CUT-THE-CABLE.COM

July 30, 2009

Think Twice Before You Type “Comcast” on Twitter

Filed under: Insider Stuff — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 6:21 pm
Read this excellent article by Marshall Kirkpatrick at Read Write Web.  Here are some snipits: far more was happening behind the scenes. An extensive machinery of tracking, delegation and analysis stood between @ComcastBill and my little Tweet. Maybe it has to be that way, maybe it’s a good thing – but there’s something deeply disturbing about [...]

Read this excellent article by Marshall Kirkpatrick at Read Write Web.  Here are some snipits:

far more was happening behind the scenes. An extensive machinery of tracking, delegation and analysis stood between @ComcastBill and my little Tweet. Maybe it has to be that way, maybe it’s a good thing – but there’s something deeply disturbing about it too.

website analytics heavyweights WebTrends and Radian6 offer a co-branded solution for keeping track of blog posts, Tweets, and other online ephemera mentioning your company.

I asked Radin6′s Chris Ramsey about what probably went on behind the scenes after I Tweeted about Comcast this morning. He said he couldn’t say how Comcast in particular was using the software but it wasn’t just a casual conversation. “Absolutely,” he said. “There is more going on there.”

It’s built in Flash and allows a fair number of different ways to slice and dice data. Data like, how many people are talking about you online vs. a competitor and the relative “influence” of those people.

Big Brother in Action

Big Brother in Action

The end result, though, is strange for those of us interacting with these customer service reps. It’s not just Bill from Comcast and I trading public replies on Twitter (I can’t DM him, he’s not following me). It looks like it’s just you and them, but behind them there’s a curtain covering a whole mess of cogs and pulleys, analyzing you in different ways. How many followers do you have? How did you respond the last time a company rep used your name publicly? Who’s in charge of discussing your concerns with you on Twitter, on your blog, or elsewhere?

...could it be?

...could it be?

July 28, 2009

Comcast Hires More Lobbyists

Filed under: Insider Stuff — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 11:56 am
They have hired Joe Trahern as Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs, and Rudy Brioché as Senior Director of External Affairs and Public Policy Counsel. Trahern will serve as one of Comcast’s senior lobbyists focused on Congress and the Administration (the palm greaser), and Brioché will focus on the development of the company’s public policy [...]

They have hired Joe Trahern as Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs, and Rudy Brioché as Senior Director of External Affairs and Public Policy Counsel. Trahern will serve as one of Comcast’s senior lobbyists focused on Congress and the Administration (the palm greaser), and Brioché will focus on the development of the company’s public policy positions and legislative analysis (identifying whos palms need to be greased).

(at least that's how we envision him/her until we get a picture)

(at least that's how we envision him/her until we get a picture)

Joe Trahern recently worked for General Motors (now there’s some credentials for ya! LOL). Prior to that, he was chief of staff to Doris Matsui (D-CA) and the late Robert Matsui (D-CA).  Before that, he worked for Tom Daschle (D-SD), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Byron Dorgan (D-ND).  (lots of “D”s, no “R”s)

Rudy "Re-Run" Brioche from the FCC

Rudy "Re-Run" Brioche from the FCC

Rudy Brioché was with the FCC (hmmm, sounds like a natural FCC stepping stone.  I’m sure he knows plenty about greasing palms) and before that worked for Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ).  Earlier in his career, Brioché worked as Washington Bureau Counsel for the NAACP. (WAZZUP!!!)

They join an already extensive lobbying team.  The Government and External Affairs Team headed by EVP David L. Cohen, the Administration and Capitol Hill Lobbying Team is led by Melissa Maxfield, the Regulatory and State Government Affairs headed by Kathryn Zachem, and the Public Policy efforts headed by SVP Joseph W. Waz, Jr.

Comcast spent $2.8 million on lobbying during the first half of this year.  In 2008, the company spent a total of $12.5 million, placing it among the top spenders in the television, movies, and music industries.

So folks, here’s your hard earned dollars at work.  Not fixing pixelation issues, but FIXING POLITICIANS.  Anyone that still sends money to this mob has nobody to blame for the current state of affairs other than themselves.

July 24, 2009

Fallout from the Cable Wars in Philly

Filed under: Rants — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 8:50 am
Jim Smith of Elkins Park,PA gives his opinions in the Philidelphia Daily News of the cable battles that are occuring in his area. IS IT MY imagination or is every other commercial on TV (or radio or in newsprint) sponsored by one of the dueling monopolies, FiOS or Comcast?  It’s hard to believe that they can [...]

