The Odd Bits

How To Turn A Badly Managed Business Around

Posted on June 2, 2014 | Leave a comment

I’m U.S. based and I don’t know if this is a U.S. only problem or more widespread. I’d value your input. I’ve noticed is how prolific the business sector is with poor managers. People shoved into a position of “managing” businesses with little or no training in how to manage people. It’s appalling to say the least. No wonder so many businesses fail or don’t turn the profits they should. To that end I thought a little training might be in order. My qualifications? I was a business owner for many years and managed several businesses. All of which were successful. I was well liked by my co-workers and never hated to go to work nor did the people I work with. Their smiles and retention numbers were the proof.

A paycheck is compensation, but for what? Is it for the work they do which turns a profit or for taking verbal abuse from an untrained “manager”? The very word itself implies that a manager should what? Manage. Defining that word in your management team is essential to reducing your turnover. And that may include turnover in managers. Here’s a great example of how your company may have landed in the shape they are in right now.

Did you know that when a hotel open’s its doors, the back of the house, the very soul of the operation takes on the personality of the man that opened the doors. If he is good and kind and caring and catches people doing things right, that hotel will probably be the top of its class forever more. Regardless of the managers that transfer in or out long after they original has gone on. Why is that? It’s really very simple. They’ve learned to support each other in a positive way. There is less interdepartmental strife because they are also friends. Now let’s look at what happens when you have a good hotel who changes management. You get a tyrant in there who doesn’t know how to manage people. A little Hitler who needs to feel big and “in charge” and needs to feed that feeling daily. He leaves his office for his rounds to see what he can find wrong, who can he prey on today. Jody at the front desk sees him headed for the hall on the right, he’s headed for the kitchen, she texts her friend, “code 9.” ya, they develop codes! It means look busy and keep your head down. Look busy and don’t make eye contact he’s headed your way. The second he heads out of the kitchen Sam texts engineering, “He’s on his way.” People scatter like cockroaches to their vehicles or departments.

They spend more time notifying than working. And they can do it because it works. And you know what’s really funny. Make the hotel Nextel and they can signal by a double tap on the phone. Christ the guy is walking through his hotel marveling at how much work is getting done because everyplace he walks there are Nextel tones going off all around him. DAMN! They must be busy! That Nextel is really paying for itself! But they do it to protect each other because they know that in three years or less he’s going to be gone. The GM at that time can’t figure out why he can’t get the numbers up and why things aren’t going very well despite the fact that he is on the floor making sure that every day, every person is scurrying around him “obviously” doing their jobs.

Now let’s look at opening the doors with a bad manager. You get that same mentality above except without the friendship. No quite the opposite. You get alliances instead. It’s not about protecting the “us”, it’s about protecting the “me”. It’s all about C Y A. Interdepartmental strife is rampant as the cross hairs are pushed to another reason for the lack of achievement. Even if you get a new manager, a good caring one it’s too late, they won’t believe it is going to be different. Why turn away from what has kept them alive this long. You don’t mess with survival. So what happens is the guy starts trying to weed out the bad managers. The “burnouts” we’ve dubbed them.

OK, so we’ve gotten rid of the head of the department. The guy who already knew the ins and the outs of the business. You’ve resigned yourself to the loss and the learning curve. Well you need to head that department don’t you? How do you do that and minimize the loss? That’s right, you promote from within. And what do you get? You have a department head that was trained or in some cases conditioned by the problem you just got rid of. You better have not thrown out that book of excuses as to why you’re not doing better after all you got rid of the problem. And what will corporate think? That’s right, it must not have been him, it must have been you! So do you see how this is self-perpetuating?

So how do you turn that around? How do you stop being a training ground for your competitor’s employees? How do you get rid of the dysfunctional and initiate productivity? Well we’ll get to that shortly. Before you can fix it we have to identify some of the problems that created the attitude you see in your business.

First and foremost is the profitability of the business. Every year you are pushed to get more for less; To raise the numbers over last year by a percentage. That means cutting costs and the compression of responsibilities so that fewer do more. And when you get to the bare minimum, then you have to cut corners someplace so you get cheaper equipment. Unfortunately some buyer for a tire company at the top; who knows nothing about “using” a tire machine finds one $500 cheaper and orders 300 of them. It’s the new machine! And he saved the company $150,000! But that machine breaks because it’s crap. He also bought 400 lifts that are also crap and now you have to figure out how to pay to keep them making you money. Or hobble yourself and just resign yourself to replace it in your new budget. So it sits unusable for 7 months. But the problem isn’t over! No! You still expect them to turn out the same amount of production. And it further complicates the equation because their numbers are dropping by whatever number or percentage that piece of equipment represents. And further, that remaining tire machine is now getting twice the use and rough handling because the worker is rushed because of the line to use it. Meanwhile the whip is being cracked to keep the numbers up and the workers are getting fed up because the crap is rolling downhill. But here’s the problem. You’re making them responsible for something they have little or no control over. Frustrated and rushed, ill equipped with the basics needed to do their jobs and they start leaving or acting out and then you fire them. Now the rest are taking up the slack for being down one more person and the only ones surviving are the efficient truly trained and they’re getting fed up because they have to do all the work. The less skilled are trying to keep up because they’re measured by the most productive member. Everybody is pissed and ready to walk on a daily basis. Does this sound like fun?

Truly, the worst thing in life is to get up in the morning and hate going to work. And most of us do it.

What are some of the other problems that tear at the fabric of business?
Favoritism is one. It can be caused by many things. Relationships that occur between workers, romantic and otherwise, biases or prejudices, religious and political beliefs. These are things that can allow favoritism or cherry picking. Like it or not, people look for fairness in business practices when in reality you don’t get what you deserve you get what you are able or foolish enough to negotiate. But two guys working side by side expect the same treatment. If one guy gets the gravy and one guy gets the grease there is a reason for it.

Personal problems outside the workplace being brought in to work. John works for you, his wife Mary is pregnant and about to pop. John is beside himself with his hormonally enhanced bride and horny as hell. The guy beside him is going home early because he’s dating the service writer. John’s about to go postal. Jim who is two bays over is caught staring into space for long periods of time and his work is suffering. He starts to have one or two at lunch. Nobody knows he 7 year old son was just diagnosed with Leukemia. We could go on and on and on. The problems vary as much as people do. And their problems are not something we can control. OK, so let’s look at what we DO control.

First, we control the workspace and equipment condition. We control the number in the workforce and what their assigned duties are. We control manhours. And we can control for the most part, attitude.

So where do we look first for the root of the problem? Do we inventory all the broken equipment and then find someone to complain to, to get it fixed or replaced? Do we look at man hours and attitude to see if there is someone we can blame all our miseries on? What do we do? When you buy a new stereo and it won’t work and we call the geeks what’s the first thing they ask? That’s right, is it plugged into the wall. So we need to do the same thing. We need to start by seeing if everyone is plugged into their job. Here’s what I mean. Everybody has an unpleasant, favorite or detested part of their job. A favorite part and a least favorite part. Begin by asking each person under your charge four things.

What is the worst part of their job?
What would make that part easier?
What is the best part of their job?
Can you think of anything that would make our system of doing things easier and more efficient?

