Low cable bills?

[gretchenindisguise]

How do you people get such low cable and internet bills?

I can't figure it out for less than like $120.

We currently don't have cable and I would like it back.

So what do you pay? Through what provider? Bonus points if in San Diego. Do you have hd? Dvr?

[tiffany81]

My provider sometimes runs deals for $99/month, but with taxes and fees it's easily $120.

My bill is low because I don't have cable.

[sjh722]

Sept 19, 2014 20:15:54 GMT -5 tiffany81 said:

My provider sometimes runs deals for $99/month, but with taxes and fees it's easily $120.

This is what ours was (comcast). It just jumped up to $165 (ridiculous) so I'm trying to get it lowered. I used the online chat today and that didn't work but they told me to call the 800 number and see what "other promotions they have access to". 

I will see what luck I have when I call tomorrow. 

[Pibs]

We haven't had cable for several years, but decided to pick it back up again starting next week. Our choices are Comcast (DIAF) or Frontier, who we already have internet with. Our internet was $35 a month. When husband called this week to see what they'd offer for cable, I think they quoted us $50 a month for their basic package (that has all of the channels we want in normal and HD), plus $7.50/month for HBO for a year and doubled our internet speed.

Husband is pretty tech savvy, so he built us a Media PC a few years ago. It acts as our DVR, and our channels are controlled through Windows Media Center. That won't change when we have cable because we're going to use cable cards instead of a cable box, which is much cheaper. If I'm understanding things correctly, he bought a wireless tuner so that we can watch cable in other rooms without having to add additional cards. I think we're limited to 3 channels, but since we only have 2 TVs and our theater room it's not going to be an issue.

[Pom]

www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/2014/02/02/phone-internet-cable-bill/5058419/

[Deleted]

Yikes, where do you live that it's so expensive?

I don't watch cable, but my roommates already had it set up and we split it. But I think Comcast is about $50 before taxes. We just have the standard channels, I think there are maybe 100 channels?

There is no way in hell I'd pay $120 for that. I know Comcast customer service sucks, but I'm sure you could get cable from them for under $120.  

[Deleted]

Sept 19, 2014 20:20:16 GMT -5 sjh722 said:

Sept 19, 2014 20:15:54 GMT -5 tiffany81 said:

My provider sometimes runs deals for $99/month, but with taxes and fees it's easily $120.

This is what ours was (comcast). It just jumped up to $165 (ridiculous) so I'm trying to get it lowered. I used the online chat today and that didn't work but they told me to call the 800 number and see what "other promotions they have access to". 

I will see what luck I have when I call tomorrow. 

Ok you must be getting ripped off?

www.comcast.com/Corporate/Learn/DigitalCable/digitalcable.html

[gretchenindisguise]

Sept 19, 2014 23:13:32 GMT -5 @wandering said:

Yikes, where do you live that it's so expensive?

I don't watch cable, but my roommates already had it set up and we split it. But I think Comcast is about $50 before taxes. We just have the standard channels, I think there are maybe 100 channels?

There is no way in hell I'd pay $120 for that. I know Comcast customer service sucks, but I'm sure you could get cable from them for under $120.  

I'm thinking combo internet and cable bill. Someone in fayelles post said they had a combo for $70.

[Deleted]

Sept 20, 2014 0:23:26 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Sept 19, 2014 23:13:32 GMT -5 @wandering said:

Yikes, where do you live that it's so expensive?

I don't watch cable, but my roommates already had it set up and we split it. But I think Comcast is about $50 before taxes. We just have the standard channels, I think there are maybe 100 channels?

There is no way in hell I'd pay $120 for that. I know Comcast customer service sucks, but I'm sure you could get cable from them for under $120.  

I'm thinking combo internet and cable bill. Someone in fayelles post said they had a combo for $70.

On there website there is an $80 package.

A few years ago, I had basic cable with 20 or so channels and it was $20. So combined with internet we paid around $50 after taxes. I don't think it was advertised online, but I called them up and asked about it. 

