why i cannot, CANNOT stand comcast. they are the new power monopoly

Soooo, i am trying to be a good girlfriend. i thought that if i surprise eric with cable (courtosy of the refund check!) that i would be AWESOME, even though he knows i hate comcast with a vengence. It all started when i lived in Lynnwood, and order cable tv and internet. well, the modem they gave me the first time kept on crapping out on me... and aparently it was an outdated, recycled modem that they do not support. NICE. this happened 2 more times. not to mention billing was pretty terrible, but hey, i lived alone and needed more than my cat to keep me company.

jump foward 4 years (oh god... im old). Here i am, at my second job thinking "hey, now would be a good time to order cable!" So i pop on the internet, check the items that i need, even order an add on that i dont really need but thought would be cool, check yes for installation needed and i was whisked away to "chat with the service rep to confirm order." and that, my friends, is where the maddness begins. so, if i seem a bit bitter, please understand. i am not trying to make the rep's life miserable, but comcast itself. becuase seriously, this has taken over an hour and 45 minutes.

So here is the chat with the rep. the timing is a bit off due to time zone, but you'll get the idea...

user Jamie_ has entered room
Jamie(Tue Apr 15 21:51:38 PDT 2008)>Order Information
analyst anna.27853 has entered room
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:01:28 PDT 2008)>Hello Jamie_, Thank you for contacting Comcast Live Chat Support. My name is anna.27853. Please give me one moment to review your information.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:01:31 PDT 2008)>Hi.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:01:45 PDT 2008)>I would be happy to assist you with your service order. How are you today?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:00:24 PDT 2008)>fine
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:02:42 PDT 2008)>That'g good to know.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:02:50 PDT 2008)>I can help you with your order. But first, let me verify some information from you. Would that be okay with you?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:01:29 PDT 2008)>yes
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:03:21 PDT 2008)>Are you a new customer or an existing customer?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:01:57 PDT 2008)>new
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:03:50 PDT 2008)>May I have your billing address and phone number please?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:02:52 PDT 2008)> ..... ..... ..... .... ..... .... (private info)
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:04:37 PDT 2008)>Thank you for that information.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:05:33 PDT 2008)>For security purposes, may I have your social security number please?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:04:09 PDT 2008)>no
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:06:58 PDT 2008)>I understand that this is frustrating. However, I need that information for me to be able to add into the information in your account.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:05:49 PDT 2008)>Why is my SSN needed?
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:08:04 PDT 2008)>Because Comcast wants to protect the privacy and security of your account, we will provide information only to customers who are named as authorized on your account. We will be using your social security number as security to access information.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:07:53 PDT 2008)>There is no secure website icon at the bottom of this webpage. I do not feel comfortable giving out my SSN over an unsecured website. You can have a manager call me for that information, or you can have the last 4 digit of my ssn
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:10:41 PDT 2008)>Okay. May I have your driver's license number please?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:09:49 PDT 2008)>That is okay. .... Washington State DL
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:12:17 PDT 2008)>Thank you.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:12:24 PDT 2008)>May I put you on hold while I bring up the required information?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:11:03 PDT 2008)>yes
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:14:09 PDT 2008)>Thanks.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:14:41 PDT 2008)>Thank you for waiting.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:16:10 PDT 2008)>As I view your order information, you wants to add Digital Preferred with HBO and HDTV with Digital Video on your account, right?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:15:15 PDT 2008)>can you confirm the price first please?
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:17:28 PDT 2008)>Do you want to order Tripleplay for only $99?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:17:23 PDT 2008)>NO. please confirm the price of Digital Preferred W/ HBO for 6 months at 39.99 and HDTV Video Recorder at 13.95.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:20:17 PDT 2008)>Okay. Please hold on for a minute while I view the prices for this services.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:23:49 PDT 2008)>Please hold on for a little longer.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:22:25 PDT 2008)>okay
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:27:28 PDT 2008)>Thanks.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:31:28 PDT 2008)>Please hold on for a little longer.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:30:20 PDT 2008)>please hurry, this shouldnt take this long.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:33:06 PDT 2008)>I understand that this is frustrating and I apologize for the inconvenience. But our system is slow for now, and I'm doing this as fast as I can. Please bear with me.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:31:50 PDT 2008)>okay\
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:35:56 PDT 2008)>Thank you for waiting.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:36:45 PDT 2008)>okay. BLOG READERS NOTE THAT I HAVE BEEN WAITING OVER 8 MINUTES BY NOW!!
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:38:23 PDT 2008)>I already view theavailable prices for the Digital Preferred with HBO is $39.99 per month for 6 months, and HDTV with Digital Video for $13.95.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:38:37 PDT 2008)>Do you want me to process now your order?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:37:15 PDT 2008)>yes please
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:39:09 PDT 2008)>Please hold on for a minute.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:43:16 PDT 2008)>I have been waiting for 5 minutes. I am not very happy with the amount of time that i have been on hold.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:46:44 PDT 2008)>I understand that but please hold on for a minute. As I've said, our system is slow for now. I need more time to do this. Please bear with me.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:47:25 PDT 2008)>okay
