topic Re: Advice Re: Internet, Cable TV, Landline in Electronics

Advice Re: Internet, Cable TV, Landline

SaRina — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 16:16:54 GMT

I’m bundled in a minimum package, but I’ve had 3 monthly increases in the past 6 months and I’m finally disgusted with being “nickeled and dimed” by TWC. I’m not that tech savvy and I’m hoping your media suggestions can help me to find a way out of this rut of never-ending increases.

I've already called to negotiate a monthly fee, ask for a customer loyalty reward.... followed by threats to leave, but they are being steadfast for the first time. I guess it's the instructions employees have been given by the new regime.

Landline

I have my landline and a flip phone. I’m not on the phone a whole lot. I am a bit nervous about eliminating the land line. Do you think if I invest in a good cell phone, I need not worry about not having a landline? Your suggestions? Iphone? (which I know nothing about). Something else?

Internet

I have 100 Mbps download speed, which is sufficient for my purposes. I have one laptop and one modem. Don’t need a router. It just occurred to me, after years, that I can purchase my own TWC-approved modem to eliminate a $10 monthly modem lease fee on my bill. Of course, I’d be responsible for making sure I have the right modem for any speed upgrades that come along with advancing technology and I also would be giving up 24/7 tech support for the modem in case anything malfunctioned. I mean, $120 modem lease/year isn’t catastrophic, but it’s some savings. Your thoughts on purchasing my own modem?

Cable TV

I already have Basic Cable since I don’t need or want hundreds of cable channels.

Any overall suggestions are appreciated!

Re: Advice Re: Internet, Cable TV, Landline

dex — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 16:23:57 GMT

@SaRina I would call the cable company and ask for a promotional special.They always have deals that they don't advertise.Tell them that you can't afford your service and see what they offer.The downside is that you have to keep renegotiating a deal but worth the savings in my experience.

Re: Advice Re: Internet, Cable TV, Landline

SeaMaiden — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 16:32:42 GMT

My personal feelings are that I do not want to be totally taken care of by one company. I have my basic cable for TV with Comcast... my land line phone and internet with Century Link. our personal cell phones from a different carrier.

I hear too much complaining from those who use all Comcast with their package deals and having issues with one or all of their services constantly. Plus having to call and beg for a deal.... not going to do it!

I have never had my phone or internet cut off unless the power goes out with is not more than maybe once a year. My cable never has gone out. Maybe I am lucky.

Re: Advice Re: Internet, Cable TV, Landline

SaRina — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 16:38:23 GMT

@dex wrote:
@SaRina I would call the cable company and ask for a promotional special.They always have deals that they don't advertise.Tell them that you can't afford your service and see what they offer.The downside is that you have to keep renegotiating a deal but worth the savings in my experience.

@dex, they reminded me I'm just coming off a promotional special... but I asked them to find me another one, lol. Still, that doesn't justify 3 increases in 6 months. I tried every tactic I know, believe me.

Re: Advice Re: Internet, Cable TV, Landline

wildcat fan — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 17:01:46 GMT

I had a similar bundle and was floored a few months ago when the rate increase came out without any advance notice. We kept the Internet service and bought an antenna at Best Buy. Amazed that we can get about 50 channels with that antenna that cost about $25. We're getting ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, QVC, HSN, and many more. We also subscribed to Hulu and stream shows and movies through apps. So far no regrets for ditching cable and have enjoyed spending that money on other things.

Re: Advice Re: Internet, Cable TV, Landline

MKR14 — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 16:42:48 GMT

Since Spectrum took over Time Warner there are NO discount deals anymore. My I'll just increased almost $28.00 so I called them. The CS rep was very nice and said they had no more deals. I have the triple package with phone,internet, and cable. It is now $195.25 a month. We also have three DVR boxes. One that records 2, one that records up to 6 shows, and one that brings all the channels in but doesn't record. I asked if this would be going up again in the next year and she said not unless the FCC rates etc goes up. She said since I was with Time Warner previously I was grandfathered in or the rate would have been more. The cost is almost at my limit I want to spend but we do not eat out much or go to movies etc. and we are retired. That is our only enjoyment at home. Time will tell on how the rates go.

Re: Advice Re: Internet, Cable TV, Landline

SaRina — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 16:53:06 GMT

@SeaMaiden, I haven't had any problem with bundling at all, per se, it's just that I've never had more than a minimal annual increase -- not 3 in 6 months. So now I want to investigate alternatives.

