Really PO'd at Comcast!

bicker · 06-22-2009, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 85MustangJeff

Outside of satellite service Comcast doesn't feel they have competition here in Acushnet, MA.

Let's test that assertion:

Post what you pay Comcast, and what services you get from them, and I'll compare what you pay to what I pay here, where we have five competitors (including FiOS and RCN).

I suspect what we'll find is that within a small range, that you are seeing the effect of competition... you reasonably wish that competition led to lower prices than you're paying, but the reality is that your prices already reflect the impact of competition from the three subscription television service providers who already serve Acushnet, MA.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 85MustangJeff

my understanding is that Verizon has to go town to town or city by city to ask permission to lay their cables.

They have to go town-by-town to get permission to operate. Verizon is working hard, in Massachusetts, to get the state to issue statewide licenses. The legislation comes up at a public hearing next on July 22. It is being opposed by local communities that will effectively lose their power to extort financial considerations from new competitors. Effectively, our local governments are obstructing a further opening of the marketplace to competition. Of course, if this new legislation passes, I'm sure consumerists will complain about its effects, because being consumerists, they want their cake and to eat it too.

85MustangJeff · 06-22-2009, 02:47 PM

Hey Bicker...

I pay Comcast $179.00 a month for all 3 services I receive from them. It is in a bundled package, but I have 2 TIVO HD receivers and subscribe to every channel Comcast offers but the international channels.

I also have the VoIP phone service and I am on top tier internet DOCSIS 3 service.

So the $179.00 a month actually went up $29.00 and we lost a HD Channel. We used to pay $150.00 a month for everything I just listed.

Of course that is not including all the fees and taxes so my Comcast bill every month is $207.31.

I figured as much with the Verizon situation. I hope they can get a state wide license that sure would be nice.

JEFF

bicker · 06-22-2009, 06:24 PM

Unfortunately, we don't have all those services here, so I cannot provide a comparative price. Could you post specific line items, perhaps from the price information brochure for your area, and I'll post the corresponding line items from mine?

Here are a few to start with:

Digital Starter: $62.35 plus tax per month
Digital Classic: Digital Starter + $13.95 ptpm
Digital Preferred Plus 1 Premium: Digital Starter + $28.45 ptpm
Digital Preferred Plus 1 Premiums: Digital Starter + $39.45 ptpm
Digital Premier: Digital Starter + $53.45 ptpm
CableCARD rental: $1.50 ptpm

12Mbps High-speed Internet: $59.95 ptpm
16Mbps High-speed Internet: $69.95 ptpm
22Mbps High-speed Internet: $79.95 ptpm
50Mbps High-speed Internet: $139.95 ptpm

Digital Voice $44.95 ptpm

The top level Triple Play we have here doesn't include DOCSIS 3.0 service, that you have, but it is priced $209.99. Seems like your Triple Play pricing ($207.31) is very close to our Triple Play pricing, if not better -- and remember, we have five competitors offering service here, including three terrestrial competitors .

85MustangJeff · 06-22-2009, 07:06 PM

Hey Bicker this is what I have for you...

TV PACKAGES...

Digital Starter $ 61.49 a month

On Demand with tons of free movies
o About 100 digital cable channels.
o Thousands of movies and shows–most free–ready to play as you please with On Demand.
o 45 commercial-free music channels, from Top 40 to classical to hip-hop.
o Local programming and all the popular cable channels.
o Easy parental controls that keep your family safe.
o On-screen program guide.

Digital Preferred $ 75.44 a month

Over 100 channels and tons of free movies with On Demand
o 100+ digital cable channels.
o Over 10,000 movies and shows–most free–ready to play as you please with On Demand.
o 45 commercial-free music channels, from Top 40 to classical to hip-hop.
o Local programming and all the popular cable channels.
o Easy parental controls that keep your family safe.
o On-screen program guide.

Digital Preferred Plus $ 100.94 a month

Includes HBO and Starz, and their On Demand libraries
o 150+ digital cable channels.
o Over 10,000 movies and shows–most free–ready to play as you please with On Demand.
o 45 commercial-free music channels, from Top 40 to classical to hip-hop.
o Local programming and all the popular cable channels.
o Easy parental controls that keep your family safe.
o On-screen program guide.

Digital Premier $ 114.94 a month

Includes HBO, Showtime, Starz and Cinemax, along with their multiplexes and On Demand libraries, plus the Sports Entertainment Package
o 150+ digital cable channels.
o Over 10,000 movies and shows –most free– ready to play as you please with On Demand.
o 45 commercial-free music channels, from Top 40 to classical to hip-hop.
o Local programming and all the popular cable channels.
o Easy parental controls that keep your family safe
o On-screen program guide.

