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April 29, 2010

Comcast wins the 2010 Worst Company in America Award

Filed under: Hall of Fame — Tags: , , , , , , , — admin @ 2:30 pm
It’s official folks.  Our friends at THE CONSUMERIST have tallied all of the votes and COMCAST was the clear winner once again for 2010.  It has been a few years since they have been able to claim the title with such recent winners as COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS for 2008, and the overwhelming favorite AIG for [...]

The coveted "GOLDEN POO"

It’s official folks.  Our friends at THE CONSUMERIST have tallied all of the votes and COMCAST was the clear winner once again for 2010.  It has been a few years since they have been able to claim the title with such recent winners as COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS for 2008, and the overwhelming favorite AIG for 2009.

This year’s runner up TICKETMASTER couldn’t edge out Comcast’s blatant disregard for customers.  Our only hope is that Frank Eliason will be available to accept the award.  Here is the speech that we hope Frank will read on the steps of their corporate headquarters:

“On behalf of all former Comcast customers and myself personally I gladly accept this award.  If it were not for all of you I would not be pulling down about 1/2 million per year and my kids would have to go to public school.  It is the minimum wages that Comcast pays its customer dis-service representatives and the lack of training for our technicians coupled with our outrageous pricing for a substandard product that is sure to keep us on top for a long time to come.  I thank you, my family thanks you, and ComcastCares thanks you.  Without you and your recognition of how badly COMCAST SUCKS we wouldn’t be needed.”

September 16, 2009

Comcast Announces More Price Increases

Filed under: Bully Tactics,In the News — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 7:00 pm
I’m back with more of your favorite topic.  Comcast is in the news again for bending over their customers.  Read this story at Multichannel.com  Comcast is increasing the monthly lease fee for cable modems to $5 nationwide — a 66% increase over the current $3 monthly fee — which the operator said is necessary to [...]

I’m back with more of your favorite topic.  Comcast is in the news again for bending over their customers.  Read this story at Multichannel.com 

Comcast is increasing the monthly lease fee for cable modems to $5 nationwide — a 66% increase over the current $3 monthly fee — which the operator said is necessary to offset the cost of rolling out next-generation services such as DOCSIS 3.0.  Comcast said the increases will occur market-by-market but in general will begin this fall.  Alternatively, customers may opt to purchase a cable modem instead of leasing one; for example, Motorola’s SB6120 DOCSIS 3.0.  but will Comcast support you if you do?  NOT!!!

At the end of June, Comcast reported 15.3 million high-speed Internet customers. That means the operator would stand to generate more than $200 million in additional annual revenue from the increase in cable-modem fees, assuming at least two-thirds of all subscribers lease modems from Comcast.

Hey, who couldn’t use an extra $200 million?  Those politicians aren’t getting any cheaper you know and we all can’t win the lotto.  So quit complaining all of you Comcast customers.  Just bend over and pay the ransome.  After all, what other choice do you have?

(***hint***) C-T-C

August 14, 2009

Comcast Fights FCC Net Neutrality Order

Filed under: In the News — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 10:12 am
In spite of the public outlash and the resulting FCC order to discontinue throttling of peer-to-peer (P2P) traffic, Comcast feels that the FCC has over-stepped its authority and has filed an appeal to the ruling.  The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit will be hearing the case and final briefs are due [...]

In spite of the public outlash and the resulting FCC order to discontinue throttling of peer-to-peer (P2P) traffic, Comcast feels that the FCC has over-stepped its authority and has filed an appeal to the ruling.  The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit will be hearing the case and final briefs are due by Nov. 23, 2009.

In Comcast’s corner will be: (The Profiteers)

  •  The National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA)
  • NBC Universal
  • Qwest Communications International Inc

On the side of the FCC are: (The Public)

  • Vuze Inc.
  • Consumers Union of U.S. Inc.
  • Consumer Federation of America
  • Free Press
  • Public Knowledge
  • The Open Internet Coalition

Please contact any or all of these organizations standing on the side of the FCC and show your support.

August 11, 2009

Comcast Layoffs After Strong Profits

Filed under: Fubars — Tags: , , , , , , — admin @ 9:58 am
The one last redeaming quality of Comcast being the number of people they employ throughout the country has now ben tainted by their announcement that they will be laying off 160 employees in New Mexico in spite of strong profits recently reported. This shocking news came as Comcast made the decision to consolidate several areas [...]

The one last redeaming quality of Comcast being the number of people they employ throughout the country has now ben tainted by their announcement that they will be laying off 160 employees in New Mexico in spite of strong profits recently reported.

This shocking news came as Comcast made the decision to consolidate several areas of their workforce.  Although some people were let go today, Comcast will likely begin the majority of layoffs in rounds, and many of those that will be affected won’t be unemployed until October or November.

Let’s look at the bright side…it looks like we’ll have 160 new fans joining us here at our site !

August 7, 2009

Economy is Not Bad for Comcast

Filed under: Rants — Tags: , , , , , , , , — admin @ 3:49 pm
As a result of raising rates and locking new customers into marketing schemes like $99/mo for a year (as if getting a deal), Comcast has reported a PROFIT INCREASE OF 53% on the backs of struggling consumers. Now add to that the new TV Everywhere pilot where they have PARTNERED WITH COMPETITORS Time Warner and now DirectTV.  [...]

As a result of raising rates and locking new customers into marketing schemes like $99/mo for a year (as if getting a deal), Comcast has reported a PROFIT INCREASE OF 53% on the backs of struggling consumers.

Now add to that the new TV Everywhere pilot where they have PARTNERED WITH COMPETITORS Time Warner and now DirectTV.  Then add to that Comcast’s own estimate of profits over 40% for WiMAX services later this year.

Do we have any GENUINE PROGRESSIVES out there that are Comcast subscribers?  I thought that this was the kind of CORPORATE EXCESS that you stood against…or is that only when it is convenient.

HAVE A NICE DAY smilyface2

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.

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