TW Cable renewal time

[alarmguy]

I have TWC and have no issues with them.
I use them for one purpose, Internet Access, if they raise the rates to much, at the snap of a finger one phone call to ATT (my previous provider) and I can switch back.

Stress Free, in simple terms, I Do Not Pay for TV anymore, havent for years, my wife and I cant watch what we have, we have so much. My kids, now with their own places also learned from this.

People have nothing to complain about, pay TV is an option in life, much like driving a BMW over a Chevy Cruise. Both good cars.

Our set up, TV antenna in our attic, feeds the cable outlets in our 5 BR home, all major network TV stations in HDTV, all free and the HDTV is higher quality then pay TV. Add another 15 to 20 channels to the majors and we get around 25 stations.
We do pay for Netflex and Hulu+ and use 4 Roku players in the house. Plus normally a Blu Ray from Red Box once a week.

Total Pay TV Bill = less then $20. per month
Total TWC internet = $39.95 per month (standard price)

My thoughts = The amount of money less fortunate people and anyone who owes any kind of loan in life, car, home mortgage, etc, spend on pay TV astounds me.
To pay an extra $100 a month to watch TV if you owe money on anything else is crazy, or better said, that $100 you think you are paying each month is more like $135 to 200 more a month.

To pay $100 more a month, you need to make $140.00 so that is your real cost because the $100 is after taxes. If you applied that money to a home mortgage payment or any other loan payment you would be even saving boat loads more money.

But anyway, dont get me wrong, we all, including me, choose our poison in life and things that make us happy. Im just discussing, I certainly have wasted my share of money in life. (boat loads of it)

I just see A LOT of young people struggling from paycheck to paycheck and they do not know why, I then look around at things they are paying.
Major corporations have the human brain figured out (this is true) and what makes people part with their money for gratification without thinking about the true cost.
People just do not think on their own, but they complain about costs and struggle to pay bills... dont get me started on the true price of cars *L*

They then complain about the cost of things, like Pay TV, yet, they do not have to pay for TV and if no one did, guess what? The price would come down! )

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: Triple_Se7en
Satellite then, or cut all cords except internet. With a vast majority of these companies, I think you only need to be off their grid for 30-60 days, to qualify again for low rates, similar to new customer rates.


For me to piecemeal TWC internet with satellite TV, I'd still be will over $100/mo. With a family of 6, my data usage is huge. If I coupled that with lots of internet TV it would be even worse. With all the cable cutters, it's only a matter of time before interwebbs at the house alone is well over $100/mo because of the bandwidth being sucked up per household.

 

[sleddriver]

Originally Posted By: SevenBizzos
Being free from any commitment to a provider is a necessary tool. Research new customer deals for competitors and use them. I end up having to "negotiate" with AT&T frequently and all but one time it's worked. Just be willing to leave if you don't get what you want. Some providers consider you a "new customer" after only 60 days away (and some it's 90 days), so even then you'd only be switched for a couple of months. To me, your price is about $66 too high.

I'm at 30Mbps through U-Verse and it's plenty. Last renewal I ended up at $30/mth with new equipment for free.
I too negotiate regularly with ATT. It's part of the "game": Act or be Acted Upon. The key to winning & saving money, is to play it well.

"If at first you don't succeed, call call again" Why? Because not all offices have the same deals nor rates. It's not uniform. Odd that, but there it is. I have the direct number to the customer retention dept, but the "office" is scattered about the country. I don't threaten anybody or raise my voice. Don't need to. They hear enough of that. The key is to ask intelligent questions and to probe for information they are hesitant to share unless asked. That's how I learned the above.

They are getting ridiculous on landline pricing. They raised it ~ 25% a few years ago. I'm currently on a special "deal" to lower it until Feb 2017, but that'll be here before you know it. Further, ATT is inept at dealing with the large volume of spam/marketing/fraud calls I deal with. The truth is they ARE a monopoly and they ARE the phone company. This is 2017 too. They respond "we're trying..." which is bravo sierra. They don't want to spend the money, nor deal with the problem. ATT is definitely a marketing/sales driven organization.

Thus confronting them with their competitors offers, services, features and lower prices is effective and shows them you've done your homework. You can also elevate to a supervisor, who has more authority to make deals those in the CRD don't have.

 

[alarmguy]

Suggestion, if not happy with your traditional landline.... Ooma.Buy the device, it's free, plus monthly tax or premium services for a small fee. We have every bit of landline quality sound.

