Optimum
Reviews and Complaints

Effective today, Jan 1, 2009 - Cablevision has removed both the Food Channel and HGTV. WHY? Their public announcement advises contract-negotiation disagreements to be the culprit.

I continuously have issues with Cablevision with regard to pixelation break up. In fact, my whole section of our condominium complex has the same issue which is a constant break up of the digital picture. When Cablevision is contacted, the solution always seems to be to send a Technician out to investigate - ultimately one would assume that some sort of wiring within our complex needs to be rectified, no?

Well, now that Cablevision has taken it upon itself to make decisions as to which channels they'll allow its customer to watch or not watch, and due to their inabilities to negotiate effectively with suppliers - they've actually even solved MY problem - I'm leaving Cablevision and choosing AT&T U-Verse.

Thank you, Cablevision for making this decision finally come to fruition. I hope to never have to do business with you again!

I live in Connecticut and am a Cablevision subscriber. As of today, Cablevision will no longer be carrying HGTV and the Foodnetwork due to unresolved contract negotiations. With the increase in popularity of both networks, Scripps, the company that owns HGTV and the Foodnetwork, is looking to be compensated fairly for Cablevision's use of both Networks. Cablevision released a statement saying that they have no plans to carry these two networks so it sounds like negotiations are over. Besides Direct TV, there are no other cable subscribers in my area so I'll have to go without my two favorite networks! Cablevision should pay Scripps what they rightfully deserve!

Once again, when I have an issue with Cablevision, they provide you with either misleading or incorrect information. I have a cable card ready LCD which Cablevision has shown an inability to support.

This is the third time in a month that I have requested their help since I am not receiving the cable signal.

First, I had to wait 30 minutes due to a unusually high call volume (which as aside has become the standard response for not having enough customer service reps). Once I had a customer service rep on the phone, they could not address my issue but said I could pick up a new cable card at their service center. Unfortunately, the service center that was not a possiblity so I made an unncessary trip to the service center. It seemed that this was not the first time this has happened.

As a result, their service is aweful and they know it but it does not appear that any one is taking actions to rectify this problem.

Beware of this company. I am in collections with cablevision for $300 when I actually have a credit on my account. Why, you ask? Well, there is another person with the same name at a different address that has not paid their bill. After about 2 hours on the phone, cablevision advised us to go to the police department as it was a case of identity theft. (No, it's a clerical error). Police told us the same thing. Police also told us that they employ companies that use the "pay and prey" scheme. That is, the company calls all the 'sally smith's they can find, not just the debtor, and tell them that they owe the $. They make you prove you are not that person by tricking you into giving them your ss# for verification. Now they have your social and can write off the debt (Goes on your trw), so they threaten you to 'pay the debt and we'll sort it out after'. No thank you. As of today, i've spent over 5 hours on the phone, have gone to cablevision physically to show id, have faxed said id and bank statements and last 4 of social to them and still cannot get them to get the collections agency off of our backs. We have to prove we are not deadbeats because of incompetance and bad business practice on their part. Next step for me is the bbb and possibly a lawyer for harrassment. Stinks, because my condo has a contract with them that includes basic cable so if switch companies I pay for basic cable twice. They still get my $ and I still get screwed.
And by the way they also provided me with the other person's account number and driver's license number.

On 2/22/08 the Cablevision company can to my house, when no one was home and they put wires that not connected to anything in my house, the wires were run to each one of the windows and tape there. And a metal box on the outside wall of my building in doing so they damages the outside wall of the my propertied without my permission no one from the Cablevision company call or notified me or any member of my family that this was being done to my house. I did not, or anyone else in my household order cable, and I never had service or an account with this cable company. Everyone in my house has DirecTV.

I called the Cablevision company many time and all I get is the run around. All I want is for Cablevision to take there wires and there box off my house and repair the damages that they did to my propertied.

I have been a customer of CableVision (both TV and Internet) for over years, but that will soon change. A couple of weeks ago, I had no Internet connection, and the earliest a technician could come was about 4 days after my call.

Once again, I haven't had Internet connection since Wednesday night (Sept 2) and when I called yesterday (Sept 3), the earliest appointment I can get is next Tuesday (Sept 8). The thing is I telecommute and rely on my connection heavily to get my work done, or I would need to drive for 45 minutes to the closest office and stay until my projects are complete.