@wildcat fan, I bought an antenna for the tv in the bedroom months ago to avoid an "additional tv" charge. Unfortunately, I only get 3-5 watchable channels, weather permitting, which is ok since I don't really watch in the bedroom anymore. I'm usually able to get a news channel when I get into bed at night and that's good enough. I've been thinking about Hulu -- I'd have to figure out what I need to do, which gives me a big headache.... literally.

Re: Advice Re: Internet, Cable TV, Landline

hckynut — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 16:50:17 GMT

@SaRina

I have a landline, which no way I will give up. That and ny internet are with Centurylink. And you say "100mbs speed is sufficient"? The fastest available to our home is 12mbs, which we have had less than a year. For years it was 1.5mbs speed. Think you are in good shape there.

I have cut back on abour everything, but I will never cut my entertainment $$. Use no AC in summer and no heat in home in the winter. Portable heater in master bedroom and less than 60° in patio room during winter. But cut the TV shows enjoy watching. Nope.

I notice you did not mention Satellite TV, and since we have nrver had cable coming to our home, we have had DirecTV and Dish Network for our TV service. Dropped DirecTV because their tech employees knew less than I did about their equipment, and Dish is cheapef, with several levels of knowledgeable tech employees.

Can't really suggest anything because we have completely different providers. I would however LOVE to have your 100mps speed.

hckynut(john)

Re: Advice Re: Internet, Cable TV, Landline

CAcableGirl2 — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 16:51:26 GMT

Maybe your price has increased due to rolling off promotional pricing for each of your services? It's hard to determine if you are paying too much based on just having the price change several times. Find out if you are in a bundled package where you pay a set price for all the services that you have or if your bill is just bundled and your services are "a la carte". Some earlier posters have stated that their pricing would actually increase if they removed one of the 3 services (phone) so even if they don't have a landline, they still keep the phone service to keep the "bundled" package. IMO a couple of options to consider would be if you really need to have basic cable. Can you use your computer to stream television service and cancel the basic service? Consider what the cost of a cell phone is vs. having landline so if you cancel the landline, those savings would help pay for the cell. I've found that cell phones can be pretty expensive monthly but it depends on what you get. However, if you want decent 911 response, I would keep the landline service. In my case, I have to have it to allow others access into the community so that's not an option for me plus I already have the nomorobo service set up and not having all those pesky telemarketing calls is a huge plus for me. $120/year for the cost of a modem sounds high - are you paying extra for wi-fi service that you might not be using or just the modem? If just for the modem only, I would check into purchasing one instead of leasing. I have found that if I call and tell them the amount that I have to spend, they can usually find some sort of package that I can afford, sometimes its a little slower speed for my internet or a few less channels. In my case, its all about my budget, so my services are adjusted in order to stay within my monthly budget. Give a call to the competition to get similar service, that will tell you if you are paying a reasonable amount for your service. My son called DTV and couldn't believe how much more they were so he stayed with what he had.

Re: Advice Re: Internet, Cable TV, Landline

hckynut — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 17:02:14 GMT

@CAcableGirl2 wrote:
Maybe your price has increased due to rolling off promotional pricing for each of your services? It's hard to determine if you are paying too much based on just having the price change several times. Find out if you are in a bundled package where you pay a set price for all the services that you have or if your bill is just bundled and your services are "a la carte".

Some earlier posters have stated that their pricing would actually increase if they removed one of the 3 services (phone) so even if they don't have a landline, they still keep the phone service to keep the "bundled" package. IMO a couple of options to consider would be if you really need to have basic cable. Can you use your computer to stream television service and cancel the basic service?

Consider what the cost of a cell phone is vs. having landline so if you cancel the landline, those savings would help pay for the cell. I've found that cell phones can be pretty expensive monthly but it depends on what you get. However, if you want decent 911 response, I would keep the landline service.

In my case, I have to have it to allow others access into the community so that's not an option for me plus I already have the nomorobo service set up and not having all those pesky telemarketing calls is a huge plus for me. $120/year for the cost of a modem sounds high - are you paying extra for wi-fi service that you might not be using or just the modem?

If just for the modem only, I would check into purchasing one instead of leasing. I have found that if I call and tell them the amount that I have to spend, they can usually find some sort of package that I can afford, sometimes its a little slower speed for my internet or a few less channels. In my case, its all about my budget, so my services are adjusted in order to stay within my monthly budget.

