Complaint Review: Comcast

The first month of the triple play, Comcast could not get much to work, despite various visits by qualified local techs to "clean up" the part that is ignorant...corporate customer service.  Comcast had the gall to try to charge me for fixing all their assundried screw-ups.  So I called in my option of canceling everything and getting my first month's investment refunded.  I told Comcast that I would start over and with Internet only, as that had worked with only a few glitches that were mostly worked out by month's end.  They agreed to this plan. 

Of course I didn't get my money back, but was assured by Torri (I have every word documented) that I would receive the full month's credit applied over the ensuing months to my Internet service. 

The first bill showed a balance due, so I called to get it corrected.  Agent Torri had left me instructions on how to contact her personally with any issues, but of course that didn't actually work in the real world.  After several hand-offs, an agent assured me that "don't worry" you don't actually owe what it says".  I know at this point there is trouble ahead, but decide to let it run it's course.  Fast forward to month three, and now comes a past due notice. This is bogus, so now it is time for action.  (They still owe me into the next month) 

I am not an attorney, but fortunately there are a couple in the immediate family.  I will bounce this off the "Comcast cares" folks, but I tried that when nothing worked.  What I got was the electronic version of the circular file.  (Although lots of folks cheerfully patted me on the back during the handoff.  Nice gesture...sort of like talking to a virtual car dealer!) 

I love small claims court; the big players usually don't even show up.  Open and shut numbers cases like mine...and I'm out of there with treble damages and satisfaction.  Of course jurisdictional and other legal matters are sometimes unpredictable, but I have personally experienced the lasting euphoria of occasionally taking a small bite out of an "untouchable".  I have the distinct advantage of being able to consult with family to determine just what I can expect to accomplish.  

Not knowing much about how the law really works, many wronged Comcast victims will cry out for a class action suit, not realizing that the terms and conditions of a scurrilous company like Comcast generally preclude that option.  And if arbitration isn't mandated, rest assured it will be tied up in litigation for many years and that ultimately, a settlement without culpability (no wrong-doing) will be tied to the settlement and the proceeds will be largely consumed by the cost of litigation.  (Successor claimants may be able to enjoy a good cup of coffee funded solely by the proceeds) 

I'm posting here since Comcast has effectively "insulated" itself from being annoyed by legions of disgruntled victims.  (Email could be used as evidence, and we wouldn't want that, now would we?!) How many major service providers do you know of that try not to allow access by email?  This post reveals just what lengths one must go to get a message to anyone who even speaks fluent English. 

I prepared a very uncomplicated spreadsheet showing the actually balance on my account and just for kicks asked my 10 year old grandson if he could understand it.  He is a very bright youngster, but I figured if he got it right off, a judge would also.  No problem, it was like "ok, sure I get it", now how about some screen time? 

I'm thinking this time around if "Comcast Cares" stays on the sidelines and chooses not to participate, I might start to write a column on the day to day operations of Comcast.  Maybe even do a piece for a local TV station.  (They are always clamoring to get a great public interest story syndicated)  In previous contacts with media, they are always looking for "pu" stories and if you are capable of doing a professional write-up, they will give it serious consideration. 

 And if I work it just right and get a favorable small claims finding, I might put together a "strategy pac" to mobilize an army of litigants to invade the small claims arena in numbers that might just get someone's attention. 

Eventually, I did get Comcast to honor the committment made by agent Torri...for the first six months of the promised year.  Then guess what...They acknowledged that I was promised the rate for a full year, but flat out refused to honor it.  Is there no one in America today that will stand in the path of corporate crime and protect the people?