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:52:49 PDT 2008)>Thanks.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:55:02 PDT 2008)>Please hold on for a little longer.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:53:50 PDT 2008)>this transaction needs to be completed shortly, please.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:56:24 PDT 2008)>Okay. I'm doing my very best. Please be patient and please bear with me.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:05:20 PDT 2008)>Do you have an idea of how much longer i will be on hold? thank you.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:10:26 PDT 2008)>Please hold for another minute.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:09:58 PDT 2008)>this is really unacceptable.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:13:30 PDT 2008)>I apologize for the long hold. I'm looking for the right rates for your orders. I appreciate your patience.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:12:30 PDT 2008)>I thought the rates were already confirmed?
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:19:46 PDT 2008)>Yes. That's for the prices.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:24:50 PDT 2008)>Thank you for patiently waiting.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:25:03 PDT 2008)>I already added your order to your account. BLOG READERS g- NOTE THAT WE FINALLY GOT THIS POINT AFTER I WAITED FROM (BASICALLY) 7:39 to 8:25!!!
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:26:44 PDT 2008)>The earliest scheduled date of installation is on April 21, 2008, Monday,between 8am to 12pm. Would that be okay with you?
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:26:52 PDT 2008)>Are you available on that day?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:26:16 PDT 2008)>no, i checked the PM boxes during my check out.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:28:22 PDT 2008)>Okay. When is are you available?
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:28:54 PDT 2008)>I mean when are you available for the installation of your service?
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:30:12 PDT 2008)>Did you receive my last message?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:28:51 PDT 2008)>yes,
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:29:19 PDT 2008)>I am available this weekend all day, and monday evening after 330 pm
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:31:35 PDT 2008)>I apologize but we don't have an evening schedule for Monday.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:32:21 PDT 2008)>Are you available on April 26, 2008, Saturday?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:32:00 PDT 2008)>no. i need it be done either this weekend or during the weekday evening
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:37:39 PDT 2008)>Okay. Our available schedule for this week is on April 23, April 24, for 2pm to 6pm. Which do you prefer.? That's the only available dates for installation we have.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:36:56 PDT 2008)>April 23rd from 2-6pm it will have to been then.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:38:53 PDT 2008)>Okay. That's a good decision.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:39:37 PDT 2008)>I will just confirm the scheduled installation date is on April 23, Wednesday, between 2pm to 6pm.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:39:51 PDT 2008)>Please be available on that day.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:40:01 PDT 2008)>Please ensure someone over the age of 18 is present at time of installation. Also, the technician may call 30 minutes before arriving, if you are not available to answer his call, he may cancel the appointment.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:39:27 PDT 2008)>okay
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:41:11 PDT 2008)>Your order number is 1000108927752088.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:43:28 PDT 2008)>Your monthly charge is $100.18, And Installation for DVR and Cable is $43.99. Your grand total is 111.91.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:43:51 PDT 2008)>Our technician accepts money order or check upon installation.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:44:02 PDT 2008)>Would there be anything else I can assist you with for today?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:42:36 PDT 2008)>Is that the charge for this month only?
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:44:31 PDT 2008)>Yes. That's for the monthly charge.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:43:13 PDT 2008)>how did 39.99 plus 13.95 add up to $100.18 a month?
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:45:15 PDT 2008)>I apologize for the confusion.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:45:43 PDT 2008)>You have discount for $46.24.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:47:15 PDT 2008)>Your monthly charge will be $33.99 and 13.95. That's $47.94 for the monthly charge.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:45:59 PDT 2008)>Much better, thank you.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:47:39 PDT 2008)>Would there be anything else I can assist you with for today?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:46:51 PDT 2008)>Yes, can you tell me what are the costs of the taxes and additional fee's for this service?
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:49:08 PDT 2008)>Taxes and addition fees is $13.98.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:47:46 PDT 2008)>Thank you.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:47:49 PDT 2008)>good night
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:49:37 PDT 2008)>Thank you for contacting Comcast. We appreciate your business. If you need assistance in the future, please do not hesitate to contact our 24/7 hotline, 1-800-Comcast. Or visit our website at www.Comcast.com. Have a wonderful day.


Okay, so i know i was a bit snotty. but either this person is a current student at my old highschool (notice the wonderful spelling/grammer?) or its just really a computer. So i talked with this "Frank" guy, who now i am really starting to wonder if he is even real, who promised that i would be compensated. Great, Frank, going to get my cable installed this weekend??

So, here is my list why comcast blows
1. package deals - there is no good one for the people like me who just want cable.
2. asking for personal information when its not over a secured website AND its truley not needed.
3. The amount of time i was put on hold to order cable PLUS an add on.
4. Billing - as you can see they couldnt even get the right amount there.
5. wait time for cable installation. This is a world of FAST food, drive thru pharmacies and self checkout lanes. Why, if i order on a tuesday, must i WAIT a full week for some guy to come over and connect 2 cables and flip a switch?
6. there is no alternate choice for cable tv here. its only comcast.

GRRRR.. I am sure i will have an update. maybe i should call my local TV station?

ps - sorry for the spelling errors. spell check is down...and i graduated from newport high!