Canceling Comcast Nightmare Call

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by kach22i

This story is all over the major networks this morning, including the local news.

Saw the story last night on CNN and one commentator made a good point. Since the audio has gone viral and caused a nationwide embarrassment for Comcast, it can be put to use by customers wanting to end service from others as well. He suggested that when you call the company and get the message that is often played when you first connect, that the "call may be recorded for quality control purposes", as soon as you get a rep on the line you say something like, "I understand this call may be recorded by your business. I want you to know that I am also recording the call for my quality assurance." No company wants a similar recording to hit the internet circuit.

[flipper35]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

The irony is the caller, Ryan Block, he used to work for AOL.

The news I have seen say he is still a VP at AOL.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by flipper35

The news I have seen say he is still a VP at AOL.

So some karma strikes back.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by flipper35

The news I have seen say he is still a VP at AOL.

That explains why he knew how to not let the agent drag him into a discussion about why he wanted to cancel (and knew to record the call).

[john70t]

Originally Posted by ossiblue

as soon as you get a rep on the line you say something like, "I understand this call may be recorded by your business. I want you to know that I am also recording the call for my quality assurance."

Been doing that for years as a habit.
You never know...

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by flipper35

The news I have seen say he is still a VP at AOL.

He was Editor In Chief for Engadget, an AOL property.

He was not around in the days of what we all know as AOL.

He left there years ago but is still a contributor.

Still funny.

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by kach22i

Roof antenna is the way to go, tell them all to F-off.

Make an antenna out of coat hangars. There is a youtube video or two on how to do it. Simple and effective, just can't get the wife to go for it.

I had to threaten to sue Sprint when I cancelled their service. I had documented all the time they had wasted not solving any problems and sent them a demand letter. Pay me $870 and quit calling me or just quit calling me and cancel the service effective the day I asked you to when I went with a different service.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Pay me $870 and ..

That is a month's(worth of daily work) salary for some people.
Just for phone/etc.


I've also had a bad experience with Sprint.
Their monthly statements, computer records, and customer service were saying three different things.
Perhaps by design.
But still, they are not yet "the most-worst company" at this time.
That is a pretty sad state of affairs these days.

[VINMAN]

[911SauCy]

As a representative of a "little guy" in the industry... This is great!

We intentionally avoid partaking in any negative discussion surrounding other carriers. Even when a client is on a rampage.

Aside from exuding professionalism. If someone decides to go in a Comcast or other big carrier direction, it's only a matter of time before they deal with this and call me back.

[Ayles]

I cancelled my Comcast subscription two weeks ago. I was very surprised they didn't put up a fight. Not one single offer was made.

My last cable bill was $205. Absolutely an insane amount of money for nothing. I haven't missed it one bit.

[aschen]

I had a similar experience trying to cancel a gym membership a few years ago, They told me 4 times over the phone they would stopp the auto debit and never did. MY blood pressure goes up just thinking about it.

On my last call. I politely went into personal attack mode: You are a liar and have no integrety as a person and as an organization. I demand you imnediatley fax or email me a notification of cancellation. You should be ashamed and have difficulty sleeping at night.

The girl was polite and didnt really ger rattled she was appologetic but wouldent send me anythign. The charges did stop though. I was so worked up I called one more time asking to be refunded the 3-4 months they stole from me. The place was only 10$ a month so it was a principal thing.

They agreed to do it but of course the check never came.

[djantlive]

what's wrong with telling comcast the reason for canceling service?

try to return an item at a store, they will ask you why you are returning.

i called comcast rentention department to lower my bill. got it down $30 less a month by getting on a promo and buying my own modem. they were very helpful actually. sometimes it's a hit or miss but i always treat the other person on the phone with respect instead of being difficult. guys like the caller here would be cuffed and arrested by police if he talked to a police officer that way.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by djantlive

what's wrong with telling comcast the reason for canceling service?

try to return an item at a store, they will ask you why you are returning.

Retail stores generally have return policies for why you can return a hard good.

Comcast is a service, nothing to return.

Besides, it's none of their business and the answer only benefits them; IE they turn it around on you.

[gacook]

The only explanation he should have to give is "Because I no longer want your service." It is nothing like returning a defective product, or a product you've decided you simply don't want, to a store. This is a service that you pay a monthly fee for. If no longer under contract, you should be free to cancel that service at any time, without being harassed.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

You don't owe them an explanation or really squat about anything. You have a right as a customer is to take your business elsewhere, anytime, whenever you want, for any reason or no reason.

In this case telling them a reason would've just given their paid arguer a way to tailor his attack in trying to beat down the customer and coerce them. Why give them that leverage? I'd handle it exactly as I stated earlier - "effective right now I'm no longer paying for your service, leave it or take it, I don't care. You'll receive a certified letter from me in the next day or two stating this as well. Click."