...the customer service agent was (and was American, too!). A promotion (that I didn't even know I was receiving) had ended, and I suddenly got charged $17.99 for EPIX, whatever that is. I called to inquire. Not only did they wipe out that charge, but also offered me a new bundle price for about $10 less per month, guaranteed for 2 years.

This was my first really positive experience dealing with any cable company. I'm still not a fan of Verizon (just last month, they sent me a mailer "inviting" me to upgrade my internet speed for $15/month, then two weeks later I got another mailer saying I had been upgraded for free....I wonder if that second mailer would have offered me my money back if I had already started laying the additional $15?). But, at least I felt like they treated me as a valued customer this one time.

Good luck. Hopefully they'll offer you a better deal. I used to have Comcast service, and I hated them as well, but like you I will switch back when it makes sense financially.