12/20/06
Wednesday morning. Landscaper cleared the tumbleweeds out of the back yard. No buried treasure or dead bodies discovered in the process.
Jimmy, the cable guy, showed up to hook up my television and internet. I told him that the electrician was coming tomorrow to wire a couple more rooms for cable. At that point Jimmy informed me that Charter Communications hasn't yet launched internet service in my area and that contrary to what I'd been told by the morons who answer the phones at his company, wiring rooms for cable is part of Jimmy's job description. He was real apologetic about all the misinformation. I didn't blame him.
So while Jimmy is hooking up the TV, I called the electrician to cancel the appointment. The next call was to order DSL from AT&T. Now I have to wait another eight days to get back on line.
I got Robert at the Charter call center on the phone to verify that I wouldn't be getting a monthly charge for the internet and he assured me that my bill would be cut in half. Okay, fair enough - no problem. Then Robert mentions that I had signed up for an introductory rate that would go up 42% after six months.
"Shit, nobody said anything about six months when I ordered it."
"I'm sorry, Chris. They should have told you."
"Yeah, that would have been nice to know. Jesus, I'm getting a lot of surprises lately. Am I on some kind of contract that I don't know about?"
"Not at all, Chris. In fact, after six months, you can re-evaluate your service and see what works best for you at that point."
"Well that's a load off."
"Yes, Chris, and by that time we should have many new services available in your area."
"Oh swell, Robert. I can hardly wait."
I wonder if anyone is going to remember me when I come back on line.
Dear Charter Communications:
Kiss my ass.
Yours truly,
Chris Nolan