Give a call to the competition to get similar service, that will tell you if you are paying a reasonable amount for your service. My son called DTV and couldn't believe how much more they were so he stayed with what he had.

Re: Advice Re: Internet, Cable TV, Landline

CAcableGirl2 — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 17:01:54 GMT

@hckynut- thanks, your version is a lot easier to read!

Re: Advice Re: Internet, Cable TV, Landline

SaRina — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 17:07:06 GMT

@CAcableGirl2, I know for a fact that I am paying less than the average person for these bundled services and guess I should be happy for that, but.... I can't help being outraged by the number of increases in such a short amount of time... and I suspect this pattern will continue when "billing codes are eventually switched over to Spectrum" (codes are still under TWC) as it was explained to me on the phone. I did confirm that if I eliminated my land line, for example, my bill would be less and, of course, if I purchase my modem rather than leasing, my bill would be additionally less.

Can I use my computer to stream tv? I don't know enough about what's required. That's my dilemma. I'm afraid if I start making all these changes, somehow I'll wind up with nothing because this isn't compatible with that, I don't have the right equipment, etc., etc.

911 is important to me. Currently, I pay $28/month for my flip phone, unlimited service. Like I said, I don't use it much.

Only leasing the modem for $10/month. No wi-fi. I see an approved modem would run me about $55.

Believe me, I told them about my budget. They had nothin'.

Re: Advice Re: Internet, Cable TV, Landline

jackthebear — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 17:12:24 GMT

@SaRina wrote:

I’m bundled in a minimum package, but I’ve had 3 monthly increases in the past 6 months and I’m finally disgusted with being “nickeled and dimed” by TWC. I’m not that tech savvy and I’m hoping your media suggestions can help me to find a way out of this rut of never-ending increases.

I've already called to negotiate a monthly fee, ask for a customer loyalty reward.... followed by threats to leave, but they are being steadfast for the first time. I guess it's the instructions employees have been given by the new regime.

Landline
I have my landline and a flip phone. I’m not on the phone a whole lot. I am a bit nervous about eliminating the land line. Do you think if I invest in a good cell phone, I need not worry about not having a landline? Your suggestions? Iphone? (which I know nothing about). Something else?

Internet
I have 100 Mbps download speed, which is sufficient for my purposes. I have one laptop and one modem. Don’t need a router. It just occurred to me, after years, that I can purchase my own TWC-approved modem to eliminate a $10 monthly modem lease fee on my bill. Of course, I’d be responsible for making sure I have the right modem for any speed upgrades that come along with advancing technology and I also would be giving up 24/7 tech support for the modem in case anything malfunctioned. I mean, $120 modem lease/year isn’t catastrophic, but it’s some savings. Your thoughts on purchasing my own modem?

Cable TV
I already have Basic Cable since I don’t need or want hundreds of cable channels.

Any overall suggestions are appreciated!

is there another cable provider in your area?

if so see what they have

Re: Advice Re: Internet, Cable TV, Landline

SaRina — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 17:23:57 GMT

@hckynut, my apologies! My download speed is not 100 Mbps. While speaking to the rep and reading about 100 Mbps on the TWC site, I thought the rep confirmed this to me. I just googled a download speed test, and my computer runs at 4.13 Mbps, which is still sufficient for my needs. lol :-D

@jackthebear, Verizon FIOS is also in my area. They have been outrightly harassing me for Years, both by phone, mail, and in person. I spoke to their Corporate, demanding they "cease and desist" with the harassment, and said I would never, ever do business with them. Anyhow, I'm pretty sure their rates are more (except for new customers with their initial promotional bundling, which would end after a year).

Re: Advice Re: Internet, Cable TV, Landline

ValuSkr — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 17:33:27 GMT

True, Spectrum isn't in the mood to negotiate with TWC customers. They're looking to make a lot of money. Just some ideas --

I think 100Mbps is a lot unless you watch a lot of movies or play online games. Can you downgrade to 50/50?

As you mentioned, you could drop your landline. If you're comfortable with your cell phone or smart phone, then why not? A lot of people have done it.

You could drop cable and get TV programming over the internet, for example with SlingTV. Channel selection is more limited, but that's the cost of a lower price. You would probably need to buy a router and a device, like Roku, and a digital antenna (to receive local TV channels).

