May. 24th, 2008

Quick COmcast update, since there are yet more exciting developments.

I begin with excerpts from an email conversation between mechamom and Mister Comcast Frank, which she forwarded to me and mecha:

Frank sez: (May 21)
I wanted to provide a quick update regarding this. At this time we have credited back the $86.03 that was listed on the Bloomington account, so at this point that will be at a 0 balance. We also credited back $30 to the other account, which leaves a balance of $121.94. We would like to look into this further, but we would need to discuss it with before we can enter further credits. Thank you!


..."other" account?

Mechamom's response to Mr. Comcast Frank (on May 21) touches on this question, of course; everyone on this side of the dispute is woefully confused as to what "other" account this could be. Mecha and I have had exactly two accounts with Comcast ever: the one when we were living in Indianapolis in 2005, and the one we have now, which started its life as an Insight account. The first account was closed, and then, when we wouldn't pay for the cable box that we had already given back to them, sent to collections. We then paid the collections agency. Granted, I'm not the sharpest crayon in the socket, but as far as I know, if Company A turns an account over to Company B, and then Defrauded Customer C pays the bill, then I'm pretty sure the account should be closed.

If I am wrong, I invite correction.

Frank sez: (May 21)
One of the accounts currently has a balance of $121.94 which is the Indianapolis account. The other account has been brought to 0 today.


WHAT.

The Indianapolis account. The one we CLOSED? And then you sold it to a COLLECTIONS AGENCY? Which we PAID?

That account?

That's the one you figure we still owe you money on?

Gotcha.

Mechamom sez: (May 21)
It is inconceivable to me that there is still an account out there with a balance on it.


You and me both, mechamom.


Here, though -- and I'll embiggen it for those who are skimming -- here is the part that made me decide to post again.

I mentiond on the 20th that we got a bill and a note that we would be charged $500 if we closed our account without returning our cable box.

Today, mechamom got a bill for $500. For the cable box. Which is "overdue" I guess? Even though our account is still open, and as far as I know they didn't actually tell us where to return it? Plus, when you think about it, they already owe us a cable box. We returned the old one, and then paid for it because our receipt apparently meant nothing in the magical fantasy world where Comcast corporate is located.

We're working out a plan for when we return this box. Obviously, it doesn't work for mechamom to just take it over, clarify with the nice lady behind the counter that yes, this really will end the madness, then get a receipt and leave. This time, we'll bring more witnesses, certainly; also, I'm pretty sure there's at least two cameras between all of us, and possibly three, and mine takes video. A receipt might not be proof that we gave them back their equipment, but perhaps a dozen photos and some video will. I suggested bringing along a notary to notarize signed statements by any employees who're there, stating that yes, it is RETURNED, we do not OWE anything more for the love of GOD, but mecha says that actually outside of a few narrow areas, notaries don't have any real legal weight. There's gotta be someone we can bring along who can act as an independent witness... a paralegal, maybe? I'm not sure. Thoughts?

Of course, we could have hi-def footage, shot in front of a live audience consisting of a busload of nuns, narrated by Morgan Freeman, who was THERE IN PERSON AND SAW THE WHOLE THING, and even that probably wouldn't be proof enough for Comcast. They want more of our money, and more, and more; and therefore they shall have it. Reality is for other people.




It turns out that someone else of mechamom's acquaintance is having Comcast woes right now, too. Here is how mechamom tells the story:
Ironically, this past Thursday evening, at 10:15pm, [Person and Person's husband] heard a knock at their front door. They do not have cable, but are new to the apartment complex. They were greeted by a Comcast field person, who asked them if they were interested in cable. [Person] explained that they did not have cable and were trying to save money for an upcoming move. The field person gave her an offer of $39 for cable per month, and if she would pay him cash right then, he could hook it up that night. This is at 10:15 at night!!! She said no, thanks, but if he would leave a brochure or price list, she would look at it. He stated that "when he leaves, the offer leaves with him", so she told him he would be leaving with his offer immediately. Before he left, he pushed open her front door and said "I see you have a computer, are you interested in internet? At that point, her husband jumped out of his chair, and told the field person to leave before they called the police.

Tell me, Frank, is this what Comcast considers professional business practices?


Hands up, anyone who figures that cash would've disappeared mysteriously, certainly unbeknownst to the innocent folks over at Comcast, if Person had been as stupid as Field Guy apparently thinks his marks are. Me, I'd raise mine high, except I need it to type.



I'm really starting to feel like I need popcorn in order to properly enjoy the way this little drama is continuing to unfold.


[Edit 5/28/2011: For some reason the spambots are diggin' on this post lately, so I've locked down commenting. If you are a human being who has something to say about the stuff above, though, fear not -- I am still glad to hear from you! (Even if you're another Comcast employee following the ol' list-of-excuses. I think the list is total bullshit, but I also realize that chances are you don't like it any better than I do and you're just trying to keep pulling down that paycheck to feed your kids or pay your rent or whatever. Everyone hates a telemarketer; nobody praises the telemarketer when he takes the moral high ground, quits his job, and subsequently starves to death.)

If you still want to comment on this post or one of its comments, and you're not a filthy, filthy spambot (I have a lot less sympathy for them), just click the "comcast thuggery" tag located at either the top or the bottom of this post. It will take you to a list of all the posts that I applied that tag to. Then pick a different post on the list, write your comment there, and note that you're actually responding to the post of May 24th, 2008. Then everybody wins! Except spam.]

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