Comcast unveils rate hike

[YoYosMa]

I had Comcast when I first moved to Novato, but when their prices, service technicians, and customer service proved to be the worst, I moved over to Horizon Cable for my Internet and TV. They're only in Novato and West Marin, but they've got a wonderful customer service lady, and a friendly technician (both who have been there a long time - turnover is VERY low). I'm super happy I made the change.

[Daggster]

COMCASTBLOWS!

[Ripped off in Tiburon]

The MTA are a bunch of lay-down fools. 30% increase over six years for a monopoly? Wish I had a business like that. Nice job, Berman.

So I read in the article that customers with Internet-only service would receive a *decrease* in rates. I have Ext Basic Cable + Internet because I believed they couldn't be unbundled (also nice job, MTA). I currently pay $59 for the combined service.

I just called Comcast to cancel the Ext Basic cable ($15/mo). Guess what? If I cancel the cable service, the Internet service goes UP by... you guessed it,$15!

Is anyone awake at the MTA? Less service for the same money? On what planet does that make sense?

I will be registering my complaint, Mr Berman.

[Pulipaca]

YoYosMa wrote:

I had Comcast when I first moved to Novato, but when their prices, service technicians, and customer service proved to be the worst, I moved over to Horizon Cable for my Internet and TV. They're only in Novato and West Marin, but they've got a wonderful customer service lady, and a friendly technician (both who have been there a long time - turnover is VERY low). I'm super happy I made the change.

I didn't know you had a choice in Novato of Horizon or Comcast. I thought Horizon only served west Marin, where they have no other option.
Novato always has had a separate cable provider (Chambers), a separate phone company (GTE) and separate water source from all the rest of Marin. The Novato Comcast is even a separate division with different programming than the rest of Marin Comcast.

[Cal native]

Pulipaca wrote:

<quoted text>I didn't know you had a choice in Novato of Horizon or Comcast. I thought Horizon only served west Marin, where they have no other option.
Novato always has had a separate cable provider (Chambers), a separate phone company (GTE) and separate water source from all the rest of Marin. The Novato Comcast is even a separate division with different programming than the rest of Marin Comcast.

The Comcast I have in Novato has the same programing my mother has in San Rafael and my friend in Mill valley. Is this new?. How is it suppose to be different?
As bad as the rate hike may be it is nothing compared to the crap AT&T pulled on us and nearly forced us to switch.

[I_M_Disgusted]

Day Hiker wrote:

I love the line, "This year's rate increase is the lowest in the past six years." That's like having your leg peed on and being told it's rain.

More like, "This year, I only raped half as many people as last year..."

[I_M_Disgusted]

mattoid66 of San Rafael wrote:

I've had U-verse for a little over a month now. It totally rips!!! Way more stuff at 1/2 the price.
If it comes to your neighborhood.........jump on it!!!!

Their website says that it isn't available in east San Rafael... What part of town are you in?

[I_M_Disgusted]

Ripped off in Tiburon wrote:

I have Ext Basic Cable + Internet because I believed they couldn't be unbundled (also nice job, MTA). I currently pay $59 for the combined service.
I just called Comcast to cancel the Ext Basic cable ($15/mo). Guess what? If I cancel the cable service, the Internet service goes UP by... you guessed it,$15!

Please tell me that you made a typo, and don't really mean Expanded, but rather Limited Basic...

I pay $60 just for the Standard/Expanded service of 85 or so channels, and one box!

[Pulipaca]

Cal native wrote:

<quoted text>
The Comcast I have in Novato has the same programing my mother has in San Rafael and my friend in Mill valley. Is this new?. How is it suppose to be different?
As bad as the rate hike may be it is nothing compared to the crap AT&T pulled on us and nearly forced us to switch.

Comcast bought Chambers and kept the seperate programming as far as I know. They have most of the same channels but some are in different locations. Also did you know that Novato was never listed in the Marin county phone book until the mid 80's ? And the Novato/southern Sonoma phone book put out by Verizon has changed the name of it about 2 years ago to Marin County and southern Sonoma county. No big deal at all to me but funny !

[mattoid66 of San Rafael]

I_M_Disgusted wrote:

<quoted text>
Their website says that it isn't available in east San Rafael... What part of town are you in?

