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Comcast sneaks in back-door rate increase by increasing “equipment charge”

Monday, October 19th, 2009

UPDATE: If you would like to help me call attention to this, Comcast’s most recent attempt to cheat its customers, please Digg this article.

In a classic Gotcha Capitalism strategy, Comcast in Boston has just informed their VoIP and Internet customers that they are raising their monthly rate by $2 without actually admitting they’re doing it.

Note the text circled in red on my most recent Comcast bill:

comcast

Here’s what it says, in case you can’t read the picture (and for the benefit of search engines):

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Effective with your next billing statement the monthly equipment charge for your Comcast CDV and/or Internet modem will increase from $3 to $5, excluding applicable taxes and fees. This change does not affect your monthly CDV and/or Internet service prices.

Let’s translate that into English: “We’re going to start charging you more for your service, but we won’t be charging you more for your service.” Wow, it sounds stupid when you put it that way.

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