Other than the inconvenience, neither sales rep had taken the initiative to credit my account back until I brought up the topic. All they seem to care is to have me answer the customer satisfaction survey at the end of each call.

Cablevision
Attn: Commercial Sales
6 Corporate Center Drive
Melville, New York11747

Re: Account number: [protected]

Dear Commercial Sales Specialist:

I am in receipt of your invoice with a due date of September 15, 2009 with an amount due of $563.90. This is incorrect and I dispute any prior “invoices” that were sent to my office for the following reasons:
1. In the middle of July, 2009, we moved our law office from Ramsey to Midland Park. “Ross” one of your sales persons contacted me about service prior to the move. I advised him that I was not pleased with Cablevision and that I was concerned that the well-established numbers we had would be available in our new location. He assured me that they could be preserved. During my discussions with Ross, he assured me that there would be no rewiring fee. Our new office was previously occupied by an engineering firm who had their workspaces wired. All that was required was to connect our office to the outside world. No internal wiring was needed. We were charged incorrectly for “rewiring” and a credit of $250.00 is due.

2. We own three numbers: [protected], [protected], and [protected]; [protected] is a dedicated fax line. To avoid a long missive, please review our file concerning phone number [protected]. This belongs to us, but it was not ported over when we moved to Cablevision. This was an omission on Cablevision’s part, and it still has not been corrected. This caused both a loss of a line and calls for over two weeks. That precipitated a loss of business to my office for dropped calls, incorrect busy signals, etc. I estimate that Cablevision’s failures and negligence caused my practice damages of over $10, 000.00 for lost clients.

3. During the “seamless” transition we were promised, we had no telephone service for over one week! Being a law office of a sole attorney, it is vital to our economic well being that we have telephone service. This loss of service has affected our business and livelihood, and is the responsibility of Cablevision to rectify and reimburse me for the lost of services.

4. While trying to correct these problems, I and my assistant spent more than 40 hours on the phone and in the office speaking with your service department and talking with the more than seven different repairmen sent to our site. This loss of productivity must be made up, and averaging the rates of myself and assistant to be $200.00/hr, it amounts to $8, 000.00 that Cablevision has cost me in lost time. I expect Cablevision to provide an appropriate credit for that lost time.

5. Because of prior problems with the Internet service, “Ross” promised to give me the Optimum Boost for free. I expect the charges for this service to be deleted from my bill and not to reappear.

I never ordered or agreed to pay for Cable TV. Therefore, a full credit must be issued.

At this time, our services are minimally working and I would like to keep it that way. Unfortunately, whenever someone attempts to make things better, new problems arise and old problems that were thought to be corrected reappear. The following is what I would like to see happen going forward:

1. We need to know the status of our number [protected]; we own this number and would like to utilize it. During this long process, we were given a “dummy” number so that we could have to outgoing lines and a second line to hunt for when our primary number (4400) is being used.

2. This alleged amount due of $563.90 has to be revisited. All of the above points should be reviewed, including the amount of time we needed to get a minimally functioning business service. In fact, it is our position that Cablevision owes my firm far in excess of that invoice.

If you would like to contact us to discuss this situation further, please do so. I trust that you are guided accordingly.

We've been customers since they first came out. We got our HD box about two years ago. The HD channels keep freezing so I have to switch the channel to non HD. I don't understand how they can say they are better than Verizon when their own service is a disaster...and it would be nice if they carried the same channels that Verizon offers

We had to get a new modem

I switched from Dirctv to Cablevision because I would save money. However, the joke was on me because the quality or lack of quality Cablevision delivers leaves me with no choice but to switch back to DirecTV. I find that not only is the picture not clear, but also my TV is constantly freezing. I cannot watch anything in its entirety as it is way to frustrating. If anyone out there is thinking about switching to Cablevision to save a few dollars, remember "you get what you pay for"!

Cablevision found another way of their customers paying more. Instead of increasing their already high rates, they now have removed access to approximately 20 formerly inclusive channges (such as Lifetime, BET, MTV, AMC, AMC, etc).

Now they are requiring "monthly rental fees" for digital cable boxes, HD digital cable boxes or CableCARDs on each TV. So, I am paying for Family Cable is $55/month, with almost half the channels - - will their be a price adjustment?

