Just got a visit from a Comcast “Direct Sales Rep.” Here’s how the conversation went:
Rep
[fumbles for badge] “I hope you can see that, I’m the direct sales representative for Xfinity in this area. Do we have your business in this house?”
Me
“Just internet”
Rep
“OK, just internet, are you…”
me
[shakes head] “No, just internet.”
Rep
“Oh, ok, thank you very much.” [Smiles politely and walks away]
A couple thoughts on this brief encounter.
First, this is the first time I’ve ever encountered a direct sales representative, I’m guessing that means they are beginning to feel the pinch of cord-cutters in this area. That, or he saw the antenna on my roof as he passed by! I’m hoping it’s the former, because it could be a sign this mammoth organization is beginning to feel the backlash people are having against their arbitrary practices. Many, like me, are beginning to refuse to be held hostage to live sports by a $160-$200 monthly bill. It’s just not worth it, and we’d rather have phones.
Second, I have heard stories of some rather forceful and shady pitching on the part of other direct sales reps, which I’ve seen echoed in their phone-based counterparts. One of the things which finally got me to cut the cord was the “used car lot” feel to the whole contract process. It’s a real turn-off. This gentleman was professional, polite, and backed off graciously when he realized he was not going to make a sale at my door. A lesser sales-person would have tried to pursue a hard-sell option, which would have pushed me off their services entirely. I have a great deal of respect for this gentleman, who cannot have had an easy job dressed in all black on a 92 degree day. Comcast (the Xfinity re-branding is a joke, guys, we all know it’s you) really could use more folks like him.
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I’d like some more people like this when I pick up the phone at work. The amount of times I have to tell them “we’re not interested” before they finally hang up is ridiculous!
Hi there!
I work for Comcast. I just wanted to let you know that you can actually save more money if you subscribe to cable and internet service. That’s probably what the sales rep was trying to tell you.
I am not a sales rep and I am not trying to make a sale just by leaving a note here, but if you do decide to upgrade, we are here to help. 🙂
ComcastMark
National Customer Operations
We_can_help@cable.comcast,com
Thanks for your comment, Mark, but I think you kinda missed the point. The marketing for “saving money” only works if people want all three services. I don’t. I want internet access. I have an active dislike for the spam-magnets that are home phones and I wearied of paying for TV when most of what I watched I can get over the air in better quality, and I ended up paying for channels I didn’t want or ever watch. I’m saving money with only Internet and two streaming services AND paying for the one or two shows I want to watch that are not on those services.
Sorry, but Comcast’s marketing math only works in a combination world-view + business model which is terminally ill. The future is a dumb-pipe, and internet is just a commodity.