 

[JustinH]

Our ooma is on a cheap 10 dollar cordless phone. Sounds better than any cell phone, any provider.

 

[SevenBizzos]

Originally Posted By: sleddriver
Originally Posted By: SevenBizzos
Being free from any commitment to a provider is a necessary tool. Research new customer deals for competitors and use them. I end up having to "negotiate" with AT&T frequently and all but one time it's worked. Just be willing to leave if you don't get what you want. Some providers consider you a "new customer" after only 60 days away (and some it's 90 days), so even then you'd only be switched for a couple of months. To me, your price is about $66 too high.

I'm at 30Mbps through U-Verse and it's plenty. Last renewal I ended up at $30/mth with new equipment for free.
I too negotiate regularly with ATT. It's part of the "game": Act or be Acted Upon. The key to winning & saving money, is to play it well.

"If at first you don't succeed, call call again" Why? Because not all offices have the same deals nor rates. It's not uniform. Odd that, but there it is. I have the direct number to the customer retention dept, but the "office" is scattered about the country. I don't threaten anybody or raise my voice. Don't need to. They hear enough of that. The key is to ask intelligent questions and to probe for information they are hesitant to share unless asked. That's how I learned the above.

They are getting ridiculous on landline pricing. They raised it ~ 25% a few years ago. I'm currently on a special "deal" to lower it until Feb 2017, but that'll be here before you know it. Further, ATT is inept at dealing with the large volume of spam/marketing/fraud calls I deal with. The truth is they ARE a monopoly and they ARE the phone company. This is 2017 too. They respond "we're trying..." which is bravo sierra. They don't want to spend the money, nor deal with the problem. ATT is definitely a marketing/sales driven organization.

Thus confronting them with their competitors offers, services, features and lower prices is effective and shows them you've done your homework. You can also elevate to a supervisor, who has more authority to make deals those in the CRD don't have.


This is all good information! When I quoted "negotiate", I probably should have left the quotes out, because that's pretty much what I'm doing. It's respectful and I just tell them I can get a better deal (which is true) and I'd like to give them an opportunity. I've been connected to call centers all over the country.

Dealing with DirecTV (even though it should be the same company now) is entirely different. Most of the reps don't give two hoots whether you're staying or leaving. I'd actually like some new equipment (like a Genie) so if I have to take a 90 day break, I will. Problem is I lost U-Verse TV as leverage.

The cellular division of AT&T was pretty impossible if you're a "free agent" too, but the cell business is always changing, so that might have too. (I'm currently attached to a reasonably priced corporate account).

And the talks with Sirius/XM are pretty easy.

 

[alarmguy]

Originally Posted By: SevenBizzos
Originally Posted By: sleddriver

This is all good information! When I quoted "negotiate", I probably should have left the quotes out, because that's pretty much what I'm doing. It's respectful and I just tell them I can get a better deal (which is true) and I'd like to give them an opportunity. I've been connected to call centers all over the country.

Dealing with DirecTV (even though it should be the same company now) is entirely different. Most of the reps don't give two hoots whether you're staying or leaving. I'd actually like some new equipment (like a Genie) so if I have to take a 90 day break, I will. Problem is I lost U-Verse TV as leverage.

The cellular division of AT&T was pretty impossible if you're a "free agent" too, but the cell business is always changing, so that might have too. (I'm currently attached to a reasonably priced corporate account).

And the talks with Sirius/XM are pretty easy.


Tip - Cellular division of ATT is easy, simply go to cricketwireless.com and drop your ATT cell line for cricket, Cricket is ATT no contract, same service and network, no games, half the price of Verizon, ATT, T Mobile or Sprint. No brainer and the more lines you get, the cheaper the service, ex. 5 lines including all taxes and fees, never any surcharge, unlimited data, text, talk. $100 a month. Not possible to get cheaper.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

I do threaten the cable company when I call for a lower rate. I will not raise my voice and I will not tell Wow Cable that unless they lower my rate, I'm moving over to XFinity (for example).

I never mention / divulge which competitor I'm negotiating with next. For some of the bigwigs at Wow know the bigwigs at XFinity. So if my rate is not lowered, I tell the phone clerk they just lost myself as their customer and I ask them where do I drop-off their equipment at their service center. I ask for s specific address and the hours they are open for drop-off.

This manner of threatening them always gets me forwarded / transferred to their area supervisor, who either lowers my rates further, or he/she doesn't. I do not negotiate with anyone. I simply threaten them that I'm quitting if they do not lower my rate.