I find it quite funny that they cut these channels in the midst of the Didital switch so consumers think that buying the TV converter boxes would work.

I would like to find out who we need to contact for these unfair consumer practices.

I have been a customer of Cablevision for nine years (tv only). I was
having problems with my present phone and internet service. They
both had been not working. I would not be able to make outgoing calls
and the internet went completely off. I decided to change my whole
package to Optimum. We worked a package for $123.00 plus tax,
by the way the rep made an appointment for us without us asking
him to. We were checking prices. At the end we kept the appointment,
the installers came to hook us up. They told there would be a $20.00
for installation which the rep never told us. We were willing to do
that since it was for the first month only. Then the installer told us we
were getting a new phone number, which was never discussed. I said I
wanted to keep mine so I call cust service and told them I wanted to
keep my phone she said no problem it will cost me $40.00. I told
her I didn't want the service anymore. If they had told me at the
start all the fees I would'nt have ordered it. Wasted my time and a
a days pay. They tell you nothing and expect you to agree with their terms. You think after nine years they would give me a break. I am
now looking for another provider.

I paid my bill of 45.98 to cablevision for the month of Feb. 2009. In error I sent a payment of 125.81 to cablevision two days later that was supposed to go towards my con ed bill. I contacted cablevison regarding obtaining a refund. The customer service rep. gave me a confirmation number stating that they would either mail a refund check or wire the money back into my account. The stated someone in the refund department will be in contact with me within 24 hours to verify the account information. 24 hours passed and I didn't not receive a call back from anyone at cablevison.

I called again the next morning and the rep. confirmed all the information in the computer. She then put me on hold and after 5 minutes another lady picked up who stated she was the supervisor. She stated how unfortunate the situation was blah blah. I cut her off and asked when is the refund going to be done?. She said it takes a couple of days, then said oh you have to fax proof of payment to a place called Connecticut support who does there refunds. I stated why do I need to show proof when you stated receiving the amount in the system and that you have it as a credit? She stated it was just policy. I am still waiting for the refund.

Unfortunately my bank JP morgan chase can't do anything. I still wonder why I bank with them. I can't wait for verizon Fios to get to my neighborhood.

Hi,

I was living in the same apt as another person during 12/14/05-9/28/06. the person living in same apt with me moved out and her
service was disconnected. I resumed service under my name 11/22/08
before service was connected, I had to pay a bill under my name from
10/2/02-6/2003 which was $249.46
I've since transfered to another apt also transferred my cable service.
now I receive a bill in the mail from
Cablevision
200 Jericho Quadrangle 2nd fl
Jericho NY 11753.

letter is stating that I am now responsible for the bill left by the person
who lived in the other apt with me from 12/14/05-9/28/06.
balance $209.63

I called the number listed and was told by Michael, I am responsible
for bill in other person's name because I also lived in that apt at time
service was rendered. although this person used her name and social security number. I wanted to make a complaint and Michael told me
I had to call [protected] cablevision to make complaint.
when I called I spoke to Harriette 1/29/09, gave acct#. Harriette then
informed me that acct# given belongs to me. I informed her this is not
my acct# with a balance owed. when she looked up person's name who
used to live in same apt as me, she found that her acct info had transpired over to my acct listed under my name.
I wanted to know how can this be legal?

this person opened her acct using her name, social security # and date of birth, how can Cablevision put her balance on my acct. at a different apt in which I now reside.

I also had a problem with Cablevison previously.
before they restablished service with me where I paid the balance that
was left under my name from 10/2/02-6/2003 $249.46,
Cablevision had me listed as living in the Bronx in 2003.
I live in Brooklyn all my life and have only been to the Bronx a couple
of times. just because Cablevision saw someone else with the same name as me, Cablevision stated that I had to prove I never lived in the
Bronx. I sent so much information to prove I never resided in the Bronx.. when I asked what information Cablevision is basing this on.
exp. did the person sign up with social security number. I was told
no. the fact that my name matches a person who resided in the Bronx
who owed a balance is what info is based on. until I could prove I wasn't
this person in the Bronx, Cablevision placed this person bill on me as well. this cannot be legal is what I'm thinking.