[v]

Sept 19, 2014 23:16:05 GMT -5 @wandering said:

Sept 19, 2014 20:20:16 GMT -5 sjh722 said:

This is what ours was (comcast). It just jumped up to $165 (ridiculous) so I'm trying to get it lowered. I used the online chat today and that didn't work but they told me to call the 800 number and see what "other promotions they have access to". 

I will see what luck I have when I call tomorrow. 

Ok you must be getting ripped off?

www.comcast.com/Corporate/Learn/DigitalCable/digitalcable.html

Both of those offers are limited to new customers.  She is not a new customer.  Also, a lot of times these packages sound a lot cheaper than they end up being, because once you add a cable box and taxes, along with any extra services you want (internet/phone/premiums/DVR service/boxes), the price is way higher.  We're on a $99.99/month TV and internet package, but when you add in a second cable box and taxes, we pay $150 a month.

It is REALLY hard to compare cable prices because packages vary so much depending on what kind of channels you have, how many cable boxes/DVRs you have, whether you have any premium channels, whether you have internet and/or phone bundled in, etc.  For example, if you have just one cable box and only basic channels, but she has three DVRs and internet, there's a reason why she's paying a lot more.  

[illgetthere]

Sept 19, 2014 23:16:05 GMT -5 @wandering said:

Sept 19, 2014 20:20:16 GMT -5 sjh722 said:

This is what ours was (comcast). It just jumped up to $165 (ridiculous) so I'm trying to get it lowered. I used the online chat today and that didn't work but they told me to call the 800 number and see what "other promotions they have access to". 

I will see what luck I have when I call tomorrow. 

Ok you must be getting ripped off?

www.comcast.com/Corporate/Learn/DigitalCable/digitalcable.html

Those prices are only for 12 months. The top package (cheapest) increases to 89 for the second year and 139 after that.

[msmerymac]

Comcast in my area is running something for new people that's $50/month for the first 12 months, basic channels (like, local channels) AND HBO, and internet service. I'm pretty intrigued. It would probably be close to $75-$80 if I factor in taxes and fees and maybe a DVR (would I really need to record anything, though?). It would actually be cheaper than JUST internet with FiOS. And the reason we're really hanging onto cable is for HBO/HBO Go. If I could get HBO shows pretty much the day they air, I'm pretty sure I could also rock the Netflix/Amazon/Hulu services to cobble together everything else I want to watch. And I have a smart TV that already has those apps.

[crashgizmo]

gretchenindisguise, can you do Verizon Fios? I live north of San Diego and we have Fios for internet/cable/phone. We pay less than $110 for the higher speed internet, premium cable, and HD DVR.

[gretchenindisguise]

Sept 20, 2014 10:20:03 GMT -5 crashgizmo said:

gretchenindisguise, can you do Verizon Fios? I live north of San Diego and we have Fios for internet/cable/phone. We pay less than $110 for the higher speed internet, premium cable, and HD DVR.

I think so but haven't looked into them. Is the $110 including all fees and what not? If so - I think that sounds like a good deal!

We currently get our internet through ATT Uverse, so we'd been looking into them mostly.


Eta: just checked and it's not available in our complex. Darn.

[cosmos]

Sept 20, 2014 9:07:49 GMT -5 v said:

Sept 19, 2014 23:16:05 GMT -5 @wandering said:

Ok you must be getting ripped off?

www.comcast.com/Corporate/Learn/DigitalCable/digitalcable.html

Both of those offers are limited to new customers.  She is not a new customer.  Also, a lot of times these packages sound a lot cheaper than they end up being, because once you add a cable box and taxes, along with any extra services you want (internet/phone/premiums/DVR service/boxes), the price is way higher.  We're on a $99.99/month TV and internet package, but when you add in a second cable box and taxes, we pay $150 a month.

It is REALLY hard to compare cable prices because packages vary so much depending on what kind of channels you have, how many cable boxes/DVRs you have, whether you have any premium channels, whether you have internet and/or phone bundled in, etc.  For example, if you have just one cable box and only basic channels, but she has three DVRs and internet, there's a reason why she's paying a lot more.  

yup.


