Freakin Comcast - A Rant

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch) 05/29/2018 at 13:02 • Filed to: None

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My comcast bill has been creeping up slowly, started at $35 for the promotional rate, then it was $50 after the promotion ended. No biggie there, standard practice I get that. Im happy paying $50 a year. Then I noticed they jumped it up to $80 all this year (on autopay so I only now took notice). I checked my bill, $65 for service and a $15 “performance pro” package. So here’s the deal, I didn’t authorize a performance package, why is it there? and why did my regular rate go up?

I call

“oh yeah, when the promotions expire your bill goes up”

yes I know, it expired 4 years ago, why am I paying more

“you see you are getting faster internet and the promotion expired”

Yes I see that, but do you know how contracts work? You offer me something, then I agree to the terms. Did I authorize a performance increase?

“the last time we spoke was in 2016"

yeah, exactly I didn’t authorize a speed or rate increase

“aren’t you getting faster internet? do you know how to do a speed test?”

Are you listening to my words? I didn’t agree to pay for faster internet...why did you charge me for it?

“you see when promotions expire you pay the regular rate.”

....

what are you going to offer me for your overcharging me for a year.

“I can get you a TV package for $80 for 12 months.”

look...if i wanted a TV package I would have bought one. I don’t want TV

“I can get you internet only for $50 for 12 months”

so...the exact same deal on your website...you’re not even going acknoledge you’ve been overcharging me without my permission for a year.

“are you getting faster internet, you see...”

*Click*

HOW IS THIS LEGAL?!

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 13:17

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$80 for how fast?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 13:17

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I currently have Xfinity (effectively the same company, just internet-only for us). Our bill has only increased, for no real reason other than because they can. I’m pretty sure I started at 50-something, it’s now 80...

Still, it’s tough to get internet-only plans out there. Most companies always push for a bundle, which is usually cluttered with shit I don’t need and will never use.

HammerheadFistpunch > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/29/2018 at 13:17

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60 down 5 up

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 13:18

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Because Comcast and their friends have paid lobbyists to help push forward bills that benefit them.

https://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000000461

For Sweden > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 13:18

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It’s not. Take them to small claims court.

HammerheadFistpunch > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 05/29/2018 at 13:18

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So the question is...what is in the contract you initially sign that allows them to legally re-sign you at whatever new terms they want? Cause it seems pretty scammy.

Mercedes Streeter > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 13:19

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Oof, I was paying $75/mo (after the promo ended) to Comcrap for 85mbps down and something like 20 up...they’re screwing you hard. :(

Takuro Spirit > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 13:20

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ATT Uverse pulled the same shit with me. I was one of the first customers when they came into Milwaukee years ago, and I dumped Time Warner (now Spectrum) for them.

My bill kept going up and up and they would just say “Oh, well your old plan is no longer available, we have a faster plan now, and it costs more”

Without telling me, warning me, nothing. Just BOOP, higher bill.

Seemed to happen every year.

Nibby > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 13:20

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welcome to americanized capitalism

HammerheadFistpunch > For Sweden 05/29/2018 at 13:20

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Wish I had enough evidence to form a case. Im going to start recording all my calls to these types.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 13:20

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this is why it pays to have friends who work in comcasts sales department, whenever my promotional 40 dollars for just blast internet (100 up 10 down)is over i just call one and they set it back to the promotional rate

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 13:20

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It is scummy. In my case, our contract ended maybe a year ago, I’ve just been doing month-to-month since then. So I suppose they’re figuring that can squeeze a few more bucks out of me, and in return I’m not tied to them for another two years. Given that I am about to move, this might work out. I have unlimited data on my phones... I’m thinking about just having my computer linked to my phone as a mobile hot spot? Is that possible?

HammerheadFistpunch > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 05/29/2018 at 13:23

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possible but not likely to work great

For Sweden > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 13:23

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Call them back, and get them to say that you hadn’t spoken between 2016-2018. Record the call; Utah is not a two-party state, and you do not need to tell Comcast you are recording.

Take that recording and your new bill as evidence that they are charging you for something, the performance pro upgrade, that you did not agree to buy.

E92M3 > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 13:24

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Wait till you try to cancel and go with another company. “I’m sorry, you agreed to our terms and conditions when you signed up. You have to give 60 days notice of cancellation. We’ll bill you for 2 more billing cycles”. Then you turn in the equipment and they don’t have a record of it, so they bill you $800 for an old cable modem. If you kept your receipt don’t worry. It only takes 4 hours on the phone (multiple dropped calls) to get the charge reversed. They want to sell VOIP, and THEIR own phone system doesn’t work.

