Time Warner Charges Flood Victims $300 for Each Damaged Cable Box

FoxNews ^ | Wed., July 31, 2002

[discostu]

Problem is you're a sole propietorship and TWC is a national company. People hear your story and say "good job" (and rightly so). IF TWC did that people would hear it and would start tearing up the phonelines with their sob story. Remember, the modern age of American have a natural dislike for large companies (but love small business men), you can see it on this thread. A large company needs to make a policy and stick to it, allowing exceptions gets expensive just in the processing and deciding who is and isn't immune to the rules. IMHO this will become much ado about nothing. Having owed the cable company a box before I know they're not that intense about it they'll wait until you try to get cable again then hit you up, they don't generally sick the hounds on you. Most of the folks probably have flood insurance, and I think the place got labeled a disaster area which means government money (one of the only handouts I actually agree with).

[Doctor Stochastic]

Perhaps FEMA will help like after fires or hurricanes. Then everyone would get their boxes replaced at no cost at all.

[discostu]

I wouldn't say at no cost, FEMA doesn't act as an insurance company, but they do pony up some dough and help with stuff. Of course you have to be declared a federal disaster area to get FEMA dollars. The disaster relief beauracracy tree is frightening.

[gaffin]

Got a feeling they are not going to collect anything for their boxes. I hope they lose lots of business. I'd never have them.

[justshutupandtakeit]

How do they have tvs to hook cable boxes too if the flood ruined the boxes wouldn't it have ruined the tvs too? Or do they just watch the boxes for old times sake?

[muggs]

You did the right thing. In my post #90, I said I manage an apartment complex that was hit with severe flooding a year ago. Mud water rushed through the buildings with such force that window frames, walls and doors were busted out in less than one minute. Everything people owned was ruined and they left everything there and moved to other apartments that we have. We had every right to charge them for removal of there belongings but it would have been a very wrong move on our part if we had.

[IYAS9YAS]

I agree. $300 is too much for a cable box, even a digital cable box. Here's a twist, does the agreement state the cost of replacing the box? If not, then a reasonable replacement charge should be administered. It sounds as though the company is screwing you both ways, you should be able to buy the box outright (as with satellite companies), or you should be able to rent-to-own the box. I would say that if the subscriber can show they have paid at least 300 bucks worth of rent, no issue. If not, pay the difference.

My wife's (girlfriend at the time) apartment was robbed and they stole her rented caller ID box. The phone company billed her over $50 for it. She said "No way!", and went out and bought the exact same box (brand name and all) at the store for $15 and sent it to them. They had a new box and she saved over $35 on the issue.

Why do they still have boxes (except for digital)? I've lived in several areas that only require you to hook into the coax at the wall, no box. Everything is handled at the source. Even for premium channels.

I agree, though, if the lease says you're responsible, suck it up.

[AdA$tra]

You tell me why TW should eat the cost. Tell me how they should be reimbursed.

I have not read ALL the posts, so excuse me if someone said this. Maybe Time Warner should have insurance on THEIR cable boxes. They probably do and will get reimbursed for whatever they cannot collect from unsuspecting customers first....or both knowing them.

[AdA$tra]

$300 dollars is a LITTLE over the going price.

I would be shocked if TW paid more than 20-30 dollars each for them.

[Freakazoid]

I understand. I was not blaming you for the title.

[CdMGuy]

Agreed. The subscriber has to be responsible. That is why one carries homeowner's or renter's insurance. The one thing that does seem strange is the $300 fee. That sure sounds excessive for that black box. I wonder just what Time-Warner pays for them.

[copycat]

The least Time Warner could do here is only charge these flood victims the "replacement cost", or their cost for the boxes.

I'm certain it's far less than $300.

[Guillermo]

So if I rent you my lawnmower, and while it's under your possession and care, you trash it, it's MY responsibility because I didn't insure it.

Would you insure something that would be out of the possession of the owner 100% of the time?? NO, and neither do insurance co's.

[Bubba_Leroy]

"We are sympathetic to them," she told the San Antonio Express-News. "But we are going to @#$! them anyway."

They sound like democRATs don't they? "I feel your pain. Now bend over."

[PFKEY]

Isn't this why you have insurance?

This is my thought too.

Somebody has to pay for these boxes. Is it any more unfair or unrealistic to expect TW to pay?

Just because they are some big greedy corporate empire.

I think not!

[Salgak]

As I previously stated, it depends on the terms of the agreement. If you, as lessee, are charged as responsible for all but normal wear and tear, then you owe the lessor. If not otherwise stated, it's the lessors' job to insure their property. . . .

[PFKEY]

For those without insurance a reduced cost of say $75 (actual cost) will be added to future bills and can be paid over time.

Cable TV is a luxury. If people can not afford this luxury and affording means being able to honor your contract and pay for the box if damaged then you really can't afford this luxury.

Why not take the money you would have spent on cable TV and buy some renters insurence?

[PFKEY]

It's really raised my spirits to see such an outpouring of care and concern on your part towards your own fellow Americans.

I've got a friend who got flooded out and has to pay for their cable box.

I'd be happy to FreepMail you their address and you can show us how caring and concerned you really are.

Care to put your money with your mouth is?

[AdA$tra]

My firm has insurance on every scrap of hardware we own regardless of whether or not it is in a client office or my computer room. We would be stupid not to....they are a large part of our assets. Hell, we pay taxes on it too. What I really don't understand is why this thread even has legs at all. What can I say....I've posted three or four now myself!

[Guillermo]

Well, most on this thread would say you shouldn't have to bear the deductable, if a flood destroyed your business, since the flood wasn't your fault.