Orpheus
Well-Known Member
Comcast is making the news locally because of a sneaky move they did to try and force users to accept a change in their agreements with Comcast that will limit a customer's ability to sue them.
I don't know what's worse, their attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of their customers or this guy's bill:
Montgomery Co. Officials Urge Comcast Opt-Out
Arbitration Notice Sent In July Bill
POSTED: 3:16 pm EDT July 27, 2007
UPDATED: 3:46 pm EDT July 27, 2007
ROCKVILLE, Md. -- Montgomery County officials warned Comcast cable subscribers Thursday to opt out of an arbitration notice included in their bills in order to preserve their consumer rights.
The Comcast Arbitration Notice was sent along with customers' July bills. It was sent without county approval and attempts to change the terms of the subscriber agreement and limit subscriber rights, according to officials.
County officials said the subscriber's best protection is to opt out of the policy within 30 days from the date of receipt of the bill.
"We are concerned about this arbitration notice because it uses a negative option technique to deny consumers the opportunity to affirmatively accept the change in their service agreement with Comcast," County Executive Isiah Leggett said in a statement. "Vendors should not change the terms of service without first receiving the consent of the consumer, and the fact that Comcast has not done this is disturbing."
"We are concerned that subscribers will unknowingly give up some of their consumer rights by failing to opt out in time," said Jane Lawton, Montgomery County’s cable administrator. "Comcast customers need to know that they do not have to accept this unilateral change in terms of their service."
According to Comcast, customers who do not opt out of the arbitration notice within 30 days of receiving the notice will relinquish their right to pursue any legal remedies against Comcast in court, including claims for negligence, fraud or intentional wrongdoing. Nor can they join together as a class to seek common remedies. Comcast also attempts to limit the time in which subscribers can file a claim for injuries to one year and an even shorter time for billing disputes.
However, the changed policy preserves Comcast’s rights to pursue those suits it is most likely to have against individual subscribers, such as copyright violations, unauthorized use or receipt of service, and small claims, according to county officials. These are excluded from the arbitration notice.
Comcast customers can opt out of the arbitration notice either online or by mail.
Online:
Go to comcast.com/arbitrationoptout and fill out the form. Subscribers will need a copy of their Comcast bill so they can enter their entire customer account number as it appears on the bill. If they have difficulties they should call 800-COMCAST (800-266-2278) and report the problem. They should keep a copy of the form.
By Mail:
Subscribers should write a note to Comcast that includes their name, address, Comcast account number and a statement that they do not wish to resolve disputes with Comcast through arbitration, and then mail to: Comcast, 1500 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, ATTN: Legal Department/Arbitration. They should also keep a copy of the letter they send to Comcast.
Comcast subscribers who have any problems or concerns should contact the County Office of Cable and Communications Services at 240-773-2288.
I don't know what's worse, their attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of their customers or this guy's bill:
I hope that isn't a sign of what is to come if I can get service.
