No, they are not joking. I have quit cable in Austin also. I think they just do not want to pay. They have hired illegals with ladders on top of cars and suv's. Of course they can pass a background check. They have no record here in the U.S. The contractors expect you to go out and help for free. They call it a "team effort". I think they backcharge so they can get the work done for free.
This is CABL.com posting #172484. Tiny Link: cabl.co/mS2a