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Charter Communications customer service sucks Smyrna, Georgia
My husband and I are trying to get Charter Communications to install high-speed internet access at our home. We have called the reps at least 4 times so far over the past 5 weeks. Each time they tell us that service man has to find out whether our home is serviceable by them. I have already told them that our neighbors have cable service through them. So, obviously our home is serviceable.
I don't understand why it should take more than 5 weeks for these people to find that out. Their customer service is really pathetic. They are the only company that provides service in my area. I don't understand why this cable business has to be such a monopoly. That's why the service sucks. If there is healthy competition between different companies, it wouldn't be like this.
Our neighbors have cable service with Charter. It took Charter about 4 months to run the cable underground. They had left the cable hanging outside on the driveway of our home (neighbor's cable runs through our home) for 4 months. The neighbors said that they complained many times, but didn't get a response. The neighbor happens to be a lawyer! If this is the shape of things to come for a lawyer, then it is only going to get worse for everybody else. My neighbor also says that they charge outrageously for the services.c
I need the cable service soon so that I can work from home from time to time. But these people are just harassing us...
padmini
smyrna, Georgia
12 Updates & Rebuttals
Jason
Pasadena,California,
U.S.A.
California Horrible Charter Customer Service
#13Consumer Suggestion
Sat, April 29, 2006
After the Rep left our house "offering to install face plates for $75 a piece.." after we paid $200 for installation.
the internet went down.
so we call customer service, and the guy immediately starts giving us an attitude ( saying words like "Duh"). After my wife had enough I took the phone and was trying to reason with him. When all his suggestions didn't work and his attitude got a little too much I started to get upset. When I asked for his name he told me his name was Tom and insulted me calling me an "ahole" using the full wording.
but when the call first started he told my wife his name was Raymond.
He then hung up on us. although the cable fixed itself after 20 minutes. it constantly goes down so I'm writing this from my friends house to warn you all.
charter has surprised me it is giant downgrade from my old cable provider. and I have never been called a bad word from any companies support line.
Kevin
Smyrna,Georgia,
U.S.A.
Charter; Good or bad? Maybe alittle of both.
#13Consumer Comment
Tue, September 28, 2004
Folks,
I also have Charter. They have been very responsive to my needs on most occasions. However, on one occasion, some techs came out to service my cable and they left a terrible mess. I called to complain and Charter sent someone out to immediately correct the problem.
Also, Charter is involved in a class action suit. I became aware of this when the documents for the same were forwarded to me last month. I don't recall the particulars, although it had something to do with fee overpricing.
There are parts of Smyrna that are not yet updated for the new fast internet service. Some of the wiring has got to be updated.
And finally, I just became aware of the date of this complaint. My reply seems to be 2 years late. So, I maybe wasting my time here. My apologies for any inconveniences.
Kevin
Smyrna,Georgia,
U.S.A.
Charter; Good or bad? Maybe alittle of both.
#13Consumer Comment
Tue, September 28, 2004
Folks,
I also have Charter. They have been very responsive to my needs on most occasions. However, on one occasion, some techs came out to service my cable and they left a terrible mess. I called to complain and Charter sent someone out to immediately correct the problem.
Also, Charter is involved in a class action suit. I became aware of this when the documents for the same were forwarded to me last month. I don't recall the particulars, although it had something to do with fee overpricing.
There are parts of Smyrna that are not yet updated for the new fast internet service. Some of the wiring has got to be updated.
And finally, I just became aware of the date of this complaint. My reply seems to be 2 years late. So, I maybe wasting my time here. My apologies for any inconveniences.
Kevin
Smyrna,Georgia,
U.S.A.
Charter; Good or bad? Maybe alittle of both.
#13Consumer Comment
Tue, September 28, 2004
Folks,
I also have Charter. They have been very responsive to my needs on most occasions. However, on one occasion, some techs came out to service my cable and they left a terrible mess. I called to complain and Charter sent someone out to immediately correct the problem.
Also, Charter is involved in a class action suit. I became aware of this when the documents for the same were forwarded to me last month. I don't recall the particulars, although it had something to do with fee overpricing.
There are parts of Smyrna that are not yet updated for the new fast internet service. Some of the wiring has got to be updated.
And finally, I just became aware of the date of this complaint. My reply seems to be 2 years late. So, I maybe wasting my time here. My apologies for any inconveniences.
Daniel
Rochester,Minnesota,
U.S.A.
to get ride of Charter in your community is by complaining to your city officals.
#13UPDATE EX-employee responds
Fri, May 16, 2003
First of all, I have nothing good to say about Charter / TCI. But I have to disagree with some of the comments.
First, your area has to be digital ready for HSD. If not your only choice is DSL.
The problem with the cable on the ground could be Charters fault or not. Where I worked the 'bury drop' work orders were subcontracted out to landscape companies and they were done May-Sept (I'm in the north). The tech that installs your cable cannot schedule this for you (even if he tells you he can). So if you do not call it will not get burried. If you are living in a new sub division they wires throughout the whole sub division not just to individual houses.
