I have heard from a lot of people about the various problems they have with service providers in the City but my evolving experience with Columbia Gas is really taking the cake. Comcast usually wants a 4 hour window to meet a technician. Columbia gas demands a 12 hour window to meet a guy to turn your gas back on after they have turned it off due to a leak. Want to call and talk to someone about it? I hung up after an hour on hold. Once I saw their web site (which indicates that it was last updated in 2005) , I knew I was in trouble.
Has anyone else been run over by this world-class organization or is it just me?
August 30, 2008 at 12:53 am
I’ve not had any similar circumstances with Columbia Gas. Have not had any issues with my service. However, I must say that I am disappointed with the lack of choice in the City of Manassas for various providers of different services.
I have had issues with Comcast in the past. They are such a horrible ISP, not to mention their business practices are extremely questionable. Though, I was happy to hear that Verizon and the City of Manassas reached a franchise agreement. Unfortunately, I cannot yet get Verizon FIOS.
I can’t help but think that the lack of choice in utilities or other services in the City of Manassas make me feel that I have less control over my choices. While I understand that one goal behind this is to lower prices for citizens, it also lowers service standards and lends itself to a some-what socialistic sort of structure.
It would be nice to have a full range of available competitors through which services could be purchased.