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182
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Re: Comcast misleading tactics
Posted: Apr 17, 2012 10:13 AM
in response to: clore
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Anything viewed as a luxury comes with a price today.
When I was growing up we had a landline rotary phone, radio and tv.
I was pretty satisfied back then but I was pretty young.
Today everyone needs a mobile phone so they pay outrageous prices for this luxury item.
For a very basic cell phone the price is fairly reasonable.
Who needs basic? We must be able to text and surf the internet on our phone.
For basic cable the price is fairly reasonable.
When tv switched from analog to digital people don't want a basic service when they have a large screen tv so they opt for a large price bundle of crap with High Definition.
For what we are paying, do we see fewer ads? No, we see more ads online and on tv.
I am as much at fault as most people. I was the last of my friends to buy a vcr, a cd player and I did not purchase a cell phone until 2003. And I got greedy and wanted a larger phone with more features so I got a Blackberry. Every time your contract is up for renewal you have a choice of spending full-price for a phone or signing a 2 year contract (or whatever) to get the phone cheaper.
On Demand is a great feature, especially all the free movies. Some of the programs are beginning to show ads. What I think has happened is that these companies have gotten greedy because the public is demanding more. Since I am now retired I have to find ways to cut back so basic cable and basic cell phone may be the only solution.
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4,861
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Re: Comcast misleading tactics
Posted: Apr 17, 2012 8:29 AM
in response to: TikiSoo
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And be careful about being talked into "bundling".
I had a terrible time getting in touch with someone when their Fios "blacked out" for 3 days - they were without phone, internet (& TV) all at the same time!
Just recently I called Time Warner about swapping my boxes for HD ones and of course while they had me on the line, they tried to push me into the Triple Play package of TV/Internet/phone.
They gave me the rate, which would be cheaper than what I'm paying for my services now (phone is Verizon), but the rate is only for the first year. I asked about the increase after the first year and they would not give me a figure. "But it's still likely to be less than you're paying now and you will be saving in ther meantime."
"I guess you would like me to continue after the first year" I said and he replied in the affirmative. So I said that I'd only be interested in considering - not committing - if he told me the price 13 months from now.
He couldn't do it so I respectfully declined the offer, but added "I've had a couple of situations where my cable service went out and I wanted to check your website which does list service area outages. But I couldn't get on the internet. So, I had to call and the only reason that I could do that is because I'm with Verizon for the phone service."
"Don't you have a cell phone?" he asked and I said that I don't, which is true.
So, right there he was acknowledging that I could lose all three services at once. Besides, the rate they offer is just for basic cable plus web and phone. Add the premium channels and I'm getting closer to what I'm paying now and I still don't know what it will be next year.
But Time Warner does offer me good service, I have no complaints with them. I am also avoiding the package as I don't need any more wiring being done around here if I had them supply the phone. Most likely what I'll do is cut out the premium channels and the additional bedroom box when my limited income can no longer keep pace with my bills.
Or else I'll just go the Magic Jack route for phone service.
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2,128
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Re: Comcast misleading tactics
Posted: Apr 17, 2012 8:06 AM
in response to: hlywdkjk
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Kyle said: Treat the phone call(s) with your current provider like a negotiation. Keep any emotion you may feel out of your voice.
Good advice. I actually sounded "apologetic" when canceling my Time Warner Cable. I said that I wished I could keep it, but I just couldn't afford them. They did everything to entice me, but I didn't budge.
And be careful about being talked into "bundling".
I had a terrible time getting in touch with someone when their Fios "blacked out" for 3 days - they were without phone, internet (& TV) all at the same time!
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2,195
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03/02/11
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Re: Comcast misleading tactics
Posted: Apr 17, 2012 7:44 AM
in response to: FloydDBarber
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You got it, Floyd. And I agree, it's a necessary evil. The cable companies know this, and once they got the politicians in their pockets, they didn't have to keep a lid on cable prices anymore. I had Cablevision for THIRTY years and my bill at the end of those three decades was NOwhere near what FIOS is stealing from me without a weapon.
I know I shared that Cablevision sent a rep TO my house to get me back as a customer, and I had signed on the dotted line when he made the mistake of asking me for money in advance. That was all she wrote. I don't know if I would have been better off with them at that point, but that's water under the bridge, for now.
I rely more on television than I should (it's why I give TikiSoo kudos for her break, although she does get movie stuff from Mr. TikiSoo!), so I too am a hostage to their corporate thievery.