Jim Smith of Elkins Park,PA gives his opinions in the Philidelphia Daily News of the cable battles that are occuring in his area.

IS IT MY imagination or is every other commercial on TV (or radio or in newsprint) sponsored by one of the dueling monopolies, FiOS or Comcast?  It’s hard to believe that they can afford that much advertising. Of course, if you have a near monopoly, you can bleed all the suckers you’ve already hooked.

The Federal Communications Commission goes ballistic over a small breast being exposed for four seconds from 75 yards away. But the agency does nothing about escalating cable/Internet/phone costs.  I’d love to see the paper trail showing the role of lobbyist money in the switch to digital TV. That was a giant stimulus package for Verizon and Comcast. And I’m totally sick of the FiOS cable guy, Ben Stein and Shaq.

Great rant Jim.  The truth of the matter is that the cable mafia would LOVE if the FCC stepped in and limited their advertising the same way they did with the tobacco companies back in the 60s.  It would keep the playing field level and the executives could pocket all of the money they would save on advertising.

Keep it real & DVR through their commercials.  They have no way to overcome that technology (-;

July 23, 2009

Comcast Internet Customers Still Surfing in the Blind

Filed under: Bully Tactics — Tags: , , , , , , , , — admin @ 3:24 pm
Read the entire story at Gadgetell.com When Comcast placed a 250GB Internet Bandwidth Usage Cap on their customers back in October, they did so without providing them with any means to monitor their usage.  The company was supposed to have a web-based tool available by January but that date came and passed.  A representative of Comcast says it’s still [...]

Read the entire story at Gadgetell.com

When Comcast placed a 250GB Internet Bandwidth Usage Cap on their customers back in October, they did so without providing them with any means to monitor their usage.  The company was supposed to have a web-based tool available by January but that date came and passed.  A representative of Comcast says it’s still “not ready for primetime” and will not be released to the public anytime soon.

Comcast hasn’t given any reasons for the constant delays and foot dragging, but some may speculate that they don’t want to help potential bandwidth hogs stay just under the cap.

Don’t wait for Comcast to give you a reason, let me give you a few:

  • With Comcast gearing up to offer TV content over the Internet, they don’t want their customers to scale back their usage…they want them to use more & more, which will justify them creating different classes of residential Internet services based on usage.  That way they can just charge more rather than have customers monitor their usage to make sure they don’t have to pay for the next level.
  • Since the vast majority of Comcast customers that subscribe to Internet services also subscrive to CATV services, if they see how easy it is to monitor usage on the internet, then there might be an outcry for METERED CATV USAGE Pricing and A LA CARTE CHANNEL OFFERINGS.
  • but really, let’s not over-think this.  Just ask the simple question “What’s in it for Comcast?” If it doesn’t add to their profit margin then it’s not a priority…it’s just that simple.

Ex-Comcast Employee Offers a Great Deal

Filed under: In the News — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 2:47 pm
Check out this lovely one out of Dekalb county, GA found on AJC.com and reprinted here in its entirety. The number of Dunwoody residents canceling their Comcast cable service has increased by 30 percent, according to the company. The city’s police department thinks it knows why.  Rony Chery, 26, was arrested Wednesday after he attempted to [...]

Check out this lovely one out of Dekalb county, GA found on AJC.com and reprinted here in its entirety.

The number of Dunwoody residents canceling their Comcast cable service has increased by 30 percent, according to the company. The city’s police department thinks it knows why. 

Rony Chery, 26, was arrested Wednesday after he attempted to sell cable service to an undercover Comcast employee (hmmm, did you know that Comcast has UNDERCOVER EMPLOYEES?  One could be living right next door to you!  And you thought he was just a CIA operative…LOL) at an apartment complex. He is charged with criminal attempt to commit theft of services.

Chery, a former Comcast employee, allegedly passed out pamphlets advertising a $50 fee for cable service, with no additional monthly fees, according to Sgt. Mike Carlson with Dunwoody police.

“Once he received the payment, Mr. Chery would disconnect the customer’s cable and reconnect it with another existing Comcast account,” Carlson said in a statement.

If you have purchased cable service from this individual, call Dunwoody Det. Kelly Gobely at 678-382-6914.

LOL!!!  What is it with this company that turns their people into hardened criminals as also seen with the home invasions in Portland and the more aggresssive check-cashing store robbery.  I have some theories:

  1. Maybe Comcast has based their operations procedures on the ones used by THE TALIBAN, or;
  2. Could it be that they pay their slaves minimum wages that force them into a life of crime, or most likely;
  3. They have seen first hand how Comcast gets away with robbing the public, so they thought they would give it a try.

