[ale] OT I had to relate this Comcast conversation with y'all

[Courtney Thomas]

AT&T is even worse !

Wasted 1/2 hr this AM trying to get a Canadian residential phone #, and 
though I
literally tried 10 times {and failed} with resultant hangups, rudeness, 
incompetence
and transfers to so-called supervisors......all to no avail  :-(  and 
I've been with 'em over 30 yrs.

I'd change in a heartbeat if there was any competition.

Finally succeeded by using a friend's Virgin cell phone....the first try.

Hell, I got better service than this in Brazil 45 yrs ago.

Welcome to the United States of Russia !

C.Thomas

On 6/25/2012 7:51 PM, Jim Lynch wrote:
> Conversation with Comcast Chat.
>
>
> Jim: Hi, we are purchasing a home on St. Simons Island and will be
> closing on it next month. I have looked at the online offers. I see two
> offers I might be interested in, one is the Digital Starter Package, the
> other is the Preferred Package. The first says “more than 80 channels
> available”, the second says “more than 100 channels available” however
> if I click on the associated “channel lineup” for each, then compare
> them, they are identical. What's the difference?
>
>
> Ann: Hi, Jim, I'm happy to help you, can I have the address of the
> installation?
>
>
> Jim:<address given>
>
>
> Ann: What services do you currently have at that location.
>
>
> Jim: Huh? What part of “we are purchasing … will be closing ...” do you
> not understand?
>
>
> Ann:<no response>
>
>
> Jim: Do you know we don't own the place yet?
>
>
> Ann: Congratulations! We have multiple specially priced packages
> available at that location. Can I have your phone number and have a
> specialist call you?
>
>
> Jim: no just answer the question.
>
>
> Ann: what number can he call you back at?
>
>
> Jim: Are you a robot?
>
>
> Ann:<no response>
>
>
> Jim: Either you are a robot or a person pressing macro buttons sending
> canned messages.
>
>
> Ann: I am a person.
>
>
> Jim: I seriously doubt that! My phone number is<given>
>
>
> Ann: I'll have someone call you within 5 minutes .
>
>
> Ann: It's been a pleasure assisting you today.
>
>
> Jim: bye
>
>
> So about 5 minutes later (why can't service be that prompt?) I get a
> call from Steve, with a heavy Indian accent.
>
>
> Steve: I understand you want to sign up for services with us. Can I get
> the address that you need service at?
>
>
> Jim.<give address>
>
>
> Steve: I see that we can offer you many services at that location<and
> goes off on telling me what he can do for me>
>
>
> Jim: Wait. I just want an answer to my question.<Steve rattles on for a
> bit before I'm able to interrupt him. I then repeat my dilemma with the
> channel lists>
>
>
> Steve: In addition to ESPN you get …. and with Nickelodeon you also get …
>
>
> Jim: Wait, but why are the lists on the webpage the same?
>
>
> Steve:<goes into another description of the differences>
>
>
> Jim: Hold it. Are you saying that the lists are the same because there
> are differences not listed?
>
>
> Steve: The listing shows the differences. Go to<some web page that is
> an actual side by side comparison>
>
>
> Jim: But the page that came up when I followed the links when I put my
> address in didn't show any differences in the channel lineup.
>
>
> Steve:<Ignoring me completely went on to describe the differences blah
> blah blah>  … and with the $119 package you get
>
>
> Jim:<interrupting>  Wait, wait. Listen I only need to be able to watch
> TV. I don't want a $119 package.
>
>
> Steve: With the … package we can provide you with phone, TV and Internet
> service …
>
>
> Jim: I just want to watch tv. Don't you have anything more basic than
> the Digital Starter service?
>
>
> Steve: The digital starter service is only $... if you contract for 2
> years it goes to $...<some higher number>  after one year and then is
> $... after that. Otherwise it is $... for the first<interrupted by me>
>
>
> Jim: I can read. Thanks. I don't see anything on the Preferred list I
> want to watch so I guess I'll need the Digital Starter package.
>
>
> Steve: Give me a contact phone number and I'll give you an order number
> and a contact number for installation services.
>
>
> Jim: I don't want to place an order just yet.
>
>
> Steve: You don't have to pay for anything until after installation but
> to lock in the price I've quoted you, you need to place an order.
>
>
> Jim:<gives him the info>
>
>
> Steve:<recites order number and installation services phone number>
>
>
> Steve: We have an arrangement with<some company>  to provide you a modem
> and wireless router at a discount, can we place that on the order?
>
>
> Jim: I thought I wasn't ordering Internet services from you.
>
>
> Steve: that's fine. We also for $6.xx can provide service for your modem
> and wireless router can I sign you up for that?
>
>
> Jim: Why on earth would I need service for something that I'm not going
> to order nor can I use? Are you sure you're not a computer? Or are you
> reading from a sheet using as little of your mind as is possible? You're
> last two questions are idiotic!
>
>
> Steve: That's fine. Thank you for letting me assist you and please stay
> on the line for installation services
>
>
> Jim: What? I have no idea when we will close, when I will be there and
> even if I'm going to order anything.
>
>
> Steve: That's fine. Thank you for letting me assist you, goodbye.
>
>
>
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