<![CDATA[Consumerist: PUC]]> http://cache.gawker.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/consumerist.com.png <![CDATA[Consumerist: PUC]]> http://consumerist.com/tag/puc http://consumerist.com/tag/puc <![CDATA[ "BBB Is Useless" Says Cable Company Call Center Manager ]]> If you have a hassle with a cable company and you want to escalate it to an outside agency, one cable company call center manager told The Consumerist to forget the BBB. His exact words were, "The Better Business Bureau is useless — Public Service Commission is best policy (but a last resort)." Straight from the mouth of a man on the inside and in a position to know, the cable companies are more afraid of PSCs and PUCs than the BBB. Probably because of the two, only the PUC has direct oversight! So, you're more likely to get action by ccing your cable company complaint to the PUC than the BBB. Don't know your PUC's info? Here's a state-by-state list. ]]> Consumerist-5007083 Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:24:21 EDT Ben Popken http://consumerist.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5007083&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[ AT&T Obeys Only The Laws They Like ]]> rude.jpgAfter being fined millions of dollars for engaging in "misleading marketing practices", AT&T is taking advantage of "new rules that allow California phone companies to unilaterally change certain regulatory provisions without prior approval from state officials." What? Who the hell decided to let them do that?! AT&T will be ignoring the disclosure agreement, which forced them to reveal to new customers its cheapest service first and to seek permission before making marketing pitches, because...

"We felt this wasn't fair to customers," said Gordon Diamond, an AT&T spokesman. "We wanted to streamline the process to make it faster and easier for people to sign up for new service."

A spokesman from the PUC (responsible for the ignored sanctions) replied, "These requirements were all put in as remedial measures in response to AT&T's sales practices," said the PUC's Brown. "That's now totally shot to hell." He said he plans to "raise hell" about AT&T's filing but isn't hopeful that other commission members will join him in challenging the revisions."

Maybe we should help him raise hell. We know that we get enraged when we call about a service issue and have to listen to a marketing speech. We hate that more than we hate Miracle Whip, and we HATE Miracle Whip.You can let the PUC know what you think by calling (866) 849-8390 or sending e-mail to public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov.

]]> Consumerist-202011 Wed, 20 Sep 2006 15:41:12 EDT Meg Marco http://consumerist.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=202011&view=rss&microfeed=true