BleedBlueGold
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Wife came at me with missiles last night when I brought up cutting the cord. She sure does love overpaying for cable. Anyone's best guess as to why.
How much do you pay for cable/internet?
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Armyirish47
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Did she watch the Lifetime movie "Cutting the Cord: First he came for the cable box..."?
<iframe src="//giphy.com/embed/4AHFCpxl5kuA0" width="480" height="270" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/will-ferrell-jessica-lowndes-a-deadly-adoption-4AHFCpxl5kuA0">via GIPHY</a></p>
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My wife: "I don't know shit about technology. I'll trust your judgement."
And the Heavens opened up, and a golden light shone down upon him, and the angels sang their melodic offerings to a most surprising and just God.
wizards8507
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For all you fools cutting the cord, make sure you have a device that handles cross-platform searching. The thing that'll bug the wives is that they need to go into a different app to view different content, especially if they're used to an extremely user-friendly platform like X1.
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So I call Comcast to do the dance. They pass me to the customer retention center. I tell them I need to reduce my monthly bill considerably. she turns around and offers me the exact same package at the same price I'm currently paying. I say, "I'm sorry, I must not have been clear. I need to reduce my monthly bill considerably." she replies, "Oh no, you were very clear." She then offers me a different package that saves $10. I tell her to put in a disconnect for April 2. She doesn't even say, I'm sorry we're going to lose you.
RDU Irish
Catholics vs. Cousins
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That's a fvcking trap dude! You will be blamed for everything that goes wrong and a few things that don't. Any time a wife says that you need to tuck your dick between your legs and run the other way. Don't change a damn thing!
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They really don't argue anymore. DirecTV didn't even try to keep me when I called to cancel, and they waived my contract penalty when I asked without any debate at all.
I wonder if that's a new industry thing, where rather than being difficult, they figure they'll save the work time and ultimately get more production for their money if they move on to the next customer that's calling.
RDU Irish
Catholics vs. Cousins
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DTV on 4 TVs - no premium shit but whole home DVR, 3 wireless phones with 20GB shared data monthly and 300MB home internet totaling about $300/month via ATT/DTV. I'm not necessarily happy with the price but relative to discretionary expenses in my life this has high utility and value.
Sports streaming drives me nuts - Perfect example yesterday, CBS Sports app not working at the office Roku so I had to run home to watch ND. Plus WatchESPN app has been shit for two weeks with some sign in problem since I combined my wireless bill with DTV.
I need DVR like crack with kids and wife pretty much making live sports viewing impossible otherwise, plus time saved fast forwarding through halftime and commercials is a godsend. Flipping channels on streaming shit is beyond annoying - I don't know how you people tolerate it.
Sports streaming drives me nuts - Perfect example yesterday, CBS Sports app not working at the office Roku so I had to run home to watch ND. Plus WatchESPN app has been shit for two weeks with some sign in problem since I combined my wireless bill with DTV.
I need DVR like crack with kids and wife pretty much making live sports viewing impossible otherwise, plus time saved fast forwarding through halftime and commercials is a godsend. Flipping channels on streaming shit is beyond annoying - I don't know how you people tolerate it.
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$300 is actually a pretty solid deal for DirecTV, super fast internet, and 3 cell phones.
Not sure on the streaming issues, though. I have an two old-ass Firesticks, close to first gen, and they can both stream and channel surf through Sling or WatchESPN at the same time no problem, and I'm running between 10/20mbps internet.
If you're streaming to a Roku via the DirecTV app, that may be the problem. Their app is anywhere from "okay" to "generally unreliable" in my experience.
C
Cackalacky
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Rookie. You dead son. You done fucked up A Aron.
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Ha, as long as the Firestick streams her Bravo/Oxygen trash TV via Sling, I'll be alright.
If it goes out, I'm hiding in Oshag Hennessy's office.
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Well, I just got off the phone with AT&T.
$80 for DirecTV and internet. They bring DirecTV in over fiber so I don't have to worry about a dish. Includes four DVR's and their own streaming device so I don't need Hulu, Firestick, etc.. The $80 is all inclusive, except for state tax. No equipment fees, regulatory fees, regional sports fees, etc.
$100 Visa gift card included. I'll save about $70 a month.
$80 for DirecTV and internet. They bring DirecTV in over fiber so I don't have to worry about a dish. Includes four DVR's and their own streaming device so I don't need Hulu, Firestick, etc.. The $80 is all inclusive, except for state tax. No equipment fees, regulatory fees, regional sports fees, etc.