You are right, MaryLyn. I was told there are separate departments for customer phone calls and disconnects, and A doesn't talk to B. After you have left, they get around to telling B and the disconnect morons call you. By then it is too late, but it may be worthwhile to be a cable jumper every year or so. I haven't yet tried it, but when the day comes FIOS charges for On Demand, I'm outta there.
Too bad WOW can't get their foot in the door in the politically crooked Westchester, they would be a welcome breath of fresh air.
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9,439
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04/02/05
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Re: Comcast misleading tactics
Posted: Apr 16, 2012 10:21 PM
in response to: MaryLyn2
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"So call Comcast again and say you are looking into going with Verizon and see if they offer you a better deal." - MaryLyn2
Agreed. I read an article recently somewhere online about "proven" tactics to employ to lower your cable bill (and I can't find it again, unfortunately.) But the gist of the piece was to "do your research".
If you are going to threaten to leave for another provider, have all the relevant info about the new service and what you will be getting for the price they will be charging you - including what may be a "promotional period rate" and what the rate will be after the promo period expires. Also know if the rate includes a DVR, multiple outlets, "free" premium channels, etc. if you are ordering those types of additions.
It also recommended to ask to speak to the "Sales Department" rather than the "Customer Service Department". The Sales Department can have access to rates that aren't available anywhere else.
And also make it known that you are leaving solely because of the cost - if that happens to be the case. If you are otherwise "happy" with the service. make that known. The provider will likely be more inclined to keep a "happy" customer.
Treat the phone call(s) with your current provider like a negotiation. Keep any emotion you may feel out of your voice. It won't help to come across as angry or disgruntled with the person you are speaking with. In fact the company may be more inclined to cut you loose if you are being a pain in the neck.
Good Luck.
Kyle In Hollywood
ps - Besides Verizon FioS, AT&T also offers "U-Verse" home television/internet/phone service. I don't know if that is an option in your area but check it out.
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Posts:
183
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03/26/11
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Re: Comcast misleading tactics
Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:15 PM
in response to: FloydDBarber
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We had Comcast for over 20 years. And then Verizon Fios came around and offered a much better rate than we were paying Comcast. So we signed up for Fios.
THEN, when we told Comcast that we were going with Fios they offered us a better rate than we had signed up with Fios. By then Fios had spent at least 6 hours at our house making holes in the siding and putting up a large panel. So we said no thanks. But we did say why didn't you offer this great rate to us while we were customers of Comcast. They had no answer.
So call Comcast again and say you are looking into going with Verizon and see if they offer you a better deal. Sometimes it depends who answers the phone what information you get. In fact with any company I have learned to call customer service numerous times and often it has paid off.
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182
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03/11/07
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Re: Comcast misleading tactics
Posted: Apr 16, 2012 2:29 PM
in response to: willbefree25
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The general feeling I get is that not one person is satisfied with Comcast or with Fios.
This does not leave many options when these two companies Monopolise my area.
I would never return to dial-up and totally disregard the television set.
The TV is big screen and good for showing videos at least, so I need basic cable.
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2,195
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Re: Comcast misleading tactics
Posted: Apr 15, 2012 3:46 PM
in response to: Sepiatone
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Crooked politicians.
It took 20+ years before Cablevision's owner, who had the Westchester politicians in his pocket and thus a monopoly on cable in this county, to 'allow in' FIOS, no doubt because FIOS - the media monopolist which forces those with FIOS (aka Verizon) to keep their land phone - Floyd, you know that, right? - threatened some kind of lawsuit.
FIOS and Cablevision's prices are just about the same, FIOS generously 'giving' On Demand while Cablevision 'gives' perks to their customers, with both playing other games such as that. Both are close to $200. a month for all the channels, and both couldn't care less about customer satisfaction.
Heck, they don't have to, they now both have the politicians in Westchester in their pockets.
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Re: Comcast misleading tactics
Posted: Apr 15, 2012 11:51 AM
in response to: Sepiatone
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I just checked my zipcode and WOW is not available in my area at this time.
Forgot to mention, Comcast offered to remove HBO and Starz and decrease my bill from $210 to $187.
Wow, what a savings. I am not cancelling Comcast until I speak with Fios on Monday to see what they will offer.
Since my cell phone account is currently with Verizon, maybe I can get a deal if I add cable and internet to the package.
