They cut my lines...is this STANDARD?

[srdgad]

Hello, I'm new here!

My husband and I had several issues with Comcast, and out of recommendations by others - we cancelled our Comcast effective 05/25, and switched to Directv (which has been even MORE of a nightmare).

We came home last night to find that our satellite signal on our tv upstairs was out. My husband went outside to check the lines, and saw that two of our lines had been snipped completely through - and were left hanging to the ground.

We called Directv - they had never heard of such a thing. We called Comcast, and after about 40 minutes - were told that it was STANDARD for them to do so whenever you stop service?!?! Is this really true?

The Directv guy used the already-installed lines that comcast had run - and just tapped into those. So, therefore - our satellite signals went out when the Comcast guy cut the lines.

We were never told they were going to do so, but they said they don't have to tell us - that its just "standard" procedure.

My husband went out to Home Depot and got a splicer (or something of the sort) and just re-connected them.

However, is it really standard for them to do so?

[VinceT3]

No the generally disconnect you from their box.. cutting the line at your house is one of the annoying way they get back at people who switch to satellite.. search the forum you'll find its happened more than once..

[dahauss]

They did that at my house where the line comes up from underground to my house...

[navychop]

There comes the thought and temptation to smash his windshield and say it's "standard" when a company damages my premises. Of course, I'm just venting and I know who'd get arrested, and who'd get off scott free.

[Jestr40]

I currently have both Comcast and Directv and in September when DTV has the new HD's I am going to "cut-off" Comcast. If they come out and mess with my DTV lines there is going to be a throw-down. They can do whatever they want with the lines they ran but the DTV lines are currently seperate. I better not get an over-zelous Comcast tech, I can tell you that!

[rdlink]

"Over-zealous Comcast tech?" Bit of an oxymoron, isn't it?

[stevenl]

Once the cable company installs a line into your house it becomes your property. Its not like a box or something with cable they are "adding on" to your house so it becomes your property. At BHN we are told, that once the line is installed the cable belongs to the customer, after all you either paid to have it installed or it was including in your setup.

[skottey]

The DirecTV tech should have installed separate lines. He must have been lazy by prompting you to use the existing lines.

In the past I have switched cable providers (2 in my area- Brighthouse and Knology) or added Dish and had both cable and Dish. I have always, no matter what, had new lines run. Even if you were getting rid of Comcast you should have said you were keeping both and you wanted new lines. I don't know about DirecTV but with cable and Dish the install is free whether they use the existing lines or add new. You keep your options open if you leave the lines alone and make the guy install new runs for the DirecTV.

[Claude Greiner]

The best call I have gotten was that the customer had Comcast Cable. They cancel and switch to DISH Network or Directv.

All is fine for a few years until the customer decides to order Comcast Internet.

The comcast installer comes out, disconnects the line for the Dish and hooks up the cable modem and tells the customer to call DISH Network to have them run a new line saying that the DISH Network installer should have not used the comcast lines.

I told the lady there would be a service call charge to come out, because we are talking 2 years after the fact. Also if there was no line there, the comcast guy would have had to run a new line anyways!

[grydlok]

The DirecTV tech should have installed separate lines. He must have been lazy by prompting you to use the existing lines.

In the past I have switched cable providers (2 in my area- Brighthouse and Knology) or added Dish and had both cable and Dish. I have always, no matter what, had new lines run. Even if you were getting rid of Comcast you should have said you were keeping both and you wanted new lines. I don't know about DirecTV but with cable and Dish the install is free whether they use the existing lines or add new. You keep your options open if you leave the lines alone and make the guy install new runs for the DirecTV.

It's doesn't matter.
The cable doesn't belong to Comcast, D*, or E* it belongs to the homeowner period. Comcast technician was wrong for cutting the line on the opposite side of the ground block. The only item the are responsible for is the drop line once a sub cancels their service.