Comcast must be feeling the heat.

[markw]

We just renegotiated what I'll be paying for "the exact same service" (their words) for the next twelve months.

My bill went up to just above my personal threshold of what I can justify.

So, I called their number and chose Option 4, and when I chose the "cancel service" option, I was immediately transferred to their "customer retention" department and was fortunate enough to get someone who really took their job seriously.

He was cheerful and asked why I wanted to cancel and I said, nicely but quite matter-of-factly, price, pure and simple. He asked if it was the programming. I said no. He asked if it was the service. Again I said no. It was simply the price. I could get what I needed elsewhere for less. I was nice, friendly, but firm.

He didn't ask what I was willing to pay. This was a good thing in my book.

He got my account on the screen. H noted that I was currently benefiting from an internet promo for $20. month, as opposed to the normal $43/month or so.

I said, nicely, that I knew that. I also said, nicely, I knew it was about to expire and that would bump me up to about $170/month for my current level of service and this was totally unacceptable, what with all the other options available. I think he knew I saw serious.

He than asked me to hold on while he checked what promotions they were running.

To keep this story short, for the next year I'll be paying $110/month for what I WAS paying $141/month for the past year. Considering that this just jumped to a little over $150 this month and was about to jump to $170 next month, I'd say it was time well spent. Oh, this includes internet as well as HD.

He said to call im next year about this time. You betcha I will.

 

[Rickster71]

Hi Mark, sounds like you got a good deal.

I was curious as to how you made out, when you looked into Dish network?
Were you able to get an 'apples to apples' comparison? (I'm sure they make it tough.)

The reason I ask; A good friend of mine did the same thing.
The cable Co. lowered their price to match Dish network.
He canceled cable and got Dish anyway. On principle; when he realized how easily they came down in price, and how unnecessarily high his cable bill was all those years.

Just a thought....call Dish network and ask if they can beat your cable price.

 

[Davemcc]

Nice bargaining skills.

Is that with all the movie channels and lifestyle programming included because that makes it a darn good deal.

On a side note, it's nice to see that there are people out there paying for their content. Most people I know are using free-to-air satellites and descrambling boxes. I'm one of only a few people I know that uses a regular provider and pays the subscription fees.

 

[markw]

Hi Mark, sounds like you got a good deal.

I was curious as to how you made out, when you looked into Dish network?
Were you able to get an 'apples to apples' comparison? (I'm sure they make it tough.)

The reason I ask; A good friend of mine did the same thing.
The cable Co. lowered their price to match Dish network.
He canceled cable and got Dish anyway. On principle; when he realized how easily they came down in price, and how unnecessarily high his cable bill was all those years.

Just a thought....call Dish network and ask if they can beat your cable price.

I did some looking on-line and when I got into a discussion with them, for what I wanted (1 HD receiver, one std receiver and programming that included nothing more esoteric than BBCA), they were in the $100 range, and this did not include hi-speed internet.

I understand the "on principle" thing, but all utility providers can come down if given sufficient stimulus, such as stiff competition and a knowledgable client.

I'm happy. A buncha movie channels, on-demand, several HD channels (could be more, though) and hi-speed internet, a HD box and a standard digital box for $110. I'll stick it out, at least until next year at this time. Maybe we'll have Fios by then.

Perhaps I'll send out a RFP to all the providers then...

 

[markw]

Thanks

Nice bargaining skills.

It wasn't really bargaining. I said simply I'm outta here because it costs too much. I never mentioned the competition. I simply said I'm outta here. They took it upon themselves to really, really try to be competitive.

Is that with all the movie channels and lifestyle programming included because that makes it a darn good deal.

No cinemax but I do get HBO, Showtime, Encore and Starz. I get enough "lifestyle" channels to keep me and mrs W satisfied. As long s we can get BBCA we're happy. No sports package, though.

Oh yeah, this includes internet,

On a side note, it's nice to see that there are people out there paying for their content. Most people I know are using free-to-air satellites and descrambling boxes. I'm one of only a few people I know that uses a regular provider and pays the subscription fees.

Huh! I didn't know you could still get descramblers. I learn something every day.

 

[fmw]

Hmmmm. $110 seems expensive to me. My satellite service provides more channels and way more HD than cable. I have all of the premium movie channels and pay less than that. Of course, cable isn't available here so I can't make a direct comparison but I would take a close look at satellite.

 

[GlocksRock]

I have a feeling I will be doing the exact same thing when my 12 month Time Warner promotion expires... if they don't keep my price low, I'll be going to DirecTV and saying bye bye to the crappy Scientific Atlanta 8300 HD DVR I use now.

 

[fmw]

The DirecTV DVR isn't so hot either but it works most of the time.

 

[markw]

Hmmmm. $110 seems expensive to me. My satellite service provides more channels and way more HD than cable. I have all of the premium movie channels and pay less than that. Of course, cable isn't available here so I can't make a direct comparison but I would take a close look at satellite.

Where do you live? Who is your satellite service provider? Are you including hi-speed internet in your calculations?

 

[Austin M]

I'm in Little Rock, AR. My stepfather did the same thing for their Comcast service, except now the extended lower-price is almost up and they told him they could not reduce the price for a second time. He's looking at AT&T U-verse now as a salesman actually came through the neighborhood knocking on doors about the service.

I hope you don't experience the same thing 12 months from now.

