I realize this is the phone hell blog, but I think the cable companies are often a regular source of grief for their clients as well.I remember years ago we moved into our new house and the cable service was working! Not wanting to be dishonest and steal the cable service, I called the cable company to request service in my name.
Later that day the cable company came out and disconnected the cable. They should they could return to install the service in my name in a week or two!
They said the disconnect and reconnect had to be seperate orders because there might be a problem with the signal or something!
Of course that is absurd. All they needed to do was start billing me and IF I had a problem with the signal I could schedule a repair call.
The result of such a policy would be less work for them and a more satisified customer. Their method of operating inspired me to install a satellite system (10' dish) and stop paying their monthly fee.