California Consumers Can Collect Up To $600 If Repair Person Doesn't Show
(CBS SF) – It's a huge pain to wait hours for a repair person who doesn't show up. But California consumers can get paid, in the case of a no-show.
Ann Elliott knew relocating her cable box so her garage could be retrofitted wouldn't be easy, but she never thought it could be so hard...
"I've talked to probably over 20 people to try to get someone to come out here," Elliott told KPIX 5 ConsumerWatch.
Elliott said when she finally did get an appointment with Comcast, the first person they sent didn't know what to do. She made another appointment a few days later, but no one showed up.
The same thing happened the next day, and the next: three no-show appointments, in three days.
Comcast's customer service guarantee promises a $20 credit if a service person is late, or doesn't show. Verizon and PG&E also offer similar compensation.
California law goes a big step further, allowing customers collect up to $600 if a service person fails to show up in an agreed upon four-hour window. Elliott would have to prove damage, such as lost wages, and sue in small claims court to collect.
Law professor Robert Talbot told KPIX 5 companies can change an appointment, as long as they inform you first.
After a call from ConsumerWatch, Comcast showed up the next day. They have agreed to credit her two months free service and free HBO for a year.
The law only applies to companies with 25 or more employees.