So it's pretty simple: Threaten them and if they do not oblige, leave them for a competitor, even if it means switching from cable to satellite. (Bottom-line) NEVER let the provider win in the conversations and never tip-them-off where I may take my services to next.

 

[sleddriver]

I've gone one step further...I've never paid for TV period. EVER. That means 36yrs of EVER.

Why Switch? Just Say No....period.

 

[bmwjohn]

Greetings:
In Indiana we have an account for employee retirees. She died and the account went up to $66 internet slow speed and $68.49 land line, no cable, $8.00 long distance (never used). I called xfinity a few weeks ago and got an internet only 75 mb.estimate, we provide our own modem, "blast plus" at $39.95 plus about $5 estimated service charge tax, etc. The woman (Erica) said she would call back as we have an odd address that fails address registers often. Anyway, never heard from her and finally called back to Infinity, want the same deal, 75m, no phone, no cable. NOW it's $49.95 plus estimated $20.00 service charge, we provide our own modem. .Wheel and deal, I guess. The DSL is incredibly bad, and I have to tell them whats wrong.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Originally Posted By: sleddriver
I've gone one step further...I've never paid for TV period. EVER. That means 36yrs of EVER.

Why Switch? Just Say No....period.


There's a-lot of TV you're missing.
Otherwise I would join you.

I tried your ways for two years in 2011 and 2012. Just went with outside antenna 25 stations and ROKU. I missed my major sports that require mid-tier cable/satellite. Missed a few other cable stations too that featured shows like Walking Dead, Bates Motel....... 4-5 more.

To me, it's worth the extra 15-20 bucks per week to have it.

 

[sleddriver]

Originally Posted By: Triple_Se7en
Originally Posted By: sleddriver
I've gone one step further...I've never paid for TV period. EVER. That means 36yrs of EVER.

Why Switch? Just Say No....period.


There's a-lot of TV you're missing.
Otherwise I would join you.

I tried your ways for two years in 2011 and 2012. Just went with outside antenna 25 stations and ROKU. I missed my major sports that require mid-tier cable/satellite. Missed a few other cable stations too that featured shows like Walking Dead, Bates Motel....... 4-5 more.

To me, it's worth the extra 15-20 bucks per week to have it.

There is a lot of football and baseball avail at no charge on the net. Also from familiar announcers on the radio. One has to dig however....

At my age (56), I don't regret having watched more main-stream-TV! Ha...I'm far out of their target audience anyway. You must be younger. I am thankful I've watched lots of old B&W movies I was too young for growing up and they were not available. Great acting, well lit, meaningful storylines, beautiful scenes not to mention no tats, no nose rings, no over hyped cuts, shorts, screen flash, reverse video, etc.

I've also read a lot of great books with my cats quietly purrrring in my lap and on my chest while reading.

$20/wk?? That's $80/mo. Wow...to each his own!

 

[alarmguy]

Originally Posted By: sleddriver
Originally Posted By: Triple_Se7en
Originally Posted By: sleddriver
I've gone one step further...I've never paid for TV period. EVER. That means 36yrs of EVER.

Why Switch? Just Say No....period.


There's a-lot of TV you're missing.
Otherwise I would join you.

I tried your ways for two years in 2011 and 2012. Just went with outside antenna 25 stations and ROKU. I missed my major sports that require mid-tier cable/satellite. Missed a few other cable stations too that featured shows like Walking Dead, Bates Motel....... 4-5 more.

To me, it's worth the extra 15-20 bucks per week to have it.

...

$20/wk?? That's $80/mo. Wow...to each his own!


Yes, $80.00 a month is $120.00 a month in actual earnings after paying income taxes. But, we all have our thing as to what something is worth.
I will say, you can have Major League Sports/ESPN and some other channels with a Roku player using sling @ $20 a month.

 

[alarmguy]

Originally Posted By: SevenBizzos
Originally Posted By: sleddriver

...

..

Dealing with DirecTV (even though it should be the same company now) is entirely different. Most of the reps don't give two hoots whether you're staying or leaving. I'd actually like some new equipment (like a Genie) so if I have to take a 90 day break, I will. Problem is I lost U-Verse TV as leverage.
..


One has to keep in mind when dealing with any pay service such as Direct TV, if your not dealing direct (and you may have been) with the company itself it would be true, they dont care.
Example, many MAY not realize that companies selling services such as Direct TV are dealers, no different then a car dealer selling a product.
So all these dealers sending special offers in the mail to your home or any media are simply that, dealers. Once they sign you up, the contract is sold to Direct TV, this is how dealers make money.

