New Comcast Fee for Digital Adapter

[blueash]

I just got my Jan-Feb Comcast Triple Pay Bill. When they rolled out the all digital service in 2012 they offered 2 "free" digital adapters to use on TV's that didn't have a digital box. It proudly said these two were free with no service fee. Now I see beginning in 2013 there is a $1.99/mo "service fee" for each adapter. Do they do it this way as they can adjust service fees at any time whereas they cannot change the contracted charge for the triple play service? The Comcast website still has the no service fee statement on it but my phone call to Comcast said that will be fixed and that there was an insert in the Dec bill announcing the new charges.

[red tail]

I just got my Jan-Feb Comcast Triple Pay Bill. When they rolled out the all digital service in 2012 they offered 2 "free" digital adapters to use on TV's that didn't have a digital box. It proudly said these two were free with no service fee. Now I see beginning in 2013 there is a $1.99/mo "service fee" for each adapter. Do they do it this way as they can adjust service fees at any time whereas they cannot change the contracted charge for the triple play service? The Comcast website still has the no service fee statement on it but my phone call to Comcast said that will be fixed and that there was an insert in the Dec bill announcing the new charges.

i saw that also and raised a ruckus with them all to no avail. i guess its their way of staying one of the most hated companys in the region!

[bargee]

If my next bill shows a charge for two DTA's(which we all know were advertised as free) my next call will be to Centurylink.Research on the"net"shows me a savings of 27.00 per month for more HD and Premium channels than I have now.If enough of us vote with our wallets perhaps they'll get the message(though I doubt it).

[Ooper]

If my next bill shows a charge for two DTA's(which we all know were advertised as free) my next call will be to Centurylink.Research on the"net"shows me a savings of 27.00 per month for more HD and Premium channels than I have now.If enough of us vote with our wallets perhaps they'll get the message(though I doubt it).

That's exactly what we did and I don't regret it at all.

[Villager Dude]

That's exactly what we did and I don't regret it at all.

Any chance Brighthouse will give Comcast some competion soon. Doesn't price changes require county approval ?

[villagerjack]

Does Centurylink allow you to shut off service temporarily for any period of time, a valuable service for snowbirds?

[courtyard]

I wouldn't trust Comcast or Century Link.

I currently have Century Link BUT Comcast cut off my service with Century Link without my okay on Christmas Eve. Now, Century Link is charging me for turning my service back on and also is increasing my monthly fee by $20 because they don't offer the discount I got from them over a year ago anymore.

[ruby9red]

I also saw the charge. After waiting 35min on hold that was the last straw. I canceled my service and went to direct tv. They are the most agravating company to do business with. Product is good but just cant deal with the excessive phone time.

[skip0358]

If my next bill shows a charge for two DTA's(which we all know were advertised as free) my next call will be to Centurylink.Research on the"net"shows me a savings of 27.00 per month for more HD and Premium channels than I have now.If enough of us vote with our wallets perhaps they'll get the message(though I doubt it).

Century link sucks. Had it for one year going back to Comcst. Picture freezes, computer locks. net goes own. Maybe it's OK on the new side but not so good here.

[zcaveman]

My January bill shows two free digital adapters and three for $1.99 each.

[Big47moe]

I called Comcast and they said the new charges for extra adapters were based on the July 2012 service contract. I turned on service in June 2012 with one extra and they credited my January statement $1.99.

Call and ask them to remove charge.

[hoganth]

Yep, Comcast strikes again. I called and complained about being billed for the digital adapters that we were all forced to get. The only answer I got was that they had a rate adjustment effective this year. When I asked to speak to a supervisor, I was told there was none available at this time, and the rep repeatedly kept saying "we apologize for any inconvenience". Other than that, that's the way it is. I will be filing a complaint with the state attorney's office that comcast has violated the "Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA). In my opinion they should have never said these boxes were going to be free and then turn around later and start charging for them.
This is just my .02 cents worth

[Virtual Geezer]

Many companies are changing their business model to follow that of the lead of the airlines. The companies are seeing that the airlines are making billions on all the extra charges and they are now applying that to their businesses. Up north Time Warner never charged for the internet cable box but a few months ago were adding a service charge for their equipment.

The problem with Comcast is Comcast itself. They are only looking at the bottom line and could care less about establishing a name brand company. Add to that the monopoly they enjoy in many parts of the country and it all adds up.

Just think of all the things that we are all paying for today that our parents did not have to pay for when we were growing up. Cable TV, call phones, internet access, air conditioned homes, all the airline extra fees, personal seat licenses for the opportunity to buy a seasons ticket to sporting events, and the lists goes on and on.

VG

[BobnBev]

Does Centurylink allow you to shut off service temporarily for any period of time, a valuable service for snowbirds?

DirecTV does.

[kissmelatr]

Will the newer tv's work without the adapter? I didn't have these adapters where I lived. I had the box for my main tv and nothing for the others. I just connected the cable and used the remote from the tv. Can't do that with the one I have here now as that is a old tv came with the house. Soon to be removed. I am on a special and my monthly bill is $135.91 a month. Doesn't seem like much until I X it for the year. Wow $1,630.92.....

