Freaking Comcast has been cheating me. RANT

[Nintendesert]

It's a win win for those of us who can provide technical support for our own modem.

Telco's make a fortune of people who aren't tech savvy. I leased my modem for a long time because if there was ever a problem that appeared to be the modem, I just demanded replacement.

Now, having purchased a modem, I will have to prove to them that it's not my modem, which means I may have to buy another one at some point...but maybe not

As long as the modem can last a year it'll still save you money. That being said the most troubleshooting I've done with my modems over the years has been to unplug it and plug it back in. Maybe I'm lucky but even a trained monkey can do that!

 

[ch33zw1z]

As long as the modem can last a year it'll still save you money. That being said the most troubleshooting I've done with my modems over the years has been to unplug it and plug it back in. Maybe I'm lucky but even a trained monkey can do that!

Indeed, so my mom is less than a trained monkey

 

[techs]

Indeed, so my mom is less than a trained monkey

To be fair I think he is saying its your fault for not training your mom.

 

[ch33zw1z]

To be fair I think he is saying its your fault for not training your mom.

I can only demonstrate so many times...:\

besides, you guys know exactly what I mean. For everyone 1 of us, there's thousands of people who would rather pay than perform problem determination. That's assuming they could even do it. lol, so Telco's continue to make billions of those users.

 

[dmcowen674]

Yeah, I have Comcast. I buy my own modems. That 7 bucks a month is such a ripoff so quickly. I picked mine up on Amazon. Just a Motorola modem and it pays itself off in less than a year.

When I lived in California Cox was the same way, that leasing fee is just silly and they must make a killing on it. I doubt they pay retail for their modems and those things just print money for them on the leases. I have an old Motorola modem with them and I've had it for years.

Owning your own Modem is now forbidden, you must rent the Modem from the cable operators.

6-25-2012

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Charter-Stops-Supporting-Customer-Owned-Modems-120059

Charter Stops Supporting Customer Owned Modems

Following on the heels of Charter's past history of dubious modem ownership record keeping and bricking of customer modems, Charter Sunday confirmed rumors - first leaked here in the Broadband Reports forums - that they will no longer be supporting customer-owned modems. Existing modem owners will be able to use their current modem until a package/price change occurs. New customers and customers that change their service as of Tuesday the 26th appear to be locked into a Charter modem.

While no Internet package price details are available yet, the current $7 modem rental fee will go away and most likely be absorbed into the regular monthly fee.

Charter states:

1) We want every Charter Internet customer to have the best on-line experience possible.

2) We thoroughly test every modem that we issue to customers to ensure they will perform optimally on our network.

3) By providing the modems, we can ensure that they all have the most up-to-date firmware.

4) As technological advancements are made, we can make sure every customer’s modem is upgraded accordingly.

 

[dmcowen674]

Even at multiple years to pay off it would still make sense. Cable modems aren't something that get replaced quickly; you'll probably hold on to it for 5 years if not more.

Just be sure to look into reviews and compatibility lists before you buy one. I think the latest Surfboard for example (SB6141) isn't officially supported by Comcast yet.

http://mydeviceinfo.comcast.net/

The worst part is that the modems they lease are absolute rubbish. Buying a modem isn't just about not paying for a rental - it's about getting something that can actually handle the slightest variation in line quality.

While this is all true the cable operators have made owning your own modem illegal.

 

[redz]

While this is all true the cable operators have made owning your own modem illegal.

This tread is about Comcast, not Charter. The source you quoted above talks about Charter only, but saying "the cable operators" implies that all cable companies have stopped allowing user-owned modems. I very recently started using Comcast and am using my own modem.

 

[techs]

This tread is about Comcast, not Charter. The source you quoted above talks about Charter only, but saying "the cable operators" implies that all cable companies have stopped allowing user-owned modems. I very recently started using Comcast and am using my own modem.

The post certainly pertains to this thread. Cable companies have historically acted in near unison in things like pricing, etc.
Shortly after Comcast introduced bandwidth caps most other cable companies followed.

 

[PowerEngineer]

While this is all true the cable operators have made owning your own modem illegal.

While the information on Charter is interesting, what justifies your generalization that this is true for all cable operators? Or that even in Charter's case that it applies to customers who currently own their modems?

I did find this is Charter's Terms of Service/Policies:

.
1.3 Cable Modem: Customer may purchase or lease the cable modem. If Customer leases the modem, Customer must return it to Charter at the end of the lease period. If Customer purchases the cable modem, Charter reserves the right to download firmware to meet current requirements. Charter currently supports many DOCSIS compliant standard cable modems. Please refer to System Requirements for the currently-supported modems.

http://www.charter.com/footer/footerPage.jsp?tag=policies_res_hsi_ca

Perhaps they haven't gotten around to updating this?