Even though the cable company may look like a monopoly it isn't because you have other options -- direct tv, dish network, DSL, ... (this is simple microeconomics). You can go online or to any electronics store and get satilite service. Plus, cable tv is viewed by the courts as a service not a utility. This is no excuse for crappy service. But, I will tell you there are some cities where the phone company did cable and HSD and the prices Charter had in those areas were about 30% cheaper. The only way Charter will understand is if many people go to satilite.
The tech is right about 'serviciablity' it usually takes about a week. And if someone called me for a second time I filled out a second serv. requist. The CSR is suspose to call back the person telling them yes or no and when it will be ready. Your problem deals with HSD and if this is a new digital area you have to understand that it takes a while for the upgrade to take place. They do it by multiple 'nodes' or even the whole town (a node can be 500 households). I live in a 80K person community and when TCI did the digital/HSD upgrade it took almost 6 months.
The only was to get ride of Charter in your community is by complaining to your city officals. Because they are the ones who decide if their franchise agreement is renewed. These agreements are usually either 5 or 10 years.
Good luck
Matt
Millstadt,Illinois,
U.S.A.
results of your serviceability with your customer service number
#13UPDATE Employee
Thu, May 08, 2003
If a house or apartment complex has never had service before we have to send a technician to the home to make sure all the wires are running to the home correctly. We could send a technician out right away, but the customer would probably be upset if our technician said, "Well, I'll have to come back later, the wires aren't right." Usually, at least where I am, serviceability usually takes about ten business days. T
his may sound rediculous if your neighbors have the service, but we have to make sure everything is correct at the home if it has never had service or it has been newly built. If no one called you back, then that is definitely our fault. But you should be able to call in and get the results of your serviceability with your customer service number.
Padmini
smyrna,Georgia,
U.S.A.
I can start the petition!
#13Author of original report
Mon, May 05, 2003
Tare,
I can start the petition. I would need details on how to go about submitting one though. Who would be the best person to talk to? I can also join you if you would like to start it by providing an extra signature. Please let me know.
Post the info below.
thanks
Tare'
Smyrna,Georgia,
U.S.A.
Monopoly
#13Consumer Comment
Fri, May 02, 2003
I think Charter Communications is a rip-off. They have steadily increased our prices every year since we've had the service. The last increase was a whopping 25%. This was in January. Then we got a call the other day saying that they were getting ready to implement another price increase. This is just May. They are out of control. I feel sorry for the service reps, because they have to take the brunt of all the criticism. This is rediculous. Upon further investigation, I discovered, that it's not just Charter. In fact, if you live in an area where there is only one cable company, (excluding dish companies,) they can do pretty much whatever they like in terms of pricing. They have no market stabiizers (competition) to control their prices. Thus, in Smyrna, Charter is the only company so they do whatever they want. I called the administrative offices in Smyrna to ask what could be done about this. They said that there were some individuals who wanted to start a petition. They also said that we can write our city mayor, the State Utility Board, and the FCC. This is clearly a monopoly and if we con't say anything, they will continue to do what they have been doing. Who wants to start a petition?
Padmini
smyrna,Georgia,
U.S.A.
It continues to be a rip-off!
#13Author of original report
Wed, February 19, 2003
Mr. Jim is probably one in a million to be happy with the service (or may be he is an employee :-)). All my neighbors are still complaining and cannot wait to switch to another company. Charter recently increased the price and now I am paying $70 for the service. Just read the amount of rip-off reports on this company overall!
Jim
Smyrna,Georgia,
U.S.A.
I live in Smyrna, and Charter is great!
#13Consumer Comment
Wed, February 05, 2003
I live in Smyrna and use Charter digital cable & internet.
I've enjoyed nothing but prompt service and reliable internet connection. It's pretty fast too!
You can go by their office near the community center & they have plenty of nice people to help.
I hate to see a company that's really excellent get bashed.
Charter
St. Louis,Missouri,
U.S.A.
I will assist you in getting this issue resolved
#13UPDATE Employee
Mon, January 20, 2003
Padmini,
My name is Katie and I am an employee at Charter Communications Corporate office. I would very much like to assist you with your issue. If you would email me at the email address listed below with more information, I will assist you in getting this issue resolved.
Thank you
wevalueourcustomers@chartercom.com
unknown employee
smyrna,Georgia,
U.S.A.
don't take it out on them
#13UPDATE Employee
Mon, January 13, 2003
did you try going to the local office. chances are that the person your neighbor was speaking with didn't fill out a survey for the guys who bury the cable. as for you, it's not the people you call you should be blaming, it's the technicians. the phone reps schedule the appointments in the spaces provided. the techs are supposed to follow those schedules. if they don't, its not the phone reps fault. so please don't take it out on them.