OT: How much do you pay for Comcast?
Basically, we have internet service with Comcast, and I'm thinking about adding a TV package so I'm able to see all the games this year. I'm just curious if anyone is willing to share the ballpark range for what they pay for their TV/Internet bundle from Comcast, so that I have a little leverage when I call customer service today.
Comcast is the only TV provider available in our area, besides DISH and DirecTV.
EDIT: Best price they're currently offering me is $99 for Digital Starter HD(includes BTN) and Blast internet.
PS. Comcast is the devil incarnate.
I live about 20 minutes southwest of Detroit, so I don't know if there are any local variations in charges based on location (I don't think there are), but I have land line (which I have more for purposes of work), TV and Internet through Comcast for slightly over $200 per month. I have the HD Premium package with three televisions hooked into digital cable, including one TV set up with DVR. Without the phone, you'd be looking at something less than what I pay, I suspect, but like others have mentioned - occasional renegotiation is to your benefit.
There is a franchise agreement between Comcast and my particular community, so my options are limited like the OP, but between the renegotiation and the odd veiled threat of cancelling, I can keep my bill lower than it might otherwise be and I really don't need their technical support because I know the area engineer personally.
My bill is constantly changing with Comcast. Typically I call every few months and get it lowered. I typically have to call a few times until I get a "nice" customer service person. They can get my bill near $110 for all channels, including movies, internet, and two DVRs. However, the bill goes up because Comcast will catch on to some of the random discounts the customer service person gives me. Then the bill will be around $170. Time to call again.
If you google it, you can find folks that post very specific things to say and what departments to talk to when you call. It also really helps if you have the exact price quote from another company.
There used to be a Comcast guy that was in our Best Buy that would give the best deals. His would last for a year. Unfortunately, he isn't there anymore. Also, if you go into the Comcast physical location they are often nicer.
August 2nd, 2014 at 10:46 AM ^
I definitely agree re: going into the Comcast offices.
You would think being a customer for over a decade would earn some loyalty, but no. I steadily watched my bill creep from $130 to $170, and finally to $205. Eventually, what I did, was cancel out right. I turned down every single one of their offers over the phone and stuck to my guns for canceling.
Once I went in to the office and handed them all the hardware, that's when they made me the best deal. They gave me everything I had for $105 per month for 12 months. Then after that was over, it only went up to $130.
Do everything you can to show that you are a flight risk, and they'll do everything they can to make you happy. They bully people on the phones because it works a high percentage of the time. You have to show that you're an exception to the rules they've developed.
Too fucking much is the correct answer.
August 2nd, 2014 at 11:45 AM ^
This is right about where I'm at -- though -- I have to keep calling them every year to get them to keep me in a promotional pacakge to keep it this low. If I forget, which I've done every so often, it jumps up closer to $200.
I now have RCN for $100 a month consistently. I have faster Internet than time warner, no phone (who cares) and same channels minus the movie channels I never watched.
Unfortunately, like a lot of people, I have limited options. Those options are basically 1. Comcast or 2. Satalite and if I want fast internet I have to get Comcast; so my choice is made for me.
August 2nd, 2014 at 10:05 AM ^
The issue you have with standard data packages are data caps.
What is it?
Its a provider that is only in limited East coast markets. I wasn't aware of them either until my $180 bill that finally set me off with Time Warner.
Also, Chicago. They're so much better than Comcast.
so there isn't cable service out here. we do have a TV, but it's not hooked up to anything. typically at labor day i will get a month-to-month satellite deal with direct TV and that will run us about $59-69/mo. we pull the plug after the nat'l championship game and no more TV until it's time for Michigan to play football again. used dish for this a couple of years but their customer service was apparently run by buckeyes.
We dumped cable tv 3 months ago but kept the internet for $50 a month. Then we bought a roof top antenna that gets 36 HD channels. Finally, we bought a Roku 3 and using my sisters login we are able watch all the ESPNs live, and lots of other cool stuff.
Total yearly savings= $1192
Cost of 2 Michigan season football tickets < $1192
Smart
I pay about $30/month for internet/phone/tv and my internet is 100-1000 times faster than yours.