I'm in the "Picnic Hill" area, just up from Davidson Middle School.

[mattoid66 of San Rafael]

Nobama wrote:

<quoted text>Matt - nobody came by the house .....

Bummer. Go to their site and check it out. It's a helluva deal.

[mattoid66 of San Rafael]

sreen wrote:

<quoted text>
They did it for you, but they are very selective--
I dare to say racist. I'm waiting for a class
action suit. Try to "politely" negotiate with
the stringy haired witch who works the counter in San Rafael. The one who looks like she's ready
for rehab. and has been there a decade too long.
I'd rather discuss Plato with a Cop.

I dealt with her when I returned my equipment after dumping them. She is insane!

[Commander Bunny]

mattoid66 of San Rafael wrote:

<quoted text>
I dealt with her when I returned my equipment after dumping them. She is insane!

Do You want Me to go to the Comcast office and hit on Her next time I'm in the area, Matt?

I know I'm hoppilly married, but I'd do it for My Budddy..

[I_M_Disgusted]

mattoid66 of San Rafael wrote:

<quoted text>
I dealt with her when I returned my equipment after dumping them. She is insane!

She's been driven insane by those ignorant "call centers" that tell people anything they want, and by the local management.

The real b/witches are upstairs...

[I_M_Disgusted]

mattoid66 of San Rafael wrote:

<quoted text>
I'm in the "Picnic Hill" area, just up from Davidson Middle School.

Thanks, Matt. It must be the sheer distance... As far as I know, the only central office for main San Rafael is still on Shaver Street, so Loch Lomond is at least 4 times farther away.

[mattoid66 of San Rafael]

Commander Bunny wrote:

<quoted text>Do You want Me to go to the Comcast office and hit on Her next time I'm in the area, Matt?
I know I'm hoppilly married, but I'd do it for My Budddy..

Use those killer, rear legs of yours, my Commander! I'll send you, the mrs. and the 2,222 an extra truckload of carrots!

Much appreciated.

[mattoid66 of San Rafael]

I_M_Disgusted wrote:

<quoted text>
She's been driven insane by those ignorant "call centers" that tell people anything they want, and by the local management.
The real b/witches are upstairs...

I_M_: When I told her I was switching to at&t, she went crazy on me. She asked me why and I explained some of my concerns calmly. One of them was that even with more HD channels on the way, the storage capacity of their DVRs was severely lacking. She went into a rant about how I wasn't using my DVR correctly and they weren't meant for "long term storage" of shows.

I couldn't believe that she was actually dictating to me how to watch TV, saved shows or otherwise. I tried to have a rational discussion with her and she just huffed and loudly exclaimed,"You'll be sorry! We'll see you again real soon!"

Not bloody likely!

[Dave]

Chambers cable closed down many years ago.

Cal native wrote:

<quoted text>
The Comcast I have in Novato has the same programing my mother has in San Rafael and my friend in Mill valley. Is this new?. How is it suppose to be different?
As bad as the rate hike may be it is nothing compared to the crap AT&T pulled on us and nearly forced us to switch.

[I_M_Disgusted]

mattoid66 of San Rafael wrote:

<quoted text>
I_M_: When I told her I was switching to at&t, she went crazy on me. She asked me why and I explained some of my concerns calmly. One of them was that even with more HD channels on the way, the storage capacity of their DVRs was severely lacking. She went into a rant about how I wasn't using my DVR correctly and they weren't meant for "long term storage" of shows.
I couldn't believe that she was actually dictating to me how to watch TV, saved shows or otherwise. I tried to have a rational discussion with her and she just huffed and loudly exclaimed,"You'll be sorry! We'll see you again real soon!"
Not bloody likely!

Wow, that doesn't sound like Valerie, no matter what a 'cunning runt' Shirley or Trish is being... We ARE talking about the "aging flower child", right?

[mattoid66 of San Rafael]

I_M_Disgusted wrote:

<quoted text>
Wow, that doesn't sound like Valerie, no matter what a 'cunning runt' Shirley or Trish is being... We ARE talking about the "aging flower child", right?

I think so. Not to sound too cruel but she looked kind of like a witch.

Long, grey hair, grey sweater and I think a dark purple dress.

Bottom line: her customer service skilled left much to be desired.