For whatever the reason just be warned.  If you see a Comcast van rolling into your neighborhood…RUN and HIDE  The next victim could be you!  However, Comcast needs to take a clue from their ex-employee who obviously has a better understanding of CUSTOMER SERVICE and PROVIDING VALUE TO THE CUSTOMER.

July 22, 2009

Comcast Charges Extra for Tivo HD

Filed under: Rants — Tags: , , , , , , , , — admin @ 11:19 am
On the TiVo Community Forum there is an entire thread that is growing by leaps and bounds on bogus charges by Comcast and how to read a Comcast bill.  It’s highly entertaining (and educational).  Here are a few gems from the thread: Here is the new gem they are charging me on my cable bill. [...]

On the TiVo Community Forum there is an entire thread that is growing by leaps and bounds on bogus charges by Comcast and how to read a Comcast bill.  It’s highly entertaining (and educational).  Here are a few gems from the thread:

Here is the new gem they are charging me on my cable bill.
- Digital Preferred with 1 Premium – $82.99
- DVR/HDTV Service – $15.95  (Price went up last month)
- Personal DVR Cablecard Pkg – $1.70 (relatively new charge)
- Digital Service Additional Outlet – $6.95 (he’s not sure what this is for)
- HD Monthly – Additional – $13.90 (This is the one that made me called them. Last month they told me it was a mistake, and this month they say that is the normal fee for having my own TIVO if I want to see HD channels.)
- Cutting the Cable…PRICELESS !!!!

It looks to me as though you’re getting off lightly here – you have three digital outlets (one for your Comcast DVR, one for your TiVo HD, and one for your additional TV). You should be paying two “additional outlet” fees.

In all their advertising, Comcast says no extra fees for HD. I don’t think this is a legitimate charge if OP is already paying for a digital tier of service.  But then again, Comcast billing is WILDLY variable from place to place. And finding a fee schedule online is practically impossible, which to me is criminal.

As you’ll quickly find out, Comcast charges differently in different areas.

Since I already pay for the HD channels on my primary HD/DVR from Comcast, I thought I didn’t have to pay for the HD service again.

No HD Monthly fee out here. I have heard of something similar in the past for rental of an HD capable set top box box (over and above a regular one). Distinguishing the two seems such an obsolete notion these days. But that fee definitely should not apply to your TiVo in any way.

I pay the additional outlet fee and the cable card fee. I don’t have an additional HD charge on my bill though and I receive all available HD channels (which isn’t much with Comcast here) because I have the digital starter package.

I have been on and off the phone with them all day.  Still they claim that the HD Monthly – Additional – $13.90 is accurate with some variations.  One custumer service agent told me that it should be $1.70 (for the card) + $6.95 ( for Digital Service Additional Outlet) + $6.95 (for HD Service) = $15.60 per month (by the way the monthly charge from Comcast for their HD/DVR is $15.95.  Another custumer service agent told me, after I pointed out to him the following quote from their own website “How does HD pricing work?  Comcast doesn’t charge additional programming fees for HD channels and content like satellite. If you receive the channel currently and the channel is available in HD all you need is an HD box.” …that it was correct that they are not charging me for the HD channel, just for the “service” of me being able to see the HD channels. He also explained to me that I would be charge this fee for each TiVo that I wanted to receive this HD Service.

I have a Tivo Series 3 with 2 cable cards. Comcast charges me an additional outlet fee, but no fee for HD.

In the three or so years I have been using cable cards in my TiVo, Comcast has charged me several different prices for a number of different “services”.  Every six to twelve months I would call back and ask them to explain the charges and each time it would result in a lower total bill. The last time I called the told me they had been over billing me and would give me a refund but they would only go back six months.

Reading through Comcast’s bills is like trying to deconstruct a hospital bill.

LOL, who needs the Comedy Channel?  We have Comcast to keep us all entertained!

July 17, 2009

An Unhappy Comcast Customer Sounds Off

Filed under: Rants — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 1:43 pm
Here’s a gem of a letter written to Comcast by one of their subscribers, picked up from My3cents.com To whomever may care: [nice sarcasm, but the sad part is they really don't care] I feel that I pay enough to your company every month to not be charged a service fee when I have a [...]