We "pay" 89.99" for Fios, but with cable boxes/DVR for 3 TVs, and the highest speed internet, our bill is $150ish a month.

[Deleted]

Sept 20, 2014 9:07:49 GMT -5 v said:

Sept 19, 2014 23:16:05 GMT -5 @wandering said:

Ok you must be getting ripped off?

www.comcast.com/Corporate/Learn/DigitalCable/digitalcable.html

Both of those offers are limited to new customers.  She is not a new customer.  Also, a lot of times these packages sound a lot cheaper than they end up being, because once you add a cable box and taxes, along with any extra services you want (internet/phone/premiums/DVR service/boxes), the price is way higher.  We're on a $99.99/month TV and internet package, but when you add in a second cable box and taxes, we pay $150 a month.

It is REALLY hard to compare cable prices because packages vary so much depending on what kind of channels you have, how many cable boxes/DVRs you have, whether you have any premium channels, whether you have internet and/or phone bundled in, etc.  For example, if you have just one cable box and only basic channels, but she has three DVRs and internet, there's a reason why she's paying a lot more.  

Oh ok, I didn't see where she said she had 3 DVRs and internet. I've never had DVR or multiple boxes so I didn't know how much the price increases with all those add ons. 

[v]

Sept 20, 2014 11:14:10 GMT -5 @wandering said:

Sept 20, 2014 9:07:49 GMT -5 v said:

Both of those offers are limited to new customers.  She is not a new customer.  Also, a lot of times these packages sound a lot cheaper than they end up being, because once you add a cable box and taxes, along with any extra services you want (internet/phone/premiums/DVR service/boxes), the price is way higher.  We're on a $99.99/month TV and internet package, but when you add in a second cable box and taxes, we pay $150 a month.

It is REALLY hard to compare cable prices because packages vary so much depending on what kind of channels you have, how many cable boxes/DVRs you have, whether you have any premium channels, whether you have internet and/or phone bundled in, etc.  For example, if you have just one cable box and only basic channels, but she has three DVRs and internet, there's a reason why she's paying a lot more.  

Oh ok, I didn't see where she said she had 3 DVRs and internet. I've never had DVR or multiple boxes so I didn't know how much the price increases with all those add ons. 

Three cable boxes and Internet was a hypothetical ... My point is that a lot of times comparing people's cable packages is comparing apples and oranges, and the package prices look a lot cheaper than they often end up being (and often are for new customers only and/or only apply for a certain period of time).

[msmerymac]

Sept 20, 2014 10:24:36 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Sept 20, 2014 10:20:03 GMT -5 crashgizmo said:

gretchenindisguise, can you do Verizon Fios? I live north of San Diego and we have Fios for internet/cable/phone. We pay less than $110 for the higher speed internet, premium cable, and HD DVR.

I think so but haven't looked into them. Is the $110 including all fees and what not? If so - I think that sounds like a good deal!

We currently get our internet through ATT Uverse, so we'd been looking into them mostly.


Eta: just checked and it's not available in our complex. Darn.

You are either eligible for UVerse OR FiOS... just like you're eligible for Time Warner OR Cox OR Comcast, etc.

[gretchenindisguise]

Sept 20, 2014 13:39:04 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Sept 20, 2014 10:24:36 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

I think so but haven't looked into them. Is the $110 including all fees and what not? If so - I think that sounds like a good deal!

We currently get our internet through ATT Uverse, so we'd been looking into them mostly.


Eta: just checked and it's not available in our complex. Darn.

You are either eligible for UVerse OR FiOS... just like you're eligible for Time Warner OR Cox OR Comcast, etc.

Ugh. I hate them all. Why can't we have some good friendly competition?

[msmerymac]

Sept 20, 2014 13:51:16 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Sept 20, 2014 13:39:04 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

You are either eligible for UVerse OR FiOS... just like you're eligible for Time Warner OR Cox OR Comcast, etc.

