Has anyone ever had their cable, Internet service, or landline go out before? Do you know if you ever received a refund? Do you check your bills? Well, a few months ago our cable, Internet, and phone services all went out. I called Comcast (1-800-Xfinity if you need to call for this, too), our provider, notifying them of the issue, and they said it was an area-wide issue. I knew to call right away when we started having issues because our previous provider, Verizon, always said it was 24 hours from the time you called that you could get a refund. So when I talked to Comcast, I asked to get a refund right away.
My husband thought because Comcast was a big company that surely they would refund us, our friends, and everyone else we knew who were affected by the outage without us having to notify them. When I called them, I asked if a refund was automatic, and they said, “no.” I was surprised in a way, but in another way, not surprised at all.
Anyway, it happened again a few weeks later, and I called back to get the refund again. This second time our service was out for the better part of two days. Since I called on the first day of the defunct service, I had to call back when the issue was completely resolved to get our refund for the second day. For one day we received a $7 refund. I received the same credit the second time I called. So for a couple of quick calls, I received back over $14. That’s a fast food meal out. Or that’s about 3-Pound Plus Chocolate Bars from Trader Joe’s. It’s way better than a kick in the head. Anyway, if I received $14, think about how money the company is keeping that isn’t theirs, because you know everyone doesn’t call. Let’s conservatively say 1200 houses lost service, and only 200 called to get a refund. That’s $14,000 the company might keep of your money collectively in two days.
So the point in all of this: don’t assume just because you are working with a big named-company that they will automatically refund your account for services you didn’t receive.
What to do when you call:
- have a pen and paper ready
- be ready to potentially be on hold for a while (this is when I get my best sweeping and ironing done)
- write down the name of the customer service associate
- write down the date and time of the call for a reference
- kindly ask for a refund, amount of refund, and if they have it a reference number for your call incase the refund doesn’t show up on your next bill.
It’s too bad we can’t assume we’ll always get an automatic refund, so don’t let the big companies take money from you that is rightfully yours.
Here’s to thrifty thinking…Do you always request refunds for services not rendered?
Have you read:
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WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU AND YOUR SPOUSE DON’T AGREE ABOUT MONEY?
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THREE IDEAS TO SAVE MONEY ON GROCERIES AND HEALTHCARE
-
IS IT TIME TO GIVE UP COUPONS?
Sharing at some of these great link parties.
Love these tips!! I am constantly loosing water, power, cable and internet and it is such a simple thing to just call. I’m not sure that it would work where we live in Puerto Rico but we hope to be moving back to the states soon and I will be putting this tip to use!
Hi Ashley. So glad to share. Blessings on your move, and thanks for sharing!
HI: I did this with our cable company Baja. Our internet was out due to a lightening strike. I had to call and was given a $10 credit. Then our channel 151 went out. Even sent a tech out, who did nothing at all and left without having the problem resolved. I called they sent another tech out who figured out the problem. I called for a refund and was told it was only worth .07 a day. Hey I will take any type of credit, they weren’t to happy to have to go through all the work for .48. But yet if I get behind they are calling where’s their money, so it’s only fair if I call and ask where my channels/internet is. Then we had an issue where our water was out for the entire town. Yes the entire town had no water for a week! We had to buy water, or go to the fire dept and bring containers to dip water out of a pool for flushing and the such. At about the 4th day I was ready for a hotel to get showered and really cleaned up. I asked them for a refund and was told since we are allowed x amount of water for a certain price and we didn’t use more than that amount then there was no refund. BUT there was NO water. So it works some of the time and not another, but any refund is better than no refund.
Hi Vicki. Unfortunately not all companies have a good refund/services policy. It will work with some and not with others. That’s great you were at least able to get a $10 credit. How funny that your one channel was worth .07/day. It’s the principle, huh?! Agreed: better some refund than nothing at all. Thank you for sharing!
I have been trying to sign up for your blog, but I keep getting messages that the service is not available. Thought you might like to know. If you are able to sign me up manually, that would be great. Thanks!
Hi Rebecca. Thanks for the heads up. I did just input your email, so let me know if it doesn’t work. Thanks for letting me know and have a great week!
You’re lucky Comcast is so obliging. I’ve tried with Charter and nothing. Charter doesn’t care about their customers.
Hi Pat. I am sorry to hear about that. Thank you for sharing.
I would have never thought to do that! What a smart idea, you don’t realize how much a day or two can cost.
Hi Jennifer. It all adds up, huh? Crazy. Thanks for visiting!
Totally agreed, Serena! We’ve really had some inconsistent service lately. Hope you have a great weekend!
Ugh.. I hate that the cable has been having such trouble lately.. They really should auto refund their customers since they are aware of the situation..
Excellent advice! Too bad it won’t work with electricity and water! I keep a special notebook to use for important information I get over the phone. That way I don’t have to keep track of stray papers. I record all the details including date (sometimes the time if it could be important) and the information you suggested.
Thanks! No kidding about the electricity and water! Smart move keeping a notebook. I like to write the info I get in the bill (if I have a paper copy). Thank you for sharing!