Community Chat

[kaydee50]

I remember back in the 50s/60s there was talk of "pay TV".  There wouldn't be any commercials--truly--and the programming would be better.  Fast forward to the 21st century.  Yes, cable bills are outrageous.  Our cable/phone/internet is $230/month, one third of which is taxes and fees.  The alternative is to get several "streaming" services which, from what we can tell, can add up pretty quickly.  So we'll stay with RCN.  We get TCM (an absolute must for me) and hundreds of other channels, some of which my DH watches.  Once in awhile I'll call to complain and they'll give me a break for a few months.  

It is what it is.  If you can't/don't want to afford it, stop.

[Spurt]

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@kaydee50 wrote:

I remember back in the 50s/60s there was talk of "pay TV".  There wouldn't be any commercials--truly--and the programming would be better.  Fast forward to the 21st century.  Yes, cable bills are outrageous.  Our cable/phone/internet is $230/month, one third of which is taxes and fees.  The alternative is to get several "streaming" services which, from what we can tell, can add up pretty quickly.  So we'll stay with RCN.  We get TCM (an absolute must for me) and hundreds of other channels, some of which my DH watches.  Once in awhile I'll call to complain and they'll give me a break for a few months.  

It is what it is.  If you can't/don't want to afford it, stop.

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@kaydee50 

I love TCM and my sports too so cable is worth it to me.....but my cable is a lot less than Spectrum/Comcast too....

[SeaMaiden]

 I have Five TVs in different rooms.  I have Comcast basic cable...no HBO etc.  I have three HD set boxes on rental...and .two small set boxes not HD on rental.  No phone no internet. I pay $160 a month.  It seems to go up every month. I have been with them now for 30 years....never have called them, or had to have any service.  I hate calling to complain or beg for a deal. Rather just pay the bill.  I guess I am THAT customer they love.

 The one that they step all over.

[tl98466]

I definately feel your pain! What I thought would be an "easy" update to my account and an explanation to a recent change in charges turned out to be an almost all-day event. It took 15 different phone calls to Xfinity to try to get things sorted out and I'm still not sure it will be. Fingers are crossed!

[sunshine45]

from 12/2014

Summary of State "Price Gouging" Statutes and Regulations*

https://time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/price-gouging-statutes.pdf

[moxie11]

We, all need to speak with our wallets. I, cut the cord some years ago, and never looked back. I'am very happy i did, and i certainly don't feel deprived. There are alot of choices in how we watch, and what we watch. I, have so much content i wouldn't be able to see it all, it's endless.

[beach-mom]

@ahoymate - I was on the phone all day yesterday with Comcast. Our bill went up $34. It took me TWO days to talk to a real person, and then I had to schedule a callback. Their automated system needs to be updated. Anyway, the agent said the increase was because our promotion was over. At the time they're not doing any promotions - of COURSE - but he did manage to get our bill a little lower. We have to get a new modem to do this. They've got us. They know most people are home watching TV. 

They will come to the house, leave the new modem on the front step, then call us from the truck to guide us through the set up. The agent said their techs are not allowed to go into homes at this time, which is fine since if that had to be the case I would have cancelled the whole thing! 

I had almost decided to cancel the whole thing, but our Internet speed will be a lot faster. 

I don't know what to expect as far as the channels we get. I went into the store to adjust this before the pandemic. The Comcast rep came out and when I told her what I wanted she said it would be better to make my choices online. I couldn't understand that, because they were not busy. But I followed her instructions. Online I was told to contact a sales representative. I couldn't find the channels and packages listed anywhere. So I gave up.

Like I said, they've got us. 

[Pearlee]

I've been with my cable company for a long time - like 15 yrs. Whenever my bill goes up, I call their "customer loyalty" department, tell them there is lots of competition in my city wanting my cable/internet business (true) and I will go elsewhere. Whereupon they give me a bunch of discounts so my bill is back where it was or at times a buck or two less, tell me that rate is good for another year, and to call back if it goes up again the next year and they'll find more discounts to give me. It's a hassle but well worth it.

[proudlyfromNJ]

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@SeaMaiden wrote:

 I have Five TVs in different rooms.  I have Comcast basic cable...no HBO etc.  I have three HD set boxes on rental...and .two small set boxes not HD on rental.  No phone no internet. I pay $160 a month.  It seems to go up every month. I have been with them now for 30 years....never have called them, or had to have any service.  I hate calling to complain or beg for a deal. Rather just pay the bill.  I guess I am THAT customer they love.

 The one that they step all over.

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@SeaMaiden  Ours won't negotiate any longer. Haven't for the past few years. We have had them since the late seventies.

[shoekitty]

Cable gets you coming or going.  What gripes me, and I have satellite...is they give you 500 channels, but people only watch about 10 of them.  They resume to know how this works so you buy more tiers.  Also, the programs repeat over and over .