Comcast is a joke.
Where the density has actually reached a reasonable number, such as on the eastern seaboard, Verizon Fios passes 20 million houses. Other areas of the country are served by DOCSIS 3 enables cable providers to offer up to 300mbit (TWC) or 100 Mbit (Comcast) for $70-80ish a month.
US broadband isn't actually that bad unless you live outside of a metropolitan area, in which case - enjoy trying to compete in the 21st century.
I live in the boonies surrounded by miles and miles rice fields. So how much do you pay?
August 2nd, 2014 at 10:02 AM ^
Parents have 100mbit downstream / 20mbit upstream from Comcast with Preferred TV package (probably around 300 channels) and pay $165 a month. I have a Gargoyle router that dedicates 8mbit to one Slingbox, 8mbit to another, and 2mbit of give breathing room for general internet use. They pay $165/month. I bought them a Motorola Surfboard 6141 and I own the TiVo's on each cable outlet; they are on lifetime service. They have free telephone service from Ooma, I bought and paid for the hardware.
My sister, who lives in Chicago, uses one of the Slinboxes. I live in Detroit, and use the other. We have our computers hooked up to LCD's when we want to watch TV, with more than enough bandwidth for HD streaming of live channels. I have five other housemates (it's a rennovated 4K sq mansion) and we share 50mbit downstream / 10mbit upstream service from Comcast. Our Comcast bill comes out to $65/month or $15/person.
My sister and I pay my parents $40 a month to help defer to the costs of their service. So my parents are paying $85/month after my sister and I pay them for the TV service we use, which brings my bill to $55 a month ($15 for internet service at my own residence, $40 to my parents)
I'm curious though, who is your ISP in Korea? Did they string fiber to your residence? How long ago was this?
August 2nd, 2014 at 10:09 AM ^
August 2nd, 2014 at 10:11 AM ^
government subsidized I would guess, without doing a Google search.
August 2nd, 2014 at 10:24 AM ^
Wrong, no subsidies, and if I'm unsatisfied SK, LG etc. will pay me to change.
August 2nd, 2014 at 10:28 AM ^
just noticed your signature :P
August 2nd, 2014 at 10:41 AM ^
The Korean government subsidized the expansion of broadband infrastructure, but they don't subsidize your monthly bill. But you hit on a key point: there is more competition among providers there, and they are required to share their lines for a fee.
The US is way behind Korea and won't ever catch up primarily due to the lack of competition and shared access to infrastructure. The Department of Agriculture is trying to subsidize broadband infrastructure in rural areas, which was an early bipartisan success story for Obama but is of course suffering in the current climate in DC.
August 2nd, 2014 at 10:55 AM ^
I wish that would catch on here - let the government fund fiber backhual, and let the ISPs compete over the last mile. Not holding my breath though.
I live in NYC and it is somewhat dense here. Where can I sign up for $30/month for internet, phone and cable?
August 2nd, 2014 at 10:18 AM ^
busting up concrete streets to put fiber down for Fios is expensive
August 2nd, 2014 at 10:53 AM ^
I live in Grand Rapids. Thanks!
Just started ATT U-Verse (previously had Comcast) and love it. I'm paying $95 and was given free HBO / Showtime for 3 months with $300 back for switching in Visa debit cards.
Comcast was previously $205 a month with cable and internet (BTN, FSD, HBO, and AMC). Once we canceled our service, Comcast agreed to lower our bill to $100.
I honestly plan to switch from ATT to Comcast every year to take advantage of the promotional rates. Internet and TV quality is about the same. Anything more than $100 a month seems pretty outrategous for one DVR box, HD, Cable, and internet. Also, lots more free movie channels with ATT.
August 2nd, 2014 at 11:06 AM ^
I'm getting absolutely screwed right now, they double-crossed me on a "your promotion will keep going until October!" promise. All of the sudden my bill went up 25 bucks or so. And the fun part is I haven't had time to sit on hold all afternoon to get through to them, so I can't do anything about it.
Strongly considering cutting the cord, but even their internet-only packages are a ripoff.