Oh comcast...

[Spiffster]

Just recently switched from Sling TV to Directv Now for their promotional offer. 35/month for over 100 channels. I dont watch most of them but they do have ALL the channels that I watch. Sling was missing a few... and HBO is only a 5 dollar add-on vs 15 for Sling. So once GOT season starts I will add that too.

Directv claims that the 35 price is locked in... we shall see.

I should add that right now DTVN is pretty hard to watch as it buffers and even errors out constantly (during Prime-Time hours), but its getting better by the week, so Im confident that they will get all the service issues worked out eventually.

BTW, streaming HD requires very little bandwidth, around 5-10Mb per stream. 4k requires about 20Mb, so those of you insisting on upwards of 50Mb+ internet connections are (in most cases) wasting your money.

[StormRichards]

I have a friend at work who pays around $75/month just for internet through comcast. They dont even have tv. I pay $79/month for tv and internet. For a few more bucks they could get tv. By the time people pay for netflix or slingbox...you could basically just pay for a combo deal through comcast and break even.

Its a racket thats impossible to get around. Pretty much everyone relies on internet access. If everyone drops tv subscriptions tomorrow they would change download/upload rates to higher and just charge more.

You're right. There is no way around it, other than bouncing back and forth. I am on the Verizon website right now. They are offering me a deal for $39.99 first year, $49.99 for the second year. What it goes up to after that, it doesn't stay. Just says standard rates starting month 25. So if I switch, I will have to go through this again in 2 years.

Plus you have to actually go through the plans with magnifying glass (or deal with customer service) to find out what your net bill will be after all the damn fees. The $39.99 & $49.99 sound great, but what will my bill be?

[StormRichards]

BTW, streaming HD requires very little bandwidth, around 5-10Mb per stream. 4k requires about 20Mb, so those of you insisting on upwards of 50Mb+ internet connections are (in most cases) wasting your money.

Yeah, that is Verizon's big selling point right now. Double the speed vs Comcast. I hate what I am currently paying Comcast, but the 25 MBps I have works perfectly fine.

[rennigade]

Plus you have to actually go through the plans with magnifying glass (or deal with customer service) to find out what your net bill will be after all the damn fees. The $39.99 & $49.99 sound great, but what will my bill be?

Yeah my $79/month rate is actually $93 all in. I suspect my coworkers $75/month rate is also more...she didnt include the fees when I asked her.

I remember right before cancelling my cell phone with sprint...they were quoting me what the monthly rate would be. I asked them to tell me what everything will cost with all the fees. They flat out refused to give me a quote. They said they couldnt because every state is different, blah blah. It was such a slime ball move...I think a week later I called and cancelled service and went to project fi. It was so strange cause I had sprint for around 10 year...zero issues...first real issue I had it was an absolute nightmare dealing with customer service. I spent hours on the phone until I said enough was enough...buh bye sprint.

[StormRichards]

I am on a live chat right now with Verizon and I am so close to just disconnecting it. I specifically told the rep the information I wanted, which was the total amount for the 50 MBps offer they have. She just came back with the package price for 100 MBps at its base price without the total.

I am currently making her day miserable since she annoyed me.

[Spiffster]

Yeah, that is Verizon's big selling point right now. Double the speed vs Comcast. I hate what I am currently paying Comcast, but the 25 MBps I have works perfectly fine.

Same here, 25Mb. At some points we are streaming HD via Hulu, or Netflix to TV. Kids are both on Youtube and wife and I are both sitting on couch with laptops surfing internet. Zero slowdown or buffering. We actually had 20Mb with CenturyLink before and really didnt have any issues with that either.

Oh, and its worth noting that Comcast over-provisions, so 25Mbit is more like 30Mb. CenturyLink (DSL) OTOH 20Mb is at best 20Mb depending on distance to CO.

[StormRichards]

OMG! I told her I also wanted the total amounts for their Double Play option. She responded "Sure, please allow me to share."

So I sat and waited for her to share. Then I decided to go to the restroom. And when I got back, still no sharing!!! I typed "Ok???" and then she started helping me again. Did she need my permission for her to share information?

[rennigade]

OMG! I told her I also wanted the total amounts for their Double Play option. She responded "Sure, please allow me to share."

So I sat and waited for her to share. Then I decided to go to the restroom. And when I got back, still no sharing!!! I typed "Ok???" and then she started helping me again. Did she need my permission for her to share information?

You should see how long you can keep her on chat. Just start asking off the chart questions.

[StormRichards]

So if I am getting the true numbers as I requested, just Internet would cost me $50.69 year 1 and $60.69 year 2. Somehow I am not buying the accuracy of these numbers. The package is $39.99 year 1/$49.99 year 2 and a $10/month router fee is one of the listed items. So only $.70 for taxes and fees?

The Double Play total was $89.55 after equipment and fees. That is almost $30 about their base $59.99 price. I know the set up box is another piece of equipment that is factoring in, but it sure seems like she is under estimating the fees & taxes on the Internet only deal.

[StormRichards]

You should see how long you can keep her on chat. Just start asking off the chart questions.

Yeah, I am definitely keeping it going a bit. She previously told me "ok, let's get your order processed. I can help you along the way."

My reply: "Not so fast Jessica"

[StormRichards]

She told me she would like to share info on another bundle and I replied no thank you. She then proceeded to give me the information.

[StormRichards]

This concludes my play by play of my chat with Verizon

Jessica: May I know, what other help i can do ?

You: Can you confirm that the $50.69 for Internet only includes ALL EQUIPMENT, FEES AND TAXES?

Jessica: Let's proceed with $50.69/mo deal.

You: I am going to first discuss it with my spouse. If we decide to switch to Verizon, I will make sure I mention you so you can get credit. Thank you for all of your time and information.

Jessica: You are welcome.

Jessica: It would not make any difference.

Jessica: I’m happy we were able to resolve your reason for chatting today! May I provide you with any other support?

You: No thank you Jessica

Jessica: You are always welcome.

Connection to the chat service has ended.

[Spiffster]

Modem fees are for suckers... Just buy one and be done with it:

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?sdtid=9715564&SID=8ceb6788e7ef11e6a9e2ea0a507cb53c0INT&AID=10440897&PID=1225267&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-cables-_-na-_-na&Item=N82E16825694008&cm_sp=

I have both an ADSL modem and a cable modem so one less step and fee when switching between providers if they arent willing to budge on promo prices.

[rennigade]

Modem fees are for suckers... Just buy one and be done with it:

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?sdtid=9715564&SID=8ceb6788e7ef11e6a9e2ea0a507cb53c0INT&AID=10440897&PID=1225267&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-cables-_-na-_-na&Item=N82E16825694008&cm_sp=

I have both an ADSL modem and a cable modem so one less step and fee when switching between providers if they arent willing to budge on promo prices.

Ive purchased all of my cable modems used. Ive never had any issues so far...although ive only ever purchased 2 of them. My parents and inlaws are also using a used cable modem...no issues.

[StormRichards]

Yeah, we should definitely look into buying a modem before switching.