What Charter won't fix and why my cable is re-stolen all the time.

Number of images: 6
Created on: Tuesday 11 July 2006

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And THIS is what it looks like after it's supposedly FIXED.

Number of images: 3
Created on: Tuesday 11 July 2006

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As a side note, the first visit I got said that 'nothing is wrong outside'. He obviously never got out of his truck. The second guy who visited confirmed to me that my cable was being stolen (really nice guy - really helpful, too - what a 'cable guy' should be!). I was told twice that someone was coming to fix the pillar, and nobody has. I've had one appointment where nobody showed at all. No explanation, nothing - and the dispatcher had no explanation either.

I'm getting REALLY tired of coming home to find that some punk has stolen my cable again - than making another appointment to have it fixed. I REFUSE to do Charter's work for them and fix it myself, though. I AM tempted to buy a whole lot of rolls of duct tape and seal the pillar myself. Let the next cable guy deal with cutting it free.

OK. So I'm annoyed. I think I have every right to be.

I'll update this when I get home tonight. We'll see if my cable has be re-stolen. I'm fairly confident that nothing will be fixed.

Next step: Apartment management. That will be tonight after work. After that, the cops.

What things look like when they are 'all locked up'.

Number of images: 6
Created on: Tuesday 11 July 2006

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Well - I got a phone call from Charter's 'cable theft' department from someone claiming that now my pillar was 'all locked up'. I was curious to see what Charter considered 'all locked up' to be, so I went home to look. Imagine my surprise! It looked exactly the same! Apparently, I was 'all locked up' all along. D'oh! My bad.

I'm supposed to get another callback about this - boy, won't THAT be a fun conversation!

ps. The last three photos are of neighboring buildings. It just makes me all warm and fuzzy inside to know how MUCH Charter cares about their customers...

Neat! A buddy here at work has given me the County cable contract administrators' number and Web site. I'll complain if I'm forced to - but before that, I'll make sure to let them know I'm looking at the County page for it. If I ever get off hold that is... My, what relaxing hold muzak. Of course, I kind of question the wisdom of continually playing a commercial advertising more Charter services. More time on hold = more annoyance = less chance that I will even CONTINUE my service, more or less purchase MORE service!

But - the hold muzak beat goes on... And on... And on...

Well - the lady I'm talking to is very nice. She seems to be running around quite a bit trying to get some kind of supervisor to talk to me. She says that their 'local dispatch' will have this fixed by 5pm. I'm skeptical - it sounds a lot to me like 'quitting time' - so that they don't have to deal with me for another day. She claims her supervisor will call me back - and she gave me a name. If I don't get a callback, well - one more step to official complaints to both their corporate office and the local commisioner....

Well, it took a little while, but I got a call back from T. , the super at Charter's MA office. A pleasant surprise! She's done what she can to schedule my local service to fix this - but for some reason I'm still skeptical. I got the impression she was, too - but she did the right thing, and gave me her personal extension so that if the local boyz fail (AGAIN) to do the right thing, and fix the pedestal(s) - while saying they have - I can call her and let her know. Brave woman! Especially when they sent out the dispatch, according to her, they made no mention OF FIXING THE DAMNED PEDESTAL!

<giggle type="hysterical">We'll see soon enough</giggle>

And here's the Invisible Lock!

Number of images: 6
Created on: Wednesday 12 July 2006

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So - I get home after work, and, being a masochist, checked Charter's second attempt at locking a pedestal. And hey! They actually showed up and did something! That's right, they came by and actually placed the shell on the pedestal. I just HAD to inspect this wonder of wonders. As you might notice, they are apparently using that newest of technologies, the 'Invisible Lock' ™ ! I can also see how flexible this lock is, since the shell does not have to be entirely closed in order for it to be locked. Ah, the Miracle of Modern Technology!

The last three shots above are to illustrate that mine is the only pedestal that they've even bothered to give this much effort. I suppose I should be flattered. Oh well. Time to call Charter again.