 

[gus6464]

I'm in Little Rock, AR. My stepfather did the same thing for their Comcast service, except now the extended lower-price is almost up and they told him they could not reduce the price for a second time. He's looking at AT&T U-verse now as a salesman actually came through the neighborhood knocking on doors about the service.

I hope you don't experience the same thing 12 months from now.

I just switched to U-verse from TWC. I pay a little more ($20) than what I was paying with time warner but I get a lot more channels, an extra receiver for the bedroom, and the streaming DVR feature. But really main reason for reason was that u-verse has a lot more HD channels and they are not compressed like time warner.

 

[zumbo]

I have made those same calls every 4/6/12 months.

Sure enough, before you know it, that bill will jump right back up.

F*** Comcast. And, I don't mean that "nicely".

 

[markw]

...and I'm marking that calendar.

I have made those same calls every 4/6/12 months.

Sure enough, before you know it, that bill will jump right back up.

F*** Comcast. And, I don't mean that "nicely".

Believe me, I'm no lover of Comcast. Initially, I didn't expect to stay with them. I didn't call to negotiate. I was just was informing them that I was cancelling and would drop off the boxes at their service center the next day.

If they don't want me, fine. Just raise my rates. I'm gone.

As I said, I fully expected to walk and had my options planned already (Netflix, Blockbuster around the corner* and, most likely, Dish in a few weeks when my new digital converter boxes got boring). I would have been an OTA boy. Here, right outside of NYC, I get all the network HT channels with great quality. Hech, with a big rooftop antenna pointed right at the transmitters less than 15 miles away, how could I not?

..the only thing I'd really miss would be BBCA. I love cheesy Brit Sci-fi and Top Gear.

*There are some advantages to living in an urban environment.

 

[no1maestro]

Similar story

I have has several go-rounds with my cable company, Charter, and I am now in a situation where I have several choices including AT&T coming into the area. I will be watching and will be in contact with Charter. It is high time that some real competition keeps these high rates in check.

I get such lame excuses when cable or internet is out and I am tired of talking to India, Pakistan and Canada. If we all would take a more proactrive approach to this I believe things might just change!!

 

[fmw]

Where do you live? Who is your satellite service provider? Are you including hi-speed internet in your calculations?

DirecTV. I have the works - $95/mo. 100 or so HD channels. I get all the programming except for the special sports packages. There is no hi speed internet via satellite. Only medium speed very unreliable internet. If your service includes internet then I'd stay with it.

 

[manofsteel2397]

I just switched to U-verse from TWC. I pay a little more ($20) than what I was paying with time warner but I get a lot more channels, an extra receiver for the bedroom, and the streaming DVR feature. But really main reason for reason was that u-verse has a lot more HD channels and they are not compressed like time warner.

realy because i just switched to u-verse and the compression on their cable is far worse than comcast im glad im not a sports fan because sports on u-verse is unwatchable

 

[highfigh]

The DirecTV DVR isn't so hot either but it works most of the time.

What's wrong with their DVR? What model?

 

[highfigh]

I have a feeling I will be doing the exact same thing when my 12 month Time Warner promotion expires... if they don't keep my price low, I'll be going to DirecTV and saying bye bye to the crappy Scientific Atlanta 8300 HD DVR I use now.

A lot of what could be better with the 8300HD can be had with the HDC model. Even more could be better if Time Warner would get their head out and let it do what Scientific Atlanta builds them to, but they don't want to. Things like discreet On/Off (it does it, TW won't let it), USB enable, diagnostics, etc would be a great help.

I switched to DirecTV when my bill went to $90 with no pay channels and TW wouldn't reduce it to a reasonable level. The picture and sound quality are better, it costs less and I have had less problem with signal loss, even with storms. I have had some issues with receivers (R-15 went wacko and now the H20 is getting flakey).

 

[GlocksRock]

A lot of what could be better with the 8300HD can be had with the HDC model. Even more could be better if Time Warner would get their head out and let it do what Scientific Atlanta builds them to, but they don't want to. Things like discreet On/Off (it does it, TW won't let it), USB enable, diagnostics, etc would be a great help.

I switched to DirecTV when my bill went to $90 with no pay channels and TW wouldn't reduce it to a reasonable level. The picture and sound quality are better, it costs less and I have had less problem with signal loss, even with storms. I have had some issues with receivers (R-15 went wacko and now the H20 is getting flakey).

I actually do have the HDC model, and as it turns out, I just got my first bill recently that has gone above what I had normally been paying, so I guess it's time for me to make that call as well. I do agree about the discreet on/off IR codes, that is something I really would like, especially with the harmony one.

 

[markw]

As was said, Comcst is not good for their word.

I'm glad I noted my earlier conversation, time, date and person.

The bill jumped up $30 and when I called, I was told the "promo" expired. When I mentioned the notes I had, they said they were no longer offering those.

So, I simply said I wanna cancel my Television service but keep my Internet. I'll get my TV off the Internet and movies from Netflix and Blockbuster (around the corner, literally). Naturally, they tried to talk me into that "3 for 1" deal for $100.

I said that after the drubbing they gave me with pricing, did they really expect me to expand my dependence on them? Get real! I'm waiting to get Fios in my neighborhood. At least Verizon hasn't screwed around with my billing.

They asked me to hold on and they transferred me to someone else who was extremely helpful. Guess what? I'm back to where I started.

Fargin' liars...