Time Warner blows

[Ruutu15]

Do any of you guys have Time Warner cable? So I've had them for a couple of years here in Cincinnati when suddenly my service was cut. I always pay the bill on time, so I called them. Apparently an audit shows that someone at my address from years ago left without paying a bill (an apartment). Due to something they call a "roommate policy", they cut me off. They won't allow me to get service until I pay $460 that someone I've never even met owes them, just because we shared an address. Worst part, I have no choice...they're the only provider in my area for internet AND TV. No TV or internet for over a month now.

Excuse the typos...typing on a phone sucks.

[cprice12]

Do any of you guys have Time Warner cable? So I've had them for a couple of years here in Cincinnati when suddenly my service was cut. I always pay the bill on time, so I called them. Apparently an audit shows that someone at my address from years ago left without paying a bill (an apartment). Due to something they call a "roommate policy", they cut me off. They won't allow me to get service until I pay $460 that someone I've never even met owes them, just because we shared an address. Worst part, I have no choice...they're the only provider in my area for internet AND TV. No TV or internet for over a month now.

Excuse the typos...typing on a phone sucks.

I fail to see how that applies to you.

If that happened to me, someone would be getting chewed out...and I wouldn't be off the phone until the situation was resolved.

Don't accept bullshit responses to a bullshit policy. Seriously.

[Ruutu15]

The best part, Curt, is that I've taken it as far up the ladder as I can. You cannot speak to anyone in their auditing department, so the highest that you can go is a supervisor. They even sent a tech out to get my router and dvr.

Do a google search for Time Warner customer service...its crazy. These cable companies have such a monopoly that they can get away with this kind of thing.

Like I said, I always paid on time, and I had the fastest internet, and a bunch of premium channels. My bill was over $150/month and they still won't budge for a good customer.

[big d note]

That is total crap. Is there a local consumer protection bureau that you could go to? Hell, even contact your state representative about them abusing their monopoly power. Write an editorial to the paper. There are probably others in the same situation.

My local sewer utility tried to pull some pricing shenanigans a couple years ago, and the state legislature threatened to bitchslap them with a new law and they backed down.

[not_a_wings_fan]

I would suggest that you go down to the police station and file a complaint for extortion. Also, contact local news stations and push them to do a story on your situation.

[Ruutu15]

I'm in Columbia, MO now visiting my mother, so I will have internet for the next few days. I've kinda gotten used to watching my game center live subscription on my phone, although typing really sucks.

Really though, I don't understand how a cable company can get away with things like this. There's literally no competition, so they can do whatever they want. I'm going to contact everyone that I can think of in the meantime, as I've pretty much decided that there's no way that I'm paying someone else's bill. It would be different if it was $100, but no way I'm coming out of pocket to that extreme.

[not_a_wings_fan]

I am serious, that's extortion. you should contact state and local prosecution and push the issue.

The best bet may be to get the local TV news involved in your dispute.

[ViPeRx007]

Wow. That is kind of scary. We only have one real cable company here as well (Optimum) and while they've never pulled something like that on me, they do dick around with the bill alot. Numerous times my brother has actually taken his DVR down to their office, thrown it on their desk and said he wants to cancel because they keep screwing with his bill. Every time they've changed it back. They haven't messed around with mine enough to where I've had to go do that, but it's getting close. They just like to see what they can get away with and it's borderline criminal.

Whatever you do, don't pay. Screw those bastards. Seriously, can't you prove when you moved into the place and cross-reference it with when the bill wasn't paid? If it's before you were there how can they possibly make you pay for that? Sue them for millions....and give me $1 million.