HIGH SPEED INTERNET PACKAGES

Economy Internet Service $ 24.95 a month

Way faster than dial-up with downloads up to 1 Mbps and uploads up to 384 Kbps.
o No dialing in required and no tying up the phone line.
o Download speeds that are way faster than dial-up.
o The highly-acclaimed, McAfee Security Suite—a $120 value!
o The SmartZone® Communications Center, which combines e-mail, Comcast voice mail and contacts into one convenient place online.
o Seven e-mail accounts, each with 10GB of storage.
o Access to Comcast.net to share photos, check e-mail and more.

This starting price is for customers who currently subscribe to Comcast Cable and/or Comcast Digital Voice service.

Performance $ 42.95 a month

Downloads up to 15Mbps, uploads up to 3Mbps with PowerBoost®
o The perfect upgrade from DSL.
o Surf the net, download music, upload photos and chat with friends faster than ever before.
o Comprehensive security tools.
o SmartZone™ Communications Center.
o Access to Comcast.net.
o 7 e-mail accounts, each with 10GB of storage.

This starting price is for customers that currently subscribe to Comcast Cable or Comcast Digital Voice service.

Blast!® $52.95 a month

Downloads up to 20Mbps, uploads up to 4Mbps with PowerBoost®.
o All the speed you need for downloading music and movies, and uploading photos and streaming video.
o Comprehensive security tools.
o SmartZone ™ Communications Center.
o Access to Comcast.net.
o 7 e-mail accounts, each with 10GB of storage.

This starting price is for customers that currently subscribe to Comcast Cable or Comcast Digital Voice service.

Ultra $ 62.95 a month

Downloads up to 30Mbps, uploads up to 7Mbps with PowerBoost®.
o Lightening fast for multiple online users; increased frame rates for gamers.
o Comprehensive security tools.
o SmartZone ™ Communications Center.
o Access to Comcast.net.
o 7 e-mail accounts, each with 10GB of storage.

This starting price is for customers that currently subscribe to Comcast Cable or Comcast Digital Voice service.

Extreme 50 $ 99.95 a month

Downloads up to 50Mbps, uploads up to 10Mbps with PowerBoost®.
o The fastest download speeds around–incredible speeds for households with several computers, hard-core gamers, downloading HD movies and more.
o Comprehensive security tools.
o SmartZone ™ Communications Center.
o Access to Comcast.net.
o 7 e-mail accounts, each with 10GB of storage.

This starting price is for customers that currently subscribe to Comcast Cable or Comcast Digital Voice service.

PHONE SERVICE

Comcast Local with More® $24.95 a month

In-state and out-of-state nationwide long-distance for just 5 cents a minute.
o Easy to switch–keep your home phone number.
o Unlimited local calling.
o Rated #1 in call clarity* thanks to our advanced fiber-optic network.
o 12 popular calling features including Caller ID, Call Waiting, and more.

*Based upon an independent study performed by Keynote dated November, 2008, Wave 6 Study.

Comcast Unlimited® $39.95 a month

Unlimited local and Nationwide long-distance calling for one low rate.
o Easy to switch–keep your home phone number.
o Unlimited local and long-distance calling to the US, Canada and Puerto Rico.
o Rated #1 in call clarity* thanks to our advanced fiber-optic network.
o Visual voice mail that lets you see who called so you can listen to the most important messages first.
o 12 popular calling features including Caller ID, Call Waiting, and more.
o Low international calling rates.

*Based upon an independent study performed by Keynote dated November, 2008, Wave 6 Study.

This starting price is for customers that currently subscribe to Comcast Cable and Comcast High-Speed Internet.

That's all the information I can give you from my local area Bicker, I hope this is what you were asking for...

JEFF

bicker · 06-23-2009, 03:16 AM

Yup, that's a fine set of data for the comparison. And as I understand it, you don't have FiOS or RCN available to you -- however, your prices are actually lower than ours, here, where we have Comcast, FiOS, RCN, DirecTV and Dish Network available to us. It looks very clearly like you're getting a competitive price where you live.

85MustangJeff · 06-23-2009, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bicker

Yup, that's a fine set of data for the comparison. And as I understand it, you don't have FiOS or RCN available to you -- however, your prices are actually lower than ours, here, where we have Comcast, FiOS, RCN, DirecTV and Dish Network available to us. It looks very clearly like you're getting a competitive price where you live.

You are correct we only have Comcast or satellite service to choose from. FIOS is on the way but when it arrives is anyone's guess. I guess I am doing OK price wise then, that's good to know...

