Difference between Hawaiian Beaches and Hawaiian Shores (Hilo: buying a house, transfer)

[1freespirit]

Originally Posted by 67Cam

Comcast is trying to buy Time Warner... It would give Comcast something like 45% of the market (might be more or less, just going from memory). If it happens it will be interesting to see the impact, especially on the BI.

That's right I do remember hearing something like that. Maybe time to get in on some Comcast stock..

[whtviper1]

Comcast would likely help Hawaii greatly - not only do they offer more channels and services, they have a history of expanding and growing services, which should help the Big Island - Time Warner seems happy with the status quo with little investment.

[hawaiian by heart]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

Comcast would likely help Hawaii greatly - not only do they offer more channels and services, they have a history of expanding and growing services, which should help the Big Island - Time Warner seems happy with the status quo with little investment.

Wow the last i heard comcast had the worst customer service record of all the companies on the mainland(but really to be fair customer service wise they all suck). How can providing more services and channels and investments be better for the BI people if the experience sucks? I don't know about you but i could careless about extra channels if im spending x amount of hrs every week calling customer service because the service is bad or theres a mistake in the bill they need to correct? Do you feel the same way?

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by hawaiian by heart

How can providing more services and channels and investments be better for the BI people if the experience sucks? I don't know about you but i could careless about extra channels if im spending x amount of hrs every week calling customer service

Well - if you live on the Big Island and and have NO channels and NO internet and it is then available to you then perhaps customer service is one of your least concerns.

[J.vick]

Originally Posted by hawaiian by heart

Wow the last i heard comcast had the worst customer service record of all the companies on the mainland(but really to be fair customer service wise they all suck). How can providing more services and channels and investments be better for the BI people if the experience sucks? I don't know about you but i could careless about extra channels if im spending x amount of hrs every week calling customer service because the service is bad or theres a mistake in the bill they need to correct? Do you feel the same way?

I use them here in California and they are pretty good they came out 3 times at no charge for a problem with my internet connection. I don't use them for TV anymore because DirectTV has more of what I wanted.
They where fine for Tv service though.

[hotzcatz]

So far everyone has pretty much stuck to the topic of internet availability in Shores/Beaches, but have you looked at the impending lava flow maps? Those two areas are down slope of the encroaching lava. They are also predicted to be on the wrong side of the lava flow once it eats the access road to that area. The County is frantically trying to make an alternate route, although the two routes they are making between lower Puna and Hilo that are between the ocean and the lava flow are likely to be taken out within months of them being created, if the lava flow continues like it has been. Which would then leave the access to lower Puna by going up to Volcano National Park, then down Chain of Craters road and back along the coast.

Other than physical access, what happens if/when the lava takes out the internet infrastructure? What does it need for the internet to be in that area? If it's satellite, then it will possibly/probably remain. If there's poles and towers involved, then they could possibly be taken down by the lava.

[J.vick]

That's true ... That's why I have to wait and see where the lava flows.
Satelite Internet is terrible I know how it works and never would consider it.

I hate waiting but it has to be if you wanna live in Puna.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by hotzcatz

Other than physical access, what happens if/when the lava takes out the internet infrastructure? What does it need for the internet to be in that area? If it's satellite, then it will possibly/probably remain. If there's poles and towers involved, then they could possibly be taken down by the lava.

With enough money - temporary wifi towers could be set up around the lava areas rather quickly - and it would be far more reliable then satellite (and faster) - the biggest change for residents would be the wired connections wouldn't be available and if they didn't have a router they'd have to get one (and a computer with wifi enabled) -

And then someone needs to fund it at a local or federal government level.

[67Cam]

Originally Posted by hawaiian by heart

Wow the last i heard comcast had the worst customer service record of all the companies on the mainland(but really to be fair customer service wise they all suck). How can providing more services and channels and investments be better for the BI people if the experience sucks? I don't know about you but i could careless about extra channels if im spending x amount of hrs every week calling customer service because the service is bad or theres a mistake in the bill they need to correct? Do you feel the same way?

I too have Comcast and when it's working it's perfect. In the past if there was an issue the service was truly awful, in every way you can imagine.

I went without cable/internet/phone for 2 1/2 days (I work from home) because a Comcast installer went up a pole to install a neighbors cable. He unplugged my cable from the connection and plugged the neighbors cable into my "port". Just left my cable dangling in the wind. It took 2 1/2 days of talking to overseas support to finally figure out what happened get it fixed. I spent approx 7-8 hours total on the phone and they wouldn't give me a local # to call.

That was about 1 year ago. Recently there was a story that they hired specialists to improve their service (as it is rated one of the worst). I decided to call and see if I could get a better rate. Bracing myself for some frustration I was surprised to get someone right away who had a good grasp on the language. Within 10 minutes I had my monthly bill lowered by $30 and went from the basic package to the top tier one.

I hope this is a sign of their efforts to improve and that it gets you better options if the deal goes through.

[hawaiian by heart]

@67Cam

Yeah up here in Oregon ive had friends who all have had billing disputes with comcast. Comcast has charging for things they said they wouldn't, charging for things never ordered. Then my friends arguing with customer service for days trying to get it fixed. Comcast has a bad rep in our area.

But i agree lets hope customer service has changed for the better because in my opinion all customer service from banks to cellphone companies have all gone down the tube which in my opinion really kills an enjoyable experience and makes it hard to accept mistakes made by companies which happens. Worst is the customer service reps who are never wrong.