You would be amazed at how this will change things. First, they’re on the front lines. They know where the breakdown is. Count on their daily confrontation of this issue and their skills to give you the information you need. And if you are able, shadow the person for a day or part of it. Maybe a cycle of what they do. Exist in their conditions. And don’t just watch, do. If their job is to clean the toilet then clean the toilets with them. Come on, you can do it for a couple hours. You’re asking this person to do it every stinking day. Walk a few feet in their shoes. You know what that does? It tells the person you are actually listening, trying to understand to try and make things in their world a little better. Will you be able to? No clues. But even if you can’t that person now sees you as human and on their level at least in your compassion. That can make a huge difference. After all, you’re looking to make them a team not a bunch of individuals. If you can’t connect with that person on a one to one level then you will remain in an “us and him” environment. Listen to the answers to the 4 questions. Make a note to look into it or to give it more thought. Perhaps you can’t change the flow of what that person hates for some reason. If so, go back to them and tell them, I looked into this, the reason we have to do it this way is because it affects this in this way. Can you see any way to do it differently and still give this information or result to this station that relies on that information for their part? If you get a distant look just tell them to give it some thought and if they can come up with an idea you’ll put it to the other folks. Or suggest if they get a chance to talk it over with the affected person or station. If it’s doable but the other person is made a little uncomfortable because it means they have to take an additional step then partner the person who would have to change so that they can see the issue. Perhaps let them swap jobs for a day if they are close enough and are able. The second person may see that doing it in a way that is a little more uncomfortable for them will make a huge difference to the first. But what did you do really? You made them find their own balance and if done right, could make the second person feel really good about themselves for having made a difference in the flow and the first guy happy because his job is more bearable. You now have a team of three. Now you ask the second person the four questions and you’re creating a force that is unstoppable. You’re changing the face of the workplace. If everybody can be made to feel they are part of a collective group then you can start friendly competitions between sectors, groups or departments.

Ok, so now we’ve begun to create a cohesive team. There isn’t a lot you can do about their lives outside the box you call the workplace but try and be accommodating when you can. Like Jim whose son was diagnosed with Leukemia. Talk to him. Let him know that you’re all there for him. If he needs time talk to the group and see if they can cover down for him until they get through this. You don’t have to go into detail, just say his son is really sick and we need to help him where we can. Ask him to talk to the group in the morning coffee start or call a group meeting impromptu. Those few minutes may make the difference between letting him go and making him an even more solid member of the team.

One more thing. If you have less than 50 people in your company, throw the damn time clock out. Tell them to write their time down. If they don’t get a lunch then pay them for it. Just write NL in that slot. Here’s my point. I was never a clock watcher. I may have a time out at 5 PM but the job I’m doing doesn’t get done until 5:10. I’m not mercenary; it’s still 5 PM on my out. I’m good with that. But when I’m stuck in traffic and come in at 8:13 I don’t want to be reamed for it. If it’s an everyday thing then a conversation needs to happen; Perhaps changing the schedule from 8 to 8:30 for that person. And if you do this, round up to the next half hour. Guy gets done at 5:13 look at him and say, “Looks like a 5:30 out.” You will be amazed at the loyalty that will buy. Don’t do that and you’ll find him massaging a tool cleaning it up staring at the clock waiting for 5:17 to get the extra quarter hour. So why not give it to him and reap the loyalty. It will be worth more tenfold. And when you see them leaving for the day, stop tem, tell them they did good today. If they didn’t then try and blame the work, “Hey, try not to let the day wreck your evening. That one was a can of worms. Tomorrow’s another day.” Seal it with a smile. Let them know you recognize their feelings and often frustration. Manage your people, they’re your most volatile and important resource.

And your entry level people. The ones who call off whenever the clouds to the east look like unicorns. Here’s how I handle them. I sit down and talk to them when I hire them, “Here’s how this works. I want to teach you more of this job so I can give you more money. This is what this job pays. It’s not very interesting or fun, that’s why we call it work. But before I invest in you I have to see that you’re invested in us. Just because your job is unskilled doesn’t mean we don’t depend on you. So your probation period is 90 days from the last time you called off. Until I can see that you can go 90 days without skipping work I’m not willing to teach you anything that can better place you in a position to make more money. Show up and do your job and we’ll see how it goes. It’s in your control. And if you call off more than three times in that 90 day period, it’s likely that I will start looking for a replacement unless there are some really uncontrollable circumstances. A no call no show means you walked out on your job. Even if you call later in the day, call. Because if you don’t you won’t have a job.”

Now, as a final word on this subject. Bigotry and racism have no place in the workplace. You can’t make them lose their bias but you can make them put it aside or leave. It’s the one thing you cannot tolerate in the workplace because to do so changes the value of a member of your team. And people will see that if you can devalue one, you can devalue them. So make it known you have a zero tolerance for such ignorant behavior. Nobody wants to look ignorant so stating it this way will cause peer pressure to help them overlook their prejudices; If it doesn’t then give them the boot. It’s important to set this example, that all will be protected equally, regardless of race religion, gender, nationality or sexual orientation. Additionally, if they can show bias for a team member you can bet it will flow over to the end client. Something that can cause huge waves of shit to wash over you and your brand.

Dating in the workplace is another thing that needs to be addressed. You as a manager are not exempt. Even if it doesn’t change the relationship at work it will give the appearance of it. No one who has control over another should be involved with each other. And of course no one in a terminus position either; Like the purchaser and the receiver.

Now the workplace. If the machine is important then get the damn thing fixed. The numbers are going to be hurt anyways, do it now so it can be making you money again. Its cost for repair or replacement far exceeds the initial costs. If you’re a chain, see if anyone else is having the same problem. It can be the excuse needed for the numbers and perhaps it will get a flag to the buyer to approach the vendor about compensation or reparations. The purchaser has the power if it’s a piece of crap. But don’t bug him if it’s not a common problem. You just got a Friday machine. They built it like there was a cold one waiting for them.

Make sure time is scheduled for a clean start each day by cleaning and organizing nightly.

Finding someone doing something right is motivation.
Training and damage costs a bundle. Employees screw up. That’s how it is. But if you fire them you’ve lost all that learning curve money. A glass shop will lose money on a trainee for the first three years. Break even the fourth and recoup their investment by the sixth and lose the employee the seventh. It’s a fact. At six years, they become proficient and can be lured away because their compensation multiplies 1.5 to 2 times because there is no loss on the training.

Making a goal with a tangible prize creates efficiency and profitization. Break down and budget once a month lunch. Buy pizza or lunch. Don’t forget the other shifts if you have them. Once a year at least, get together offsite for a picnic or some other event. Reward good behavior. Value your people, they keep you in business. How well they do that depends on you.

Making your company more profit while serving the customer is the current goal. Change that to include creating a pleasant place for your people to reside when they are providing for their lives.

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Posted in Uncategorized

Tagged management, manager training, turning a bad business around

Gun Control – To Law or Not to Law

Posted on January 27, 2013 | Leave a comment

It isn’t even a question. I’ve listened to about all the reactionary ignorance on the subject that I can stand without responding. Everybody is jumping on the “we need more gun control laws” band wagon. And you know, I’m ready to discuss it. Someone tell me one place that has enacted gun control laws in a gun culture that works and I’ll go right along with it. The right to bear arms is undeniable.

