Once upon a time there was some things called "honor, ethics, courtesy, respect and appreciation" and in this case, on the contrary-"communication!" However, I suspect that Charter Communications needs a dictionary to look up these words, and might I urgently advise-"soon!"
In June Charter Communications had a local office in Seaside, OR just 5 blocks away (on N. Holladay for those readers who live there locally and remember). Despite this office only being open from 1pm to 4pm Tuesdays and Thursdays, it was convenient to call the "local" telephone number (instead of the now commonplace, "1-8xx" prefix") and speak to a "live" person! It was possible to make payment arrangements after speaking with the Rep. And honoring those arrangements respectively.
But something went horribly wrong approx. 2 years later. Charter decided to uproot that local office and not notify any (I assume) of its pee-ons - I mean, "customers!" Some "Communications" company, huh? I have a little communicating of my own. Anyway, back to the story.
So, honoring my agreement to return my cable box and pay the remaining balance, I hopped on over to Holladay Dr. And found a sign stating that it had closed, but that the Astoria office was still open. It was on a Tuesday, close to 4pm-closing time, and Charter threatened me with a shut-off if bill wasn't paid by 5pm that same day). Astoria is about an 1/2 an hour away, and the only way I could get there was by bus. I had no car. Since it takes about 45 min. To get to Astoria, I wouldn't have made it by the 5pm deadline.
As suspected a representative came out the next day to shut off my cable. To avoid the shut off I would have to pay the balance, and in addition he wasn't able to accept the cable box. I had to personally take it to the office (in Astoria!). I explained to him my situation and he was very sympathetic. I also told him that about 2 weeks prior I went to the Astoria office (I was in the neighborhood) and paid $40-something towards my $70-something bill (memory fails me. It was a long time ago. I have satellite now! Touche!) and let the woman there know that I could pay the remaining balance in 2 weeks, about the time of my next payday. She accepted my arrangement and I felt confident that "things were taken care of."
This was explained to the Charter Technician, who was assigned the power of disconnecting my cable that day. Without revealing his name (very nice guy) his opinion of the company he worked for was not very favorable (gee, I can't imagine why?!). He said they were a bunch of &holes!
The next month went by and I, albeit "begrudgingly" (is that even a word?) succumbed to their control[over my having cable]and paid the past balance and their "kiss-my-butt" connect fee of $25.00. I was a slave to Charter for a couple of more years until an acquaintance of mine told me about a local company named, Sea Star Satellite (for all my local peeps their #is 503-325-7244 or 1-866-373-3474, and talk to Jeff Keightly-he's awesome!) 1004 Commercial St., Astoria, OR 97103. Sea Star Satellite is also a member of the Better Business Bureau in Oregon & Western Washington. Jeff will hook you up! I have had satellite service with DishNetwork via Sea Star Satellite for about a year now and have had excellent customer service! I really recommend getting satellite with Dish Network! Enough said!:)
Karina
Seaside, Oregon
U.S.A.
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