free cable modem with $100 Radio Shack purchase -perhaps philly only?

[morkinva]

a supposedly unadvertised special (in Philly area, don't know about others) -- if you purchase $100 of anything from Radio Shack, you get a free cable modem and starter package for use on Comcast@home plus 1 free month of service - no committment; I don't know what brand modem it is.

How hot is this?

 

[mattt]

Sounds good, does anyone have any documentation/idea if it's available in the Baltimore area?

 

[drcswartz]

It's an RCA cable modem.

 

[Zorro]

Philly the home of Comcast

 

[Atomics]

I just called several local Radio Shack stores (Sacramento, CA). Most stores haven't even heard of this, but the couple that had heard of it said that their corporate office hadn't even completed the contract to do all this yet. They said that it would likely be completed by the end of the month.

Has anyone actually purchased this and at which store? Or are we talking about something that hasn't come down the pipe yet?

 

[Netma]

I know that some cable ISP's use the MAC address of the modem to identify your as a subscriber. Is there any wat to change the MAC in a cable modem? On the other hand doesn't @home just use a host name which is supplied to you by the ISP?

What I'm trying to ask is what good is a free cable modem unless you are a subscriber. Don't they give the modems to subscribers anyway?

 

[valkyrie]

Some cable companies have rates that are $10 less a month if you own the modem (rather than they rent it to you).

 

[kadium]

A similar deal is going on in the NY / NJ area at The WIZ

 

[RyogaHibiki]

Valkyrie's right. @home basically charges you a "rental" fee for their modem.
Does anyone know if this Radio Shack modem is compatible with @home's service? Could you use any type of cable modem?

 

[RoadRuner]

All the rca's ive seen in the past year are DOCSIS compliant.

All docsis units are compatible with all docsis head-ends (namely @home and roadrunner). Some small towns, and smaller cable companies still use the old proprietary ones, but thats being phased out.

 

[Atomics]

The local cable company, Comcast@Home, rents you the cable modem as part of the $49.95/month. That includes $7/month for the modem rental. If you have your own modem (you can buy their Toshiba modem for $300), then you don't pay the $7. So for $100 of other stuff, this is GREAT! The savings would pay for the modem in just over a year (assuming this deal happens) plus you get the $100 in stuff!

MAC addresses are built into the hardware in all modern devices so you cant change em. If you get your own modem, you just have to supply @home the MAC address and they update their switch to allow the new MAC address through.

I have DSL, so I'm not really in a hurry to change. Better connections, just lower bandwidth. (Jebus, I hope this thread doesn't deteriorate into a cable vs DSL debate.)

 

[Jmman]

I have @home service here in Colorado, and the standard modem they are using right now is an RCA model......I hope all Radio shacks will soon have this deal...

 

[KBtrade]

I did this deal last Saturday, I am a Comcast customer in the Philadelphia area...Radio Shack has the RCA DCM226 Cable Modem for $98.98 after instant rebates, plus they give you a $100 Radio Shack gift card. (you can't use the gift card to pay for the modem...I tried ) you also get 1 month of free service...since I now own the modem, service is $32.95 with no annual contract.

oh btw...this is a self install, it took me about 10 minutes to hook up then I called Comcast 800#, they had the service activated in a few hours. So far it's been great, much faster than the old 56k modem...LOL

 

[Jdog]

I agree Jmman. My service here in Boulder has been phenomenal. Nearly 3.1Mb/sec average!

 

[morkinva]

Hmmm what to buy...

I'll probably get this 2.4 Ghz cordless phone, they have a coupon to get it for $119.99

All I need is to find a cheapass netcard - the guy wanted me to buy their Linksys card ($29.99) and extended warranty ($79.99 HAHA) for my $100 purchase - now that was darn funny.

Any used ones, feel free to PM me. I'm assuming a 10Mbps card is sufficient for this?

 

[ganesha]

KBTrade:I am also a @Home subscriber in the Philly area for the last 4 years. I'm assuming you just have to drop off the Cybersurfer modem after you buy the RCA one? I may have to buy one this weekend since I've already paid them over $300 in lease fees.

 

[CheapoMan]

Is this deal apply to current member?
time to get one.

 

[KBtrade]

ganesha & CheapoMan, I'm a new @Home subscriber, so I never asked if the offer applied to current subscribers...I thought it was a good deal since you save $7 a month owning the modem and are not locked into any contract.

Here are the specs on the modem.
RCA-DCM226

 

[morkinva]

KBTRADE: nope, no gift card here, I just bought that phone I mentioned, and they gave me the modem (DCM226)and quickstart package.

Wow this thing goes for $160 + on fleabay!

 

[Branded]

This could be a great deal, or a big waste of time for many if its only limited to certain areas. Anyone know if is valid in their area ? If so, please specify area.

 

[TBP]

I'm using @home and the modem rental is free. ($39.99/month service fee)

 

[TimidOCer]

HEy no no no I use @home and know for a FACT modem rental is NOT free its $10 here so my bill is 39.95 now and with my own modem its 29.99 which i tried calling about 7 radio shaCK STORES in town they all spoke to me as i was a moron and they didnt even have cabel modems! O well theyre morons i have like 20 radioshacks in oregon and i have to call ALL of em ;P

 

[KBtrade]

The Comcast@home monthly fee is $32.95 if you own the modem saving you $7 a month vs. $39.95 if you rent the modem here in Southeastern PA.

 

[Branded]

I called my local RS, they are doing the deal in Columbia, MD. However, you have to sign up for Comcast to get the deal, you cannot be an existing member. I already have comcast. Maybe I will take cash and create a new bogus account. I would like to save $7 a month by spending $100 on RS stuff.

 

[TBP]

<< HEy no no no I use @home and know for a FACT modem rental is NOT free its $10 here so my bill is 39.95 now and with my own modem its 29.99 which i tried calling about 7 radio shaCK STORES in town they all spoke to me as i was a moron and they didnt even have cabel modems! O well theyre morons i have like 20 radioshacks in oregon and i have to call ALL of em ;P >>



I didn't know that. I guess I'll call @home. BTW, the service is not that great anyway.