No one has forgotten the term militia. But over time the meaning has changed. They didn’t have a national guard that was organized back then. It was made up of neighbors; everyone doing their part. The minuteman, literally meaning they were ready at a minutes notice. Kennedy understood that and brought it to light in his “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what YOU can do for your country.” speech. So its inclusion is moot and omitted intentionally so as to maintain the same meaning as its design. And the last time I was in the National Guard, an alert gave you four hours to report to the armory. That’s a good bit better than a “minute”. The term minuteman means ‘in an instant’ not four to eight hours. The Militia was not government controlled. The National Guard is controlled entirely by the very entity that the militia, mentioned in the constitution was talking about defending the common man FROM. A militia controlled ‘by’ the government cannot be expected to fulfill the role of protecting the common man in a minute; especially if the threat IS that controlling element. So saying that they are the mentioned militia is not only stupid, it’s counterproductive towards the constitutional intent itself.

In every event that I have seen where freedom was sacrificed in the name of security it made the problem worse, not better.
Australia totally disarmed their public; every man woman and child; even collectors. Huge chunks of their history were crushed in the name of safety. Guess what; the criminals didn’t let theirs be confiscated. The first year, their violent gun crime spiked 400%. That’s not a number out of the air. It’s freely available on the web.

So in that short bit, we’ve established that gun control laws do not work in a gun culture; which we are by design! So let’s discuss the “assault weapon” issue. Who goes hunting for dear with an assault weapon? No one I know. That doesn’t mean they don’t, just that no one I know does. But it is not a relevant point. The right to bear arms has nothing to do with shirts without sleeves; or with hunting. It has to do with keeping the government in check. Imagine if the layers of government didn’t exist. The layers keep the overzealous from exercising it. Having the “ability” to overthrow the government keeps them in perspective. It reminds them that they work for us. We are citizens, not subjects. Nobody intends to overthrow the government but nobody trusts them implicitly either. Do you? And if you answered quickly, think about it more carefully. It is part and parcel part of our culture. Having and learning to use a firearm is the lowest layer of government in the checks and balance system. It’s you! And that very threat, yes, I said the word threat in relation to our very own government, is what “keeps” them from straying. Right now we are severely out gunned. So yes, assault weapons must be permitted to maintain the checks and balances of the system. They don’t have to be used, but they have to be available.

Those of you saying, this is a modern age, we don’t have to worry about the government enslaving us. Let me say this. The calendar has nothing to do with it. The nature of man has not changed. The power hungry will always be here. Their power is directly proportional to your freedom. And we seem to be inching away from total freedom daily; forced taxation to the point of poverty for a great many of our society. They’re spending more than we have on programs, grants and gifts that we can’t afford. The Patriot act alone turns most of the constitution into nothing more than old truly uncomfortable toilet paper. If you read the Patriot Act, it’s scary as hell. So maybe I’m paranoid. Maybe I’m just cautious. But that doesn’t change the fact that the lamb may lay down with the lion but neither is going to sleep with both eyes closed. And nothing but the 2nd amendment of the constitution can keep that from happening. It only takes one person to object or to have their rights trampled to throw a bad gun control law out into the trash heap. The constitution is designed to protect the one. Every victim in Sandy Hook, in the theater in Colorado, in VCU has had their rights of self-preservation, self-determination violated.

Self-determination does NOT just apply to creating government and laws. It also refers to choosing a method of staying safe and protected. Or disregarding your safety altogether.A person’s ability and right to survive through self-determination; to choose fight or flight.

Now, I learned long ago that words “mean” things. For instance, “law abiding” is the act of obeying the law. A “criminal” is, by definition, one who disregards the law or acts in opposition of it. So who are you making the gun control laws for? By definition, criminals act in opposition. So in effect you would have greater success in making a law that you “must” go to a school yard and gun down innocent kids. That stands a better chance of controlling “criminals!

So here is the real meat of this piece. This is a gun culture. That means it’s a culture dedicated to the right of self-preservation. It is assumed you will protect yourself from danger. You have the opportunity to make that choice; or to remain unprotected and trust in your deity albeit uncaring of your neighbor or fellow man. BUT! And this is important, if you make laws that prohibit ME from protecting myself or my neighbor, then the government has a duty AND an obligation to provide protection in those areas where I, a “law abiding citizen, is prohibited from doing so; particularly in schools and court houses where we often have no choice but to attend. Schools are a perfect example. You [the government] make it mandatory for my child to go to school. In short, you are mandating that all parents send their progeny into a place that is mandated by law as unprotected. The way I see it, that makes their care and protection while in mandated attendance, the “duty” and responsibility of those denying me the ability to exercise my right to do so myself.

For me this is a no brainer. The reactionaries are treating the symptoms, not the illness. The problem is not the guns, it’s the restrictions or the laws prohibiting the effective response built into this society. You’ve made some citizens less able to exercise their rights of self-preservation. And now you’re trying to make even more unequal. In short, make NO LAW that prohibits a citizen from performing his right to self-preservation. Gun Control Laws made Sandy Hook a target. Gun Laws made them victims. Gun Laws put them in danger of not being protected. Stop treating the law abiding as if they are ignorant. Police officers are citizens. No more, no less. They merely have a specialized training in self-preservation and apprehension. Our society was designed around the good stepping up to protect their neighbor.

The gun free zones were created to intensify the penalty for gang bangers allowing them to be warehoused in prison for longer terms. It’s backfired. It’s also kept the good citizen skilled in using their sidearm from doing what is constitutionally their right. So rework it for the desired effect. Change the wording of the law to using a firearm to commit harm not associated with responding to an assault. A simple fix that takes care of both issues.

If you’re not part of the solution, then you’re part of the problem. Following that line of logic, if you’re not fighting to allow those willing to “be able” to do so by eliminating protection laws that create barriers to your fellow good citizens from doing what you are unwilling or unable to do, then you are as guilty as the ones who opened fire on the innocent. Sleep on that for a while, let that sink in. YOU could have helped protect all those innocent kids and teachers and staff members simply by eliminating the gun free zones. Its what has kept us safe for over 200 years. We don’t have the cowboys of the past, but we sure still have the lawlessness on the streets. Its back to basics.

So stop wasting your time trying to put the genie back into the bottle by eliminating guns in ANY form from a gun based culture and let’s work on allowing the resources available to work as society designed it. In the hands of the armed citizen

So grow a set!

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Posted in The Odd Bit

Tagged assault Weapons, Gun Control, Gun Laws, Guns, Sandy Hook

Comcast at it’s best!!

Posted on September 6, 2010 | Leave a comment

First let me say that this is an actual copy of the conversation. I redacted any account or personal info and replaced them with x’s . I also changed the name to John to protect the innocent. “Me”

Anything in red italics is a comment added for clarification or commentary and was NOT part of the original conversation. Anything in Burnt Orange is just so that you notice how absurd it was.

The Moral to the story is at the end.

So here begins the conversation. I won’t even preface it because it will be made clear in the due course of the conversation.

I would like to add that I was number 45 in the cue to be talked to. That took
around 45 minutes.

*******************************************************************************************

user
John_ has entered room

John>

Cable
out. Reference code: S0a00

analyst
Ramon has entered room

Ramon>

Hello
John_, Thank you for contacting Comcast Live Chat Support. My name is Ramon.
Please give me one moment to review your information.

Ramon>

I
appreciate your time in contacting us. Hi. How are you?