[villages07]

Arrrgh, Comcast, the company you love to hate. So much for the two free DTA adaptors.

To the previous question, I have a Vizio HDTV that has the QAM tuner capability. You can run a coax cable directly from the wall into the TV. It will pick up all the local network stations and a few others...probably less than the basic cable offering, but, they are in HD.

[billethkid]

no even the newest televisions now require the boxes.
When the change to digital was initiated the little boxes were not needed. Then came the BS story to standardize signal broadcasting all programming had to go through a box but not to worry...the boxes will be free for up to two boxes.

There is no doubt in my mind, regardless the words said, it has always been a part of a plan to eventually require everybody to have a box for fee of some kind.

Before digital for example basic cable was always available on connections to the wall, with no box. The change to digital brought an end to that....but the new boxes were for free for up to two devices.

Like all monopolies, Comcast's prority is not customer satisfaction. They do happen to have a good product....it is their disregard for impacts on customers that is just down right unacceptable.

Remember when TV had their owwn cable? Another niceitie the developer exited in the past.

If it were not for the high speed internet I would dump them in a heart beat.

btk

[l2ridehd]

What we need to do is form a consumer buyers group. Get 1000 to 1500 people to all agree (huge feat in itself) that they will do what the group does for TV and internet. Then put it out for bid to Comcast and Direct TV (has to include Century Link internet) and see who will deliver the best price. And re-bid it every 12 months. It's about the only way to get their attention.

[Virtual Geezer]

Time to get a group effort going for the annual survey. Get everyone here on TOTV to get together to complain and see what happens. Not to early to get the ball rolling.

VG

[sjdjmd]

After much searching, calling, grousing, etc., I found this Comcast #. I was put through to Josh Woods 904-374-8000 (direct #), and he resolved the issue immediately. This was 2 months ago so I have no idea if he's still with the company. I would imagine they have frequent turnover but perhaps this # is still a direct line to someone at Comcast.

[Vettemama]

Comcast would not stop fee for adaptors but did give me free HBO for 6 months. Hope renters enjoy it. They said they notified us on previous statements, but had all in front of me, and nothing.

[sandybill2]

After much searching, calling, grousing, etc., I found this Comcast #. I was put through to Josh Woods 904-374-8000 (direct #), and he resolved the issue immediately. This was 2 months ago so I have no idea if he's still with the company. I would imagine they have frequent turnover but perhaps this # is still a direct line to someone at Comcast.

Tried calling this number --- after being on hold with Comcast number on bill for 20 minutes and then they disconnected me---and "we are unable to take your call due to high call volume." Did anyone get a notice in any bill saying that there was a price increase? I don't remember and I usually look at everything that comes with bill. I still have my original info. sheet stating no charge and also there is something on their web page about how switching to digital will affect bill and that says "no charge for adapter and 2 converter boxes." Did this Josh Wood adjust this charge off your bill? I think I am going to pay what I paid last month and send a copy of my original information sheet and also start calling Dish companies.

[l2ridehd]

I called them yesterday. Got the "due to high call volume we are not able to take your call, good bye" several times. Final got the 30 minute wait time, "may we call you back" routine. So I did that. Somehow when Comcast calls back it goes directly to voice mail, no ring. All other calls it works fine, but they have somehow figured a way to beat there phone system.

What a horrible company to do business with. I get so mad and frustrated every time I have to deal with them on anything. I have 4 homes, all with Comcast and over $600 a month. They are gone. I am done, I don't care, they are just not worth it. I am going to find an alternative and my best day in life will be when I cancel all 4 accounts. I have finally found a company I actually hate.

[mrdills]

One guy has a great idea, we should all group together and bid out our TV, Internet, Phone services, I think if we get a few hundred people we might have something going here.

[red tail]

go to the website and click on 'live chat' never any waiting.

[Brighthouse Cable Paul]

Any chance Brighthouse will give Comcast some competion soon. Doesn't price changes require county approval ?

Unfortunately, for the foreseeable future we will only be south of 466A. There is so much construction down there we will be keeping up with that for the next year plus. It is possible that once that is complete and we are caught up that we may look at going north, but anything like that is still a couple years or so out. Wish I had better news.

[rubicon]

Well like the rest of you I finally got my bill. Last month they told me I saved $11.92. This month they raised my cost by $20.00 and told me I saved $33.15. Heck I hoping they raise my bill another $50.00 so I can save $75.00....do they think I just fell out of a tree. Called all day today and told they are getting too many calls . Wonder why?:swear:

[BarryRX]

Just switched from Comcast to century link because the price increase for something they said was free and the horrible customer service was just too much to deal with anymore. I have no idea if century link will be any better, but they would really have to stink to be any worse. Last year after a Comcast box caught fire in my home, they replaced the box (I had to go down to their office, they wouldn't have a tech bring out a new box to me), and offered me 6 months of free HBO. At the end of the six months, I noticed a large increase in my bill. They said they were charging me retroactively for the hbo. It took 3 days of phone calls to straighten that one out. They are by far the worst company I have ever dealt with.