Cable TV rate increase

[bjl584]

He is talking about his employer = he works for a cable company and is fielding these calls.

Missed that the first time. (Bad day yesterday. I was still hungover from the Steeler's loss. ) Anyway, I haven't had cable in a few years now. I switched to Direct TV due to the cable company's constant rate increases/service cuts. I couldn't justify constantly paying more for less channels. what used to be part of by channel lineup was now only available with the special sports channel package. I grew tired of it. I did have my rates lowered by calling, but in the end, I missed some of the channels that I used to have. So I made the switch.

[marvholly]

A HUGE bumber of people either have NOT gotten any raises for several years, have had their hours cut significantly and/or have taken real pay cuts to keep their jobs.

Add in the REAL cost increases in heal insurance, Rx, food, gasoline, local & state taxes.....

Everybody is hurting in some way. Cable is fine entertainment IF you can afford it on top of everything required to live decently.

[riverwed070707]

I feel for you but I also see the customer perspective. I get frustrated when things are continuously going up. We pay a ridiculous amount for our internet and they still raise costs regularly. On the understanding side, I work for a utility company who hasn't had an electric rate increase in 15 years and when people find out I work for the company they make remarks about rising costs of electricity. The reality is their usage has increase, thus thier bills have gone up and no one even recognizes the company's efforts to maintain some of the lowest rates in the country. Further, once we do seek an increase, people will be up in arms about it despite the fact that our electric service is one of the few things you can buy that still costs the same as it did 15 years ago -- what other product or service can you say the same about?? I almost think its better to have gradual increases to adjust for costs. Customers will be angry either way.

[dojo]

We're not using the TV at all, only our parents. If it was for us, we'd ditch any form of television. If we need to watch some TV shows, there's the internet.

If you're watching TV, maybe it's needed. But, if you're like us, you can always ditch it and save some money.

[hulegu3]

I recently gave up cable and am now only paying for internet. Trying the new trend of watching everything I could possibly want on the internet.

[Thrif-t]

My cable went up $11 you bet your sweet arse I called up and complained. But all I got was a lousy $20 one time credit. The rep said there was nothing else he could do for me. If it weren't for my DH and his lousy sports I'd cut the cable today. As it is it's our one form of entertainment but still when you start getting close to $100/mo it really makes you pause. Oh and not that we can't afford it I just think it's a lot to watch tv. And I wouldn't even say we watch a lot of tv, with 3 kids in multiple sports, we're hardly ever home.

[toysmall]

Computer will be better

[kv968]

Once again, my company is raising its rate an average of $3/month for all customers. You'd be so surprised (or maybe you're not) at the backlash we suffer through for this, at least to me, very tiny increase.

I think the backlash you see may come from your opening words..."ONCE AGAIN". How many times has your company recently raised its rates?

I'm not saying the rate increases aren't justified since I know the providers are trying to get more and more for their content, but all people see is their bills going up and basically nothing more for it. I personally wouldn't complain about a $3 increase since my bill hasn't risen in probably 2-3 years or so but if it was an annual thing I might call to inquire as to what's going on.

[greenskeeper]

Comcrapstic has raised my bill in the last 3 months, going from $120/mo to $160/mo.

I have called and threatened to cancel, asked for the new subscriber rates, they basically said it is what it is.

I am just about ready to switch to FIOS, get the 2yr discount, then switch back to comcast. Rinse and repeat I guess?

What irks me is that they don't tell you in advance. I sure as hell would send a notice to my customers if I owned a business and were going to increase the bill the next month.