John_>

Account
XXXX XXXXXX XX, John Xxxx, last 4 = XXXX

Ramon>

I
see here that you have a concern or problem with your cable box, I understand
the trouble that this has caused you and I want you to know how sorry I am for
the inconvenience.

Ramon>

As
your service representative tonight, I want you to know that your satisfaction
is of my topmost priority and I assure you that we can resolve this issue
together on this chat, John.

Ramon>

Hopw
long has this issue been going on, John?

John_>

I
was 45 in the cue and not receiving what I pay dearly for, how do you think I
am?

John_>

Seems
like forever at this point. a few hours

John_>

Net
was out earlier Noon to 8 PM now this.

John_>

Comcast
is on the way out as soon as FIOS comes in.

Ramon>

I
am sorry to hear that, John.

John_>

Why
is my cable not working?

Ramon>

I
respect your decision, John.

Ramon>

Error
s0a00 is an error on the system of the box.

Ramon>

What
we need to do is to refresh its system by unplugging the power cable of the box
from the power outlet for about 2 minutes.

John_>

The
box has been cold booted twice. We have two boxes and both have the same
results

John_>

did
it twice. Why should it work now?

Ramon>

I
see, John. Did you have your account disconnected, John?

John_>

I
still have Internet too. It “FINALLY” came back up after being down for 8 hours.
Have I mentioned how much I am growing to dislike comcast?

Ramon>

What
I can see here on your account is that there is a disconnection order which was
done last August 25, 2010.

Ramon>

that
is what I would like to confirm to your if your have had ordered to disconnect
your service.

Ramon>

The
interruptions of both of your services are related to this disconnection order
that is on your account now.

John_>

It
was PAID

Ramon>

This
is effective today Spetmeber 1, 2010.

John_>

What
is effective today? A disconnect?

Ramon>

The
disconnection, John, is not due to non pay but it was stated here that you are
transferring.

John_>

Not
until either the tenth or twelfth month of Sept. We are supposed to overlap
service.

Ramon>

I
see, John.

John_>

Why
not wait until there is a hurricane off our coast to screw up? Oh wait yall
did!

Ramon>

We
should have been more specific on the date that you wanted your service to be
disconnected. I can see here that this is effective today, September 1, 2010.
But, the order is still pending for completion.

John_>

We
WERE

John_>

That
is why we called

Ramon>

We
can still have this one corrected. But, we need to ask help from our local
office for this one as it is the due date today.

John_>

So
I suggest you all fire it back up until the specified time

John_>

And
your point?

Ramon>

That
is the best resolution for this issue, John.

John_>

Let
me guess, you want us to pay an entire month right?

John_>

Even
though we are transferring service?

Ramon>

Our
local office can extend the disconnection pending status of your account so that
you can have your service.

John_>

The billing is the
same

John_>

So
do it. But I better not get a reconnect fee.

Ramon>

As
I have mentioned, John, this disconnection on your account is not related to
your bill but this is related to the transfer reason that was entered on your
account.

John_>

This
was ALL arranged!

John_>

Have
I mentioned how much I am beginning to DETEST comcast?

Ramon>

John,
your account is in good standing in terms of your bill.

Ramon>

I
am so sorry to hear that, John.

John_>

So
get it turned back on so we can see if we are about to be slammed by this
hurricane.

Ramon>

You
need not to pay anything as you are up to date with your
bill.

John_>

Did
I mention we are 30 miles off the coast?

Ramon>

What
we just need to do is to have this pending disconnection order on your account,
with a reason of transfer, be removed out of your account or be extended if
you are really
transferring.

John_>

We
are moving as we have stated. but there is an overlap of a week from this friday
that was scheduled

John_>

The
cable is supposed to be “ON” in the new place this Friday. This service on
Xxxxxxx avenue should continue until one week from Friday as stated the LAST
time I talked to Comcast.

Ramon>

I
see, John.

Ramon>

I
see, John. This is what we can do now. I hope we can still have the boxes up and
running tonight. I am going to send signal hits to the boxes there on your end
so that we can refresh their systems.

John_>

Sooo
are you at lunch now or are we doing something?

John_>

Thank
you.

Ramon>

Just
a heads up though, we might still get the same error s0a00 as we have a pending
disconnection order on your account which is effective
tonight.

John_>

And
how will we know?

Ramon>

The
error s0a00 will not appear after the boxes will receive the signal hits,
John.

John_>

In
red letters it says to contact you

John_>

Gives
cable card number et al

Ramon>

Please
unplug the power cable of the boxes now, John.

Ramon>

After
2 minutes, please plug it back in.

Ramon>

Then,
we are going to check if the s0a00 error is no longer
appearing.

John_>

same
S0a00 error

Ramon>

I
am sorry for to hear that.

John_>

Ya
so are we

Ramon>

This
is what we are going to do next.

Ramon>

I
am going to send another batch of signal hits to the
boxes.

Ramon>

The
effect of the signal hits on the boxes will take 45 minutes especially on the
channels appearing on your end. I can send this one on those boxes there on your
end just to exhaust all means of reviving their system.

Ramon>

These
signal hits will not erase any recordings stored on your cable
boxes.

Ramon>

Please
give me 2 minutes to send these signal hits to the boxes.

John_>

So
we wait online for 45 minutes?

Ramon>

No,
John.

Ramon>

I
am going to leave notes on your account on this issue specifically on the error
s0a00 and the pending disconnection on your account. The error has big
possibility linked to the pending disconnection on your account.

Ramon>

Please
give me 2 minutes to send the signal hits.

John_>

gladly
take 3 if it will help

Ramon>

Thank
you for patiently waiting, John.

Ramon>

I
have sent the signal hits to the boxes.

Ramon>

Do
those boxes have power buttons?

John_>

yes

Ramon>

Okay.

John_>

you
want soft or hard?

Ramon>

I
need you to press those power buttons for 1 minute.

Ramon>

Hard
press please.

John_>

No
difference. By hard or soft I meant unplug or power down via button. Your warm
boot produced nothing.

John_>

And
we held the button in for 60 seconds

Ramon>

I
see, John.

Ramon>

My
sincerest apologies for this inconvenience.

Ramon>

We
can still get local channels if we directly plug the TV to the outlet,
John.

Ramon>

Can
you please do that one for me so that we can check if cable service is still
active as well?

John_>

We
do not. My son just tried it.

Ramon>

It
only means to say that the cable service is already inactive, John.

Ramon>

For
us to have this service be activated again until Friday, we need to call our
local office for this matter.

John_>

I
still have internet so it is not completely down and if it is then get it back
up please.

John_>

Immediately
if not sooner.

Ramon>

You
are correct, John.

Ramon>

The
internet service will always be the last to be
disconnected.

John_>

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr
We did that and THIS IS WHAT WE GOT! [Called the local
service.]

Ramon>

The
first service that will get disconnected is the cable service, followed by the
internet service and then, the phone service. [WTF ? Didn’t he
just say that the internet is the last to be disconnected?]

Ramon>

We
can still have you cable service activated until Friday,
John.

John_>

We
arranged for service swap and they/YOU did it early. We have a freaking
hurricane off our coast and THIS is not acceptable.

Ramon>

As
per your request, I can make a document here on my end to extend your cable
service until Friday.

John_>

And
it is supposed to continue until A WEEK FROM FRIDAY!

John_>

Are
you all morons there? Get a supervisor or someone who can make a freaking phone
call and get it fixed!

