I hate TimeWarner cable pt. 2

After hanging up in a rage of disbelief, I vented by breaking the news to Leigh Ann that I had cancelled cable. Which, along with that also goes internet and phone service. As the rage subsided, I started to realize that maybe it wasn't such a good idea.
So I called back, and let me just take the opportunity to interject here how much I loathe automated phone systems that try to decipher what you say to them. You know what I'm talking about... the overly-polite woman with exaggerated inflection who giggles when she locates your account. What is it about my accent that this robot just doesn't get?
Robot: "Ok.. start by telling me what you want to do. You can say things like "Upgrade service" [giggle] go ahead.
Me: Cancel service
Robot: "You said "Movies on-demand help".. is this correct?
Me: Are you serious?
Robot: [giggle] Ok, let me transfer you to that department.

What's even worse, is if you have a disgruntled 1-year-old in the same room with you. Every time she yells something out, the robot stops what she is saying and says, "I'm sorry, i didn't understand that." Yeah, welcome to my world.

So I finally get transferred to "Retention" (cue ominous music). My plan was I would feign quitting in hopes of being offered a sweet deal to stay. And I have to say, to be called "Retention" they didn't seem too intent on retaining me. I'd recommend TimeWarner change the name of that department to "Retention.. or not, entirely up to you."

I hate TimeWarner cable pt. 1

Our cable went out. So that prompted me to call my good friends over at TimeWarner Cable this morning. After patronizing tips on how to unplug and reconnect my cable box, I finally got them to understand that my cable was really out. The scheduled a tech to come out between the hours of 1 an 8pm. That's right.. a SEVEN HOUR WINDOW. I reluctantly took it and asked them to check on my account while I had them. See I signed up for digital phone a few weeks ago, and with the deal was supposed to get bundle pricing across the board on TV and internet. Well, the bill the installer brought didn't reflect the savings.

Sure enough, because I was a previous customer, I am not eligible for the savings on those two services. Nevermind that when I signed up online, I entered my account information, told them I was a current customer, and they gave me the reduced price anyway. Nevermind that I "clicked to chat" with "Chuck" online and verified with him that if I am only adding digital phone I will still get the price break on the other services. I was furious.. and I just said, "forget it.. I want to cancel everything!" The truth is TWC has me over a bucket. I've had the two satellite companies out and both have confirmed that due to trees, they can't install. So if I want TV, it has to come from TWC. But, it was her response that was surprising. No sorry. No please reconsider. Just.. please return your equipment to the local branch. I said thanks, I'll do that today.

Cable installers can not be on time

On Monday, I had cable phone service installed. I didn't really want cable phone service because I'm really happy with Vonage. But, by adding digital phone to my current cable and internet service, I was able to drop my bill by $20/month. Go figure. So, I set up an appointment with the cable installer between 5 and 7 p.m. This is a much smaller window than normal. Usually, it's like 1-5.
So anyway, I was planning on heading home from work a little early that day to be there by 5. But, I got a call at 4 from the installer saying he was ready to come. I told him I wasn't planning on leaving work that early, and he told me I was the last call that day and he would just have to wait around for my appointment. Not wanting to make the poor cable installer wait, I wrapped up quickly and headed home, arriving at around 4:15. I gave him a call back and said I was home, and he said, "Great, I'll be over in 10 minutes." Well, 10 minutes go by. Twenty minutes. Finally at 5:10 I call him and he says he's getting close. WHAT?!? I think there is something in their contract that cable installers cannot be on time. And early? Forget about it.

Or, even better...

McCain...seasoned.

This should be used on McCain's campaign site somehow...