Cable company increases

[DJD]

Many weeks ago our local cable provider sent me a letter saying to expect a $70 increase and I called many times to dispute that. They assured me I wouldn't see that increase because that was a retail rate not my rate....hmmm ok I said so why even send me the letter? Well as you can imagine they told me my increase would be minimal since I have been a customer for 12 years. Basically, they were setting me up for a right cross as I avoided the little left hand jab because last week I get another letter that says...Good news, I will receive a new rate and only see an increase of $29.99 a month instead of the $80 (it was $70 before) per month!! This didn't include any new services or faster internet speed....just an increase plain and simple. They actually wanted me to be happy that they were going to take more money from me. Geez....
So I called today and after 45 minutes I will end up paying $2 extra a month for the exact same service plans I have now. At first they tried to tell me how I was stuck with that $29.99 increase because the old promotional plans had expired. We went back and forth with all kinds of options and talking about what channels I really watch and I kept telling them I watch the ones I have which is why I pay for those!
Finally I had enough and told her to tell me the best deal they have to keep me at my current rate and same service or I'm just going to shop around and cancel the service. I was on hold for 5 minutes and she came back with the $2 a month increase.
Its maddening to deal with these huge companies!!! Of course I have to revisit this in 6 months when the other promotional plan expires but I will be checking direct tv and windstream options before then. I prefer cable since there are no contracts and I believe it's a more stable way of receiving a signal and faster internet but I'm seriously considering changing every few years to get the promotional rates and change back and forth!

[MrSplitshot]

Stay away from Windstream DSL in Lexington. I tried leaving Time Warner for Windstream DSL and it was painful.

I ended up with Dish Network and Windtream Home Phone for 109/mo (cell service ***** at the house), then an additional $70 for Time Warner 30 Meg Internet. That together was $40/mo cheaper than what I had before.

Dish has been real good so far actually. Much cooler technology than cable.

[DJD]

Can you see a distinct difference in HD picture quality between cable and dish??

[MrSplitshot]

Can you see a distinct difference in HD picture quality between cable and dish??

Absolutely not. I really can't tell that much difference between 1080p, 720p, Plasma, LCD, whatever...it all looks about the same to me, or at least not different enough for me to shell out more cash for it. Now, I can tell a HUGE difference between the old standard definition TV and HD.

We have three TVs. One is a 55" Panasonic Plasma that has some age on it now...it's HD/720p. Upstairs we have a new 42" LCD that is HD/1080p. Downstairs I have my big HD/1080p ceiling projector shooting on a 100" theater screen. On any of the three, I couldn't tell a difference in picture changing from Time Warner Cable to Dish Network.

I like the guide/interface/features with Dish Network so much better than cable. I have the main box on the main floor, which is the new one with "Joey" technology. Everything comes through there. It has 3 different tuners on it. Downstairs and upstairs I have "Slings" that are little mini boxes...about 6" square...that read off the main box on the main floor. Can watch any channel on any of them at any time, record on multiple channels, access our DVR on any one of them, and got a ton more hard drive space than my cable DVR with a lot more functionality. Everything is hooked to my wifi and you can stream certain things, which is cool. All of the equipment was free on some deal I got with a 3-year contract. I can also log in to my main box with my iPhone and tune my receiver, watch whatever channel I want, etc. I was sitting on a plane a couple months ago, hooked to the plane's wifi, and watching my satellite.

I had Time Warner Cable and Internet before, and no home phone. We have used cell phone only for the last 5 years, but at the new house the cell coverage is so poor, we had to break down and get a home phone. I did a bundle deal with Dish Network and Windstream for Satellite TV, Internet, and Phone. Set it all up and loved everything, except Windstream DSL was a complete joke. Slow as all get out and their only answer was "Well, Sir, it's going to be slower on nights and weekends when everyone is home using it." NO KIDDIN? Well, short of quitting my job so that I could only be home during the day, that wasn't going to work. It lasted literally 1 week before I ditched it and came crawling back to Time Warner for Cable Internet only. The price of the Dish Network on the 3-year deal goes up each year, but even at its highest in year 3, it was cheaper than Time Warner was raping me for after 12 years. Even at year 3, with still having to pay Time Warner $70 for Internet, it's a bit cheaper than I was paying overall for Time Warner Cable+Internet before...plus I have a home phone that I didn't have at all before.

Dish Network's customer service has been real good so far. Hopefully they won't try to put the screws to me when my contract is up, because the hassle of switching everything is not cool. It's worth a few bucks if you are happy to not have to go through all the changes, but I'll jump around for big money.

The only drawback I see to Satellite is the occasional outage because of snow, ice, or heavy rain. It doesn't happen too much on mine, but has happened a few times. Never for snow/ice, but a few times for heavy rain. Usually back up in 5-10 minutes.

[DJD]

Yeah I like the idea of one single DVR with a Terabyte or two, accessed by any box so recordings can be started and viewed from any tv. I had that with Insight but had nothing but trouble and went back to two separate ones.

[DJD]

I received my bill and had a new charge for $4.99 ( Modem lease). The only problem is I bought mine years ago so I called and spoke with a pleasant CSR and she agreed it was a mistake but get this.....All invoices sent out had this tagged on and although she didn't admit it its up to the customer to call and dispute it. Seems kinda fishy to me. Imagine how many people may not realize this and pay anyway. Just makes me shake my head at how large corporations abuse us like this.

[stoner]

I received my bill and had a new charge for $4.99 ( Modem lease). The only problem is I bought mine years ago so I called and spoke with a pleasant CSR and she agreed it was a mistake but get this.....All invoices sent out had this tagged on and although she didn't admit it its up to the customer to call and dispute it. Seems kinda fishy to me. Imagine how many people may not realize this and pay anyway. Just makes me shake my head at how large corporations abuse us like this.

I'd like to meet the person(s) that sit back and come up with the ways to screw people with little notice.

I have dish. No complaints but I would like to upgrade to HD but because im an existing customer they have no deals for me. The equipment alone would be $300 or better.