CalzoneGolem > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 05/29/2018 at 13:24

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I’m posting this from a a computer connected with a Verizon mifi device. It is certainly possible.

HammerheadFistpunch > For Sweden 05/29/2018 at 13:25

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I do love that utah is not a two party state. its come in handy.

cmill189 - sans Volvo > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 13:26

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Do you have fiber in your area? I’ve been on Century Link fiber for almost two years. With taxes, fees, etc; it’s 33.95 per month for 100 down/50 up. It’s been extremely reliable. They were even cool with giving me all the PPPoE info so I could ditch their router and run my own. That saves me money each month too. It should go up to around $50 after the two years but I’m fine with that.

HammerheadFistpunch > E92M3 05/29/2018 at 13:27

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They tried to pull that crap on me. I said “look, this is my equipment, you will not charge me for it. if you want it come and TRY and take it. They dropped it.”

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 13:27

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OK, I pay $90 for 60 down 10 up. That’s $CDN so seems pretty in line. There’s cheaper/better out there but a combination of can’t be asked and availability in my area/condo keeps me from switching.

HammerheadFistpunch > cmill189 - sans Volvo 05/29/2018 at 13:28

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no fiber

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 13:30

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With all you Millennials dumping cable TV the poor cable TV/Internet companies need to make their money somehow. Just think of the corporations Hammerhead, the poor corporations and all their sad robo callers.

Decay buys too many beaters > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 13:32

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Back when I had Comcast, I’d call up to “cancel service” once a year expressly to lower rates.

Once they think they are losing a customer, they extend deals. I successfully did this for almost a decade. It did feel incredibly good when I finally called to cancel for real though.

cmill189 - sans Volvo > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 13:33

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boo-urns!

lone_liberal > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 13:37

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We’ve recently had to do the Xfinity dance. Our bill slowly creeps up, then we go to the retail store and they “switch” us to a new plan that has the exact same channels we had before that has a discount. What a way to run a railroad.

diplodicus > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 13:37

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Hmm you should be getting 100/10. I had the same thing happen to me. Started at 50 for 50 for the first year. Then it was supposed to bump up to 70. Which it did for a time then one day I noticed I was getting charged 80 a month but my speed tests were coming back at 120 all the sudden. Looked at their website and pretended to be a new customer and noticed they got rid of every speed option other than 10 or 100. Didn’t bother calling because I can’t threaten to leave since I have literally no other options if I want more than 10mbs.

IIRC when I first realize I also noticed they don’t even put anywhere on my bill what speed I’m paying for. Just the marketing wank.

Future next gen S2000 owner > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 13:38

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Comcast isn’t too bright. Once I called because my Wifi/internet wasn’t working. They could ping my box so decided I was an idiot. I sat on that call for almost an hour. I was transferred to an overseas call center so that they could fix it remotely. Great but they were going to charge me for fixing it. I asked them how they were going to remote into my computer when the wifi doesn’t work and why I would pay to fix their broken equipment.

I can’t wait to ditch Comcast.

Their internet only is hideously expensive. 

adamftw > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 13:38

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Ouch. I just finally called and complained to Optimum about the price I was paying after my promo expired (was $40 for 50/5, then went up to $65) and they hit me with $50 for 100/25 and I said sure.

Future next gen S2000 owner > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 13:39

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The other state may be though.

HammerheadFistpunch > Future next gen S2000 owner 05/29/2018 at 13:42

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What, India?

Chariotoflove > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 13:46

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It’s not legal. They just make it so hard to get that reimbursement that it becomes a moot point.

If you’re pissed enough, do what ForSweden suggests and go after them. They’ll give in before it gets to court.

Or just enjoy your faster internet...

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 13:49

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I only get internet, but we don’t have any really fast options besides them.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > E92M3 05/29/2018 at 13:50

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There is a Comcast regional office about 2 miles from me, I went there and got in their face last time something strange happened.

450X_FTW > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 13:53

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Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 13:56

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Sure sounds like cramming, which is not legal. https://www.fcc.gov/general/cramming-0

bobkustofawitshz > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 13:56

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Despite my best efforts, my Comcast bill (triple play) continuously crested the $200/month mark. I have Verizon Fios now. 

Shit like this is exactly why I won’t do business with Comcast any more. The bill just goes up and up and up, and the incompetent Comcast people just feed you more and more bullshit.