Re: Advice Re: Internet, Cable TV, Landline

SaRina — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 17:38:25 GMT

@ValuSkr, I made a mistake with my computer speed (see my previous post). It's 4.13 Mbps.

Re: Advice Re: Internet, Cable TV, Landline

GCR18 — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 18:22:06 GMT

I have dish tv, AT&T phone and internet. Dish are basic channels, no movie channels, no dvr, etc. I pay $160 a month. Cell phone is tracfone at $7 a month. I would like to eliminate the home phone, but am not ready to yet. Talking with others, I think I'm paying a fair price. Not that I like the price.

Re: Advice Re: Internet, Cable TV, Landline

hckynut — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 18:46:45 GMT

@SaRina wrote:

Can I use my computer to stream tv? I don't know enough about what's required. That's my dilemma.

Hi @SaRina

Yes you can stream movies and tv shows to your computer. What tv shows? That I think depends on the individual networks and maybe their contracts with Cable and Satellite Providers.

Now your download speed I can understand, thank you for checking it. I suggest you again go to "Google" and type in "streaming tv shows to computer". I know it can be done via a hard connection or via wifi, which I know you do not have with your provider. Give that a try.

Nobody likes ever rising prices on anything, but it is a fact of life. TV for most is not considered a "necessity" like Utility bills. That is a person's choice, but rising prices still do not sit well with their customers.

The BIG companies are always negotiating contracts with local channels. With Dish Network we lost ABC Network for close to 2 months. I however put on rabbit ears and picked up the local over-the-air ABC, just like the old days.

At that time Dish was negotiating with 26 other tv entities, so I am assuming when they settled, other Dish customers rates went up, along with mine. I think that is why rates seem to go up about every billing cycle. They settle in California, and ole john here in Nebraska helps by paying more.

Let me know if you need help, I can give it a shot!

hckynut(john)

Re: Advice Re: Internet, Cable TV, Landline

Beauty Maven — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 18:55:53 GMT

I got rid of my land line years ago, and haven't missed it for one second. I only have my AT&T cell phone (an iphone) which my employer pays (lucky for me!). I have AT&T Uverse and internet at home. I pay $130 monthly and that does not include premium movie channels. That price inlcudes HD TV service with DVR in the living room, and HD TV service (no DVR) in one bedroom. Plus, I have a wireless router which is how I get access to the internet. I'm seriously thinking of cutting the TV service because I'm really tired of paying for it. While I watch HGTV, History Channel, Food Network and some cable news, it seems I'm paying for 500 channels of infomercials! I really don't even watch a lot of QVC anymore. I'm streaming more and more from Netflix and Amazon, so the tv "chord cutting" will come soon. Its rediculous what these cable companies are charging -- I think they're just milking it cuz they know everything is going to be internet streaming very soon. Its really ashame that they charge so muc!!

P.S. Ge an Apple I-phone. You'll be stunned at how easy it is to use!!!

Re: Advice Re: Internet, Cable TV, Landline

Dusty1 — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 20:47:25 GMT

I have a cell phone & a cell phone with my "home number" that I use for any business/appointments/etc.

I have internet with TWC/Spectrum that I pay $14.99 a month for. I can't believe that they haven't raised that price, yet, but that is what I was paying before & so far it has stayed the same.

I bought a wireless router ($79.99 Belkin-I had a Linksys which was CARP! Always loosing the signal & it was meant to be the newest & bestest.). You could replace a router every year-not that you will have too-& still pay less than the $10 a month lease. $120 a year!

I do pay $11.99 a month for hulu so that I don't get commercials that you get on the $7.99 a month plan, but still, for some shows you have to watch a commercial at the beginning & end of your show.

I have a dvd player that will stream Hulu, Netflix, Amazon on a tv in the craft/workout room (on the antenna it gets local stations) & I just bought a Samsung Smart tv for our living room so I can get those channels there, as well. It gets all kinds of stations with our antenna.

I have a tv in my bedroom, but it is just on the antenna & only gets ABC.

The plus. I do not miss paying almost $200 a month for tv.

The minus. I LOVE tv & this is all a bit of a hassle. I miss my dvr so much! No pause. No rewind if you miss a bit. Rewinding & fast forwarding a show on hulu is a pain, but it can be done.

So I am glad not to be paying so much for tv, but I am not really happy with my tv experience.