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally Posted by dmcowen674
While this is all true the cable operators have made owning your own modem illegal.

This tread is about Comcast, not Charter. The source you quoted above talks about Charter only, but saying "the cable operators" implies that all cable companies have stopped allowing user-owned modems. I very recently started using Comcast and am using my own modem.

Be real. Every Corporation goes in lock step with each other.

How long do you honestly believe Comcast will be doing the very same thing?

 

[techs]

I just went to my Comcast account. On the main page they have had a link to supported cable modems for the last couple of years.
Today the link is gone. I have been searching support and can't find a list anywhere.

 

[waggy]

I kinda had something like this happen. I was paying for a 3Mb connection (this is the middle tier you can get). About 1.5 years ago they changed it. from 3mb to 6mb. they didn't switch me and well i didn't notice. Then i was bored and ran speed test and found out i was still locked in at 3mb. i called and they fixed it (took like 2 hours).

now im on a nice 6mb connect..

 

[Mixolydian]

While this is all true the cable operators have made owning your own modem illegal.

No they haven't.

 

[BoomerD]

So...let's see if I get this right...ComCrap has been providing the OP the service he's paid for...but he wasn't smart enough to upgrade his equipment to take advantage of the increased service?

Yep...he's been getting ripped off.

Damn, I know the feeling. I upgraded from dial-up to DSL about 15 years ago...but I couldn't get DSL speeds...until Pacific Bell provided me with a DSL modem...who'da thunk my 56K US Robotics dial-up modem wouldn't work?

Oh wait...the OP is a State of California employee...

 

[waggy]

So...let's see if I get this right...ComCrap has been providing the OP the service he's paid for...but he wasn't smart enough to upgrade his equipment to take advantage of the increased service?

Damn, I know the feeling. I upgraded from dial-up to DSL about 15 years ago...but I couldn't get DSL speeds...until Pacific Bell provided me with a DSL modem...who'da thunk my 56K US Robotics dial-up modem wouldn't work?

Oh wait...the OP is a State of California employee...

i fail to see how this is the OP's fault really. IF they upgrade his service or he pays to upgrade it. they should have what he needs on hand to make sure. They are the experts he is not.

they should have asked and made sure he had the right equipment. They missed a sure fire upsale and blew it.

 

[BoomerD]

i fail to see how this is the OP's fault really. IF they upgrade his service or he pays to upgrade it. they should have what he needs on hand to make sure. They are the experts he is not.

they should have asked and made sure he had the right equipment. They missed a sure fire upsale and blew it.

Shut your filthy whore mouth when I'm trying to make fun of the OP for something that he SHOULD have had knowledge about. It SHOULD be something that a fairly techy person would check...not assume that old equipment would work with the faster speeds. (and a quick speed test should be able to give an indication of whether it was working or not)

Gawd Waggy...are you a wet blanket at every party?

:biggrin:

 

[techs]

http://mydeviceinfo.comcast.net/

I recently picked up a Motorola SB6120 off the FS/FT forums. The $7/month was getting to steep for something that pays for itself in a year.

I see you have a link for supported modems. Thanks.

However, anyone who buys a cable modem now is, imo, nuts.
If one company is changing their policy then all of them might.

So, you could get stuck buying your own modem and then have your provider say you can't use it anymore.

This is going to kill the cable modem market.

 

[waggy]

Shut your filthy whore mouth when I'm trying to make fun of the OP for something that he SHOULD have had knowledge about. It SHOULD be something that a fairly techy person would check...not assume that old equipment would work with the faster speeds. (and a quick speed test should be able to give an indication of whether it was working or not)

Gawd Waggy...are you a wet blanket at every party?

:biggrin:

LOL screw you.

but you are right i would have done a speed test. mainly just to see the high numbers. god i miss having a cable modem.

 

[BoomerD]

LOL screw you.

but you are right i would have done a speed test. mainly just to see the high numbers. god i miss having a cable modem.

I loved my ComCrap internet. It's the only part of the service that I thought was GREAT. Their tv service was mediocre at best.
Technically, I was paying for 16 Mb service...but I consistently got over 30.

I now have 12 meg AT&T/Uverse DSL...and while it's definitely better than dial-up...it's still not nearly as fast as the cable connection.

 

[JamesV]

Time Warner sucks just as bad.

I had my own modem, but like an above poster stated, they changed to requiring you to use their modems... you can't just go buy one and use it anymore.

And... if you get a cable box, which is required for digital channels because you can only get 1-99 without one, and they moved all the 'good' channels like History/Discovery into the 155 channel change - they come bundled with a remote that costs $7 a month. You cannot just get the box and use a universal remote; they require a $7 remote be bundled with each box.