Here’s a gem of a letter written to Comcast by one of their subscribers, picked up from My3cents.com

To whomever may care: [nice sarcasm, but the sad part is they really don't care]

I feel that I pay enough to your company every month to not be charged a service fee when I have a connection problem. Especially, since it was an issue caused by Comcast original hook up service. I have spent the better half of a year [a whole year?  And you still pay them?] trying to get Comcast internet connection. I was told time and time again that instead of coming out for a service call you would reset my IP address. Time and time again this did not work. I would spend another 20-30mins on hold for an operator to tell them resetting the IP address didn’t work for them to say it is an issue with my computer itself. With that advice I took my computer to PC Doctors and go figure it wasn’t my computer (more money wasted). When I did get an operator to set me up an appointment for someone to actually come to my house, they did not show. [Huh!  A Comcast tech didn't show?] I had to take off of work to wait on the cable guy because my appointment time was any where from 1:00 and 5:00. When I called around 3:00 to ask where they were I was told that they had already tried coming by my house and I was not home. SO NOT TRUE, as I stated before I had to take off work to sit at my house and wait on them. I was also told they tried calling my cell phone several times to inform me they were at my house, also not true. I had given Comcast 3 different cell phone numbers to reach me on and not one person tried calling from Comcast.  I then could not set up another appointment the next day because I could not take another day off work to wait on the cable guy to show up if he felt like it. Now with all of that said and hopefully getting a better understanding of where my frustration comes from I will get to the point of why I am unhappy with my bill.

I was charged $36 and some change for your cable guy to come to my house and tell me that who ever originally hooked up my internet did not hard wire it right. [you should have had him state that in writing]

Ok so when I called Comcast to provide my internet service they gladly came and hooked it up and started sending the bills. Once I had an issue it was impossible to get anyone to fix it and when I finally do, almost a year later, I am charged for re-wiring a faulty connection that was originally done by Comcast in the first place. I did call an agent and ask for the service fee to be taken off and was told that it is not Comcast’s problem. It is only Comcast’s problem if the faulty connection would have been outside of my house instead of inside. I could pay an additional $2.99 a month to have the service fee waived now and not be charged a service fee (for wiring connections) for any future problems. Now granted I am not a rocket scientist but I am not ignorant either, and I just can’t seem to make sense of this. I can not believe in today’s economy that you can afford to operate your business this away. [Why not?  You're about to answer your own question]

I didn’t write this letter just because I am losing out on a $36 charge but just for the simple fact that this is bad business. Not to mention that I also have my cable service through Comcast and it is usually hit or miss on the days it wants to work, and no, this isn’t an isolated issue. I have several friends and family that also use your service and they all tend to have the same issues. Cable box not working, guide won’t work that day, certain channels are freezing up, or internet won’t connect. [Question answered.  A lot of people just keep paying and paying, so why change anything] Not that it matters to your company but I will be shopping around for a new provider.  I know that customer service is not a priority for your company due to the fact this is America and we have a lot of potential consumers. So you lose one you will gain another, but one day I hope that all consumers will stand together against conglomerate corporate giants like yourself that provide little or no customer service to their clients once that client has signed on the dotted line. You take our hard earned money each month and provide mediocre service with no customer care. Maybe take some of that hard earned money your clients send you each month and invest in better equipment, employee training, and customer care. I know this letter will be viewed as a waste of my time for I have learned there is no one who cares within your company but it still makes me feel better to know I said and did what I can. I hope in the future people will voice their complaints more and something will be done. [There you go...WELL SAID!]

Thanks for your attention

You’ve got our attention.  Now there’s only one thing left to do…CUT-THE-CABLE!!!

July 14, 2009

Comcast to Launch the ISRAEL NEWS NETWORK

Filed under: Insider Stuff — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 1:50 pm
Picked up from the Broward-Palm Beach New Times and re-printed here in it”s entirety. Beginning Sunday, August 30, at 7 a.m., Comcast will air a half-hour TV program devoted to news about the Middle East. The show, run by the so-called Israel News Network (INN), will be unabashedly pro-Israel and makes no secret of its [...]

Picked up from the Broward-Palm Beach New Times and re-printed here in it”s entirety.

Beginning Sunday, August 30, at 7 a.m., Comcast will air a half-hour TV program devoted to news about the Middle East. The show, run by the so-called Israel News Network (INN), will be unabashedly pro-Israel and makes no secret of its aim: to counter the growing influence of Al Jazeera, which began as a TV station in Qatar (it was essentially the Arab world’s CNN) and has morphed into a worldwide news network.

A news release states, “Each INN program would feature a segment that is related to the Al Jazeera report of the week that INN will expand upon. For example, if Al Jazeera reports that Israeli checkpoints don’t allow Palestinians to get proper medical care, INN would run a feature about IDF medics who work in the West Bank and treat EVERYONE who needs help, even injured terrorists.”

