Comcast cable pricing question

[sze5003]

So I used to pay $54 bucks for digital preferred cable with an hd box. Then they jacked my price up to 80 bucks but I was moving to a new apartment couple months back so I called to cancel. They asked why and I told them so they said they can offer me the same service for 6 months at $64 bucks total.

I didn't really want any cable but my gf spends weekends here and sometimes stays during the week one or two days. There's only one channel she wishes, ID discovery and its only available in the digital preferred option. I myself never watch tv much and I don't really care for it.

But now they jacked the price up to $90 bucks a month. My gf's sister has internet and tv through them and she says she calls and argues with them and they always drop her price.

I'm not so good with that tactic. Not sure what to do but I don't want to pay so much just for cable. I have business class internet from them for $59 bucks for a 1 year contract. I like it but I was stuck with the contract because a family member owned a business that didn't work out so he could not pay the etf.

Any tactics for negotiating ? Have you guys ever called and cancelled or what?

 

[lxskllr]

If you don't want TV, cancel the crap. I'm sure you and the GF can find more fun things to do than watch TV.

 

[Newbian]

If you don't want TV, cancel the crap. I'm sure you and the GF can find more fun things to do than watch TV.

Hell, you two can make some tv for the rest of us. 😉

 

[Ichinisan]

Build a Windows Media Center DVR HTPC and use an OTA antenna. Silicondust HDHomeRun dual is a good tuner. HDHomeRun Prime has 3 tuners, but might cost more because most people buy it for CableCARD support. Anyway, HDHR tuners connect to your network, so you can watch TV from any PC. Record all your prime-time network TV shows in HD. Supplement the rest with Netflix / Hulu. I think there's lots of Investigation Discovery stuff available to stream.

 

[sze5003]

Haha yeah I've tried discussing it with her but she says she will have nothing to do days she's here since I'll usually catch up on games during the weekend or I'm working from home sometimes when we get busy.

If she worked i would have her pay half but she was injured a while back in an accident so her lawyer and doc said it would not be a good idea to work now..shell be going back to school hopefully in the fall.

I find it ridiculous to pay that much just for one channel because I only watch tv once in a while.

 

[Pardus]

comment removed

 

[sze5003]

Cable company packages are for a limited time, 1-year or so. After that, they can charge you the regular rates. If your ok with just over the air tv, cancel digital cable. If you move, sign up as a new customer to get better rates. If you tell Comcast, your business is now defunct, you can cancel that also usually without any penalty.

I'm stuck paying Time Warner $50/mo for slow intermittent internet service, there packages start at $100 and go up from there. Digital cable is garbage and there cable boxes are horrific junk.

I like the business class internet and I don't have a business but I like the no caps and fast service. When my family member told them the business was closing they gave him an option to transfer the service to someone else or pay the Etf. I was considering when the contract is over I would sign up as a residential customer and bundle net and tv but like you said they have 6 month or 1 year promotions on residential side with no contracts. I'll do some research for what services I can stream through the ps3 that may include the only channel she watches lol.

 

[dabuddha]

Haha yeah I've tried discussing it with her but she says she will have nothing to do days she's here since I'll usually catch up on games during the weekend or I'm working from home sometimes when we get busy.

If she worked i would have her pay half but she was injured a while back in an accident so her lawyer and doc said it would not be a good idea to work now..shell be going back to school hopefully in the fall.

I find it ridiculous to pay that much just for one channel because I only watch tv once in a while.

Then don't.

 

[Markbnj]

It is ridiculous, and I'd drop it myself if the wife and kids didn't have shows they watch. My total Comcast bill for internet and cable is over $250/month. I'm not a Comcast basher. I think their Internet service is great. But they have a big come to Jesus moment in their future over pricing models in the fading content gatekeeper role. What really gets me is that after paying them a huge chunk of money every month, if I want to watch Downton Abbey on xFinity online they want me to subscribe to Streampix for $7.99 a month. If I want to watch old episodes of the Sopranos they want $10.99 for an HBO sub (granted, that's HBO, not them, but they make the deals and cash my checks).