Edited by: FloydDBarber on Apr 15, 2012 12:16 PM
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Posts:
2,672
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12/19/11
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Re: Comcast misleading tactics
Posted: Apr 15, 2012 11:44 AM
in response to: FloydDBarber
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What would those "obvious reasons" be, willbefree?
Sepiatone
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Posts:
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Re: Comcast misleading tactics
Posted: Apr 15, 2012 11:41 AM
in response to: Sepiatone
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The only good thing about Comcast is that Vertigo is on right now on Retroplex.
So basically, all I watch is TCM and Retroplex.
I find myself watching the Disney Channel because children's television is required to air fewer commercials. Since there is nothing on commercial television remotely resembling the old classic comedies the Disney Channel has a few shows that can appeal to an adult audience. And then there is Spongebob that is definitely an adult cartoon on a children's station.
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Re: Comcast misleading tactics
Posted: Apr 15, 2012 11:38 AM
in response to: Sepiatone
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Yup, that's what I suggested below.
Your only choice - get an offer from FIOS, lock it in for two years, then cancel FIOS, and go back to COMCAST. And so on and so forth. Ain't commercialism grand?
Like the NY Times, you cannot be out of their crooked grasp only a few months, I think it's a year or more. They don't want cable jumping - they have the gold, they make the rules.
For obvious reasons, WOW is not in Westchester.
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2,672
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Re: Comcast misleading tactics
Posted: Apr 15, 2012 11:27 AM
in response to: FloydDBarber
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I have WOW (Wide Open West) and I don't pay extra for Starz. Recently(within the last six months)they converted all their broadcasts to digital. Admittedly, WOW was very open about it, and switched over to the digital broadcasts in small increments. Surprisingly, as you would need a small adapter to install to RECIEVE these signals, they offered the adapters at no cost! They were very aggressive at announcing the switch-over, so it came as no surprise. I switched from basic to full service(phone, iNet and cable box) during a promo for $89.99 a month until this year. Of course, after fees and taxes, I wind up paying $103.60 a month. No surprise there. But I just recieved a notice from WOW that because of when and how I signed on to these services, my fee will NOT increase this year! now, that IS surprising! And so far, in my experience, their commercials are true...Whenever I call(which isn't very often) I'm NEVER put on hold, get very courteous service, and it's always very helpful. THAT'S surprising, too. I DID used to be a Comcast customer as well.
You might, if you're willing to put up with it, do what one of my many nephews does. He switches between WOW and Comcast at every promo. Like for instance, when Comcast has a promo for a ridiculous low price for service, he'll switch over. When the promo period is over, just before he'll start getting a higher bill, he'll switch to WOW at another low promo price, and so on. But that's too involved for me. Plus, I'm not sure what other alternatives you're availed in your area. I live in suburban Detroit. In Detroit proper, WOW isn't available. It's Comcast or antenna. Or Dish or Direct.
Sepiatone
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Re: Comcast misleading tactics
Posted: Apr 15, 2012 11:25 AM
in response to: darkblue
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I found this link with basic rates. Looks like a typical promotion for a limited time and then the rates go up. http://www.cabletv.com/comcast/cable-tv/basic-cable.
These promo's are intended to entice new customers. It might be fun to drive them crazy by switching back and forth every 6 months between Comcast and Fios but I don't think I would try it more than once.
The bottom line, there are few choices. So if they are all crooked one has to choose the lesser of two evils. If I choose Fios it will only be to test it out and not that is is any better than Comcast.
Edited by: FloydDBarber on Apr 15, 2012 11:27 AM
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2,128
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Re: Comcast misleading tactics
Posted: Apr 15, 2012 8:07 AM
in response to: FloydDBarber
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I'm really glad there is so much discussion on these boards about everyone's disgust with cable TV.
Goodbye Comcast I think I may try Fios.
And I'm really glad you stood up for yourself and dropped the "service" when they showed you no loyalty. If they're anything like Time Warner, they'll have salespeople immediately calling you with "special offers" to rehook up. Why not just give your customers an affordable fair deal in the first place?
Because it's a cash grab for whatever they can get and as long as customers pay it, they'll continue.
I'm wondering when the average person realizes what an incredible rip-off cel phones, high speed internet & the other "daily neccesities" are, that they easily can do without.
We're not sheep, people.
My siblings & I pay for our 83 year old Mom to have cable every year as a present. There's a person who really does benefit from cable TV, not someone like myself who has an active rich life without TV.
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