A rant against my cable company

[LanternWaste]

On Tuesday July 18, North Central Texas had a pretty hot day (even for N. Central TX) reaching 106F. When I got to my apt. early that evening after work, I noticed my cable was out-- not just TV, but internet, too (both provided in a package deal by my cable co.). Well, o-kay. In the past six months, it's happened a few times and it's not the end of the world. I had some writing to take of anyway and two DVD's I'd bought that weekend to watch.

When I get home on Wed., there's still no cable. Being the kinda guy who feels extreme guilt just for paying a bill one day late, I was confident that the error was not on my part, but I still had to check. So I call the company and ask if there's a problem. This is what I'm told-- "TXU (our energy provider in the area) had rolling grey-outs due to the extreme temperature. The grey-outs did not affect major power lines but did affect some of the fiber optic cables so that's most likely the problem."

Great. So when do I get the cable service restored?

"I'm looking at our schedule and I'm afraid that we won't have any technicians available until Aug. 2."

I'm sorry..., I must've misunderstood you. It sounded like you said Aug. 2 That's in two weeks.

"Yes. That's right. You'll need to be at your residence between 3pm & 8pm that day.

Ummm.... you mean August second? As in Two-Weeks-From-Now-August-second? TWO WEEKS!? And I have to lose two hours of pay to accomodate you?

Sweetly she responded, "Yes, that's right"


(At this point I realized THE major problem with cell phones-- you can't slam it down like the old Ma Bell phones)

I calmed down, wrote down the date and o-k'd it with my boss-man (who's been making matters worse by telling me about the Sins of cable and the Holy Righteousness of satellite).

Every two days (not kidding-- EVERY two days), the cable company has been calling me with the same damn question, "We have you scheduled for a service support call for August 2nd. What seems to be the problem...?"

Now, I get a call this morning. "Mr. Smith-- we have an opening and if you can be at your apartment at ten o'clock (it's 9:30 when I get the call), we can have someone out there today."

If I take an early lunch you guys can have it fixed this morning?

"Oh, no sir. We can schedule you for today-- it would be between 9:00 & 5:00 today-- but you'd have to be there."

Thanks, but no. I'll keep my regular appointment for tomorrow.

"Are you sure? You'll miss some great shows tonight on the line-up!"

(Again I wished I had a Ma Bell phone-- regardless that I'm at work).

No, I said calmly. Let's just keep the appointment for tomorrow. And then I hung up.

What prompted me to rant about this is that five minutes ago, a rep from the cable company called and said, "Mr. Smith? We have you scheduled for a service support call for August 2nd. What seems to be the problem...?"




This very even-keeled, low-key, mild-mannered guy is very, VERY thankful for the five-day waiting period on gun purchases right now...


Now back to your regularly scheduled posts.

[madinmaryland]

1. If you've been out of service for two weeks, then

you are not obligated to pay them. I think that is a law, though it could be different in TX.

[Ravenseye]

2. Yikes

I hope you withhold your July payment.

[Love Bug]

3. They ARE crediting you for 2 weeks of non-service, right?

That so sucks. Remind me to tell you some time the fun I had scheduling (and rescheduling) delivery of my fridge from Sears... :nuke:

This kind of scenario is the main reason why I have not switched my landline to cable phone. I may pay more, but Ma Bell is reliable.

Hope the heat lets up for you soon. We're (in Minnesota) finally getting a break. It's in the mid-70s right now and raining (which we so needed).

[LanternWaste]

6. O-kay, that's it-- I'm on my way

Minnesota? Mid-seventies? O-kay, that's it-- I'm on my way. I'll be there in the morning. Don't worry, I'm housebroken, don't eat much and will sleep under the couch.

(You're a B-5 fan... very cool!)

[Love Bug]

7. Unfortunately the mid-70s is not going to last long, just for today

The highs will get back in the 80s where they belong, which ain't bad.

Yes -- B5 is the best SF ever, though I think Battlestar Gallactica (the new one) is awesome, too.

[skygazer]

4. I hate those ridiculous all day windows

There's absolutely no reason they can't make appointments and keep them. I can see a two hour window but to make someone stay home all day is absurd.

I hope you'ved informed them that you are not liable for payment for the two weeks you've been out of service.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. What seems to be the problem?

That just takes it!

Time to seriously consider getting the satellite, yes?

Unfreakingbelievable........