I had such a hard time with clearing this Bronx location issue up,
that I then signed up for legal services when they came to my job.

this current issue with the bill left by another person is being billed to me, I am letting my legal people handle this. I want to get the media
involved in this. I was told while trying to recfify issue in the Bronx,
Cablevisionn deleted all there records some way in 2003, and info
isn't matching in there systems. therefore, Cablevision is making the
customers clean up there records for them by having to send in info to
prove your not someone else. this is unaceptable and ridiculous.

As hard as times are with this recession going on and all, I can't
believe the nerve of these people.

I also think Cablevision customer service reps treat customers
as if this is welfare or something. they're so disrepectful it is truly
unbelieveable. I had Direct Tv which was cheaper and had no problems until my management wouldn't allow anymore antenna
s outiside of windows or on the roof which upset me, but i kinda understood. antenna's can look ugly depending on how many in one area. This is probably why Cablevision treats their customers with so
much disrespect. does anyone at Cablevision ever look on their sight and see the amount of complaints against their company especially
the customer services reps. I hope they all lose their jobs in the recession. Cablevision has no compassion for people and is a really
bad company to sign up with. I tell everyone I come in contact with
about how lousy this company is.

will give update of issue.
have a good day all.
Yolanda

As an investor and customer in Cablevision I was thoroughly disappointed with the service I have received from Cable Vision. Today I contacted cablevision in regards to a letter I received in the mail stating my monthly service premiums were going to increase. When I contacted your customer service department I was first greeted by a representative that was uninterested in my concerns and immediately shuffled me off to your cancellation department, which was unprompted by me. After waiting a few minutes I was horrified by both the lack of respect and rudeness that was exhibited to me by your representative in the cancellation department (akmid?). Among other insults, it was implied by your associate that I was "stupid" for complaining about the price increase and was an idiot to leave cablevision. I did not devote 10 years of my life to higher eduation to be called an idiot. To say he was unprofessional would be a complement. I enjoyed the services cablevision offered me but was given no other choice but to cancel my services with cablevision.

Recently after speaking with a neighbor I decided to check my Cablevision bill. All of my neighbors who had the Cablevision internet service and the Cablevision TV cable service had started adding their "phone service". Cablevision had been advertising their triple play for over a year - 3 services, phone, internet and cable service for $100 a month. I have had all 3 since April of 2007 but I was never offered the "triple play deal" when I signed up. I called Cablevision to inquire if I signed up before this deal was in effect and if that was the case why I wasn't offered it when it went into effect. The representative wouldn't tell me the start date for triple play but said I didn't qualify for it because I already had two Cablevision services. I know this is not true because all of the neighbors I knew had both Cablevision TV cable service and Cablevision internet service. I told the representative that I felt this was a very unfair practice for existing customers. I asked why Cablevision had never revieiwed my account. She then said account review was a random intermittant practice because Cablevision has too many customers. I agreed with that statement as they have a monopoly in my area in NJ. Fios is not available where I live as this representative was quick to tell me. She then decided to review my account and discovered I was paying $20 a month too much for family cable services (TV). My complaint is that I was not offered this triple play deal - I am still not sure when it was first offered as the representative wouldn't tell me. But I know it was falsely advertised on the TV and that is illegal. The TV ads never said the "deal" was not available to existing customers who had 2 services and I know many people who has 2 services and got this deal. In my mind Cablevision owes me $540 for overcharging me for 18 months and still owes me $10 a month as they refused to give me this triple play deal and credit me retroactively for their mistake. I could not even talk to a supervisor or manager. I have to wait 48 hours for one to call me back. This just shows because Cablevision has a monoply and does not care about taking care of their existing customers or about fair billing practices.

I have been having broadcast t.v. problems with Cablevision since 12/11/07. They have not fixed the problem, they have totally lied to me as a consumer and have not compensated me for the loss of service. They are having technical problems with their t.v. broadcast signal on many channels, but when I call their customer service department, they claim no one else is having the problem. This is totally false, since I have verified it with other Cablevision customers that they are having the problem.They sent a technician to my home, and he had the audacity to put in a report that the problem was fixed. Meanwhile he wrote on the receipt I got for the service that there are sound problems and to quote exactly in his hand-written notes, "there is nothing-can do about it." These people are not only incompetent when it comes to fixing their broadcast problems, they lie to their customers and continually to bill me for bad service!I would like to see consumers in the area band together and make some kind of class-action lawsuit against them, but I don't know who to contact for help in fighting them.