Cox Communicatons COX False Deceptive Adverstements Phoenix Arizona

Sadly, I find I have to write these types of complaints more now than 10 years ago. It’s rare that I write about outstanding service. 

We, the people and government of U.S.A. (F.C.C/F.T.C/C.F.P.B etc.) were created to be the watchdogs and protect the consumer from the BLATANT, and deliberate deceptive and fraudulent practices in advertising. It has become all too common that the Mission Statements and promises of so many businesses today, are nothing but lies. The C.E.O's , C.O.O's etc. are 100% void of any ethics or morals. I can say that because when customers make contact with the company, such as Cox Communications, you get absolutely zero satisfaction or valid justification. Nothing but mumbo jumbo and the runaround. Let me try to be brief in my explanation. 

Len Barlik on the company web site has a video where he talks about "Our Commitment to You". This is copies directly from Cox Communications website..

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU...

You deserve the most value from every show, network, event or team you pay to watch on TV, and delivering that value is Cox Communications’ responsibility.

Keeping you connected to what you care about is a commitment Cox intends to keep.

1) Cox publicly enters into a binding contract with any person that signs up for services and actually pays for those services. 

       COMMITMENT as defined by Merriam-Webster: 

a) an agreement or pledge to do something in the future

       COMMITMENT Synonyms - Mariam Webster

a) contract, oath, pledge, pact

About 18 months ago I entered into a contract for Cox Communications Internet services. At this current time, I am not certain of the tier but I am 100% certain it is minimum 100 mbs possibly 150 mbs. Before I continue, I am aware of the semantics used in the specific wording used by Cox and many other internet companies. I am referring to the addition of the phrase "Up to". I would venture to guess that their legal minds came up with this idea to be included in their advertisements because of the complaints and suits from consumers regarding the failure of the company to keep its obligation with regards to download speeds. I will be honest, I can agree that they can’t be accountable for 100% advertised speeds, but at the very least if you pay for 100 mbs the consumer should expect to receive download speeds within reason, maybe anywhere from 80%-100%.

I have had the Cox technicians at my house a few times and I have called numerous times. I stopped calling to complain as I get zero resolution. On the telephone they speak to me like I am a moron, they repeat the same stupid comments, and they throw that handy little legal loophole, that the speeds are "UP TO" and not guaranteed. AGAIN I understand UP TO but I don’t UNDERSTAND why I am obligated to pay xxx dollars for UP TO 100 MBS when i am only getting 20 -25 mbs download speeds. THAT IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. If I paid only 25% of my cable bill Cox would have me into collections and calling and harassing me like is was some type of felon!

When Cox technician come out to the house, each one has something to say about how the previous one did something wrong!!! 

I trust NOTHING these technicians say!

The first time they came out to my home, I was told the problem was in the line after the COX coax enters my house, and they don’t cover that issue but for a fee they will correct it. HOW FREAKING CONVIENT!!. I had a few choice words to say and then said goodbye. I work in the I.T field as a programmer and have A+ and CISCO certification. SO, I went to the side of my house, opened the box and ran another BRAND-NEW coax CAT 6 and also CAT 5E from the box thru my window directly to the COX modem. Ran speed test and as expected, still was only getting 20-25 mbs. SO, THE B.S they told me about the wiring in my home was the cause was FALSE.

I had the pleasure of 2 other time a technician came out to my home. Each technician blames the previous technician for doing something wrong. When they run tests for db. and packet loss etc., they are not consistent. but they claim they are within the range and nothing is wrong!!

I tried to paste the 5 test I ran tonight on all different websites but was unable, I ran these tests over 30-minute intervals, and I check and there were no outages in my area.  

Speedtest = 22 down 10up

Cox = 23 down 11up

CenturyLink = 24 down 10up

Testmynet = 22down 10 up

COX RERUN = 23down 11 up

Speedtest rerun = 25down 11up

CenturyLink rerun = 18 down 11up

So why are companies and the executive management not being held accountable for making statements with regards to promises, commitments etc. They are in breach of that promise contract or whatever you what to call it. 

How much more do we need to put up with. Just like so many other consumers around the country, there are only 2 or 3 choices for internet, they have a stronghold our communities. Some communities sadly only offer one provider, explain to me please how that works. If a free trade society really exists how can someone be restricted to only one cable provider. Thankfully I moved out of the community. 

F.T.C... Joseph J. Simmons, Do your job please. If I did my job the way you are ignoring these problems, I would not have a job, so why are you entitled to keep you job and still get paid! Twitter @JoeSimonsFTC

From the F.T.C. web page 

Working to protect consumers by preventing anticompetitive, deceptive, and unfair business practices, enhancing informed consumer choice and public understanding of the competitive process, and accomplishing this without unduly burdening legitimate business activity.

Yeah, well please tell me who is WORKING to protect this consumer and all the consumers that are sick and tired of deceptive advertising, and allowing semantics and the use of PHRASEs such as "UP TO". I am not in disagreement with wording that allows less than 100% but if it is going to be less than advertised, it should be limited number of times it happens and within a reasonable amount of degradation. 

F.C.C. = How is it that your Broadband Performance Reports claims that companies like Cox is providing the advertised speeds or better when they are so many complaints on the internet. Are we all crazy and your reporting is 100% accurate? 

1.     Consumer Protection

The Federal Trade Commission will police and take action against Internet service providers for anticompetitive acts or unfair and deceptive practices. The FTC is the nation's premier consumer protection agency, and until the FCC stripped it of jurisdiction over Internet service providers in 2015, the FTC protected consumers consistently across the Internet economy.

2.     Transparency

A critical part of Internet openness involves Internet service providers being transparent about their business practices. That's why the FCC has imposed enhanced transparency requirements. Internet service providers must publicly disclose information regarding their network management practices, performance, and commercial terms of service. These disclosures must be made via a publicly available, easily accessible company website or through the FCC's website. This will discourage harmful practices and help regulators target any problematic conduct

If there is anyone else reading this that has the time or agrees that Enough IS Enough and wants to try to do something about this B.S., he we are handed every day by companies and the management teams such as COX, please reach out and let’s put an end to this. 

I apologize for all grammar and spelling errors, I have once again wasted too much time regarding the crappy service of another business which is doing nothing