John_>

This
is outrageous and COMPLETELY unacceptable.

Ramon>

I
am very sorry for this inconvenience, John. My supervisor will just tell you the
same thing. Your cable service has been interrupted due to the pending
disconnection of your service which can only be extended by our local office.

John_>

And
for your records, This one should continue until the TENTH, that is one week
from this FRIDAY which for some god forsaken reason we agreed to have your
service again.

John_>

So
call your local office and have the idiot button pusher who turned it off turn
it back on. You have their number, we don’t. THIS IS COMCAST’S ERROR NOT
MINE.

John_>

Fine
then let your supervisor tell me. I want it from their
lips.

Ramon>

I
can give you the local office number as well so that you can give them a call or
you can as well call 1-800-266-2278, John.

John_>

THERE
IS A FREAKING HURRICANE OFF OUR COAST! HOW WILL WE KNOW WHAT IT IS DOING? WE ARE
“JUST” 30 MILES INLAND IN VIRGINIA.

Ramon>

As
for my supervisor, please stay online while I am going to escalate this issue to
him.

John_>

THANK
YOU

Ramon>

You
are most welcome and thank you for patiently waiting, John.

Ramon>

I
have talked to my immediate supervisor on this issue.

Ramon>

Please give me 2 minutes to escalate this
one.

John_>

Forgive
me, I know this is not your fault. But this is not a casual
time.

Ramon>

I
understand, John.

Ramon>

I
understand that this issue could be so frustrating on your
end.

John_>

Having
arranged for the service to overlap was intentional. This places my family and
property at risk.

John_>

And
THAT is what I find unacceptable.

Ramon>

Thank
you for patiently waiting, John.

John_>

yes

Ramon>

My
immediate supervisor told me another resolution for this issue. We can cancel
the pending disconnection on your account so that we can have your cable service
back. The cancellation of the disconnection of your service will delay as well
the transfer of your service on your new area where you will be transferring.

Ramon>

Will
that be fine?

John_>

Yes

Ramon>

Once
we have cancelled the disconnection of the pending disconnection, your cable
service should be back 2 -3 hours after.

John_>

But
I will still want an overlap of service.

Ramon>

We
can still do that one as well, John.

John_>

Then
do it.

Ramon>

Let
me just make proper documentation here on my end so that we can properly resolve
this issue tonight.

Ramon>

Please
give me 2 minutes.

John_>

Fine
and thank you.

Ramon>

Thank
you for patiently waiting, John.

Ramon>

I
am able to make the document here on my end.

Ramon>

Before
I am going to hand you over to our mover’s edge, do you have any other concerns
that I can be of great help?

John_>

Yes
you can tell me what handing me over to “mover’s edge”
means.

John_>

I
thought you could handle it all here

John_>

Now
you are telling me I have to do this all over again?

Ramon>

Mover’s
edge department is the name of the department which handles transfer of service,
John.

Ramon>

No,
John.

Ramon>

I
have made a document here that will explain the issue that we have
now.

Ramon>

You
need not to explain again.

John_>

So
are they turning it back on or have you done that by canceling our change order?
And if so when can we expect to see an image on our
screens?

Ramon>

Cancelling
the disconnection order on your account will let you have your cable service
back, John.

John_>

By
when and did you do it or do I need to do it with the mover’s
edge?

Ramon>

Your
cable service should be back 2-3 hours after, John. You just need to power cycle
the boxes after we have cancelled the disconnection.

John_>

2-3
hours after what exactly?

Ramon>

We
still need the mover’s edge for this one as that is the department tasked to
cancel transferred services.

Ramon>

Two
to 3 hours after we have cancelled the disconnection order,
John.

John_>

That
is what I needed to know. So you are passing the buck to them. I got it.

John_>

Send
me too them.

Ramon>

Yes,
John. No worries as I will be leaving notes on your account on this
issue.

Ramon>

Please
stay online while I connect you to our Mover’s edge.

Ramon>

Have
a safe night, John.

John_>

I
am going no place

John_>

Thank
you.

John_>

you
too

Ramon>

Please
wait, while the problem is escalated to another analyst

analyst
Mark Anthony has entered room

analyst
Ramon has left room

Mark
Anthony>

Welcome
to Comcast Movers Edge! It’s great to hear from you. How can I assist you
today?

John_>

We
had scheduled to overlap service and they cut this one off ahead of
schedule

John_>

So
we need to cancel the disconnect and reschedule

Mark
Anthony>

May
I please have your Comcast account number, John.

John_>

Grrrrrrrrr
certainly Account xxxx xxxxxx xx

John_>

John
Xxxx XXXX

John_>

XXX
XXXXXXX XXX
[address
added]

John_>

XXXXXXX
VA grrrrrrrrrrr 23005

John_>

Moving
tooo: grrrrrrr xxxxx Xxxxxx Ln,
XXXX Xxxxx, VA xxxxx

John_>

Service
ON there, with a capital “O” for ON this Friday,

Mark
Anthony>

Thank
you for the information.

Mark
Anthony>

Let
me go ahead and pull up your account.

John_>

Service
OFF as in no longer working at XXX XXXXXXX XXX, XXXXXXX VA 23005 as of the 10th
of Sept. 2010 if we’re lucky THIS time.

Mark
Anthony>

Alright.

John_>

no
so far

Mark
Anthony>

Just
to confirm, you are requesting for transfer of your service,
right?

John_>

yes
and we got a special rate for the triple play, do you see
it?

Mark
Anthony>

I’m
still pulling up your account.

John_>

99
per month for 12 months

Mark
Anthony>

One
moment please.

John_>

Still?
Your net must be through comcast.

Mark
Anthony>

I
see here that your Comcast service has been requested for disconnection
effective September 1, 2010.

John_>

That
information is INCORRECT. It was NEVER for the first. There was an intentional
overlap. That is why we are HAVING this conversation. And I am SOOOO glad he
left notes so I don’t have to explain it all again.

Mark
Anthony>

And
based on the transfer request, the services will be installed on the 3rd between
8AM – 11AM to your new address.

John_>

How
wonderful for Friday at the new place. Tell me, will the HURRICANE SLAM US
BEFORE THEN?

John_>

I
have no way of knowing. YOU SHUT OFF OUR FREAKING CABLE EARLY

John_>

Cancel
the shut off so we can have our service back NOW and reschedule it the way it
was SUPPOSED to be in the first place please.

John_>

If
that is too tough, cancel the change and restore our service and we’ll deal with
a retention specialist tomorrow. I promise I will drive a much harder
bargin.

Mark
Anthony>

I’m
sorry, however, the service has already been disconnected from the old address.
In able for us to connect it again, you will need to call our Customer Service
at 1-800-266-2278.

Mark
Anthony>

I
can no longer change the disconnection date as it was already been
completed.

John_>

No
get your supervisor. We just spoke to a super who said if you cancel the change
order we can restore in 2-3 hours BEFORE the hurricane is supposed to make
landfall.

John_>

ESCALATE

John_>

Do
you NOT see the notes on the file?

Mark
Anthony>

I
am not seeing any note aside from the transfer request.

John_>

The
overlap was completely intentional. You are putting me and my family and our
property at risk.

Mark
Anthony>

Please
stay online while I escalate your concern.

John_>

Do
you have the ability to read this thread before it came to
you?