Of course I remember the 90s when the cable bill was like $35 - you know, actually affordable and reasonable for what I was getting. I remember when the whole digital transition happened, and I had to get the little DTV adapter boxes from Comcast for the additional TVs in the house. No big deal - the first two were free, and additional were $2/month. Then they were $3/month. Then $4/month, and the first two weren’t free anymore. Now Comcast demands $5.99/month for EACH (non-HD) DTV adapter, that you have to RENT and can’t just buy, and which are REQUIRED EQUIPMENT to use the service that I am ALREADY PAYING FOR!!!

I got fed up with the incessant sneaky price hikes from every direction and cancelled the fucking thing. Good riddance. Much happier with my Fios - it doesn’t have BS like voice remote or integrated Netflix (that I don’t want or care about) and the on-demand sucks, but for $137/month (triple play, including all taxes and fees) it’s much more in line with what I’m willing to pay, and I haven’t had one sneaky price hike or other billing irregularity to deal with.

smobgirl > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 14:01

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These are the same folks who asked me what error message was displayed when their ungrounded cable literally made smoke pour out of the back of my tv. Now my cable tv is literally lightning to HDMI using the xfinity app on my iPad instead, because I’m not buying yet another television.

benjrblant > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 14:02

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This is one of the companies that thinks their industry can regulate itself too.

Jason Spears > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 14:04

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I believe Comcast Rage is a real and specific thing.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 14:30

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Man do I miss Verizon Fios. I was paying somewhere around $60 for 50 down and 50 up. The speeds rarely ever fell nor did the bill change or add on stupid fees. I pay about the same now for TWC since its the only non-DSL option but I get maybe 30 down and less than 5 up at best.

Textured Soy Protein > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 15:09

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We only use internet, not tv or phone, and when we moved, our options were Comcast or Verizon FiOS. The plans offered by Comcast made no sense, whereas Verizon had 100 Mbps for $40/month. Their goofy thing was if you want 1 Gbps it’s $80/month, but drops to $75/month if you add some tv package. So I went with the Verizon 100 Mbps.

It wasn’t a completely trouble free experience. When I went to sign up online, it gave options to use a Verizon router or use your own. I did a customer service chat to ask if I could use any router, or if that meant I was providing a Verizon router I already owned. This person, for whom English was obviously not a first language, seemed to indicate that either way, I needed to use a Verizon-specific router. And of course that meant either renting one for $10/month or buying one for $150, so I bought the damn thing.

When the tech came to install the service, he got it all set up, and as he was finishing, I mentioned something about I’ll see how the signal strength works out, because I had my own nice router but customer service told me I had to use a Verizon router.

“Oh, that port on the wall is just an Ethernet port, you only need Verizon’s router if you have tv or phone service. But if you’re internet only then basically any router will work fine.”

I tried the Verizon router at first since it was already hooked up, but my Roku that was 1 floor directly below the router, in a tv stand that somewhat dampens wifi signals, couldn’t even see the 5 GHz network. At all. 2.4 GHz showed as poor signal strength in the Roku settings. I swapped in my router and bam, the Roku said excellent signal strength on 5 GHz.

Luckily I was able to return the damn worthless Verizon router.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 16:22

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Hmmm... sounds like Comcast is just like Rogers in the Toronto area.

The solution to your problem is to move to Toronto and sign up with either Primus or Teksavvy.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 16:36

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Hmmm... I’m paying about CAD$80 after tax for 25mb down/10mb up with home phone bundle... the kind of home phone that keeps working even if the internet is down.

Note that CAD$80 is around US$55. And I could get a 150mb up/15mb down internet only deal for CAD$70 plus tax/fees (probably around CAD$90 after that) on a 2 year contract

Clearly you need to move up to Toronto.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 16:46

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“May I please speak with a supervisor?”

ranwhenparked > HammerheadFistpunch 05/29/2018 at 19:15

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Interestingly, I just moved from a town served exclusively by Comcast, to an address with both Comcast and Verizon service, and my Comcast bill actually went down - enough that it isn’t worth switching, like I initially thought I was going to.

Still on the fence regarding whether I ought to just drop the whole pay TV thing entirely, but, for now, they’re not screwing me as badly as they used to. No idea why, I’m just going with it.

Steve > HammerheadFistpunch 05/31/2018 at 09:00

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This is way I never do Autopay especially with Comcast!

Although I will never use Comcast again regardless.