Electronics

[SaRina]

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!

[dex]

@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.

[SeaMaiden]

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.

[SaRina]

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@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.

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@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.

[wildcat fan]

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.  

[MKR14]

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.

[SaRina]

@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.

[hckynut]

@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)

[CAcableGirl2]

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.

[hckynut]

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@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.