Is anyone really happy with their TV/Internet/Phone service?

tonyb

Erik Tracy wrote: »

...Some days I'm at a point where I do want to dump them...but after reading this post and similar ones on other forums...the grass is not greener - it's the same color - brown - just like s&#t.

LOL....Well put Erik.

Maybe Dan, the better question is "is anyone really happy....period ? "
In the grand scheme of things, cable companies are the least of my worries. Certainly we can find many things to complain about, I know I can. I tend to prioritize what I'm pissed off about though and cable companies aren't near the top of my list....yet.

I don't get their business model though. They are in a declining industry of cable service yet continue to not change....fight it in fact. I guess money spent on lobbyists is more important than customers which in the end.....what exactly are you lobbying for with no customer base ? Maybe a case of not seeing the forest threw the trees .

tonyb

How happy am I with cable providers in general ?

I'm in constant surveillance mode for a flight of stairs to throw myself down.....what does that tell ya ?

tonyb

DSkip wrote: »

That you're really bad at "find the stairs"?

Absolutely....lol, more of an "elevator" guy really.

AsSiMiLaTeD

We actually get a good amount of use from our cable service. As much sports as I watch it's really the ONLY viable option, I simply cannot imagine being without all the college and Monday night football on ESPN, Thursday night football on the NFL Network, and the early rounds of the majors on the golf channel. My wife is the same with HGTV, watches that all the time.

I haven't touched places like the History Channel in forever given their obsessions with reality shows the last few years, but would watch channels like that and Discovery more if they went back to their old format.

I'd LOVE a la cart service, but likely nowhere on the horizon.

Tornado Red

And Tony touched on that earlier too...sports. It's the same thing here in Canada, I can stream from one source or another almost all that I want to watch from network television, which isn't all that much. Whenever I wonder why I still have cable, the answer is always sports, or lack thereof if you want to stream. Like most of you though, I do like the convenience of cable and the quality of HD, but the prices are out of hand. And like has already been said, it's astonishing how companies will cut throat to get your business, but do little to nothing to keep it. It's become way too much work on the part of the consumer, trying to compare packages every year from different companies who have them set up so you're comparing apples to oranges. It's maddening I tell ya, I just wanna watch a little tv at a fair price, you know?

tonyb

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

I'd LOVE a la cart service, but likely nowhere on the horizon.

Actually, it is. Canada and Europe are experimenting with it now. There is of course a down side. Some less watched channels will no doubt disappear, along with some advertising revenue. Believe me, last thing a cable company wants is lost revenue, heck any business for that matter.

Nice in theory, but if a cable company jacks up the prices of individual channels so high that bundled will seem like a bargain, whats the point then ? I have a feeling that may be the case in the end.

jacks2start

Yep,, Direct Tv .. i worked for Time Warner Cable for 20 years,,, if that doesn't say something well you people never going to learn.

vmaxer

I pay Charter about $225.00 a month for cable and internet, no phone with them.

I pay Verizon about the same for 3 phones.

Way too much, some good ideas here. I already had a "chat" with Verizon
, didn't go well.

I am thinking of making changes too!!

tonyb

vmaxer wrote: »

I pay Charter about $225.00 a month for cable and internet, no phone with them.

I pay Verizon about the same for 3 phones.

Way too much, some good ideas here. I already had a "chat" with Verizon
, didn't go well.

I am thinking of making changes too!!

225 was about what I was paying AT&T. See, in my area they get you on promotions for reduced rates for one or two years. Once that time is up, your costs almost double. So every year or so you have to switch, back and forth....back and forth. Pain in the arse, but 100 bucks a month is worth it. When my time is up with Comcast, AT&T will offer me the same, so I'll switch again and the process continues. Oh, I'll get the calls .....what can we do to keep you, blah blah, but in the end they'll do very little to keep you but all the new customers get the good rates. So it pays to constantly be a new customer. That's their business model ? Plus lets face it, not a single cable company has good customer service.

Cable services has declined something like 21% last year....hello Macfly, anyone home ? If they don't change soon, everyone will have to eventually dump them.

disneyjoe7

Dump them all and get an antenna done.

Hell I remember having 3 channels growing up NBC, CBS, ABC. What they are not showing streaming is your friend Price $0

mudwrx

We have Verizon FIOS for the last 4 years. Overall we are pleased with the product and service, but like always the price game is non-stop.

We originally got installed and was paying dirt cheap for everything. We have phone, internet, their "Prime" channel selection with 3 hi def boxes and a multi-room DVR. I was not on a contract so got a sweet deal for the first 12 months. After that it was anyone's guess what the bill was going to be the next month. Sometimes it was higher, sometimes it was lower. But it general it was always manageable. I was also constantly calling them with the "cancel" word to get a better deal, and that worked for a while.

However lately the promotions have expired and it was getting too expensive. So I ended up calling them and getting on a contract for 2 years at a lower rate which I am fine with. The best part for me now is knowing what the bill will be before I open the envelope. I got to the point where I was actually nervous opening the damn bill each month because I did not know what to expect. At least that part is over.

So we have a land line (as others, my wife wants it), internet, 3 hi def boxes and a multi room DVR for $160. Still much too high but I am not in favor of cutting the cord just yet.

WLDock

Comcast Cable - The programming is cool, the customer service sucks
Comcast Internet - screaming fast!, the customer service sucks!
T-Mobile Cell - The cost is cheaper than the other guys but service in the house could be better. Internet calling could be better.
Netflix - I wish the selection was better...but its decent.
Red Box- Love it!

I think I may want to find a cheap VoIP option for service at home. All in all, the cost of the above is just too much and keeps going up. Its just a matter of time before I end up with a DIY antenna and a basic dumb phone.

steveinaz

DirecTV=Yes.
Internet=Yes, as it is the best option when you live rural. I use Verizon 4G wireless, beats the hell out of DSL fo sure.
Phone=Yes. verizon as well.

exalted512

The one time I had an issue with RedBox they sent me 4 free promo codes. Their machine was down, so I called and reported it - I didn't have anything reserved or anything. I told them what movie I wanted and they reserved it for me at one on the other side of the parking lot for free. Can't beat that...haha
-Cody

polklifer

I have Direct TV for sports and some favorites, and Comcast for internet and land line, grand total per month is $90
Very happy with both
No cell phone anymore, no need
So I am getting off cheap for sure!