Comcast Cable Comcast making false claims Philadelphia Pennsylvania
When I was doing my digital television changeover, I bought several DTVs and hooked it up to Comcast Cable TV. The cable company claimed in television advertisements, on the news programs, posted on their web site, print advertisements, and billboard advertisements that if I was a Comcast Cable customer, I should not worry about the DTV transition and that I do not need to do a thing.
On April 24, 2009, I got a notice that said that I would have to have a converter box if I were to receive cable. Since it was tough hooking it up, I waited until May 12, 2009 to start hooking up my converter box. When I needed more boxes, the activation tech told me that I could have up to 3 converter boxes for free. The business rep said that I could only have two free digital converter boxes (I think that it should be free for all TVs and PVRs in your household). The extra boxes would have added $1.99 to my cable bill in which I am paying way higher than the rest of the city for the amount of entertainment I am receiving. These extra boxes I denied the request for.
When it comes to the converter boxes, Comcast said that all I had to do was to scan my DTV monitors instead of getting the digital converter boxes. This is not true. I still ended up with the exact same problems as the regular TVs.
I believe Comcast lied in their advertisements in order to get customers by using the scare tactic of the DTV transition. Customers think it is safe and they are covered for the DTV transition buying basic or extended cable where in reality they are required to get a set top box for the DTV transition anyway.
Ty
Olympia, Washington
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Smgluvr
Philadelphia,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
Cable in philadelphia
#5Consumer Suggestion
Tue, August 11, 2009
i just wnated to let yuo know that in philadelphia any cable company is required to issue a digital box per TV set. This is mandated by the FCC i believe. it is not the companies choice. this has nothing to do with your account or DTV its has plenty to to with signal leakage in high population cities like philadelphia. when you do not have a converter (weither it be DVT box Comcast box or somethign you bought at a best buy) you cause a signal leak. thus you need a converter on evey set in the home. also if you have the limited basic like i do it might not be 10 for you i know it south philly its around 23 dollars that is becasue Center city is considered part of that "Area" from what i was told. the services and shops like resurants IN the city are more expensive that out of the city Right? same goes for some service providers. hope this helps you relax about the charges your getting.
Anonymous
Nashville,Tennessee,
U.S.A.
what??
#5UPDATE Employee
Thu, June 04, 2009
You do NOT need a digital box to have comcast.. To get the DIGITAL channels (which is a good chunk of channels now) you must have a box. You must have misread the ad, because I have several pdf files of our ads, which do NOT state you must have a box.. Comcast customers are not affected by the DTV transition.. You can downgrade to the lowest limited basic if you do not want a digital box or you can go to another service, but they require a box too.. its the 21st century, digital boxes are required to get a good picture now.. The purpose of the DTV transition is to free up enough signal so that eventually one day every channel will be digital and you will have to have a box regardless. You should still be able to get over the air channels, even good quality... On every single call I tell customers that you are NOT affected by the DTV transition.. its required, at least in the southern region.
Roseynose
Olympia,Washington,
U.S.A.
Comcast still deceptive on advertising.
#5Author of original report
Thu, May 28, 2009
The employee is full of crap. I have all the copies of the advertisements if Comcast wants to see it (video, audio, and on paper). Comcast still requires you to get a digital box even with Limited Cable. I guess you get what you pay for with an added 20$ or more on a simple 10$ subscription.
Anon1979
PORTLAND,Oregon,
U.S.A.
Incorrect
#5UPDATE Employee
Wed, May 27, 2009
Actually Comcast was correct, the DTV switch effected over the air transmissions ie local channels that are sent over the air (ABC NBC CBS FOX), so, your choice was either get a digital antenna, or get limited basic cable from your local cable company. However, if you want MORE than you were getting for free over the air, you need a box because Comcast is switching all of their channels to digital, with the exception of LOCAL channels. So, if you don't want a box, call comcast and downgrade your service to Limited Basic, which will run you about 10$ per month, otherwise, pay for what you are getting.