Why I Hate Time-Warner Cable

Posted by: Cathy Arnst on May 07

It’s not just Time-Warner that I hate. It’s the phone company (any phone company), Con Edison, Sears, indeed any service organization that thinks the world has not moved beyond the 1950s, when there was always a little woman at home to let the repairman in, and there were no computers or software or cell phones that made it possible to exactly schedule when that repairman would show up, because of course said little woman had no problem sitting around for four hours wondering when the repairman would arrive.

Time-Warner has drawn my ire not because of their cable TV service, which I never have a problem with. It’s because I stupidly fell for the spiel and signed up for their phone and internet service, which the company has clearly decided does not demand the same level of reliability as entertainment. I cannot tell you how many times my phone service has gone down since I signed up. That I can almost tolerate, however, because I can switch to my cell phone. But now , my internet connection keeps going down, and that’s a huge problem— and not just because my daughter can’t get on Webkinz. Without internet I can’t work at home, making my work/life juggle that much more difficult.

So I called Time-Warner, and after keying in my phone number, twice, being put on hold (and told I could leave a message—yeah, right), transferred a few times (and each time asked to repeat my phone number), I was finally told that a repairman must come to my house, and the next available appointment would be Friday from 12-4! I pointed out that since I don’t have phone or internet service. I can’t really sit around at home in the middle of the day for four hours waiting for someone who may or may not show up. The person on the other end sympathized—she acknowledged that she wouldn’t be allowed to take off four hours and wait for a repairman—but they don’t have evening appointments, and they didn’t have any openings on Saturday. After telling her that in that case the only repairman I would be waiting for is someone from Verizon to switch my service, she managed to find me an appointment for Saturday, between 8-12. Of course she couldn’t give me any idea when this repairman might show up in that four-hour window. That would require scheduling technology, and Time-Warner evidently hasn’t mastered that (along with phone and internet technology). Incidentally, I can get a credit for the week I’m going without service, but only after it’s fixed, and only if I call back and request it.

Are you also fed up with your cable company? Then I suggest you click over to The Consumerist, a site where shoppers bite back. There you’ll be able to commiserate with tale after tale of horrible service and consumer retaliation, such as the guy in San Diego who pulled a shotgun on the satellite dish repairman who arrived late. My favorite post on the site is this hilarious video of a toddler imitating his father on the phone to the cable company. You’ll laugh till you cry.

If anyone has a suggestion, short of a shotgun, for dealing with service providers, I’d love to hear it.

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Reader Comments

Tim

May 7, 2008 04:14 PM

What division are you in?

Marie

May 7, 2008 07:28 PM

Cathy's frustrations here are not uncommon. I do however have a huge problem with their cable service orlack thereof should I say. Also, the Road Runner service is not what it should be. But...I know what the problem is. Finally after two years of complaints and being told it is my problem, my equipment or any array of excuses. One of their technicians sympathized and showed us that we are not getting the signals we have paid over $100 a month for. We don't even get channels we should and those we get, many times are so unclear you might as well watch through a fishtank. Alas, our joy after finding out that lines run for miles are so old that us receiving good signals is laughable, Time Warner's line people left a nice note to call and yes, wait another 4 hours (with all of my spare time) for them to come and find the and I quote from their note "Time Warner... determined... equipment located in residence is not operating properly" and that they "have 2 replace spanned cable thats bad". So again, it falls back on inside and they have no intention of making sure that their service is good leading up to that point. I also was told once that getting digital phone is an option for us but "because our lines were not replaced yet" we could not transfer our current number until that service is available in our area. Well, at least they were honest about that anyway - why not, they are getting paid $100+ a month for service that we are not getting even half of most of the time. After reading Cathy's note about the digital phone problems, you can probably bet that even if they ever did replace the cables and upgrade, I wouldn't try it - unless of course they want to give it to me for free to make up for at least the last 2 years of poor service with the reception, the Road Runner and the less than helpful customer service team.

Alan L. Falk

May 8, 2008 09:32 PM

let me offer this explanation: time warner has entered a new business and they do not have any idea what it requires.

they were an entertainment company. they published magazines. people came to news stands or sent in checks and got subscribed. very open loop.

they made movies. they put them in theaters. people came, paid money and sat and watched. open loop.

the only feedback was: disappearing customers = low profits = try something else.

when they got into telecommunications, they brought all their old baggage and no vision. Mother Bell used to have an "uptime" or "availability" spec on the Dial Tone: unavailable NO MORE than about two MINUTES in TWENTY YEARS.

that was in the 50s and 60s and maybe 70s.

we want and expect and dream of the same levels of service for our internet and cable tv connections, but TWC has no clue. it's obvious that they don't have adequate backup, fault-tolerant, redundant and battery-backed-up systems, compared to what they should if they were REALLY "in this business."

they're just playing, and we have to wait until either they get serious, figure out what their customers want and need, or we get some government agency to whack them upside the head with the proverbial 2x4!

if they can't hit a four-hour window, there's no downside to them at all.

think about it. why should they even try?

with oligopolistic or monopolistic franchising in most areas, there's no reason for them to be good.

Jules

May 8, 2008 11:33 PM

True to this post's promise, that video made me cry.

Qwerty

May 9, 2008 05:18 PM

I wish TWC would fall into an abyss and leave this earth forever! If you are in Texas call Barry Rosenblum (VP of Texas) at (212)598-7389. The repair man was going to show up today between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm (nevermind the fact that we WORK)...they were going to call me 30 minutes prior to arrival. THEY NEVER SHOWED UP AND CANCELLED THE APPT. BECAUSE I WAS NOT HOME. I have been on hold for 45 minutes and counting...Yes, I have entered my phone twice!! ARGH!!!!!!