Ugh. I hate them all. Why can't we have some good friendly competition?

I know that's rhetorical, but the real answer is the infrastructure costs. If Time Warner pays to put in all the cable lines, they're not going to be down with Comcast being able to use them, so the government basically allows these little monopolies, because otherwise the cost wouldn't back out for cable providers.

[gt7301b]

We pay $99 total for cable (with MLB TV and NHL redzone) and internet. I also got a $60 a month credit when I switched over to this package, because the associate couldn't get the monthly rate correct when we changed the sports package.

I call and harass them every 6-12 months wage my latest round of credits wear off. I find the most effective negotiating tactic is to tell them their rates are too expensive. Otherwise they keep trying to offer me a million movie channels I don't want.

[juliabug]

I have high speed internet for $35/month. I pay $9/month for Hulu and we bought a digital antenna for about $100 (we got an expensive one due to the mountains around us.)

When I did have directv, it was about $75/month. I occasionally miss the cooking shows, but they alone were not worth it.

We aren't huge sports fans. I occasionally go to my alumni association's events to watch a game. I get a lot of the games at home though. I'm in Oregon and currently watching my Florida alma mater on local tv.

[teatimefor2]

We pay $84.44 for Fios and high speed internet. It helps that we only have one TV!

[felicity]

Sept 20, 2014 0:23:26 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Sept 19, 2014 23:13:32 GMT -5 @wandering said:

Yikes, where do you live that it's so expensive?

I don't watch cable, but my roommates already had it set up and we split it. But I think Comcast is about $50 before taxes. We just have the standard channels, I think there are maybe 100 channels?

There is no way in hell I'd pay $120 for that. I know Comcast customer service sucks, but I'm sure you could get cable from them for under $120.  

I'm thinking combo internet and cable bill. Someone in fayelles post said they had a combo for $70.

I think that was me. We called and negotiated heavily. No DVRs, two boxes, internet, and we pay around that with taxes and fees. We have Fios and Cox in our area. Cox was willing to come down close to that (maybe a little higher...I don't remember exactly), but Fios was offering a little bit better services, and I think we got a bonus for signing on with them too. It'll jump up after a couple years, and at that point we'll call and negotiate again. If you actually cancel, you'll get the best deals that way. Our experience with Cox was that you still have 30 days of service after cancelling, and they'll throw great deals at you to get you to stay after that time period. 

[usuallylurking]

gretchenindisguise we pay $39.99/mo for just internet. We go through Charter Communications, I'm not sure if they're available in your area or not. So then we also pay $8/mo for Netflix streaming and then we are also Amazon Prime members, mostly because DS2 is so into Dora, Diego and Bubble Guppies right now that I can't kick ourselves to strictly Netflix. Plus H and I really like the option of renting a movie off of Amazon and not having to go to Redbox or whatever. I watch current tv on Project Free TV dot com OR on network providers internet page. I'm able to stream some sporting events (this is what I miss most, but I like the smaller monthly bill more than missing those). I hate dealing with cable and internet companies. Good luck!

[havarti]

I haven't had cable in years, so this might be a total dead end, but have you looked into satellite?

[puppyluv]

We have an intro bundle from time warner for $65 that includes internet, basic cable (20 channels), and HBO. however they charge us about an extra $20 for 1 box and taxes. Then we added a sports package too and we pay about $100 a month.

[MadamePresident]

I've found if you talk to the cancelation department you have much better luck in getting a better rate. They are actually authorized to give discounts unlike the regular representatives.

[gretchenindisguise]

Thanks for all the advice everyone!

We shall see if I bite the bullet and get cable again. I'm gun shy.

[thatgirl2478]

Our options are really limited here - Comcast or DirecTv/Dish for cable and Comcast of Frontier for internet. In a few months we're expecting to have access to our local fiber optic service for both cable & internet/phone.

Right now we pay 106 for Internet/phone and 96 for DirecTv. I hate that it costs so much. Once the local company is available, we'll pay $118 for TV/internet/phone (it's not much less to drop phone).