into consideration many of the comments made on this forum and digest them to figure out what they're really trying to say.

ANY customer service to a community of 55 plus is a challenge to start with. 15% of the people hate paying for tv to start with, and thus will resent any product except an antenna they can stick up on their roof. 15% don't want to pay for any month of tv when they are somewhere else, but don't understand the suspend process. 15% don't read carefully what they're signing up for, like the guy who said he didn't get a 'free' DVR with his HD, as it's very clear on the form. DVR service $10. 15% have to complain about anything and everything. Heh everybody join this posse to lynch Comcast.

Comcast offers a great triple play at a very fair price. No weather to deal with, and great internet speed along with very good telephone service. I'm leaving Dish in the mountains of NC, and all it's interruptions.

This topic will always be like politics or gas vs electric carts, as there is no way to please all. Try and keep an open mind, and to all the hate mail this will generate, I respond in this manner. "Please take your nap first" Have a nice day.

So true, so true.

[John_W]

...When you read comments about Comcast, which is the only land line choice in TV, you have to take into consideration many of the comments made on this forum and digest them to figure out what they're really trying to say...

What do you mean Comcast is the only land line choice in TV? Century Link is the third largest telecommunications company in America. We have home phone and internet with Century Link in Tamarind Grove. Our land line phone has unlimited long distance, caller ID and call waiting plus our internet is 10mbps speed both services for $59.99 a month plus tax. Since we're sports fans we have Directv satellite for our televisions so we didn't need to bundle all three. If you call Directv when moving to TV and ask about telephone and internet service they will switch you to Century Link without you redialing. They also plan to be able to bundle Directv and Century Link next year.

[HelenLCSW]

:agree:I agree with Russ that the whole house DVR is a very good thing. When you read comments about Comcast, which is the only land line choice in TV, you have to take into consideration many of the comments made on this forum and digest them to figure out what they're really trying to say.

ANY customer service to a community of 55 plus is a challenge to start with. 15% of the people hate paying for tv to start with, and thus will resent any product except an antenna they can stick up on their roof. 15% don't want to pay for any month of tv when they are somewhere else, but don't understand the suspend process. 15% don't read carefully what they're signing up for, like the guy who said he didn't get a 'free' DVR with his HD, as it's very clear on the form. DVR service $10. 15% have to complain about anything and everything. Heh everybody join this posse to lynch Comcast.

Comcast offers a great triple play at a very fair price. No weather to deal with, and great internet speed along with very good telephone service. I'm leaving Dish in the mountains of NC, and all it's interruptions.

This topic will always be like politics or gas vs electric carts, as there is no way to please all. Try and keep an open mind, and to all the hate mail this will generate, I respond in this manner. "Please take your nap first" Have a nice
day.
:agree:

[PennBF]

I truly don't understand why some who write notes when they don't understand what they are answering? It is either a reading comprehension problem or a need to make a negative point regardless of the facts. I will not try to explain the basis for the latter behavior.
I believe the writer wrote in quote," like the guy who said he didn't get a free DVR with his HD as it is very clear on the form.."
Let's translate that to a set of facts. It was committed the writer would get the first DVR free for the program (which still exists). Does that in any way
relate to the misleading quote placed in the TOTV?
As I said it is either a reading comprehension problem or a motive which I don't understand. !!
I was going to disregard this silly thing but did not like to see someone put
someone else down just to "have fun". :jester:

[rubicon]

My DVR/HD box responded slower than a turtle. So I faced the adversity I knew was coming and as I left for the COMCAST (XFINITY) service office at 7:30 AM my wife made mention that I was leaving too early since it didn't open until 8:30PM. I arrived at 8:00AM and found a line of 22 people. The first guy in line had arrived at 6:30 AM. a woman arrived just after me and compalined that she had made three appintments to have installers to install service and waited all day each day and they didn't show. She wanted a face to face and given what she had experienced I thought she was quite calm. I suggested that she tell them she wanted six months free service for the problems they caused her and to hold out for nothing less than 3 months.

When they opened only one service rep was there and another showed up an half hour later. There wasn't a happy camper in the building. However every time the service people completed a transaction we all applauded as the customer walked out the door.

When I finally got home, 2 hours later, I called after hooking up my box to have it activated. It is suppose to load its programs in 45 minutes according to the rep. The long and short of it is that I had to activate the box 4 times and on the following day despite my misgivings I agreed to power off the box so it could reload quickly. It took almost all night to re-load. In addition despite 4 different XFINITY people attempts we could not properly pare my remote to my TV. I can get guide and no volume or the reverse but not both. So I spent another 1/2 hour convincing a rep to mail me a remote. I also had to make arrangements to have a tech come to my home to test to see why the box does not fully load/ and /or takes forever. My tech is scheduled for between 2-5 Saturday. However the telephone rep told me if he doesn't show up I can get a premium station free for 3 months. I replied that this certainly was not a confidence builder and that by the way I had all of their premium stations now.

In fairness to the XFINITY employees they were quite patent and courteous and truly wanted to help me. I believe these employees are being placed at a disadvantage owing to poor management. I intend to focus my letter of concern to the board of directors. I believe XFINITY sub-contracts too much out

[BigLew]

JenAjd, do you have Prism in the Villages? I checked online, and when I put in my zip 32159, it said "not available" this area. Maybe that website is out of date?

I'm looking for TV service + internet, and am anxious to get rid of Verizon wireless, as it constantly kicks me offline! So annoying!

Thanks for any suggestions!

it said that when I ordered it, and I've had Prism for 5 months now.

[Jim Straz]

https://www.comcast.com/shop/buyflow2/productsexisting.cspx?SourcePage=Bundled&offerid=735132&&Inflow=1

[cquick]

I still say it's too bad Brighthouse isn't in the Villages, they would blow Comcast out of the water!

[BnCinME]

What do you mean Comcast is the only land line choice in TV? Century Link is the third largest telecommunications company in America. We have home phone and internet with Century Link in Tamarind Grove. Our land line phone has unlimited long distance, caller ID and call waiting plus our internet is 10mbps speed both services for $59.99 a month plus tax. Since we're sports fans we have Directv satellite for our televisions so we didn't need to bundle all three. If you call Directv when moving to TV and ask about telephone and internet service they will switch you to Century Link without you redialing. They also plan to be able to bundle Directv and Century Link next year.

Ditto for us in Tamarind Grove. :agree:

[CarGuys]

Try and keep an open mind, and to all the hate mail this will generate, I respond in this manner. "Please take your nap first" Have a nice day.[/QUOTE]

Jim I just woke up!

So ahhhh is this why you installed those Progressive Soup Cans and lines from your home to Glens and our new House. Or should I not let the others in Tamarind in on our top secret new discounted land lines!:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[CarGuys]

Sorry Jim-

I Love you man!

Ruth say's Ohhh no! She is preparing for when the Tamarind Gang rides together.

Trish better get down here and help her out!