Cable Company Rant

[catta12]

We are moving. I am looking into internet/TV service for our new address. I went to the Comcast website and they told me that they don't cover the area but their partner in the area, Charter Communications does. The internet/TV package lists as $69.98 for the first 6 mos. About this time a customer service chat box popped up asking if I had questions. I simply asked how much the package cost AFTER the first 6 mos. The rep told me that she would be glad to give me that answer, it would just be one moment. She then directed me to the page I was already looking at for the quoted price (for the 1st 6mos yes, after that, no). She then told me that she could not give me the price over chat, but the service was great and I could ask for the rate when the service was installed. And not to forget the promotions on..........

She told me I should try the service and that I could cancel if I was unhappy, how does that sound?

How about you tell me how much the service will cost before I sign up and I will consider it?

But the promotions blah blah blah.....................


I told her that her promotions were bait and switch if they would not tell me the longer term price and that they would not be getting my business because of it.


This really is not a huge deal, but it makes me mad when a company tries to conceal the actual cost of what they offer. Maybe they just transferred from selling adjustable rate mortgages to cable TV.

[Mr__Bill]

We have internet and TV with Charter for the last 5 years and we have been rather happy with the quality of service. Price and programing is another matter, although it's still less expensive than satellite for the channels we watch.

We have had a Charter service man stop several times looking for a system detected problem in the area. One even told me how to increase my bandwidth with no charge, and legal.

You should know that Charter filed for bankruptcy and the Chat Girl really may not know what the cost will be in 6 months, may not know just who will own them then or if she will have a job, unless of course you were chatting with a computer, sometimes it's hard to tell, but even then pricing may not be known.

Your comment about Comcast and Charter being their partner in the area worries me, I would hate to have Charter gobbled up by Comcast. I have had bad experiences with Comcast service in the past and would not like having to deal with it again.

As for TV over the internet, ya just know once the cable co finds out you are using the internet instead of buying it from them they will find a way to block it or charge for it.

Perhaps if you call and talk to a real person you can get the intro price locked in for a year.

Bill, who loves the Hulu advertisements but thinks the produce is rather like Pong.

[Ed62]

She then told me that she could not give me the price over chat, but the service was great and I could ask for the rate when the service was installed.

That would be the quickest way for them to lose any business I might have with them.

Ed

[os1kne]

What a coincidence! I am going over to argue with Comcast in a few minutes over their bait-and-switch / flat-out misinformation.

I've had Comcast for 3 years, the first year was a promotional rate, so I expected a healthy increase for year 2. The nicest way to put it is that they have exceeded my expectations each year. HUGE increases every year! Each year, I adjust my plan to the most bang for the buck for my needs to try to counteract the impact of their ~ 30% annual increase - so I'm starting year 4 paying about 75% more than I paid in year 1, but with way fewer channels.

Unfortunately, they are the only option for high-speed internet where I live - and I need HS internet. The service has been good, but the gouging has gotten old.

If I had another decent option, I'd leave Comcast in a heartbeat.

Good luck!

[catta12]

If I had another decent option, I'd leave Comcast in a heartbeat.

Good luck!

Is satellite internet an option? I know a few people with similar situations that eventually found that route more favorable.

We have internet and TV with Charter for the last 5 years and we have been rather happy with the quality of service. Price and programing is another matter, although it's still less expensive than satellite for the channels we watch.

Your comment about Comcast and Charter being their partner in the area worries me, I would hate to have Charter gobbled up by Comcast. I have had bad experiences with Comcast service in the past and would not like having to deal with it again.

My inlaws also have Charter and the service is OK for them. I would just rather pick a company and not go through this song and dance again in 6 months. I looked around and it does look like Comcast is taking over Charter, at least in some areas. I have fought Comcast in the past, but thought I would see what they have to offer. I am now leaning toward DirecTv for TV and At&t for internet. Both have upfront pricing without contracts.

[phrog]

Direct TV is offering a special promotion here, $34.99 for the first twelve months but you have to sign a contract for twenty-four months. Seems they can't tell you what the second twelve months' charge will be. Isn't that like buying a car on a twenty four month plan and they tell you the first twelve months your bill will be $300/ month but the dealer will set whatever rate he sees fit for the last twelve months. No, thanks.

Comcast, here in Chattanooga is hated by everyone who doesn't work for them. And for good reason.

As much as I hate regulation, it seems this is another industry just screaming for government regulation. (Re-regulation actually.)

Richard

[catta12]

The internet/TV package lists as $69.98 for the first 6 mos.

I finally found the rate after the promotion ends. The rate jumps to ~$120/mo!!!

That is assuming of course that Charter still exists (not seeming likely) in 6 mos. A rate jump like that is just plain evil.

[phrog]

I finally found the rate after the promotion ends. The rate jumps to ~$120/mo!!!

That is assuming of course that Charter still exists (not seeming likely) in 6 mos. A rate jump like that is just plain evil.

Charter has already filed for bankrupture. Guess its future depends on the BR judge.
Richard

[pacwind3]

I'm not trying to put anyone down here, but guys: really??? Service through Comcast and companys like them are non-contractual. It's simple: after you promotional rate, you threaten to leave. You'll get new pricing that you'll be happy with. Trust me. I've done it and it works like a charm. They don't want you to run off to satalite service so they will drop it.

[phrog]

I'm not trying to put anyone down here, but guys: really??? Service through Comcast and companys like them are non-contractual. It's simple: after you promotional rate, you threaten to leave. You'll get new pricing that you'll be happy with. Trust me. I've done it and it works like a charm. They don't want you to run off to satalite service so they will drop it.

Guess I'm from the old school. I always thought a contract was a contract.
Richard

[DaveS]

Guess I'm from the old school. I always thought a contract was a contract.
Richard

That's his point... there is no contract.

[phrog]

That's his point... there is no contract.

I've been looking into Direct TV this week and there was a contract - two years with the price guaranteed for the first year but open to their terms for the second year. That was my point.

[herb fellows]

There are no players in this game that are not downright evil.

While it's true that you can threaten to leave them after the trial period, is that really the way we want things to be? What about just being honest with me upfront? Not to play Pollyanna, but geez.....

[John Hunter]

Had Comcast for years, got tired of the price increases and dropped channels. We went with Direct TV about a year ago and I love it.

[leehljp]

I hate subscription services when there are no alternatives or competition.

Many companies like the subscription model - such as cell phone industry and music industry - so that it can be guaranteed income. That is bankable. That business model is part of the reason Apple and the Music industry are in disputes - Subscription is company controlled for their benefit; Purchase is customer controlled.