John_>

It
is ALL there. If not then get Ramon back on the line.

John_>
[I copied
from the thread earlier to show him.]

Ramon(Thu
Sep 02 2010 00:51:51 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

Yes,
John. No worries as I will be leaving notes on your account on this
issue.

Mark
Anthony>

Please
wait, while the problem is escalated to another analyst

analyst
Mark Anthony has left room

analyst
Mailo has entered room

Mailo>

Welcome
to COMCAST! You have reached the
Order fulfillment department. We
appreciate your time and interest in signing up with Comcast. I will be happy to
complete your order today. ” But first, may i know how are you doing
today?

John_>

I
am totally pissed. Give me a supervisor now please.

John_>

I
have been online for an hour and a half over this and I have now been given the
bums rush. I have saved the entire conversation .

Mailo>

Coo
down John, i understand how you are feeling now. Just tell me what i can do to
help you Ma’am. Il do my best to resolve this .

John_>

Fine.
Turn my cable back on so I can see if we are about to die from a hurricane since
it was not suppose to be turned off until the 10th, WELL after our NEW service
was installed on the 3rd.

John_>

The
Overlap was intentional.

Mailo>

I
see, hold on while i pull up your account Ma’am

John_>

And
now Comcast has put ME, my family and my property at risk so don’t tell me to
calm done

John_>

Account
xxxx xxxxxx 02 John Xxxx, Last 4 = XXXX for the THIRD time. XXX XXXXXXX XXX
XXXXXXX VA 23005

John_>

And
you had my account up already as it had the transfer notes
attached.

John_>
[Copied
AGAIN]

John>

Cable
out. Reference code: S0a00

analyst
Ramon has entered room

Ramon>

Mailo>

Im
looking at the account now and i can see that it was disconnected and there is a
pending work order for transfer too.

John_>

Imagine
my surprise

John_>

It
was turned OFF 10 days EARLIER than scheduled

Mailo>

Yes,
im trouble shooting now.

John_>

Thank
you

John_>

And
we have already sent signals down the line, cold booted, warm booted, held some
stupid button in for 60 seconds and then sent to you an hour and a half on chat
later,

John_>

So
you’ll forgive me if I just don’t have a lot of confidence in you at the
moment.

Mailo>

I
know , i understand.

John_>

Probably
not but thank you for trying. when I logged in I was number 45 in the
cue.

Mailo>

Have
you tried calling our Hotline already John?

John_>

11:49
PM was when Ramon entered the room. Over an hour and a half ago and “Three”
other people, one of which was a supervisor.

John_>

What
hot line and are we passing the buck or what?

John_>

You
mean the 800 line for comcast? Please tell me that ISN’T what you are calling
the hot line.

Mailo>

Because
i cannot reactivate the account here because Dispatch team has already
disconnected it. I can only cancel disconnection order if it was not done yet.
Unless i will have it installed again.

John_>

You
need to wave your hand and get a supervisor involved now.

Mailo>

But
i have already noted it here and i already relayed it to technical people in
charge.

John_>

And
don’t tell me they will say the same thing.

Mailo>

Sure.
hold on

John_>

What
choice do I have?

John_>

Certainly
I’ll hold on.

John_>

I
don’t see why you can’t call the little button pusher in Virginia that pushed
the button to turn it off and get them to push it again.

John_>

THERE
IS A FREAKING HURRICANE off the coast and we are only 30 miles
inland!

John_>

COMCAST
did NOT follow their change order and is putting ME, MY FAMILY and my PROPERTY
at risk. This solution is UNACCEPTABLE!

John_>

BRB
Need my heart medicine.

John_>

back

Mailo>

Let
me clarify John, so you are still using our internet
connection?

Mailo>

Its
only the cable that was disconnected?

Mailo>

Because
i tried calling our local office but no one is answering
already.

John_>

The
network was out from noon until 8 PM

John_>

But
yes, for the moment it is online.

John_>

And
I re-iterate, for the moment. I am surprised it has lasted this long as
unreliable as it has been.

John_>

When
it works, it works great, but it goes down OFTEN. And for long periods of
time.

John_>

And
I got to tell you, if FIOS was where I was moving to. . .

Mailo>

Its
just unfortunate that it happens during this time of the day when its no longer
office hours.

Mailo>

But
me and my supervisor now are finding a way to resolve
this.

John_>

They
had no problem turning it off at this time of day.

John_>

Thank
you. I am so frustrated you can not possibly know.

Mailo>

May
i know then how many hours ago was your cable
disconnected?

John_>

No
more than two or three hours ago.

John_>

I
think we tried cold booting twice. so that would put it approximately 11 PM
GMT-5 or eastern time.

John_>

45
people in the cues worth of time before Ramon entered the room at
23:09.42

Mailo>

I
suggest you just get updates of the hurrricane on the internet John because as
per our technical representative. Cable
are disconnected 10 days ahead prior to the date. Its just wrong that you were
not informed prior. [WTF? Why schedule
it then?]

Mailo>

At
this moment we have no solution on how to reconnect it
immediately.

John_>

If
that was the case then why ask for a disconnect date? I would simply schedule it
ten days later. That is unacceptable. The word schedule has meaning. The overlap
was intentional. The internet could go at any moment and you want me to what
then?

John_>

NOT ACCEPTABLE

John_>

That
is crap, they “always” turn it off ten days ahead of time? Do YOU believe
that?

Mailo>

I
already recommended for urgent action to have it reconnected but it will only
happen first thing tomorrow.

John_>

What
is “First Thing” tomorrow? By when?

John_>

It
is ALREADY tomorrow.

Mailo>

When
the tech is already on the job to reconnect it in the pole.
[WTF? On THE
POLE?]

John_>

Have
your supervisor cal THEIR supervisor, regional manager or what ever it takes. I
am SO sick of Comcast wipping their behinds with me.

John_>

It
was NOT shut off at the pole or WE would not have this
conversation

Mailo>

We
did that already and escalated the issue to the people
concerned.

John_>

It
was shut down by a push of the freaking button! They did NOT disconnect the
line. I am NOT some stupid hill jack.

Mailo>

Cables
are disconnected at the poles John unlike phone and internet.
[WTF? On THE POLE?
He continued the bullshit lie!]

John_>

Obviously
not or I would be seeing a HURRICANE on the freaking weather channel right
now.

Mailo>

It
takes a tech of our dispatch team to do that.

John_>

To
do WHAT exactly?

John_>

It
is a computer activated relay!

John_>

This
ain’t tough!

John_>

What
IS tough is getting ripped apart by a HURRICANE because you didn’t see it
coming.

Mailo>

Thats
what i gathered here John. If you are aware, im in sales but im doing my best to
help you here.

Mailo>

Because
of the hours you spent.

John_>

I
was NOT supposed to be handed to a salesman. I was SUPPOSED to be handed to a
PROBLEM SOLVER.

John_>

Then
find me someone who CAN help. This is just WRONG!

Mailo>

Hold
on

Mailo>

Please
wait, while the problem is escalated to another analyst

analyst
Janet has entered room

Janet>

Hi!
It’s my pleasure to help and resolve your concern today. How is your day so
far?

analyst
Mailo has left room

John_>

Hello
Janet, what department have they shifted me to please.

John_>

In
short, who are you?

Janet>

I
am so sorry for the trouble that you are having on the cable service
John.