 

[DougK62]

Cancel it. See if you can find the channel on a media streamer - you can pick up a Roku for $50.

 

[dabuddha]

It is ridiculous, and I'd drop it myself if the wife and kids didn't have shows they watch. My total Comcast bill for internet and cable is over $250/month. I'm not a Comcast basher. I think their Internet service is great. But they have a big come to Jesus moment in their future over pricing models in the fading content gatekeeper role. What really gets me is that after paying them a huge chunk of money every month, if I want to watch Downton Abbey on xFinity online they want me to subscribe to Streampix for $7.99 a month. If I want to watch old episodes of the Sopranos they want $10.99 for an HBO sub (granted, that's HBO, not them, but they make the deals and cash my checks).

Holy fuck wtf are you getting?

 

[Markbnj]

Holy fuck wtf are you getting?

I was wrong, last payment was a little under $250...

Payment Date: 2/23/2013
Payment Amount: $235.85

What am I getting? I know what I _should_ be getting, and it should be a daily massage with a happy ending. We get 25/5 mbps net, basic digital TV package. We do have a dvr and four other cable boxes. That's my wife spoiling the girls. Anyway, all I'm saying is that for that kind of money you'd think I could access some good streaming content on xFinity without paying even more. And what I'm really saying is that the content providers and their distribution partners are trying like hell to hang onto this old model where they get paid tons of money for broadcasting content over their proprietary networks at scheduled intervals, and I can't wait for it to finally crumble. Can't be too much longer.

 

[Kev]

I use to call every time my deal ran out and either negotiate a lower price or threaten to cancel. Threatening to cancel usually had the best/quickest effect but eventually they called me on it and didn't lower my bill. So I just canceled and have been cable free for about a year. Don't even remotely miss it.

 

[chin311]

I use to call every time my deal ran out and either negotiate a lower price or threaten to cancel. Threatening to cancel usually had the best/quickest effect but eventually they called me on it and didn't lower my bill. So I just canceled and have been cable free for about a year. Don't even remotely miss it.

Lol same here. After the promo ran out, I bitched and they extended it another 6 months. after those 6 months, did it again. It's running out this month so going to attempt round 3.

Usually I try a few different reps and will get someone who will play nicely.

 

[Anonemous]

I use to call every time my deal ran out and either negotiate a lower price or threaten to cancel. Threatening to cancel usually had the best/quickest effect but eventually they called me on it and didn't lower my bill. So I just canceled and have been cable free for about a year. Don't even remotely miss it.

So what happens when they call your bluff and cancel? Do you go through with it and go to another provider or do you tell them "You'll think about it some more" and call again?

 

[sixone]

My internet rate is going to be jacked by Cox next week, from $25/mo to $40/mo. I'm going to call tomorrow "to cancel", see if they'll offer me a deal. I'll remind them that AT&T is offering DSL for $19.95, and that I can always switch.

 

[Insomniator]

130 bucks a month for 25-5 and some bullshit basic cable tv we barely watch.

They still have a surcharge for HD. I mean wtf they should just build that in so they don't make it look like I'm paying for a 'new feature' like it was 10 years ago.

I'd rather pay 20 bucks directly to the 5 channels I watch rather than the same money to Comcast. Fuck these companies.

 

[Yreka]

I was wrong, last payment was a little under $250...

Payment Date: 2/23/2013
Payment Amount: $235.85

What am I getting? I know what I _should_ be getting, and it should be a daily massage with a happy ending. We get 25/5 mbps net, basic digital TV package. We do have a dvr and four other cable boxes.

Holy cow ! Have you tried to call and re-negotiate ? I have 25/5 and basic tv for $71 and that's with a rented modem. Ill bet you could get that price down significantly, even with all the extra DVRs.

It seems like you need to "shake the sugar tree" every once in awhile, otherwise discounts expire and rates creep up over time.. I think they rely on people becoming complacent and just writing the check. Last time I called they even had a "Service plan" tacked on that we didn't buy.

