This is about the change to HDTV.
We all knew we needed to get either a box or an HDTV in order to get all the channels after the change.
So I trotted down to comcast and got the box. For some reason the remote wouldn't work all of the TV functions. No big deal we lived with using 2 remotes.
Last month we bought a brand new HDTV. Everything worked fine until Thursday night. Then I couldn't get all of the channels.
I called comcast Fri about it.
Now here's where I get pissed. I was told the channels I'm not getting have been scrambled because "they aren't our channels". In order to receive them I have to go back down and get another box or BUY a HDTV card to put into my brand new HDTV. And it doesn't matter that I have a HDTV.
WTF do I have to do anything. I pay for those channels. I don't remember anything being said about needing a box or card WITH AN HDTV in any of the ads/notices prior to the change.
I shouldn't have to spend more money to buy a card to get channels I'm already paying for.
Comcast is going to loose another customer with this scam.

"Comcast is going to loose another customer..."


I became an ex comcast customer 2 1/2 years ago. I'm surprised they have many left by now...very difficult to deal with!

Wow, that's interesting stuff . . .

We bought our HDTV's a couple years ago when we switched over to digital. Comcast was nothing but helpful, even when I had to keep returning & exchanging a DVR that wouldn't work right.

A couple weeks ago our On Demand wouldn't work. I did the on-line chat thing with a rep. and she fixed us up in a matter of minutes. We also were able to use just the Comcast remote for all of the t.v. functions by getting it set up on the phone with a rep.

I am sorry both of you have/had problems with Comcast. They have been most helpful to us.

You think you have issues? The clock on my betamax recorder is still flashing 12:00 an' I can't find blank tapes anywhere.

We have had the same experience, Jewels; always positive.

But, I have to admit, especially when I add my internet, they do charge a bundle. If I didn't have a working wife who makes more than me, I wouldn't have it. At least not all we have.

I believe that is the hour of the Emperor Hirohito's passing. Don't they all blink 12:00?

I've had positive experiences overall. Some negative. Where it gets me everytime is paying the bill. Ouch. Of course, every time I look at getting Directv and Qwest, it always seems to work out about the same. I'll take the faster internet, thank you.

My problem with Comcast is the way they bundle their packages, most all of which included numerous channels in which we had no interest. We were told by their rep they knew many of these channels had very low demand, but that to bundle these low demand channels with high demand channels is the only way they could get anyone to pay for them.

Actually, I was told that, without bundling, I would probably be paying more for the channels I like best. Channels like National Geographic, History, History International and Turner Classic Movies would cost much more individually than they do bundled because less people watch them and would pay for them raising the price exponentially.

Or maybe we're just saying the same thing in different ways?

Like HK, I see no savings with DirectTV or Qwest after the intro period is over and my bill is relatively low compared to many of yours since I only have the Starz package and no other premium channels and don't have HD or a DVR. In other words, what I don't know, I don't miss. On Demand is fancy enough for me.

I'm actually just a hop and a skip away from getting rid of the whole damn thing and just watching things on the web anyway. I just need to convince Mr. Funky.

Think about it this way, you pay the city to take sewage away from your house and then you pay Comcast et al to bring it back.

Did you ever think how lucky we are that Comcast doesn't operate grocery stores. What would we be forced to buy when we go for a gallon of milk and box of cereal?

Comcast would tell you:

"Without the bundling, we would sell the milk for $1.99 to 2.99 per gallon and the cereal for $2.50 to $3.50 per box."

"With bundling, we can sell you milk, cereal, raisons, bananas, and English muffins for $4.75".

And it can be deliverd some time between 8am and 5pm, and there is a feee if your not there when we get there.

I have been lucky here. When I make the appointment, I give my cell phone number and ask them to call me prior to coming. I work about 20 minutes away. Most of the time, this has worked. Once or twice, they have called our home phone and left a message, "No one was home." D'uh!

More like;
Package a: Cereal, banannas, lysol, yarn, a two day carpet shampooer rental and a pack of cigarettes for $10.
Package b: all the above plus a box of pencils, a case of macaroni and cheese and some nice chorizo sausage for $20.
Package c: all of the above plus kleenexes and laundry detergent for $30
Package d: all of the above and a gallon of milk for $40. Think of all the money you save!

The fact that all you wanted was a bowl of cereal doesn't make any difference.

It is true that we have a bazillion channels and often nothing to watch. I am thankful for the DVR, however. Haven't seen "Doubt", yet. But, I have it saved for a special evening. We watched "Taken" this weekend. Outstanding. I scan the midnight showings for those obscure movies I've always wanted to see or think Lil Stash should see (Hepburn/Tracy movies! or anything Paul Newman).

Lil Stash records every cooking show there is. I've become addicted to "Good Eats!"

I haven't gotten into the whole HDTV thing yet, I was tempted because I thought it would be cool to have the caller ID on the set..and you have to have that service apparently to get this feature. I have not been able to pick up my voice mails on line for a while and when I contact (by email) I get some hints, but nothing that really seems to resolve it. Will have to call one of these days, but not caring too much right now. (I am so old! If it's important, they will call back)

I don't have any issues with Comcast, I think they are kind of expensive, but everything seems to be imo. I went to their phone service and have save big bucks.

I finally did something about my Comcast bill. I've switched to Clearwire for internet and phone. I thought it might be a big drop in speed, but really, it's only sometimes noticible. The phone quality is good, and I'm getting both internet and phone for $55 a month. I was paying nearly that just for internet.

I don't end up buffering videos any more than I was before, and what I've seen from Qwest, it's a LOT faster than that. Not available everywhere, but a lot of Aberdeen, Hoquiam, Cosi, and Westport.

Oh, that's interesting! I'm going to look into this.

I wish we could get FIOS here.

That would be very cool. Oh well. I've found that streaming videos isn't always a sure thing, sometimes I have to wait for it to buffer, but worth the savings I suppose. Still better than DSL and light years ahead of dial-up. (I guess there's still people with dial-up! Some don't even have the option).

Huh? Wha?

Unfortunately, I am one of those people. The only thing available where I live is Hughes Net, which is way too expensive.

Verizon FiOS
High speed fiber at lower then Comcast prices.

Yeah, the first year is I think $90 a month, and the second year is $110 for phone, tv, and internet, faster and higher quality than cable.