The Cable guy

May 11, 2008 01:06 AM

If anyone who has problems with their Cable Company and getting no were ask for a Manager! Demand that you must have a 6-9pm appointment, you the Cable customer are alway's Number One. If you have repeat problems with your service ask questions. Ask the Cable tech if the Cable in my home or the point of entry to my home is good. Sometimes the problem could be at the Tap or in the wall or in the apartment. Many customers have their own contractors install calbe in the wall's but then you wonder if this is the right equipment? You the Customer have the right to get the name of the customer service person,ask for an appointment that is right for you. Make sure you have access to the roof or basemaent so the technician can check the equipment. If more work is needed from the company the service tech will place the job to Plant Dept so they can follow up on the problem. Some cable problem are easy some are not. Plant tech's do need access to your home. Remember you can alway's contact the Time Warner main office and write them a letter. I have deal with many Cable customers and they are like family. I love going the exra mile for my customers and I want them to be happy. If you are planning to to install Cable in the wall's and the contractor is confused. Call Your Cable company and ask for a Foreman Servey. A forman can give advice to you contractor. Remember don't use Radio Shack equipment in you apartment..Why? because their Cables or splitters are not able to handle our signals. Our Cable and splitters we use is made to handle Digital service and you don't have to worry about FR Leakage. Happy Surfing.

The Cable Guy

May 11, 2008 12:42 PM

If anyone is planning to Purchase an HDTV set, do your homework. Or you can go to WWW.Cnet.com and this web site has all the infomation about HDTV'S and much more. The People at CNET work hard and test the latest equipment on the Market so you can save money. For those who unplug their power to the Cable Modems and Converters..don't Don't unplug your cable equipment..you don't want to be on the phone with the Cable company to update my converter. leave the power pluged in..the only time you unplug the power source if you are going away on vacation. Remember it's alway's good to reboot your Cable Modem and router..just unplug the power...wait.and plug the Modem back in..this will keep the Modem up to date and the computer as well..If your Computer is running slow..check your cookies..too many cookies can slow up the computer..or do a Speed Test to check the speed on the Modem..www. Speedtest.com. If you want to know how to remove cookies..Call tech support..Take care everyone..

Marty

May 11, 2008 12:47 PM

Most cable and phone companies do use millions of dollars worth of routing and communications technology. It's not going to stop a service technician from getting hung up on another job for longer than expected. Reconnects that turn into full installs when it turns out a previous tenant ripped all of the wiring out of the walls, or the previous owner wired a house up with junky store bought materials. Would you rather that they promised you an exact time and then didn't make it? Or would you prefer that they hired a few hundred extra techs to sit idle waiting for their one or two appointments a day? All paid for by you, of course.

Jim

May 12, 2008 09:03 AM

Hey Cathy, Guess what?? This is not russia!!! This is a free country and if you dont like time warner than take the hour that it took to write this blog and call verizon. Or better yet call the dish company and talk to them!! Then you can write another blog about the dish companys service (bad reception,high cost of install, contracts you have to sign ,blah,blah,blah). Just wait how happy you will be when not only do you have to wait the four hours for somebody to show up but then you have to pay them for that service call. HAHAHAHA

The cable guy

May 12, 2008 12:33 PM

Guess what happen to my friends cable service. Yes he has a Dish TV service and it was installed two months ago. He called me to find out what blew out his dish cable box and tv. After doing some looking around, i notice the Dish on the roof didn't have a ground wire installed from the Dish to a water line or a grounding rod. I told James to call Dish TV and let them know what happen. Next day James called me and I had to do all the talking. The Dish Tech said, that is not the problem..I said so what is the problem..The Tech said..ugh..let me think...10 miutes he said..let me call my office and let them know that the installer didn't install a ground splice and wire from the Dish to the water pipe to make a good ground. If my friend didn't call me,his Dish company would have charge him $200.00 and who know's what. Yes the company had to purchase a new 50 inch HDTV..And with FIOS, my aunt has it in Westchester and put it this way..she is kind of upset..the internet keeps going down,her speed is the same speed as Cablevision and Time Warner. She called Tech support and I didn't know that Verizon has their calls transferd to India and some parts of South America for spanish speaking customers. Please note..don't give anyone you're personal information to them if you have Verizon Internet. They ask my aunt to access her computer so they can look in her files to check the Verizon Modem. I said no! Nothing wrong with the Computer,it was Verizon's problem with the FIBER from their office. 6 hours to install FIOS, my aunt flip out when she seen the Battery pack and power pack, she thought it was ADT alarm service. Remember ask questions when FIOS comes into your home. Want to e-amil me it's www.SammyTheCableGuy@aol.com

MeYou

May 13, 2008 07:33 AM

Thats real bright pull a shotgun...this site is full of idiots. Get a life people. Have nothing else better to do then sit on your butts and complain. Do something!

Getalife

May 14, 2008 02:28 PM

More than likely you'll find the same service issues elsewhere and there will all be people who had good and bad experiences. Your best bet is to get off the darn computer, stop watching the TV, get off the phone, and play with you kids, or do something meaningful with your life instead of complaining.

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In this blog, BusinessWeek’s Lauren Young, Cathy Arnst, Anne Tergesen, Diane Brady, Karyn McCormack, Anne Newman, Mauro Vaisman, Ben Levisohn, Sarah Davis, Lourdes L. Valeriano, and Joy Katz, along with freelance writer Savita Iyer-Ahrestani, lead a broad discussion of the issues and day-to-day concerns of working parents, offering up interviews with work/life experts, examinations of relevant research, and their personal accounts of bouncing between separate, sometimes conflicting worlds.

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