$100 Visa gift card included. I'll save about $70 a month.
Rack Em
Community Bod
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Teach us your ways, Sensei.
NDohio
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Good info - Thanks.
Monk
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TWC said they were sending us a $300 gift card when we renegotiated one of our deals. All we had to do was stay with them for 3 months and they would send it out. At 4 or 5 months we call and obviously they had no knowledge of this deal. I said, "don't you record all of your phone calls. Let's look it up". That didn't happen. Lying sacks of s*%@. Proceeded to cancel cable by bringing in all of our items to the store where they magically reduced our rate significantly.
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Comcast said the same thing when we first signed up. After about four months I did a little googling and found a thread where someone had found this magic person at Comcast who is something of a double secret CSR with special powers. Within a couple of weeks of contacting them the card arrived. Then about two months later another one arrived. lol
zelezo vlk
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I have no idea how some of you guys can afford a mortgage on top of some of those expenses. I must be really poor
Irish Insanity
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Dammit. I just left the ATT store for a cell phone order and they mentioned Dish. But where my house sits I can't get the signal thru the trees. At no point in time did they mention it's possible to get thru a line.
woolybug25
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$100 - $200 would change whether you could pay your mortgage?
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Well guess what? The MF'er who placed the order lied to me. Not only about the TV, but about the internet speed and I'm still fighting to get my phone number of 30 years ported over. Below is a letter I just sent to the FCC, along with numerous people at Comcast and AT&T. I just got a call from the AT&T Office of the President so I know my letter got through. Seriously thinking about taking both to court.
May 2, 2017
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Phone: 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322)
I’m a Director of IT. In my 45 years in IT, I’ve had my share of interactions with AT&T, Comcast, Time Warner, Windstream, etc. I’ve implemented numerous voice and data networks over that time, so I think I’m somewhat qualified to pass judgement on what I consider some of the worst service I’ve ever experienced when dealing with communications companies. This is so convoluted I’m not sure where to begin, but I’ll try.
I was a customer of Comcast with Xfinity Triple Play programming (cable/internet/phone). Our two year contract expired on April 3, 2017. On March 17, 2017, I contacted Comcast to see what could be done to lower my monthly expense from $158.00 per month. Comcast stated the best they could do was renew my current package at the same price, even though Comcast offers new customers Triple Play for only $99. Given I could get DirecTV, internet and phone from AT&T for $89, that same day I instructed Comcast to cancel my service to be effective on April 3. I then contacted AT&T to order my new service. Having been a DirecTV customer in the past, I was aware with how weather effects reception with a satellite dish. I asked about this and was told my new services would be through a fiber connection and there would be no satellite dish. I was told my internet speed would be around 25MB and I could keep my old phone number which we’ve had since 1988. I then went through with the ordering of new services.
On March 31, AT&T/DirecTV came out to complete the installation. Upon arrival I find out that our television programming would come through a satellite dish instead of the fiber as previously mentioned. Having already cancelled Comcast and having disconnected the Comcast equipment, I didn’t have many options so I allowed them to complete the installation. The DirecTV portion was completed and the AT&T technician arrived shortly after to install the phone and internet. The tech informs me that he could not finish the job. Apparently there was an issue somewhere “down the line” that would require a different department to repair. AT&T then came back out on April 11 to finish installation of the internet and phone. The internet portion was completed and I find out my internet speed is only 13MB. To add to the frustration, the tech informs me that he did not have an order for phone service. Apparently the agent who took my original order not only lied about the fiber and the internet speed, but he did not complete the order properly. I had to contact AT&T customer service to try and get this rectified. I was told by AT&T Customer Service that 13MB is the best speed that they can offer at this time.
I am writing this letter on May 2, 2017, still waiting to get my phone number ported from Comcast to AT&T. I do not exaggerate when I tell you that over the last three weeks I have spent countless hours on the phone with both AT&T and Comcast with no results. On Wednesday, April 26, I had to drive to Evansville on business. I was on the phone with AT&T and Comcast the entire two hour drive, getting one excuse after another as to why the number had not been ported. On the drive back, I was on the phone for another hour speaking to an AT&T rep who assured me the problem was fixed and I would have my number on May 2. Today is May 2 and I was on the phone from 11:30am to 1:45pm then from 3:45pm to 6:30pm with no results. . I even had AT&T and Comcast on a conference call with me at the same time today with no results. Both AT&T and Comcast point the finger at each other as the source of the problem.
