Comments for

UPDATE: "Comcast Bullies Customer for Cash, Breaks His Hard Drive, Drills Huge Holes In Walls And Baseboards"

2007-03-21T03:59:04Z

Remember Jason? He had the Comcast tech from hell. The cable installation tech asked Jason for cash, drilled holes in his baseboards, broke his Media Center PC, installed the wrong router...

Jason writes:

Hi guys,
I just wanted to update you on my Comcast issue - and give a huge THANK YOU to you guys & the Consumerist site. I truly believe that without your attention to the story, that it would not have rated so high on the minds of the people that ended up handling the matter.

I posted the end results on the website, along with some great before/after shots of the work, and a copy of the check they hand delivered as well. Again - thank you for everything.

Jason

Aw, shucks. We're blushing. More pictures inside.

]]> As you recall, Jason's Comcast tech bullied him for cash, unplugged his Media Center PC without powering it down (breaking it) and drilled a bunch of nasty holes in his walls and baseboards.

Since appearing on the Consumerist everything has been fixed. Comcast and Helm Cable hand delivered a check for the damaged hard drive and proper outlets were installed in Jason's home.

We attribute this to Jason's excellent documentation of the problem. He did everything right. Be sure to visit Jason's site to see what a well written complaint looks like. Congratulations, Jason! —MEGHANN MARCO

Comcast Fix My Problem

Comment from AcidReign on 2007-03-22

2007-03-22T22:53:43Z

@oncewascool: One analog Charter Expanded Basic line: about $50 a month. Hooked up via powered splitters: 4 TVs, 3 VCRs, and two PC TV cards. Wonder what nine receivers would cost from DirectTV? When my kids move out, I might consider a dish, but I'm not really wanting to cut down my wall of trees on the southern end of property. I'm not keen on a view of a 4-lane highway...

Comment from JohnMc on 2007-03-21

2007-03-21T20:26:38Z

Kudos to Jason!

Comment from timmus on 2007-03-21

2007-03-21T19:56:56Z

Interesting -- I live in a retro Victorian house and I was standing outside contemplating how Time-Warner cable (with the previous occupants) routed a whole bunch of ugly coaxial wiring horizontally on the exterior walls, which punches right through the room via an exterior-interior hole. Sprint did the same thing with telco wiring. Then I recalled how a lot of houses are decked out that way.

I'm never letting a cable or phone installer route ONE wire without my permission. Better yet I already know how to do wiring myself... never thought the skill would come in handy.

Comment from Slosh on 2007-03-21

2007-03-21T19:39:31Z

It's nice that the issue was resolved, but i wag my finger at comcast, a customer shouldn't have to create a website to get their issues resolved.

Comment from hop on 2007-03-21

2007-03-21T18:29:27Z

direct tv works ok for me....we have had it for 8 years and haven't had any problems.....comcast is too expenxive for us......

Comment from mac-phisto on 2007-03-21

2007-03-21T16:48:37Z

@oncewascool: why do i use cable for internet? 30Mbps down & ~1.5Mbps up (& i speedtest like twice a week to make sure they're not screwing me). seriously, dsl & satellite internet comes nowhere near my speed. i can download a full-length, full-screen, high-res video feed in 5 minutes tops w/ no chops. & i'm running a 6-yr old frankenstein hp.

& i have direct tv for actual tv. it sucks, it's expensive & i have billing problems with them all the time. i can't wait until sunday ticket is offered by cablevision in 2 years.

Comment from OnceWasCool on 2007-03-21

2007-03-21T14:50:42Z

I can't for the life of me understand why people are still using cable since Dish Network or Direct TV has come out. The service is outstanding from day one. Only those that can't get DSL would need it.

Comment from slowenuff on 2007-03-21

2007-03-21T11:46:34Z

I dont understand why he didnt make the contractor leave. Comcast does have actual cable guys that work for them. He should have made the jerk leave when they drilled through his floor. Not continue to do a halfassed install then whine about it after the fact. In my opinion Jason got what he deserved.If a girl goes into a Salon for a shampoo and the stylist starts to shave her head umm Im betting the chick will at least ask a question.

Comment from ZonzoMaster on 2007-03-21

2007-03-21T11:16:23Z

@Jesse in Japan: I agree

Comment from Jesse in Japan on 2007-03-21

2007-03-21T10:27:15Z

After some of the Comcast techs I've read about on The Consumerist, I'd hardly call this guy the "tech from hell."

Comment from Sal on 2007-03-21

2007-03-21T08:36:15Z

I have to wonder about the damage to the media center. Had the power gone out wouldn't the same problem have occurred?

Comment from razz4901 on 2007-03-21

2007-03-21T05:29:15Z

It is great that they fixed what they broke. A couple of years ago I had a new cable line installed in my home by a Comcast Contractor, while they were installing the line they managed to drill thru a major electrical cable supplying my home. I ended up with no electricty for 3 days and a bill for $300 for repairs. The contractor told me no problem they would pay, "just call his insurance." I called his insurance and it had been cancelled weeks before. It took me several weeks of numerous calls and letter to Comcast to make them pay for the damage. I never did get an apology.

Comment from 12-inch Idongivafuck Sandwich on 2007-03-20

2007-03-21T03:33:30Z

Its great to hear they fixed it!

I still haven't figured out why he had to give them cash, as I never have had to, they just bill me...but thats ok, problem fixed!

Comment from mopar_man on 2007-03-20

2007-03-21T03:15:50Z

Good news. It's always nice to hear how this website has helped out someone in a situation like this.

Comment from Havok154 on 2007-03-20

2007-03-21T03:06:55Z

it's sad that my home looks like the before and I still haven't had a chance to make it look like the after yet.