John_>

Hello?
It was not a tough question.

Janet>

May
name is Janet.

John_>

Are
you A.I. or a real person

Janet>

I
will certainly help you resolve this issue.

Janet>

Yes,
I am John.

John_>

Somehow
I doubt it but why not.

John_>

Yes
you are what? And A.I. or a real person

Janet>

I
am a real person.

Janet>

I’m
sorry for the confusion.

John_>

I
have been in this chat for two and a half hours

John_>

and
I was 45 in the cue before that.

John_>

I
am the flaming customer from hell at the moment.

John_>

So
please, tell me, what querries do you handle? Sales? Moving? Trouble shooting?
What?

Janet>

I
really do apologize for you waiting that long John, if I am on the same
situation I will definitely say those things.

Janet>

I
am here to help you John, please give me a chance.

John_>

OK,
Here you go. For the forth time. Here is my account information, that IS what
you want right?

Janet>

Please
just give me your full name and the last 4 of your SSN.

John_>

Account
XXXX XXXXXX 02 , John Xxxx, last 4=XXXX, address XXX XXXXXXX XXX, XXXXXXX VA
23005

Janet>

Thank
you so much John, I appreciate your cooperation.

John_>

Like
I have a choice?

Janet>

I
can relate to what you are feeling John, I also love watching TV , I can’t live
without it.

Janet>

Life
is boring if TV is not working.

John_>

No,
I am sorry but you are clueless.

Janet>

Are
we having issues on it?

John_>

I
am 30 miles off the coast of Virginia. There is a freaking hurricane coming
right for us and COMCAST shut my cable off ten days ahead of
schedule.

John_>

The
latest excuse was, “OH, they ALWAYS shut it off ten days BEFORE it was
SCHEDULED”.

John_>

If
that was the case I would have scheduled it ten days
LATER!

John_>

I
had scheduled a move with over lapping service, which was entirely
intentional.

John_>

Now
they are telling me that because it is already shut off the nothing can be done
until tomorrow at the soonest AND it will be a reconnect!

John_>

Comcast
is putting ME at risk as well as my family and my
properties.

John_>

So
go ahead, try and fix it.

John_>

or
maybe just shove me into Brian Roberts email because I assure you I am sending
this one off to him.

John_>

Are
you still there? Or have they sent me to a blond computer?

Janet>

I
am so sorry for the trouble John, let me check the previous notes
here.

Janet>

John,
do you have the new account number?

John_>

Why
should I have a “NEW” account number?

Janet>

Just
to clarify the services was turned off 10 days before the hurricane
correct?
[WTF? Do they do
any drug testing at all in this place?]

John_>

You
still have not answered my question, what department do you answer calls
for?

John_>

Janet>

And
then you are planning to move the service is that correct?

John_>

It
was turned off about 3 hours ago. This is ten days BEFORE it was scheduled to be
turned off.

John_>

Yes,
the new house was supposed to be turned on on Friday the third, and off at this
one on the tenth.

John_>

We
overlapped by one week

John_>

[Copied again for her to
see.]

John_(Thu
Sep 02 2010 02:29:00 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

You
still have not answered my question, what department do you answer calls
for?

Janet>

To
make this clear you would like the transfer to be cancelled however are you
still considering transferring it to the new address after the
hurricane.

Janet>

I
am from the Cable Department John.

John_>

IF
that is what it takes to get service reactivated then yes, that is what I
intend. Are you sure you’re human?

Janet>

Yes
I am John.

John_>

What
part of the cable department? Sales, repair, mover’s edge or some black
ops?

Janet>

I
am from the Cable billing Department John.

John_>

And
are you able to restore service terminated early?

Janet>

I
will be doing my best and check all my resources for you
John.

Janet>

Please
allow me 2 more minutes.

John_>

Or
is it a semantics thing. No you can’t do that but you can restart service and
cancel a reconnect fee?

[The Cable came
back on like magic.]

John_>

Well
god bless you

Janet>

Thanks,
he is my savior.

John_>

You
are a goddess. Why did it take them 3 hours to give me to
you?

John_>

Mine
too.

Janet>

I
just understand your issue John.

John_>

At
least NOW I can see when we have to evacuate. Thank you SO
much.

John_>

Do
I need to call tomorrow to reestablish that this one goes off on the tenth and
the other comes on Friday the third?

Janet>

You
are welcome, we just need to communicate to know is really happening in that way
we will both understand what needs to be done.

John_>

We
thought we did that. I was told by the last guy that Comcast shuts cable down 10
days BEFORE the scheduled date consistently. Why would they do
that?

Janet>

That
is true John, however when you said that you will be transferring, what comes to
my mind is the transfer that you mentioned.

John_>

We
specifically made an overlap

John_>

It
was intentional and planned

Janet>

Yes,
I understand that and rest assure you that it will be
prorated.

John_>

Since
it was shut off, a hurricane watch has been posted and not one posted yet on the
net. That is why it is important. Thank you you have helped to make my family
safer.

Janet>

You
are most welcome John.

John_>

Thank
you. SOOOO much. May God Bless you and your family.

John_>

We
are done I think.

Janet>

Same
here John.

Janet>

I
am almost done , please allow me a minute.

John_>

Please,
take all the time you need.

Janet>

Thanks
allow me 2 more minutes.

Janet>

This
is the new address XXXXX XXXX XXX
23059 correct?

John_>

yes

Janet>

Thanks.

Janet>

Please
allow me 2 more minutes.

John_>

NO,
thank YOU!

John_>

no
problem

John_>

Do
I have a NEW account number now?

Janet>

XXXXXXXXXXXXX
this is the new account number.

John_>

I
have made note of it. Will this be the same account number at the new
address?

Janet>

Yes.

Janet>

We
are all set John.

John_>

And
that account then shows the triple play at $99 dollars a month for 12 months or do I need to call and
bicker with them tomorrow?

Janet>

Yes
please chat or call us back tomorrow for that John.

John_>

Thanks
so very much. Best wishes to you and your’s.

John_>

Goodnight.

Janet>

You
are most welcome.

Janet>

Have
a nice evening.

Janet>

If
you need further assistance, you can chat with one of our Customer Support
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Janet>

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Problem: Cable out. Reference code: S0a00

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End Session

The Moral to the story is that if you have a choice, don’t. So far what I hear is FIOS beats them hands down.

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Posted in The Odd Bit

Tagged Comcast, Comcast Reviews, Comcast sucks, FIOS

How Does Comcast Sell More Bandwidth Than They Have?

Posted on May 29, 2010 | 1 comment

Well I figured it out or at least I think I have and I’m less than happy. They are about to find that out too.

So how do you sell more bandwidth than you have and still operate? Simple, like hotels and airlines, you don’t figure that everyone will use it at once. And when they do they have a mess. Someone get’s bumped, rerouted to another airline or hotel.

With Comcast I speculate that they rotate your IP’s. If you have a router attached to your cable modem then you are down until you reset your cable modem.With mine I have to power it down and disconnect the coax or power it down and wait 1-3 minutes before reconnecting.

So if you are downloading without a download manager that will pick up where it left off you are faced with starting your download over again. If you bitch enough they leave it alone except during peak download times and then it can be every hour to two hours. Supposedly in the name of “security”. I haven’t quite figured that one out.

