Princeton
join:2002-03-19
Princeton, NJ
| [CATV] No cable cards
I bought myself an earlt Christmas present - a TiVo. This requires two cablecards to work with HD and premium channels.
On Wednesday, I called to have an install scheduled for December 27/28 - and was told that they were "backordered" with no date for order fulfillment. I was advised that there are 40 people on the list.
I now have a $700 boat anchor.
Anyone else here in the same boat?
Any ideas for resolution? |
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Princeton
join:2002-03-19
Princeton, NJ | Update - 12/27. No cards - no dates. |
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DaveNJ
No Fear
join:1999-09-01
New Jersey | reply to Princeton
You should ask them, since your out of Single mode cards, order me a M-card. Since TIVO is designed for the Mcard. |
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PatGod
@patmedia.net
| reply to Princeton
All you have to do is call them up and ask politely one more time. Then you just have to say this:
I just want to let you know that I will be contacting the FCC to file a complaint becuase it is a law that cable companies must provide customer's with cable cards.
Then if they still refuse you should contact the FCC. I got my cable card by simply saying that and then the next word out of there mouth was hmmmm it looks like the cable cards are back instock. Just make a little noise and you will get your cable card.
In the mean time I will file a report with the FCC. |
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patgod
@patmedia.net
| reply to Princeton
here is the link to file a complaint. I promise you Patriot Media will not get away with this. This ia serious violation. Also it is within your legal right to purchase your own cable card and then have patriot media provision it. so can you do that too.
»fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgb/fcc475.cfm |
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payload6976
join:2003-11-12
Drexel Hill, PA
| reply to Princeton
patgod is right on this one, in defense of patriot though, there inventory tallies are problably being totally controlled by comcast, I wouldn't be surprised if the somerset technical operations are being run by another NJ comcast office like west windsor, union, or port murray |
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Princeton
join:2002-03-19
Princeton, NJ | reply to Princeton
Thanks for the advice.
I called again just now - they don't have any cards - and are not impressed with the threat of a complaint to the FCC.
I filed using the online form. |
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robjlevin
join:2002-10-30
Millington, NJ | Most of their CSRs are too poorly trained to care. I'll bet many of them don't even know what the FCC is. |
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submrge
join:2004-10-10
Mine Hill, NJ
| reply to patgod
said by patgod :here is the link to file a complaint. I promise you Patriot Media will not get away with this. This ia serious violation. Also it is within your legal right to purchase your own cable card and then have patriot media provision it. so can you do that too. » fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgb/fcc475.cfm that's a form to complain about your bill. no where on that page does it mention anything about being able to lodge complaints about the co running out of stock. |
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DaveNJ
No Fear
join:1999-09-01
New Jersey
 ·Patriot Media
 ·Cingular Wireless
 ·Verizon Online DSL
edit:
December 28th, @11:50AM
| reply to Princeton
said by Princeton  :Thanks for the advice. I called again just now - they don't have any cards - and are not impressed with the threat of a complaint to the FCC. I filed using the online form. Then i would expect them to provide a box free of charge until the cards come back in stock. |
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robjlevin
join:2002-10-30
Millington, NJ | I don't know about free but certainly the same cost as a cable card. |
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shokk
join:2003-06-22
Hillsborough, NJ | What are you currently paying for the cable card rental? I'm looking to get the same TiVo. |
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Thomamon
join:2007-04-12
Hillsborough, NJ | I contacted them this past week too and they should it should be about a week until they receive them. I will call again tomorrow and ask for an update and tell them about the FCC as well. |
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Thomamon
join:2007-04-12
Hillsborough, NJ
| reply to Princeton
Just got off the phone with a lady at Patriot Media, she was very nice, unfortunately I didn't get her name. She was very understanding and helpful, she explained how they are out of stock at the moment and doesn't know when more are expected in but it should be very soon. She said they have a list of about 100 people wanting them now and its been a while since they have had the cards in. If she recalls correctly, its been over a month since they have had them. She also said with Christmas and people getting new TV's and TiVo the demand is up. She couldn't give a time frame, but she did say she expects them very soon. It was just nice to hear someone concerned and sounded genuine about wishing they had them. |
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icepop456
join:2002-08-27
Somerville, NJ
| I'm glad you had a nice experience, but I really think this proves my point. Customer service should be measured by the ability to solve the problem and not how nice and understanding one can be. When I call them, I don't want some really nice person crying over an issue because they feel bad, I want results. After getting results, I'll comment on personality and professionalism.
To sum up your post, there are no cablecards and they still don't know when they are going to get them. Not much has changed. |
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Princeton
join:2002-03-19
Princeton, NJ
| reply to Princeton
Just to bring you all up to date.
On Monday, I wrote to the mayor, explaining the situation. The mayor ppromised to call Patriot and get back to me.
But something has changed since I originally posted - the waiting list has gone from 40 to over 100. Given that some of these folks will need two cards - that is quite a waiting list. |
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DaveNJ
No Fear
join:1999-09-01
New Jersey
·Patriot Media
·Cingular Wireless
·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to robjlevin
said by robjlevin :I don't know about free but certainly the same cost as a cable card. Nope, because thats encouraging them, not to fulfill a service. Honestly 100 people waiting is really bad, and sometime free is always expected, when being inconvenienced. |
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goldenjb
@patmedia.net
| reply to Princeton
This is not the first time this has happened. I waited for over 2 months last year for cable cards that were temporarily out of stock. They blamed it last time on the cable card manufacturer. Now that this is at least the second time they have no cable cards, it appears they are more interested in collecting the cable box rental fee instead of providing cable cards as mandated by the FCC. |
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Princeton
join:2002-03-19
Princeton, NJ | reply to Princeton
I contacted the NJ BPU today - and asked what can be done. I'll advise when I hear back. |
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Princeton
join:2002-03-19
Princeton, NJ
| I've not yet heard back from the NJ BPU - but I did get a note back from the town mayor. Seems that Patriot (Comcast) was unresponsive to her as well. She promises a follow up.
It is unfortunate that industry does not follow the direction of their regulators.
Still working to open a channel with the FCC. |
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