maybe i should post my recent adventures with Comcast to this site. Yeah, it's all nuts. I recently have started wondering, how much time and resources to companies devote to creating intentionally muddled and tricky services and languages to get over on us? Recently I purchased a new washing machine from Lowes. The sales sticker bragged "10% off ,and free delivery". Well, I bought it, and sure enough, I got the 10% off. Of course, the salesman tells me i got it just under the wire, as the sale was ending that day, and for a change I didn't read the exception in the micro print where the disclaimers are listed. When i pay for it, I then get a bunch of paper from the lady ringing me up. When I ask what it is, she says "that's your free delivery discount". "Free delivery discount?" I asked, "I thought it was already free". "Oh no", was the answer, "you have to mail this to the address listed, then in 4 - 6 weeks we'll refund the cost of delivery. But for now you have to pay for it".
So, like those refunds from Best buy, the onus is now on me to be sure to mail this to Lowes, then follow up on it in 4 -6 weeks so they can't claim it never arrived. And of course, they're hoping I'll forget so they don't have to give back money they never should have taken. -------------- Original message -------------- From: Daryle <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [source: MediaPost TV Board] Too Much Information -- Or Is Obfuscation The Preferred Policy? by Mitch Oscar, Tuesday, January 15, 2008 I'm a Comcast customer. Recently, included in my monthly billing statement was an "IMPORTANT Information" alert about Service, Installation & Equipment Prices for myself and my neighbors: Level of Service Current Price Basic (3,5) $15.95 New Price February 1, 2008 $17.95 Expanded Basic Service $36.04 $36.54 Standard Cable (2,3) $51.99 $54.49 Digital Starter (4) $55.98 $58.48 1) The minimum level of cable service you may purchase is BASIC SERVICE. As a cable customer, you must purchase BASIC SERVICE to subscribe to any other video service offered by Comcast Service, programming and equipment are subject to availability. All pricing, programming channel locations are subject to change. Please call 1-866-660-6137 for further information. The purchase of premium channels, packages and a la carte services including iN DEMAND, Pay-Per-View and Channel 1 On Demand) requires the appropriate equipment (c)2008 Comcast. All Rights Reserved. 2) The price for Standard Cable includes Basic Service and Expanded Basic Service. 3) A cable box/converter may not be necessary to view Basic Service or Standard Cable. Please visit www.comcast.com/cablebox or call 1-866-660-6137 for further information. 4) Digital Starter includes Standard Cable, a discounted Digital Cable Box, a remote control, Interactive Program Guide, MusicChoice and limited Channel 1 On Demand content. To upgrade to a discounted high definition cable box and remote control, an additional $6 equipment fee is required. 5) Discount available to subscribers who are age 65+ and not more than 1 person under age 65 in household. Customers must complete and submit application to Comcast Cable at 21 Old Route 6, Carmel, New York 10512. Restrictions apply. I'm fine with all this information, although I must admit that the fine print didn't really help clarify exactly what I was getting for my dough. Being the curious type of guy that I am, with trepidation I turned to the next page and the next and the next -- and then my head imploded. Too many pricing choices, each with its own arcane definition. Take a look for yourself (left and right, at two out of the three pages. Perhaps this printed exercise was meant to satiate the government as well as obfuscate instead of clarify. Beats me. Don't get me wrong -- I enjoy my Comcast service (though I wish my HD/DVR wouldn't freeze up so often and the set top box would be cooler than a hot griddle). However, there must be an easier, more inviting way to communicate viewing and service options to consumers. Then again, I should be thankful that the Comcast services pricing litany was at least in decipherable English. You should see my family plan monthly wireless billing statement... Mitch Oscar is executive vice president, director of CaratDigital, Carat North America. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
