Hi from Anne Arundel Co.

It's not just cost vs programming to me. It's mostly service as far as I'm concerned. WOW, too, has been known to move stuff around. When Comcast did this, and I called to complain, the only thing offered me was the advice to either spend money on a universal remote that would punch in the higher channel numbers, or spend more money on updated service. What annoyed me most was the unapologetic and snotty tone that was used by the customer service rep. When WOW moved some stuff around and I called, the rep was courteously apologetic, stated that many customers were calling with the same complaint, and even went so far as to suggest if I waited a couple of months, a new "bundle" offer was coming up that would provide me with the neccesary update at a good savings. And all with a friendly tone of voice. Any Comcast rep I ever talked with sounded annoyed that I made them earn their pay. That sort of thing goes a long way with me.

Sepiatone

Thank you, TikiSoo.

Do I need a BlueRay player now or will they play on my DVD player?
DVD's will eventually become the 8 track tape of the 21's century.

Haha willbefree, your posts make me lol every time!


Haha, why not stand there, make eye contact & listen to them until they hang up? If the person says "what?" (like that's a question) I answer, "Oh, I thought you wanted the whole store to listen...you ARE in public, you know." (or LOUD or PERSONAL insert whatever offended you)


Listen to Dad, HE knows! (why are parents always right?)


Eh, I listen to TV all day while I paint and definitely enjoy being involved in internet "conversation" such as this too (since I live/work alone) but that doesn't necessarily mean you're "over a barrel".

We are the consumers and we vote with our dollars. I find it amazing we are so brainwashed into thinking we NEED these things.

I started out in the fashion industry and recall the day I realized all this marketing was stoopid. They were actually trying to market special eye shadow & nail polish colors for New Years Eve.
Then it dawned on me that I really don't need those shoes/blouse/dress....we're not NAKED.

I have the cheapest prepay phone (can text too-woo hoo) and only carry it when out hiking or trail riding in case I get lost/fall off/etc. For some reason I get along just fine not hearing constant updates from friends about every burp & fart.

We were paying $74 monthly for DISH and only 14.99 for 300 minute Vonage. Our cell is tracfone and under $7 monthly. Our comcast internet was about to go from 34.99 to over $60 as our intro deal ended.

Comcast gave us a digital preferred triple play one dvr, one digital hookup, one regular hookup for $110 per month this year, $130 next year. Then all heck will break loose.

Well, I am trying the Fios bundle for 24 months and the promise is that I will save $100 a month over what I am currently paying (increasing $10.00 a month in 2 years). So now Verizon has me for 2 years. I know it may not be any better but I need a change. I like the idea of having one bill and not 3 separate bills.
I was using Vonage for my landline, Verizon for my cell and Comcast for tv and internet and this month I have paid $315.04: Comcast $210.46, Verizon $71.38 and Vonage $33.20. If I got rid of the Android phone I could probably save another $40.00 a month.

Edited by: FloydDBarber on Apr 17, 2012 3:26 PM

Again, agree, agree, agree, Floyd.

Mr. willbefree and I are boycotting smart phones - I have a flip phone, no camera, for emergencies only. He has none.

I kvetch out loud every time I'm in a supermarket and some idiot has to call about which chicken to buy - no one looks at me, no doubt because they think I am talking on MY cell phone!

I remember the switch to digital from analog very well. BS on the freeing up of bandwidth, it was simply a consultant who saw the way of the future. I remember my father, ages ago, telling me that the phone company was going to bundle phone and television and the newfangled invention internet. I said no way.

Hah. Then Cablevision took away TEN of my cable channels, including TCM, and forced me to digital, while they were the only game in town. The minute FIOS came in (hah, good move) I switched to them. Boy, I showed Cablevision, right? Wrong.

IFC now has ads, and when I tried to cancel just IFC, they laughed at me. Have you noticed the new trend in On Demand for networks? You can NOT fast forward, in order to get through the commercials! I do mute, but again, THEY are making the rules and are trying to make me spend extra for a DVR.

Oh, and on the CD player? I finally bought one, after years and years of boycotting, and they came out with the MP3. I showed them!

I too am now retired and shamefully admit to watching too much television and blathering on too much on the internet, so they have me over a barrel.