My quoted $99 a month for phone/internet/cable works out to $138 a month after all the bullshit... not a happy customer.

 

[waggy]

I loved my ComCrap internet. It's the only part of the service that I thought was GREAT. Their tv service was mediocre at best.
Technically, I was paying for 16 Mb service...but I consistently got over 30.

I now have 12 meg AT&T/Uverse DSL...and while it's definitely better than dial-up...it's still not nearly as fast as the cable connection.

yeah..fuck you. i have a 6 meg connection that i pay $69 a month for. TV? fuck that's another $120 lol

I miss the all in one bill. having cable/cable internet/phone for like $99. the connection back then was only 9 meg though. but fuck fast enough.


I keep hoping they will come out and put cable/internet in my town. I hate satalite

 

[techs]

Shut your filthy whore mouth when I'm trying to make fun of the OP for something that he SHOULD have had knowledge about. It SHOULD be something that a fairly techy person would check...not assume that old equipment would work with the faster speeds. (and a quick speed test should be able to give an indication of whether it was working or not)

Gawd Waggy...are you a wet blanket at every party?

:biggrin:

You insufferable moronic twit. How can you justify it being the customers fault that they are not receiving the speeds that they are told they are being given?
In what sort of convoluted, backwards, bizarro alternate universe is it a fair business practice to contract to supply one thing, then give a lesser thing and its the buyers fault for not performing tests on the product.

Now, in Waggy's case there are issues of genetic damage and long term exposure to substances that would make a maggot throw up, but for normal people thats just wrong.

Waggy, you just go ahead and keep that warm cosy feeling of 6mb. After all, who could possibly want any more speed than that?
:biggrin: :biggrin:

 

[waggy]

You insufferable moronic twit. How can you justify it being the customers fault that they are not receiving the speeds that they are told they are being given?
In what sort of convoluted, backwards, bizarro alternate universe is it a fair business practice to contract to supply one thing, then give a lesser thing and its the buyers fault for not performing tests on the product.

Now, in Waggy's case there are issues of genetic damage and long term exposure to substances that would make a maggot throw up, but for normal people thats just wrong.

Waggy, you just go ahead and keep that warm cosy feeling of 6mb. After all, who could possibly want any more speed than that?
:biggrin: :biggrin:

:hmm::'(

 

[BoomerD]

yeah..fuck you. i have a 6 meg connection that i pay $69 a month for. TV? fuck that's another $120 lol

I miss the all in one bill. having cable/cable internet/phone for like $99. the connection back then was only 9 meg though. but fuck fast enough.


I keep hoping they will come out and put cable/internet in my town. I hate satalite

Ouch...I think we paid $89 plus "equipment rental fees" for the internet, 250 channels (including HBO and other "premium channels" and unlimited home phone service.
After our 1 year contract was up, the price jumped to $180/month and customer retention wasn't willing to work with us, so we switched to DirecTV and AT&T.

You insufferable moronic twit. How can you justify it being the customers fault that they are not receiving the speeds that they are told they are being given?
In what sort of convoluted, backwards, bizarro alternate universe is it a fair business practice to contract to supply one thing, then give a lesser thing and its the buyers fault for not performing tests on the product.

Now, in Waggy's case there are issues of genetic damage and long term exposure to substances that would make a maggot throw up, but for normal people thats just wrong.

Waggy, you just go ahead and keep that warm cosy feeling of 6mb. After all, who could possibly want any more speed than that?
:biggrin: :biggrin:

How can you have the user name of "techs" when you don't understand the issue here? Comcrap provided the OP with the service he was paying for. It's not their fault he was using old equipment.
It's like upgrading your television service to "HD" then complaining that your old CRT television doesn't seem to look any better...

And BTW, since you seem to be too dense to understand...I'm just busting the OP's balls...you'd better check the batteries in your sarcasm meter...then ask the moderators to change your user name to something that reflects your density...like Lead. :biggrin:

Please remember...the OP is known for not being the sharpest knife in the drawer...

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2257820

 

[Kreon]

Yeah, Concast is a pain in the ass.

They just switched over to full digital or some crap, so now even on the most basic cable you have to have a box. They sent a flyer saying I get 2 free. So i set up with the online people to get my second free one (as I had already been shipped one). I get to the store, and they tell me it will be an additional $15/mo. I told them to pound sand. Got off the chat again, with the rep assuring me that I et my second one free. I can't wait to go pick it up again and see the shit show that happens.

I will probably ditch their TV service when my contract is up. All I have is the lowest teir of cable (not even advertised on their site) so I only get the broadcast networks. So I'll just use my antenna and get them in full HD (which with Concast would be an additional $40/month and more channels). Screw that. Maybe I can negotiate to get all of that stuff for free