I just read where Comcast has been voted the Worst Company in American.

I wasn't surprised.  In fact, I'd like to add my own story to the bog-pile that is Comcast, and invite others to email me there stories as well.

Here is my story:

I have a Business account with Comcast which, as far as I can tell, means that I pay three times as much as a home account.  When I signed up for this, there was a 3-year agreement.

For the last month, I have been losing internet connection on a daily basis.  This means that at least once a day, often much more, I lose internet connectivity.

I have called them three times.  Each time its the same thing.

Them: "Reboot"
Me: "I did that."
Them: "Signal looks fine."
Me: "That's because I have internet now.  The problem is that I frequently don't have internet."
Them: "Do you want us to send someone out?"
Me: "I don't care what you do. I just want to get what I am paying for."

Every time I call, I have to go through a series of hurdles to get to a technician.
What are the last four digits of my SSN?
What is my phone number?
What is my mother's maiden name?

It always ends up with them agreeing that I am who I say I am.  Once this is established, we proceed.

Today was different.  After I arranged to have a technician come out, I asked to be transferred to someone I could talk with about cancelling my account due to poor service.  The tech. handed me off to their "Customer Loyalty" division.

The first thing out of their mouth: "I can't talk with you because you are not So-and-So (my office manager) who signed the contract with us."

I explained that I was the owner; my name was on the account and it was my SSN that got me through to my account.

The countered with "We don't use Social Security Numbers."

I said, "Well you may not use them, but you certainly asked for my last four digits when I called."

Them: "We can't talk to you."

Me:  "I'd like to talk to a supervisor."

Them: (Her name is Gracie): "No."

Now I am dumbfounded.  I've got a brain-dead gatekeeper and no way around.  I turn on my "record" function of my telephone and say, "I am recording this, do you understand?"

Gracie: "Yes."

Me: "It feels to me like your customer service took a sudden nose-dive as soon as I indicated that I want to cancel my service do to non-fulfillment of your side of the bargain.  What do you think?"

Gracie: "I am not going to talk with you."

Me:  "I have an online meeting on Friday.  I will have to use my cell phone to connect to the internet because Comcast Business Service is unable to provide me with reliable service.  I would like to cancel my account. I understand you cannot help me.  Now, am I correct in saying that you are refusing to connect me to your supervisor?"

Gracie:  "So-and-so's name is on the contract.  It is our policy that we can only talk to that person."

Me: "You are not a politician.  I am not interested in your talking points.  I just want an answer to my question.  Are you refusing to connect me to your supervisor?"

Gracie: "Yes."

Me: "My final three words...prepare your resume."

At the moment, I am anchored to my office for the second time in a week as Comcast waits until the final moment of their "window" to show up and say, "Everything looks fine to me."

I'd love to hear your stories.

By the way, the technicians are always very helpful.