Every time I call both AT&T and Comcast, I have to verify who I am along with my account information. I then get transferred and have to repeat the same information. Each time the agent states they understand my problem and to rest assured that they will fix my problem. Then I get transferred again. Today AT&T agent Kathryn, #MS487C promised me they would have this problem resolved and that she would call me back between 3:00PM – 4:00PM with the results of the port. Agent #MS487C never did call back and my number wasn’t ported.
To show the level of incompetency I’ve been dealing with since cancelling my Comcast service, I have received three different bills from Comcast with three different amounts due even though my account was paid in full. To add to this, Comcast showed up on April 26 to install a phone at our house even though we requested disconnection of service on April 3. Today I received an email from Comcast reminding me of my scheduled appointment with a technician for May 3. When I called to inquire about the appointment the agent informed me that it was to install a phone! Once again I informed the agent that we no longer had Comcast as a provider and just wanted our number ported. I was then transferred to another agent to try again to clear the billing on my account. I was told I owed money because service wasn’t disconnected until April 14. I reminded the agent that I requested discontinuance of service for April 3 and Comcast’s inability to follow through in a timely manner was not a reason to bill me for services I wasn’t receiving. I had already disconnected the equipment and returned it, so it was impossible for me to use their services. I have now been told three times that my account has been cleared. I won’t be surprised if I get another bill.
Rest assured, AT&T is no better. Over the last couple of weeks, I have been on the phone with numerous AT&T agents and departments (customer service, tech support, access and sales) who have told me they have the problem rectified and that I would have my phone ported on May 2. One AT&T agent actually told me that Ameritech now had the number and I would have to contact them to get the number ported. Evidently this agent is not aware that AT&T and Ameritech are one in the same. To add to the nonsense AT&T has given us a temporary number which we did not request. We are now getting calls from people calling about real estate.
Not once has anyone from either company stepped up and taken ownership of this matter. When I ask for contact information for a senior level person I get the run around. I’m at the point where I will likely file a lawsuit to get both companies attention and let them know the level of frustration I’ve reached. I also wanted to bring this to the attention of the FCC to allow you to take appropriate action. If you have any questions, feel free to call me at xxx-xxx-xxxx.
zelezo vlk
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Oh I never noticed this (probably because it was St Patrick's Day), and no it wouldn't. I just imagined there were more expenses as well that I'm not aware of. I actually live fairly frugally, minus the beer and even that is cheaper than y'all would expect, and do a good job saving. But there's no way in hell I'd feel comfortable spending hundreds of dollars per month on cable.
ACamp1900
Counting my ‘bet against ND’ winnings
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AT&T has no problem with blatantly lying in order to get the appointment set... at that point, I think they hope that the customer would rather avoid the headache and just pay for a service that isn't what they were promised. They often over-step in promising services in relation to other companies, and also in terms of what they can actually deliver.
I was promised that DirecTV in my new neighborhood would bundle with another company to provide up to 50mb internet, so I set a bundle and an installation appointment. They gave me a solide price point for the whole package, both the satellite AND the internet, which included a breakdown of the other company's bundle price for the internet speeds I wanted.
For reasons out of anyone's control, they couldn't install DirecTV at my new house. They would have needed to mount the dish on a pole in middle of the side yard and run entirely new cables. I wasn't about that, so I said "no thanks." Whatever, shit happens, no biggie.
But then, when the internet guy shows up to hook up my new stuff, he informs me that I can only get 10mb internet. He isn't sure why DirecTV would promise speeds that aren't possible in my neighborhood, but he says that he can install the 10mb internet and I just need to call to adjust my bill. When I call to inquire about my speeds and my adjusted bill, since I won't be bundling DirecTV anymore, they inform me that I would have been paying $50 more for internet than DirecTV promised with their bundle in the first place.
I then proceeded to get the run-around from three different techs and a supervisor, trying to determine why they have a partnership with DirecTV if they can't get on the same page in terms of realistic prices and offerings.
In the end, I left the call with no answers and an overpriced internet package. I think DirecTV had no interest in giving me the ACTUAL price of the internet bundle, and purposely misled me, and I think the other company is cool with it, because they know certain customers will have no other options, and will be locked into the overpriced service in the end either way.
