Comcast is messing with me again.
 

I have had their "limited basic plan" which includes 'standard wifi', at 39.95 per month, plus 10.00 per month modem rental, plus all kinds of taxes and service fees since Oct 2014. Today they removed channels 23 thru71. I called said I was never supposed to have them. But they kindly advised that they would not back bill me. No wonder I see so many Satellite antennas going up. Anybody else have this problem?

So you got something for half a year you weren't supposed to have and didn't get charged for it?

Not sure why that is a shot at the service provider. Sounds like they did right for you.

I got the same letter. Turned out they wern't channels I watched anyhow.

I've been hoping they would make the same mistake for me...how about hbo, showtime .....

It actually did happen to us in our home up north here some time ago. We called them several times to report it, but they didn't seem to care. It went on for probably 6 months or more!

And then what? Did you get the channels back? At extra charge or not?

I'm sorry - I wasn't clear. We got a bunch of extra channels that we were not paying for as we only had basic cable. We tried to call to let them know that they had made a mistake, but instead of correcting it they continued to give us those channels month after month at basic cable rates. I am not complaining - just acknowledging the incompetence and wastefulness of companies like this, while on the other hand their usual mode of operation is ripping people off by doing just the opposite - charging people and not giving the proper service.

I hope I didn't complicate the matter more by such a long post, but what I do notice today is that when you actually get the right product AND good service, it is almost a shock! My, how the times have changed. Too many big companies have become stupid and I'm afraid we consumers are paying for that in more ways than one.

You didn't complicate things. Thanks for the explanation.

Yes, I was getting something for nothing....my favorite thing! I guess I am just incredulous because this is a technology company that is supposed to be supplying us TV and Internet service. So when I hear about viruses and other problems with identity theft it just makes me consider how technically challenged this service provider is. I called them to ask about their vacation plans, and you'd of thought I asked them something no one else had ever asked. And of course this was after I gave them my Social Security number, address, phone number, twice! ,full name and so on. And still their best answer was that it would be approx. 5 -10 dollars per month. I had to drive to there office on 441 and asked the clerk in person, she said 6 dollars per piece of equipment, modem plus set-top box 6dollarrs each for 3 - 7 months.
Their lack of customer service, especially on the phone is baffling .
I guess I'm ranting, but there is literally no real competion, they have a take it or leave it mentality....Time Warner is just as bad up North, I now understand that Comcast has purchased Time Warner...so do you think their service will improve, this sounds more monopolistic than ever, the consumer is being gouged.

I think Comcast may begin to get even nastier since the SEC nixed their merger plans.

Comcast ,Direct tv they are all the same
 

We have had all three and honestly they are all the same. The rates for Direct tv have gone up and by the time you add in the "equipment" the $49 plan becomes $98 for the smallest amount of channels. Getting rid of two bedroom hookups really don't need them anyway not so much the six bucks per but more that I refuse to give them anymore of my hard earned ss !

When we moved in about a year ago, we also received more channels than we signed up for. On the other hand, our cable was out so much we considered it a wash. Doesn't matter how many channels you get if it is constantly down. We upgraded to the xfinity1 box and more channels so it became a moot point.

I had the same experience with Cablevision up north and Directv. Their reps are a storehouse of misinformation. They all need training on their products and customer service skills. Most of them are just warming a chair with their brains but their lying through omission skills, are excellent.

I found DISH to be a better alternative as you can go to their store if you have a problem and talk to a rep, face to face. So far, I am a happy camper.

I missed that, twc and Comcast is off. Good.

Comcast and other cable providers give you "something for nothing" and it's a good marketing ploy in that a number of people will then buy the package in the long run. That's actually the way they try to get you hooked.

In our "moves" over the years we had Comcast, century link, Brighthouse, AT&T (and another I forgot their name that Comcast purchased in our area) cable/internet---customer service is about the same I'm sad to report. Our friends have told us the same about the satellite companies. Occasionaly you get a "good competent" customer service rep but it's rare! I think it's a sign of the times! Obviously, they don't pay enough to get "good help" or to keep them. This sounds familiar doesn't it?

I was surprised to see the same channels missing. I didn't know that it wasn't part of my package. I rarely watch with the Comcast box. I have an antenna and get lots of channels. I spend most of my screen time watching on the Roku.

Sounds like Vacation time would be a great time to quit Comcast and schedule replacement service to be activated upon return. That might work for a bunch of unhappy Village Comcast users. Also a nice message sender.

So who is the best satellite provider in the area?

I absolutely agree with you. My caviat is when the programming available on most channels is not worth watching it is a hard sell. And I am a television person.

Comcast is still fighting the federal government to get approval to buy Time Warner. It argues that they mostly cover different areas of the country, and so do not compete with each other. My response? Yeah, and if the merger goes through, they NEVER will!