Comcast charged me $99 to install a modem at our new home

[Orrex]

I brought the Comcast modem from our previous residence and plugged it in, so basically the Comcast tech had to call into the office and say "switch it on."

Granted, he was here for about 45 minutes, but 44.5 minutes of that was him waiting on hold to speak with a Comcast rep.

$99? What the fuck?

[Orrex]

1. And for that matter, I'm not sure that the woman I just spoke to is *really* named Cheryl.

[cstanleytech]

2. I would call them and try to get a waiver, if they refuse then take it up the chain and call HQ

and ask for the CEOs office (you should be able to atleast google the name and maybe even get the number directly to the CEOs office) though you will probably end up speaking to a VP or a higher level assistant.
They also might ask for a number to call you back at so give it and if and or when they call you explain the issue.

[Orrex]

9. I'm a bit skeptical about that route

I've worked in customer service for a long time, and when somebody name-drops the CEO, it almost always means that they googled the CEO's name but otherwise have no acquaintance whatsoever.

And in those rare instances when someone does know the CEO, the account is typically flagged "VIP Client" or the like.

If I told Cheryl that I know Mr. Comcast, she'd quickly dash off an email to her coworkers so that they could all share a laugh about it.

[cstanleytech]

11. I'm not saying name drop I am saying try to work with their

customer service but if it fails (and it can fail) then the only real option if you rather not pay the 99 bucks go higher up the food chain and call the HQs to try and speak to the CEO though the odds are you wont speak to them but rather be transfered to VP and or assistant who might be able to help with getting a waiver.
I had a issue with a bill for AT&T where the customer service people were no help (they had withdrawn money from my checking account without permission which caused me to get hit with some overdraft fees for checks that I had written) and the only way I was able to resolve the problem was in a similar manner to that which I described but again its your choice if you rather pay the 99 bucks.

[Ptah]

3. I would have done it for $400 even.

[freshwest]

5. ...

[Orrex]

10. But you offer those "extra" services that make the $400 seem like a bargain

[freshwest]

4. It wasn't part of the beginners' deal? I think they did it for free for me.

[Orrex]

7. On the contrary

If you're a long-time customer, they reward you by charging you substantially more for what new customers receive for free!

[freshwest]

12. When they started that on me, I told them to cut off everything but broadband. They wouldn't, but..

They arranged to keep my bill indefinitely at less than 75% of the post-introductory regular rate they had when I called.

I said I'd have to disconnect as I couldn't handle the stress of not knowing what the bill was going to be and negotiating with them every year or so. Which was all true.

Since it has increased more since then, that percentage is even less now. It is supposed to be left that way permanently.

I wanted to get rid of cable TV, but they insisted I keep it as part of the bundle. I only wanted TWC and SCAN. That's all I get.

My bundle has internet, those two channels and a landline without voice mail and with a non-published number. It has stayed that same rate, except for regulatory fees that go up and down every few months.

See if you can talk to them. It's best if you can go to see them in person. I let the person know I realized they weren't in charge of the rate structure, but that their bill was my highest utility bill and any increase of the monthly charges were unsustainable on my level of income.

Good luck with them.

[LeftyMom]

6. Did the installed device burst into flames?

If it didn't you're ahead of my last visit from a Comcast install person, and you should count yourself lucky.

[Orrex]

8. I didn't think of it that way, but you have a point...

I'm lucky to have gotten out of the deal with my life!

[Justice wanted]

13. I can understand your fustration. I use to work for another cable company and it was outragous

what they would charge people for service calls.

He probably had to do some work on the outside wires but still it is outragous. The price they charge for TV too.

They are the worse in the business I've seen so far.