Little information is available about INN, but the show is “supported by” Freedom Watch, a conservative nonprofit organization founded by Miami- and Boca Raton-based lawyer Larry Klayman, who, in his efforts to fight corruption and “preserve freedom,” has sued the Clintons, Dick Cheney, and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Freedom Watch’s missions include abolishing the United Nations (“a bastion for terrorist nations”); stopping the “Obama-Clinton crowd” from “turning the United States into a Euro-style socialist state”; and forcing the government to open its files about extraterrestrials  (“It is important for our citizens to know the truth so we can prepare for the day when [an extraterrestrial visit] openly occurs, to prevent worldwide panic.”)

Thomas J. Madden, a spokesperson for INN, did not immediately return a call for comment.

Other related press releases indicate that TRANSMEDIA has been retained by INN to publicize their debut on Comcast.  TransMedia’s publicity will explain that INN is supported by the public interest watchdog group, Freedom Watch, which is a joint venture partner with INN.   Founded by pro-Israel attorney Larry Klayman, Freedom Watch has offices in Washington, DC, Beverly Hills and now Boca Raton, Madden said.

I just want to know one thing…WHO’S PAYING WHO?  I have a feeling that there are going to be quite a few Comcast subscribers out there that will take exception to effectively SUBSIDIZING this programming with their monthly fees.

SHALOM (-;

July 8, 2009

Comcast Tech Robs A Check-Cashing Store in Portland

Filed under: In the News — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 11:28 pm
From OregonLive.com Investigators suspect a Comcast technician cut the phone lines to a Southeast Portland check-cashing store to trick a clerk into letting him in to fix the service. Instead, police say, the man violently clubbed the woman in the head with a crowbar and robbed the store. By mid-afternoon, robbery detectives had arrested Comcast [...]

From OregonLive.com

Investigators suspect a Comcast technician cut the phone lines to a Southeast Portland check-cashing store to trick a clerk into letting him in to fix the service. Instead, police say, the man violently clubbed the woman in the head with a crowbar and robbed the store.

By mid-afternoon, robbery detectives had arrested Comcast employee Michael Clarence Hagen, 25, accusing him of attempted aggravated murder, first-degree robbery and first-degree assault.  Police confiscated a metal weapon and more than $3,000 in stolen cash from the cable van, robbery Det. Chris Traynor said.

Michael Hagan - Comcast Tech in Portland for 5-years

Michael Hagan - Comcast Tech in Portland for 5-years

Hagen, a Comcast technician for five years with no prior criminal record, does face multiple civil liens and judgements dating back to 2006, public records show. Comcast placed him on leave Wednesday.

Make that about a 20-year leave, then promote him to VP since he has experience with robbing people.  Hey Portland, could this be the same guy that we reported to you back in April in the post PORTLAND BEWARE?  Once the Portland police solve this case, then maybe they can look into how Comcast is robbing the rest of us.

There is however a silver lining to this story.  The US Postal Service now has a new poster for building morale:

New US Postal Service Motivational Poster

New US Postal Service Motivational Poster

Comcast Fire in WV Ruled Arson

Filed under: In the News — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 10:23 pm
Picked up from the Cumberland Times-News Saturday’s fire that destroyed the building housing Comcast equipment has been ruled as arson.  Deputy Fire Marshal Patrick Barker made the determination that the fire was deliberately set.  Two firefighters suffered minor injuries in the incident.  The fire caused a loss of $200,000 to the structure and $100,000 to [...]

Picked up from the Cumberland Times-News

Saturday’s fire that destroyed the building housing Comcast equipment has been ruled as arson.  Deputy Fire Marshal Patrick Barker made the determination that the fire was deliberately set.  Two firefighters suffered minor injuries in the incident.  The fire caused a loss of $200,000 to the structure and $100,000 to Comcast equipment. Video and Internet service to Comcast customers in the Keyser area was temporarily disrupted until Comcast established a new communications hub.

A reward of up to $1,500 is being offered by the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office. Information may be provided to the West Virginia arson hotline at (800) 233-3473.

Assistant Keyser Fire Chief Chris Paitsel had said that preliminary investigation indicated the fire was suspicious and had two points of origin.

OK folks, all kiding aside…we would all like to see Comcast go up in smoke, but this is not the way.  Two firefighters were injured in the process.  All they’re gonna do is replace the old equipment with new equipment, and with insurance money.  Do me a favor…CUT-THE-CABLE, don’t try to burn it!

Older Posts »

Powered by WordPress