I would write a letter much like your own, but the cable infrastructure that exists in my neighborhood is super poor, and basically everyone can only get up to 10mb internet, and they all get the same bullshit price. It's just that some people go in knowing the price, while others get blindsided if they are promised a "discounted" bundle through another tv provider.
(It also makes no sense to me, because I was told the cable infrastructure wouldn't be upgraded for another three years [when Fioptics gets installed], despite the fact that our neighborhood butts up against a big university, and the university has almost unlimited internet/wifi capability. Perhaps the university is sucking away all the bandwidth that would allow faster speeds in my neighborhood on the existing lines, or else the company just doesn't want to run new lines when their big money-maker is right next door already.)
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Over the years, my job has required me to deal with the telcos. They have master plans in place for upgrading the infrastructure. Most of the time the upgrades to support more traffic and bandwidth are determined by the population in the area and the projected revenue. It's possible that the university is using most of the fiber & copper in your area and they can't justify the investment for the rest of the neighborhood. On the other hand, it's quite possible that your neighborhood is being fed from a completely different node than the university.
I've left a message for an attorney to call me, but would be interested to hear opinions from our resident IE staff of lawyers.
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That's the truly perplexing part to me. I live in a pretty densely-populated area, considering the presences of the college. But when I asked, the tech said "probably three years before you have fioptics here," and proceeded to explain that they are handling the super rural areas out in the "county" first.
There is a decent population in the southern part of the county, where you go from "Greater Cincinnati" to "farm land" pretty rapidly, but they're so spread out, that I would think the cost of installing the infrastructure wouldn't even be worth securing every household as customers. You would think they'd hit the top three or four population centers first.
But like you said, it's probably a good guess that they don't want to make the additional investment to the city currently because of the university, and the decision is independent of the business that would come from the population.
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It may sound strange, but what they are doing does make some sense. You're in a heavily populated area and the customer base is locked in and is not going to change significantly one way or the other. The rural areas may be less populated, but putting new infrastructure in place is an opportunity to gain new customers. It could also be they are concentrating on the rural areas, because it's a lot easier to install without the constraints of other utilities, houses, traffic, other structures that might impede or require variances, etc.
TDHeysus
FLOOR(RAND()*(N-D+1))+D;
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I have had AT&T for just over 24 months now. I know its been just over 24 months because my introductory 24-month plan has expired and now I am having to pay full price for my services now.
Under the 24-month intro offer, I was paying ~$140....now that the offer has expired, my last bill was $247.
I have found AT&T's equipment to be no less than horrible, in the 25 months since I have had AT&T I have had 5 modems replaced, I am currently on my 6th modem from them(replaced on 4/1/2017). The only thing out of the ordinary I do with my connection is that I host a game server and have for about 4 years now.
My prediction:
I'll call and ask AT&T what they can do to lower my bill, I'm sure they'll tell me that there is nothing that can be done outside of slashing services. At that point I will schedule to get services with another company and no doubt get a 'introductory' offer as a new subscriber there too. When I call AT&T back to cancel my service with them, they will then tell me some new plans they can give me. At which time I will inform them that they can fornicate with themselves.
Under the 24-month intro offer, I was paying ~$140....now that the offer has expired, my last bill was $247.
I have found AT&T's equipment to be no less than horrible, in the 25 months since I have had AT&T I have had 5 modems replaced, I am currently on my 6th modem from them(replaced on 4/1/2017). The only thing out of the ordinary I do with my connection is that I host a game server and have for about 4 years now.
My prediction:
I'll call and ask AT&T what they can do to lower my bill, I'm sure they'll tell me that there is nothing that can be done outside of slashing services. At that point I will schedule to get services with another company and no doubt get a 'introductory' offer as a new subscriber there too. When I call AT&T back to cancel my service with them, they will then tell me some new plans they can give me. At which time I will inform them that they can fornicate with themselves.
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If you're satisfied with the service itself and don't want to go through the process to switch, go ahead and cancel before you order with Comcast or whomever. I would imagine they will then offer to keep you at your introductory rate.
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Well guess what? After sixty freakin' days, I finally got our phone number ported. Of course I had to do most of the leg work. The only good thing about this fiasco is that AT&T gave me a $350 credit on my account and given that callers were getting a "number is disconnected" message for 60 days, it should cut down on all of the crap calls we would get.