Comcast Cable Company

Comcast Cable Service is so poor - let me count the ways - that I'm sure that their top executives utilize another method of pay TV or use a competing cable company. Well, "competition" is a misnomer. I don't have a choice and don't know of an area in this region where one does have a choice NOT to utilize the reigning cable company if you don't want satellite TV. I'm not simply complaining as one generally does regarding utility bills, but have a point of reference and comparison, Cox Communications. I was an unappreciative customer of Cox Communications for almost a decade before a recent move, so I can clearly compare the two.

Comcast bills are inordinately high and greater than what you would pay for a similar "tier" with Cox Communications. Not only do they charge more per month for the same services (i.e., Internet access, television programs), they are geniuses at adding extraneous costs and surcharges for unexplained services. One never receives a bill in the same amount and, when a payment is remitted, this amount is NEVER reflected on the paper bill in your hand. The middle-school graduate who is your customer service representative can see the credited amount on her computer screen (probably Cox service), but it will never be printed on your bill. And the bills will truly never be the same, nor will they "agree" in amount, always differing by at least $0.15 a month, but it's usually a greater and off-the-wall amount such as $38.16. We've had to in the 30's, if I recall correctly. They have to make money on this as it takes a customer at least 30 minutes to finally garner this information. You have to be pretty darn committed to find out information that ultimately doesn't answer your question in the first place. Because whatever amount that it is magically on your account, you still owe them nonetheless.

One of the great charges Comcast has come up with is the "installation charge" of $75. That's right, they charge you to set up the equipment to begin charging you a ridiculously high amount. (Funny, Cox Communications was simply happy to have you order their service and charge you after you began receiving their service.) I've included a photograph of a Comcast technician's "installation" for "wireless" Internet and cable TV service at the time of our last move. I paid $75 for this mess as I wasn't available to supervise this debacle or to stop him in the midst of the movers carrying furniture throughout the condo. Maybe they meant it as a modern "art installation."

Customer service is nonexistent. Just take my word on that. I'd share stories but in the end all you really need to know is that both the cell phones in the household have Comcast's repair number on speed dial.

Comcast cable television is technically weird as well. The screen often freezes for no reason while the audio continues. This glitch happens despite what channel or network one is watching. Comcast also has the lucrative but annoying habit of selling "local" commercial space, beginning the ad, and then cutting it in half to switch to the last half of a national one.

If Cox Communications were suddenly made available in this area and I actually had a choice, I'd be a customer again in a minute.