The pleasure of having a cable monopoly

[question everything]

As with a gas or electric company, I cannot choose the cable provider. Even if could, as with banks, it seems that the sharks are gobbling everything in site.

Yesterday morning I could not connect to the Internet so called Comcast, punched all the buttons and ended up listening to Muzak. Sitting and waiting, not even the customary "please wait, all of our reps are busy, your business is important to us.. blah blah blah"

So after about 3 minutes, I hung up and called again. The first "0" yielded a "we do not recognize your selection" but the second or third brought a live one on the line. Even on these shores, I think.

He did put me on hold for several more minutes but finally got to talk to a rep who claimed that there was nothing wrong, that from her side my modem was fine, try to disconnect the router, she said.

I did, nothing, called again, this one there was a message that they experience difficulties. Still talked to someone to get a ticket number - for a refund - and to hear, of course, that there was no estimated time of back in line. I think that if I were a small business dependent on them I would be really in deep doo doo.

Later in the afternoon - no recording. The rep, at first, did not know of any "difficulties" but when I pressed him he tried to "agree" that there are some problems "in my area." I think that this is their next line of defense. But made an appointment for a tech to come over, the earliest time... Monday evening!!

Was really pissed. Thanks god for spouse's laptop and Panera bread. Earlier this week we noticed they provided WI-FI, just a few miles from home. So got there, used my Yahoo mail to notify close family and friends, even enjoyed a wonderful Greek Salad.

Before I went to bed (early, what do you know) I tried to call Comcast again and this time there was the recording again about problem.

Did not rush this morning but I am back online, even with the router.

Until the next time.

[DS1]

1. Get a wireless kit

Secure yours. When it does go down hop on to a neighbors open line.

There's always one.

[question everything]

2. Thanks, yes. At first we tried our neighbor's

and then it did not work, as we saw him driving away.

I wonder whether he could "tell" that someone is using his WI-FI and turned his off, or something. Was working this morning when he was home..

[DS1]

3. Eh, he was probably on the same carrier as you

but sometimes you can find someone on DSL

[lpbk2713]

4. Probably turns the power off when not using it.............. n/t