Ya it does make a lot of people restart their massive downloads and actually uses more bandwidth with repeats but most give up and restart it late when peak hours are over or while they sleep. But in doing so, Comcast can defer the consumption to a less used time. So less complaints about lag time. They have also set caps now so that if you “use” what you are “paying” for, they can slap you down.

In short, you bought the seat but you only get to use the edge. Oh and they get to choose who you look at next to you.

They will issue you a static IP if you change it to a business account which is a butt load more per month. Go figure. They probably reroute you to a fiber system. But oh do you pay.

I’m tired of dealing with them on it and I’m exploring other avenues. Verizon just laid fiber in Virginia.

My wife is in college online and has timed tests that you must complete once you start them or go through a horrendous maze to redo it. When they rotate IP’s and we go down she is screwed and it causes her great anxiety.And when she is anxious, I am anxious.

I wonder what happens when the State Attorney’s office figures out how they are operating and finally files a class action suit against them for the general public. I know I’ll sign in on that one.

I have a reasonable expectation of uninterrupted service except for those caused by environmental issues like storms or the occasional digging incident.

They also have it set up so that torrents do not work. I suspect for the same reasons. Oversold bandwidth. You can only shove so much down a wire at any given moment. So it is getting to the point where they have it so constricted that doing anything but checking email is a fool-hearty adventure during peak times. God help you if there are attachments.

Oh and the latest! Use Comcast for your home page! Then they run ads on TV to advertise on their home page insertions. Get real Comcast! Like I’m going to do that? In your dreams. And your mail exchange too. Anything to control what is in front of you. well I’ve seen enough Comcast.

I just know I am sick of it. Comment if you are too. Maybe if they see a significant response they will stop messing with the public for fear other states will catch on too.

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Posted in The Odd Bit

Tagged Comcast, Comcast Reviews, Comcast sucks

Here are the rules to avoid getting viruses.

Posted on August 28, 2009 | Leave a comment

Here are the rules to avoid getting viruses.

First! Get MacAfee Virus protection. Don’t be penny rich and pound foolish.

Remember that free just means you will pay at some point. Your greed will be your undoing. Nobody has a bajillion dollars that they want to send to you for safe keeping.

Assume that the only thing free on the net is a virus or malware.

Never click on an email that says you won anything you did not enter. There are no international lottery’s and even if there were, you can’t win if you didn’t play. So if you don’t have a ticket then delete the email.

Have an email with a free service like Gmail, Hotmail or Yahoo that you use for anything commercial or for signing into forums. Keep your isp (Provider ssupplied) email sacred for correspondence. Do not send your isp email to someone from a free service email account. It will be captured. If you must the use this format ” johndoe (at) novirus dot com” It isn’t fool proof but it slows them down. Right now they scan for the “at” sign and they scan for text next to a period without a space. Like “.com .net .biz”

Never provide your isp (provider supplied) email in a chat room or on sites like YouTube, dailymotion, facebook, myspace or twitter. Etc. There are computers that scan for and capture valid addresses to be sold.

If an Email says they have been trying to get in touch with you remember that you didn’t tell them this time either. Delete the email.

If you get an email that says it is time for an update on software you have installed delete it and go to your software program. Open it, go to your menu bar and click on the help tab. Tell it to check for updates.

The second option if that is not available is to manually go to the website by typing in the address. Then go to their support page and look for updates.

If you get an email saying some account needs to update your information. And you think it is a possibility that it may be correct. DELETE THE EMAIL and manually got to your log in site. If they need something from you it will message you when you log in. Never use the link in the email.

If you do not know and regularly converse with the name on the email then delete it unless you have spoken with the person and are expecting the email. Remember this. NO ADVERTISEMENT THAT YOU DID NOT SPECIFICALLY SIGN UP TO RECEIVE SHOULD EVER BE TRUSTED!

Do not go to casino or porn sites. ESPECIALLY if you do not have MacAfee.

Do not use Yahoo search!

Remember that curiosity will cause you grief and the outcome should always be assumed to be extremely bad if you click it! Even for a peek!

If you are already being inundated with spam. Contact your isp for a new email address and this time treat it with the dignity it deserves.

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Posted in Uncategorized

Tagged virus, virus avoidence

A Voting Quote

Posted on November 18, 2008 | Leave a comment

“Voting

is like trying to pick up a turd

by the clean end.”

Robin Douglas
2008

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Posted in Quotes

Tagged Bush, Obama, Voting

A New Quote

Posted on August 2, 2008 | Leave a comment

To do something you love, is to do it well.

To do something well, shows the love is in the doing.

August 2008

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Posted in Quotes

Tagged achievement, bestpi, Quotes

The DNC Destroys the Republican Party by Committing Suicide

Posted on July 9, 2008 | 1 comment

The DNC Destroys the Republican Party by Committing Suicide

Saturday May 30^th, 2008 marked the death of the Democratic party. If voter apathy was a problem before then they haven’t seen anything yet.

I was working the show. It was a lively meeting charged with
a lot of emotion. Now I am the first to say that I do not keep up with the
rules and such of the Democrats. I am a hard core republican at heart. I was
there to do a show. What I got was a whole lot more.

It seems from the bits and pieces I gleaned, that an old
outdated rule regarding some timing issue precluded the Florida
and Michigan states from counting any of their votes for the democratic candidate. It was
even mentioned that this was a very old and outdated rule that should have been
done away with years ago. But through the concrete smiles of the majority, the committee

hid behind the letter of the rule. “We are a group who follow the rules of ourcharter.”

What was really special is that they skipped lunch and
worked from nine in the morning until almost three. They listened to all the
witnesses regarding the petition before them to re-instate the voice of the
voters of Florida and Michigan.

They announced that they would

break for dinner and be back at four PM to debate the issues before them.

But at four nobody from the committee showed up. The

audience, they ones there to witness the process were all there waiting. Almost two hours passed before they showed up again.

They [the committee] went and debated in secret!

It was apparent that nobody would see who and what was said. But the faces and
the tone of voice of those on the committee who had been beaten was solemn but

the fact that they were conceding the battle because they were leveraged into submission in secret could not be denied.

The other techs reacted much the same as me. A gapping pie hole! We sat there slack jawed and smiling. I have never seen a party implode before and it was really a site to see.

The bottom line is that if you are a Democrat and you are voting differently that the power core of the committee, then you and your voice don’t matter. Security had to remove more than one.

And the expletives that came out of the gallery when they found out that they had been duped into believing

that anything was left for debate, was vicious by a fish wife’s standards. There were even expletives remarking towards the validity of the committee member’s parentage. It appeared that the power core was enjoying it too. The stone smiles that couldn’t be knocked off of their faces with a sledge hammer when the protests started was more than obvious and no attempt to hide them was made either.

All I could think was that Rush Limbaugh has just been given this golden goose and it’s new limousine. I can’t wait to hear how he reacts to this one.

I think it marks the end of the party. My suggestion would be to walk and join the Republicans. You could vote for McCain and feel like you’re voting for a Democrat anyways. He’s gone so left it would almost seem like you were voting for Billary or Obama.

It was almost like the DNC was already doing the deed. The Committee couldn’t have done more to get McCain elected if they came in holding signs politicking for him. I was disgusted and I’m not even a Democrat.

The one thing I know is that we need the Democrats.
Otherwise good Republicans wouldn’t have anyone to point towards, when they
tell their children, “Do you want to grow up to be like them!”