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Another satisfied customer
After more than a decade of legal wrangling, a class action lawsuit originally valued at up to $875 million filed on behalf of Philadelphia-area cable customers accusing Comcast of rigging a cable monopoly has settled for $50 million.
A federal judge in Philadelphia has approved a considerably reduced payout to affected subscribers and ex-customers who earlier submitted a claim form.
Under the settlement, former Comcast cable customers in the Philadelphia area qualify for a $15 check. Current Comcast customers can choose a $15 bill credit, six free pay per view movies, or two free months of The Movie Channel. If you failed to file a claim form before the July closing date, enjoy The Movie Channel for two months at no charge — it represents your default damage settlement.
Comcast is happy the suit, originally brought in 2003, has now come to a close. So are the lawyers who brought the case, who will receive $15 million in fees.
The lawsuit accused Comcast of colluding with other cable companies to buy or swap area cable customers to form a regional monopoly in southeastern Pennsylvania, where it could safely raise prices and scare off would-be competitors. The suit sought refunds and damages up to $875 million for Comcast’s allegedly ill-gotten gains.
Comcast’s attorneys eventually mowed down much of the plaintiff’s case when they convinced the U.S. Supreme Court the class action was too broad, involving cable customers that were formerly served by other cable companies before they were snapped up by Comcast. Because any potential damages inflicted by Comcast’s rate hikes and service varied depending on the date of ownership transfer, it was impossible, the attorneys argued, to determine appropriate damages. The Supreme Court agreed with Comcast and eventually eliminated class members who lived outside of Philadelphia and the four counties that surround the city. Having gutted much of the case, the two parties reached a settlement amounting to a fraction of the original request for damages.
Customers seemed less than thrilled.
“The Movie Channel? Really?,” complained Linda Martinez of Philadelphia. “They already give that channel away like candy when you phone up Comcast and complain about their lousy service. I had it for six months and I never even found it on the TV.”
This is why the Cable Companies keep doing this. They make in the Billions for profit and get slapped in the wrist with a Paltry $50 Million fine/Penalty/settlement. All the ISPs are guilty of collusion to keep prices high and competition low/NON EXISTANT. In this case id check all those involved and see who was bought by Comcast to get this settlement. Any in government positions should be impeached and an Actual Fine (Like in the 100s of Billions of Dollars) imposed on the Cable Companies involved.
I have been a Comcast Customer for over 15 years. Just about every bill my father pay’s for my cable is over $500 every month. My Father pay’s for the cable since I live in the home with my Daughter. We have complained to Comcast about having too pay for this expensive bill every month. I have even asked them to take some of the channels off the plan that they mysterious said that we signed up for. My father is on disability and only receives $864 dollars a month. He is being robbed blind by the cable company. We… Read more »
Charlene, I’m so sorry to hear about this. Have you tried demanding a refund for all of this blatant over-charging? If you’re in NY, this website lets you demand a refund, and file a complaint with the FCC, in less than 5 minutes: http://bit.ly/2eE6YrL
They’re doing that to usin TN. All the sudden unlimited is limited
This had will have no effect on Comcast. The only ones that benefit are the stinking lawyers! 15 Mill! God help us!
comcast is criminal in their actions. Actions that go unchecked and affect every houseold in America using their services. Legal robbery!
They are stealing from customers intentionally. Despite our HOA contract they are charging for base service for years. Also other services are to be covered via the contract that some of our neighbors were able to resolve but not ALL, not me?? Duplicate charges for the SAME service in our bundle deal and separate on the bill. Things that are also supposed to be covered via our HOA contract. When I call I deal with insane customer service reps that actually call me back over and over harassing me. I am literally scared of the reps at Comcast,. They have… Read more »
Comcast just started billing for data usage in Broward County Florida. I am still arguing with them about the $30 a month increase on my bill (which is now $200 a month) when I was told there would not be an increase for two years. In fact, Comcast has told me that my bill would not increase for two years several times only to turn around and increase the bill six months later. I have spent countless hours on the telephone with customer support, and even requested a recording (which I never received) of the very first time a customer… Read more »
Be sure and file a complaint with the FCC as well. The more complaints Comcast racks up, the better the chance the FCC will consider regulating them to behave: https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=38824
Comcast is charging for equipment that I didn’t have for months and they sad that I overpaid $300 and now they will not pay me back or give me credit to my account I cant be the only one they have done this to and if you try to change your account and reduce your bill they charge full price for basic so they can force you to get a bigger bundles,I have had Comcast for years and this is how they treat there customers very sad these days they said it was my fault because I didn’t catch the… Read more »
I switched to AT&T UVERSE and I have been happy ever since.
Just saying…