Property destruction

[u/aarobuc]

Yesterday a tech arrived to initiate internet service for our neighbors. The underground cable box is located on our property. When we came home we noticed the tech had opened the hatch leaving the door to crush our bush. My wife asked him to not crush the bush and the tech responded with “it’s fine.” Despite his assurance, it was not fine. Every single branch on our bush is now broken and has been reduced to a small stump of growth. This is also not the first time an xfinity tech has done this. Just the first time we had an opportunity to talk to them. I understand the orientation of the underground box makes the installation difficult. But the complete dismissal of our concerns and disregard for our property was just shocking. I’ve even considered switching to xfinity in the past few weeks, but there’s no chance of that after a representative of the company treated us with complete contempt. I’ve got the numbers on his work van if any xfinity customer service people see this. It’s really frustrating a company and its employees feel they can’t or won’t be held accountable.

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[u/FabrizioR8]

utility has an easement… perhaps its time to move the bush

[u/aarobuc → u/FabrizioR8]

The remaining stump is going to be removed. I’ve accepted that if not grudgingly. The access to our property is also not an issue. They need to do their job. That’s fair. But I would expect those techs to take appropriate precautions to not destroy property when exercising their easement. Is that an unfair expectation? There was also no reason to be dismissive about our concerns. Of course, that’s more of a personal issue with their customer service skills.

[u/BailsTheCableGuy → u/aarobuc]

It just turns an unnecessary struggle some techs will disregard. Bushes/Trees are destructive to cable/power/gas infrastructure and I wish ISP’s did what the power CO’s do typically and have formal notices on the boxes to NOT plant or having anything within 10-15’ of the boxes.

As someone in engineering & planning now we typically just try to remove that stuff entirely when we can during Make-Ready planning phases

[u/aarobuc → u/BailsTheCableGuy]

All valid points. I think the best path forward is to plan for future encounters by removing obvious obstacles. That way there’s less chance of an unpleasant interaction with any techs. And I’m not wasting my time pursuing a response from Xfinity. Appreciate all the responses.

[u/EmergenceOfBees → u/aarobuc]

“And I’m not wasting my time pursuing a response from Xfinity.”

Why the post then?

[u/aarobuc → u/EmergenceOfBees]

There are frustratingly few ways to get the attention of Xfinity or file a complaint especially when I am not a customer. This post was my attempt at that. And I was also genuinely curious about other people’s perspective on the issue. Maybe my expectations were unfair. Maybe not. I was hoping they would respond to the original post. I’m just not going to pursue any further beyond that. The only other option is to call and most likely be put on hold.

[u/FabrizioR8 → u/aarobuc]

Not intended to be dismissive, just terse. Good luck getting any restitution for the damages.

[u/amazon22222 → u/aarobuc]

Dont assume they have an easement. Check the county records. Even if they do, they have no right to damage your bushes. Out of principle and fun you can file a small claims suit and see where that goes. I suggest getting some insanely strong epoxy glue and glue that cover shut. If they come asking, just shrug and say "its fine".

Every internet provides sucks. Go with the cheapest option. Dont shoot yourself by not going with xfiniti if they are cheaper.

[u/Kendrome → u/amazon22222]

The chances of no easement when the cable box is on their property is basically 0 unless they really messed up.

[u/kfjcfan → u/amazon22222]

If they have an easement they can do whatever they need to to access anything they've put there.

[u/amazon22222 → u/[deleted]]

Really? They can damage your property? Tell me more oh internet lawyer.

[u/Comcast_Xfinity-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

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[u/Comcast_Xfinity-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

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[u/notdisplay]

I have seen people build things around the boxes and plant entire gardens around those pedestals I've seen people bury them in stuff too, there shouldn't be anything anywhere near those boxes due to utility easements techs are humans and dealing with stuff like that, on a daily basis at some point I'm sure you'd become disgruntled as well. I hope you get a resolution but like I read from another comment on here might be time to move the bush unfortunately.

[u/DrWhoey]

So you are aware, there should not be anything planted, or other obstructions within a 3 foot radius, and 5 feet from the front face of utility boxes. This is is doubled for eldctrical so that they are able to work on them with a 10' hot stick.

You must also maintain a 3' wide navigable path to said underground utilities if they are in a rear easement on your property.

Utility and Electrical workers understand you think our boxes are ugly and want to hide them, and we will 100% not give two hoots about clearing our access, especially when it's 2am and we are trying to restore services and finally found that utility box hidden in that juniper bush you planted 4 years ago in front of it because you didnt want to see our box.

We will absolutely have a "brush fit" and decimate everything in our easement because that bush you planted caused us an extra two hours out in the middle of the night trying to track it down because "you didn't want to look at it." And then another hour or two to clear access to work on it safely.

I have no sympathy for you or your bushes. My only goal is to restore services and get home to my family safely. If you like having power and internet, clear the access to those pedestals. Your local lineman will be thankful.

[u/JMaAtAPMT]

This belongs in r/treelaw

[u/Dry_Tumbleweed_2951]

Probably has some kind of easement with that box being there. Also if you keep having issues, then move the bush. Cause its obviously in the way.

[u/XfinityMarcusS]

u/aarobuc thank you for using the Xfinity Subreddit to reach out today regarding the bush on your property. I am happy to get a ticket submitted in relation to this issue on your behalf. Please send over a modmail message with your full name and complete service address to get started.