Cable modem rental - NOT

[JBinKC]

Did the exact same thing recently. I stopped the rental fees and now use my own equipment a modem and wireless router.

I went one step further I also dropped my DirectTV service which recently raised rates again for so little extra content that I can get just using streaming boxes with Hulu plus.

[disneysteve]

thanks for the reminder to seek out and correct some financial 'sloppiness.' I changed the type/level of bank services as they are charging for services that had been free. I'm looking at all the routine bills with a fresh eye to see if we can lower costs. We changed auto insurance details at the start of the year for considerable savings.

I think one thing that has encouraged financial sloppiness is electronic billing. When you get a paper bill, you are much more likely to take a moment to review it. When you just get an e-mail that your bill is ready, it takes more effort. You have to go and log in to your account and pull up the statement. Much easier with paper. That's part of what led me into trouble with the cable bill. I may go back to getting a paper bill.

Banking isn't a problem area for us fortunately. We're with BoA and everything on our accounts is free. A couple of years ago, they did start charging to get your cancelled check images so I cancelled that service ($3/month) because you can view them online for free anytime. Now I can do it on my phone which is even better (and free).

[snafu]

thanks for the reminder to seek out and correct some financial 'sloppiness.' I changed the type/level of bank services as they are charging for services that had been free. I'm looking at all the routine bills with a fresh eye to see if we can lower costs. We changed auto insurance details at the start of the year for considerable savings.

[~bs]

The gadget that they rented to us for non-HD was $6.00/month. We had a 3rd hook-up in the basement that just had the non-HD device, but nobody used it so I returned it. Either HD or non-HD I was wonderint before goimg out and g if the device could be purchased somewhere?

Device rental is a profit center for cable companies, and the dvrs and cable boxes are usually locked in such a way that you cannotsimply buy one and tell them you dont want to rent theirs anylonger. You might want to look into it before going out and butimg your own device.

[Like2Plan]

This may be heresy but what about not doing HD? Just do regular service? We don't have HD and don't plan to get it.

The gadget that they rented to us for non-HD was $6.00/month. We had a 3rd hook-up in the basement that just had the non-HD device, but nobody used it so I returned it. Either HD or non-HD I was wondering if the device could be purchased somewhere?

[disneysteve]

I meant just the HD receiver part.

This may be heresy but what about not doing HD? Just do regular service? We don't have HD and don't plan to get it.

[Like2Plan]

Honestly, I don't really see why you need a DVR at this point. Most shows are available for free either online or on-demand. I'm not a big TV watcher but the few shows that I do watch regularly I almost never see when they are broadcast. I watch them at my convenience online or on-demand.

I meant just the HD receiver part. I was wondering if that part could be purchased. We pay 10/month (X2 TVs) to rent. The rental of these 2 hd receivers constitutes 19% of our monthly bill! . We've had our service for 12 months now, so we have spent $120.00 on each of them so far.

[disneysteve]

We pay $10.00/month for our HD rcvr (no DVR). I have been wondering if it possible to buy one of these gizmos?

Honestly, I don't really see why you need a DVR at this point. Most shows are available for free either online or on-demand. I'm not a big TV watcher but the few shows that I do watch regularly I almost never see when they are broadcast. I watch them at my convenience online or on-demand.

[Like2Plan]

03/10-04/09 HD DVR Rcvr
$10.00

We pay $10.00/month for our HD rcvr (no DVR). I have been wondering if it possible to buy one of these gizmos?

[feh]

Did the same thing 2 years ago when we switched to cable for internet access. Bought a used modem on amazon for about $20.

Your cable company should have a web page that lists the modems compatible w/ their service.

[~bs]

Cable modems aren't for TV, but actually for internet service over cable lines. Sadly, if you drop the cable TV service but keep the internet service, they gouge you even more for going solo on the internet service. ugh....

lol you're right. I read that wrong.

Anyways, I did purchase my modem as well. It works out cheaper that way.

I find the major providers to be a huge rip-off in terms of what you get for what you're paying. Years ago, I was somewhat lucky enough to find a smaller provider that charges reasonable rates for internet. I was paying $45/month for a 25Mbps connection, which was pretty awesome. But later downgraded it because I didn't really need it. So now I pay $22/month for a 6 Mbps line. They even offer a "cheapskate" connection that's 1 Mbps for $9/month.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Below is my most current detailed monthly cable bill (triple play promotion which includes TV, internet, & phone for $89 for 12 months & includes free Showtime for 12 months). The total amounts to $138 per month after a few add-ons such as the sports package, turbo internet, taxes, etc.


03/10-04/09 HD DVR Rcvr
$10.00
03/10-04/09 TWC Triple Play Package
$152.98
03/10-04/09 Ncec-twtpdig 89.99 12mo
-$62.99
03/10-04/09 Showtime Unlimited
$15.00
03/10-04/09 Ncec-shotmc Free 12mo
-$15.00
03/10-04/09 TWC Sports Pass
$8.99
03/10-04/09 Internet Modem Lease
$3.95
03/10-04/09 Home Wifi
$4.95
03/10-04/09 Turbo Internet Upgrade
$20.00
03/10-04/09 Ncec-rr Turbo $10 12mo
-$10.00
-View Taxes and Fees$10.44
03/06 Emergency Telephone Users Surcharge Tax $.08
03/06 CA Universal Lifeline Tel Serv Program $.20
03/06 CA Relay Service & Comm. Device Fund $.04
03/06 High Cost Fund Surcharge A $.07
03/06 Casf And High Cost B Surcharge $.08
03/06 Fusf-federal Universal Service Fund $.85
03/06 Ctf-ca Teleconnect Fund Surcharge $.10
03/06 Regulatory Recovery - State $.03
03/06 Regulatory Recovery Fee - Federal $.18
03/06 Regulatory Recovery Fee Cable - Federal $.08
03/06 Utility User Tax-residential-video $3.30
03/06 FCC Regulatory Fee - Voice $.02
03/06 Utility User Tax-telecommunication $1.21
03/06 PEG Municipal Capital Fee $.75
03/06 Franchise Fee $3.45

[cypher1]

Sadly, if you drop the cable TV service but keep the internet service, they gouge you even more for going solo on the internet service. ugh....

That's why I hate Comcast and MediaCom. They kept raising the rates to 70+ when I only used cable internet and kept trying to sell me on adding cable TV packages and a landline. Ended up going with DSL for a fixed price.

On the same note, I used to lease a modem for 8+ years at $5-7 a month when I lived at parents with Comcast, and only ever had 2 issues with hardware.

[kork13]

Or you could stop watching tv entirely :-)

Cable modems aren't for TV, but actually for internet service over cable lines. Sadly, if you drop the cable TV service but keep the internet service, they gouge you even more for going solo on the internet service. ugh....

[~bs]

Or you could stop watching tv entirely :-)