Bill Increases

[SOsborne2012]

1. My bill last month increased:  TV box and Remote:  Up 50% (+$2.50) from $5 to $7.50....... there is no justification for this - it's the same equipment that was installed nearly 4 years ago and I'm fairly certain it was used when I got them.   With a live agent on Feb 6 this is the response I got.  " while we try to hold down costs, price changes are necessary for continually increasing costs of programming and our ongoing investments in cutting edge technologies and products and services."  And after that the live agent abandoned me.  I have the most basic service which is mostly OTA channels and a few substandard channels that I doubt anyone actually watches....and my internet router has to be rebooted regularly even though I'm directly in front of it and less than 4 feet away....so I would like to know how I'm benefitting from increasing costs of programming ?  2.  And please explain how equipment that is old by Xfinity standards and barely works qualifies for price increases as "cutting edge technologies" ??????   Then my other question is I would like to see the actual numbers that justify a 33% increase in Broadcast TV Fees from $14.95 to $19.45 ?   And without a doubt the worst customer service I have ever encountered in my 75 years of life!

[ComcastJosephB]

Hello, @SOsborne2012, I hope other than learning about the billing increases your day is going well. I know how challenging these price increases can be. It is true, an increase in fees is influenced by rising programming costs. I am here to make sure I answer your questions and show you the digital option we use to keep all our valued customers informed. Are you taking advantage of the Xfinity My Account app? Feel free to send us a private message anytime so we can help with your billing details. If you have never sent us a PM this link can come in handy. The "Private Messenger" section at the bottom is a good reference. https://comca.st/36SSmRu

[RKJ543]

Same here, even though I was assured by the agent when I signed up that my total monthly bill would be roughly the same for 2 years (give or take a few cents here and there for government fees). 

Unfortunately, when I signed up I was using chat and my cell and I misunderstood that only the package price will remain the same. Otherwise comcast can raise whatever prices they want.

The agent essentially lied to me and instead of verifying it for myself (my mistake) I believed him

After a ridculous amount of time on the phone and getting nothing resolved I filed a complaint with the Board of Public Utilities.

Yes, I should have read the fine print myself, but there's also no excuse for the agent lying to me either. There's no accountability and once my contract is up I'm done with these unscrupulous thieves.

[Rafaheck]

Exact same issue here. `Just called to complain about the increases under contract, and now they asked me if I read the fine print saying that those fees could be increased. Now, they can say it on the phone, but when they call you to sign it, it is always the same lie. "Everything will remain the same during your contract". How do you file a complaint with the Board of Public Utilities? Thanks.

[Again]

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@Rafaheck wrote:

Exact same issue here. `Just called to complain about the increases under contract, and now they asked me if I read the fine print saying that those fees could be increased. Now, they can say it on the phone, but when they call you to sign it, it is always the same lie. "Everything will remain the same during your contract". How do you file a complaint with the Board of Public Utilities? Thanks.

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A contract is a contract.  Did you actually read all of the contract before you agreed to it? or did you just make assumptions and signed it without reading it?  Do you know what caveat emptor means?  It means "let the buyer beware" which indicates that you are to inspect the contract in full before you sign/agree to it.

So, unless your contract specifically states that all fees, taxes, and surcharges are included in the contract price, those fees, taxes, and surcharges are subject to increases.

[RKJ543]

Just go to the BPU website and you'll find a form you can submit directly to them. They're very responsive. 

I received a call from Comcast that day. Unfortunately, even though the agent I signed up  with could have very easily told me that only the package price is exempt from increases.  I mistakenly thought the equipment rental and other things under "monthly charges" were part of that. Even though I was speaking directly to an agent and asked specifically about any increases several times - because I failed to physically read all of the fine print I'm stuck with a contract that I was intentionally misled into agreeing to.

The reason I wrote to the BPU is because there is no accountability at Comcast. I asked all of the numerous people I spoke with to pull my chat transcripts and that would verify my complaint and they said they couldn't. So the contract only benefits Comcast because they can raise the other charges as they see fit. It's very misleading and the telecom companies have gotten away with this for too long.

[RKJ543]

Your point? That's already been covered.  You just confirmed that Comcast is aware that their agents will intentionally mislead customers. 

[ComcastThomasF]

Hello and thank you! I really appreciate you being a member of the Comcast Family! Sorry to hear you're not happy with your agreement. Can you please send me a private message with your first and last name so I may further assist you? To send a private message, please click my name "ComcastThomasF" then select "Send a Message" on the right side.

[SMS50]

I agree with the original post on this forum: the price increases and very deliberate misleading of customers is appalling.  Even more appalling is that Comcast made a big deal of its *one-time*  "Courtesy Adjustment" for TV customers and then *immediately* raised its equipment and broadcast fees.  Note that the monthly broadcast fees include the exorbitant sports channel fee, which is what the one-time "Courtesy Adjustment" was for.  For me, this amounted to a one-time $6.42 credit followed by a *monthly* increase of $9.00, i.e. $108/year.  Shame on you, Comcast.

[ComcastAnna]

Hi @SMS50, I am sorry to hear about your recent price increase. I can truly understand how even a slight increase can make a huge impact when budgeting. I would be happy to do an account review with you. It is possible we might be able to save you some money moving forward. 

Can you send me a private message with your full name and service address? To send me a private message click my username "ComcastAnna" and pick "Send Message" from the drop down. I look forward to hearing from you!

[SOsborne2012]

There are other issues that they are messing with - like WiFi....another issue altogether. I also find it interesting that in order to discuss an issue, you are left with no evidence of those conversations... and as far as I can see you can't email.   I've taken to using "live chat" and periodically screen shot the typed conversation.   I am so looking forward to Sept and pulling as much away from Comcast as possible.   

[sdtruhlar]

MY issue also! Same fee increases...and before my 2 year contract was even out of the first year! When I went on chat....I get "I help you understand"....well, a 2 year contract on MY end means I have to keep my AGREED TO payments up. I guess Xfinity thinks a CONTRACT means they can just arbitrarily raise fees!

[sdtruhlar]

Does anybody realize that if you click on "likes" , a THUMBS UP to a negative comment toward comcast/xfinity, it will not post...just goes to "error" OR if you try to REPLY to a negative, same thing. I hate being censored!