 

[Yreka]

So what happens when they call your bluff and cancel? Do you go through with it and go to another provider or do you tell them "You'll think about it some more" and call again?

You dont even need to threaten. I do something like this.

" I'm calling today, because I am looking for options to reduce my bill. I am really happy with your service, so I would like to see if there is anything we can do before I begin looking at other providers"

 

[Anonemous]

You dont even need to threaten. I do something like this.

" I'm calling today, because I am looking for options to reduce my bill. I am really happy with your service, so I would like to see if there is anything we can do before I begin looking at other providers"

I'm just trying to know other negotiating tactics. Usually if I do that, they go, "I'm sorry but that is the best deal I can give you."

 

[crunkzilla]

I was wrong, last payment was a little under $250...

Payment Date: 2/23/2013
Payment Amount: $235.85

What am I getting? I know what I _should_ be getting, and it should be a daily massage with a happy ending. We get 25/5 mbps net, basic digital TV package. We do have a dvr and four other cable boxes. That's my wife spoiling the girls. Anyway, all I'm saying is that for that kind of money you'd think I could access some good streaming content on xFinity without paying even more. And what I'm really saying is that the content providers and their distribution partners are trying like hell to hang onto this old model where they get paid tons of money for broadcasting content over their proprietary networks at scheduled intervals, and I can't wait for it to finally crumble. Can't be too much longer.

I would throw up everytime I see this kind of bill. I cant imagine spending almost $3000 a year for tv/internet when at most ill probably watch 2-3hrs of tv at night.

 

[SaurusX]

I only pay for internet through Time Warner cable (15 Mb) and that alone is $45. I refuse to pay anything more for channels I'd never watch. I've been cable-free for almost 4 years now and use OTA antenna only. Even with just that, I feel like there's not enough time to watch what's been recorded on the HTPC.

 

[Yreka]

I'm just trying to know other negotiating tactics. Usually if I do that, they go, "I'm sorry but that is the best deal I can give you."

Every one of these companies has a "customer retention department", you have to make sure that is who you are dealing with. Admitidly threatening to cancel will probibly get you there asap. Getting a reasonable response really depends on your leverage.. If you are a good customer, and have some history that is a good thing. If you get into a contract situation, like Direct TV or Cell Companies, then they already "have" you so don't need to make a better deal. Also, if they are the only provider in your area you would be in a similar situation.

On the other hand, try canceling something like Sat Radio or On-star and they will basically give it away. We had both for free on our Tahoe for a year past what was given by the dealer. We have only been paying $10 per month for both every year since.

When they try and jack it up, I call.. When they ask why, I tell them the truth.. Its not worth $50 a month to me, its worth about $10. If they say sorry can't do it.. I'll cancel.

Same thing with Comcast. I am completely up front. My bill went up to almost $100.. I told them I realistically need it around $70 because I really like the service, they came in at $71.. If they hadn't I would have gone to AT&T DSL for about $20..

I prefer Comcast service at a premium of ~$50 or so, but anything past that DSL starts looking far more attractive.

It's fking tedious to be honest. I would rather settle on a reasonable price and have it never change, but these companies do it to themselves. If you leave it alone and ignore it, somehow you always end up with a 200$+ bill.

 

[Yreka]

I only pay for internet through Time Warner cable (15 Mb) and that alone is $45. I refuse to pay anything more for channels I'd never watch. I've been cable-free for almost 4 years now and use OTA antenna only. Even with just that, I feel like there's not enough time to watch what's been recorded on the HTPC.

The only reason I even have TV on my service is that it somehow makes my Internet cheaper. Its not even hooked up to any television.

I think Comcast is realizing the only service they have that people want is Internet. They hang their sub-par TV/Land Phone packages on it like an Albatross.

 

[sze5003]

Yeah maybe I need to get my gfs sister to call in and negotiate. Because I did it once, they dropped it, the second time, before I moved they were ready to cancel.

Thing is in my area Comcast is huge. I'll have to see if Verizon has tv through this apartment. I noticed on Comcast's website that they are now offering internet through Verizon and possible tv too through some bundles.