Cox Communications High Speed Internet ripoff consumer rip-off fraud Phoenix Arizona

During October of 2000, Cox Communications began running ads in my aprtment complex for their high speed internet. The flyers I received in the mail explained that this was a high speed internet connection via cable, and that it would never tie-up my phone line. At the time I was running a small business from home so I was interested in their service.

In mid October I had a Cox service man come install the new service and I had chose the option to buy my cable modem through Cox, as well. After the installation was done, and all the documents were signed, the service man pointed out that my cable service was unidirectional. This means that my service had fast download speed but my upload speed was no better then a 56k modem which DID take up my phone line. Keep in mind, none of this was pointed out until after all the contract papers were signed.

The service man (Cox Employee) explained that the area I lived in was known as a Black area, which meant that it was not yet ready for full High Speed Internet service. Basically, I was only getting half of what I was paying for, and running my own business from home I needed to have the fast upload speed as well as need my phone line free of any internet connection. The service man explained that the service would be full in about two months so I took the benefit of the doubt and decided I'll stick it out for the two months of half service.

After three months I finally called Cox Communications and asked when the service would be a true full cable connection as promised by the ads they sent in my mail. The assistant at Cox then told me that they would not have that problem fixed for at least two years! I then said I wanted out of their service and told them they could have their cable modem back. They refused to take the modem back, which I obviously had no use for, because I agreed to purchase it rather then rent it.

I refused to pay for something I couldn't use and had countless phone calls from Cox, aksing me to pay the bill for the cable modem. I informed them of what they did and I said if they took the cable modem back that I'd call it even for being lied to. Since then the issue has been taken to a collection agency through Cox, but I'm still angry about the issue and want satisfaction.

You may wonder why I've waited this long but the truth is I just found out about Rip-off Report tonight, December 2nd, 2002. Lawyers are too expensive and especially for something that is only over $150.00. I don't want money, or to sue anyone, I just want them to take back their cable modem and clear my record of any miss doing, which obviously was not my fault! I feel they lied, and tricked me, into their service and now I'm the one who has to pay for something I can't even use!

Tim
Gilbert, Arizona