Depending on the service, TV, Alarm systems etc. These dealers are paid in the hundreds to the thousands for the contract from the company providing the service once you are signed up.
Normally the dealer may be responsible for the contract in the first year, so a dealer at that time may bend over backwards to not have you default on the contract or they get charged back, after that one year, they could care less if you cancel or default because it cost them nothing if you do, they got paid.
This is just a rough idea on how some dealers and pay services make money...

 

[Triple_Se7en]

My bill has been $130-Triple Play for almost one year now...... was $105 for two years prior to that. They tried charging me $155. But that lasted for two months before I complained.

When it goes up, I already told Wow that I won't call anymore for another price break. I told them they will only see me at their service center returning their equipment when I quit them.

That's when I will move to XFinity, which will only change the channel boxes and modem...... then be gone from my home in under 90 minutes. I'm already set-up for XFinity HD Cable..... thanks to Wow.

In reference to your comment on getting MLB / NBA / NHL games on free TV.... sure! But the channel never stays for more than one year and the picture is generally not good at all. It's grainy - freezes sometimes and the sound is not good.

No thanks to that. I already tried that a few years ago.

 

[sleddriver]

Originally Posted By: Triple_Se7en
In reference to your comment on getting MLB / NBA / NHL games on free TV.... sure! But the channel never stays for more than one year and the picture is generally not good at all. It's grainy - freezes sometimes and the sound is not good.

No thanks to that. I already tried that a few years ago.
As alarmguy pointed out, there are other alternatives for the sports you mentioned at a lower cost.

The point is no provider is going to tell you this. Their interests are ahead of yours. Thus, you have to seek alternative sources. This is the Wild West of the Digital Divide.

When there's a game I REALLY WANT TO WATCH and I can't find it, I go to a sports bar to do so, drink beer and eat wings or nachos.

 

[JustinH]

We are really enjoying Sling TV right now. Picture looks the exact same as time warner HD cable, no buffering on my 100MB connection. Very fast. Tons of channels. $25 per month. Also we get about 20+ channels over the air, and amazon prime streaming, so we have tons of tv, more than I would ever watch.

What is nice, is if I don't want the service for a month when I am traveling for work, or going back home for a month, I cancel it for that month only.

 

[alarmguy]

Originally Posted By: JustinH
We are really enjoying Sling TV right now. Picture looks the exact same as time warner HD cable, no buffering on my 100MB connection. Very fast. Tons of channels. $25 per month. Also we get about 20+ channels over the air, and amazon prime streaming, so we have tons of tv, more than I would ever watch.

What is nice, is if I don't want the service for a month when I am traveling for work, or going back home for a month, I cancel it for that month only.


^^^ That ..
If you must have pay sports/ESPN Sling is it!
We did a one week trial for only one purpose to watch the USC/Clemson game.
Perfect picture, No buffering, we NEVER, EVER get buffering on any streaming channels, Netflex included.
We have 10times less speed then you too @ 7mbs

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Originally Posted By: sleddriver
Originally Posted By: Triple_Se7en
In reference to your comment on getting MLB / NBA / NHL games on free TV.... sure! But the channel never stays for more than one year and the picture is generally not good at all. It's grainy - freezes sometimes and the sound is not good.

No thanks to that. I already tried that a few years ago.
As alarmguy pointed out, there are other alternatives for the sports you mentioned at a lower cost.

The point is no provider is going to tell you this. Their interests are ahead of yours. Thus, you have to seek alternative sources. This is the Wild West of the Digital Divide.

When there's a game I REALLY WANT TO WATCH and I can't find it, I go to a sports bar to do so, drink beer and eat wings or nachos.


So I'm supposed to go to a Sports Bar by myself, buys beers and eat a meal?...... sounds like a $20+ visit?

Tigers play 6 times per week. Pistons and Red Wings play at least 3 times per week. At least the Detroit Lions are available on free Network TV here.

 

[sleddriver]

Originally Posted By: Triple_Se7en
So I'm supposed to go to a Sports Bar by myself, buys beers and eat a meal?...... sounds like a $20+ visit?

Tigers play 6 times per week. Pistons and Red Wings play at least 3 times per week. At least the Detroit Lions are available on free Network TV here.

Never mind dude....you're clearly a multi-sport fan(atic). I'm clearly not. Thus, I'll leave you to it..........