Battery thieves leave residents without TV in bad weather
Cable TV service outages from battery theft leave your system vulnerable during power failures, as thieves target 80-pound backup batteries attached to power poles.
When your cable TV service goes out, check whether the problem stems from technical issues, weather damage, connectivity problems, or equipment theft before calling.
You can prepare for service calls by gathering your account number, noting outage times, and writing questions beforehand to help resolve issues faster.
Hiring a local TV repair professional provides reliable help when your cable service stays out, handling equipment checks and troubleshooting beyond provider control.
Here’s one more thing to add to your list of possible reasons your cable TV isn’t working – theft.
It was probably the last thing on some Northern Virginia residents minds after their cable went out recently.
Technical problems, weather-related woes or perhaps even a connectivity issue seemed among the most probably explanations.
Turns out, though, thieves were to blame. Battery thieves to be exact.
“Over the past year and a half, we noticed there was a spike in the number of batteries missing from some of our power supplies,” Jessica Carver with Cox Communications tells WTOP.
Carver says the 80-pound batteries are attached to power poles throughout Northern Virginia and they act as generators to keep cable service on when the power goes out.
Fairfax County Police say about 183 of these batteries were found to have been stolen. They quickly can be sold as scrap metal.
So, next time you call your cable provider with a problem, remember that the situation may be out of their control, or a problem with your television that you may need to have repaired.
Switching to a satellite service is an option if dissatisfied, but try talking through the problem first. It could end up saving you money and a lot of hassle.
Here are three tips to consider before picking up the phone.
Be ready with your account number and any pertinent information, such as dates and times when service was interrupted. It's helpful to write questions beforehand.
Be friendly and take note of the customer service representative's name and remain calm throughout the conversation.
Be specific about what you want. If you want a credit applied to the bill, say so. Ask to speak to a supervisor if your questions and concerns are not being handled to your satisfaction.
Mitchell and the crew were top tier i am so happy with my new roof
Home Genius ExteriorsGreat company! Price was competitive, technician showed up on time and completed the job (exterior electric Radon fan replacement) quickly. Would hire them again.
MaGen Property Inspections and Radon MitigationBest decision was going with PatchMaster. Greg was wonderful / responsive & Dave did wonderful work. Got me on the schedule quick, matched my popcorn ceiling perfectly, finished the job quick, and was so kind & reasonably priced. Will absolutely be hiring again
PatchMaster**Would rate a 0 if i could** NEVER USE THIS COMPANY!!!!! They shattered my tv console and dresser, lost a mirror, and never finished the move. The broken furniture cost me over $600 to replace. They left me with 6+ hours of personal labor moving my 1BR apartment, when I was quoted a FULL...
All My Sons Moving & StorageSupreme Brick & Chimney is one of the best service providers I’ve interacted with. Extremely efficient, knowledgeable, and thorough. They took the time to walk me through their detailed full-service inspection and were extremely professional. Not to mention their turnaround time was...
Supreme brick & chimneyVery responsive and communicative. Team did a good job.
Michael AndersonExcellent experience with hiring Tether House to Mount our 77’ Samsung TV in our bedroom. Fast, friendly, and knowledgeable. Highly recommend.
Tether HouseExcellent customer service and knowledge. I was recommend to him from my neighbour. My front door and window came in great and were installed beautifully perfectly, I m very satisfied with their excellent work, so decided to order one more big bow window for my living room. I cant wait for...
Window Depot USA of Central OhioExcellent experience! Left my place looking great. Friendly customer service too. Would recommend!
I hired this company to do a local move with a standard amount of things needing moved for a single person (couch, bed, tv, dresser, kitchen table being the biggest), moving from one apartment to another with a very small commute from old to new apartment. I was quoted for this move to be...
MVM Moving & Storage - ColumbusFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Find out what impacts TV repair cost. Learn average prices, key cost factors, and how to save when repairing your TV.
Find out how much it costs to install a cable outlet for TV or internet. Our expert guide breaks down the costs involved in installing a new coaxial outlet and explores how you can save and if you can do this project yourself.
When you’re ready to cut the cord on cable or get rid of all those streaming services, read up on the pros and cons of installing a TV antenna service.
There's no reason unsightly television cords need to cramp your style. These simple and easy tips make it a breeze to hide your TV wires out of sight.
Cables, cords, and wires are needed to power the devices in our homes, but hiding them all can be a real hassle. Learn 11 ways to put them out of sight.
Maybe you just got a brand new TV or want to ditch your console—either way, you're wondering—should you mount your TV? Read on to find out.