JEFF

MisterTV · 06-23-2009, 08:59 AM

You could always buy yourself a good antenna.

zip2play · 06-24-2009, 08:30 AM

Mustang Jeff;
Don't forget to add $10 if you want any of those choices in High Definition.

bicker · 06-24-2009, 10:22 AM

That's not the way pricing works everywhere. I'm sure Jeff would have mentioned it if he was paying a $10 high-definition fee.

85MustangJeff · 06-24-2009, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zip2play

Mustang Jeff;
Don't forget to add $10 if you want any of those choices in High Definition.

Actually Bicker you are correct. The charge depends on what type of receiver you opt for. They have the regular HD receiver, Dual Tuner DVR HD Receiver and the TIVO receivers that I have. According to the deal or program that you agree to with Comcast dictates what you pay. So basically for every digital channel I subscribe to I receive the HD channel at no additional cost. I am paying for the use of the receiver and the use of the TIVO service.

Jeff

Lee Stewart · 06-24-2009, 08:19 PM

Really PO'd at Comcast!

Damn Straight!

They announced last September that they were going to start offerring HDnet and HDnet Movies.

OK - it's friggin June! Where are they?

AND . . .

In the last 6 months I have received ONE single additional HD channel - some local crap Maimi channel called ION that is mostly paid programming and has very little HD.

And no - I don't have any SAT choices.

bicker · 06-25-2009, 03:52 AM

zip2play · 06-25-2009, 09:22 AM

So then Mustang Jeff...you are agreeing with bicker that a charge of $61.49 for Digital Starter INCLUDES an HD tuner box?

In my area Comcast demands an additional $9.95 plus tax extra to add HD to "DIGTAL STARTER" otherwise you get a junky little box without HD capability.
Are you SURE you would get an HD box at that price? I'll bet NOT.

Of couse any premium package including a DVR would include the HD service because that's the way the boxes are made...you can't have the former without the latter.

For me, a DVR added to any level of service is an extra $15.95/mo. and that will include HD.

Lee Stewart · 06-25-2009, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zip2play

So then Mustang Jeff...you are agreeing with bicker that a charge of $61.49 for Digital Starter INCLUDES an HD tuner box?

In my area Comcast demands an additional $9.95 plus tax extra to add HD to "DIGTAL STARTER" otherwise you get a junky little box without HD capability.
Are you SURE you would get an HD box at that price? I'll bet NOT.

Of couse any premium package including a DVR would include the HD service because that's the way the boxes are made...you can't have the former without the latter.

For me, a DVR added to any level of service is an extra $15.95/mo. and that will include HD.

I pay $13.95 each for my two HD DVR's. I have the Digital Preferred package and there is also a line item on my bill called:

" Digital Service - Additional Outlet for $6.95" which I have no idea what that is.

Lee Stewart · 06-25-2009, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bicker

It may mean nothing to you but it sure does to me. Especially after reading a number of articles about other cable companies adding HD channels.

06-22-2009, 02:47 PM	#62
85MustangJeff HD Rocks! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Acushnet, Massachusetts Age: 34 Posts: 103	Hey Bicker... I pay Comcast $179.00 a month for all 3 services I receive from them. It is in a bundled package, but I have 2 TIVO HD receivers and subscribe to every channel Comcast offers but the international channels. I also have the VoIP phone service and I am on top tier internet DOCSIS 3 service. So the $179.00 a month actually went up $29.00 and we lost a HD Channel. We used to pay $150.00 a month for everything I just listed. Of course that is not including all the fees and taxes so my Comcast bill every month is $207.31. I figured as much with the Verizon situation. I hope they can get a state wide license that sure would be nice. JEFF __________________ Epson Home Cinema 6100 Projector 100" Screen 16:9 Format Fixed Frame Monster Speaker Cables & HDMI Monster HDP 2400 Panasonic DMP-BD55 Comcast HD Tivo Direct TV HD DVR Onkyo HT-R530 2 Def Tech Pro Monitors 800 1 Def Tech Pro Center 1000 ****************************** FUTURE PURCHASES Definitive Technology ProMonitor 800 @4 Pioneer Elite SC07 HT Receiver

06-22-2009, 07:06 PM	#64
85MustangJeff HD Rocks! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Acushnet, Massachusetts Age: 34 Posts: 103	Hey Bicker this is what I have for you... TV PACKAGES... Digital Starter $ 61.49 a month On Demand with tons of free movies o About 100 digital cable channels. o Thousands of movies and shows–most free–ready to play as you please with On Demand. o 45 commercial-free music channels, from Top 40 to classical to hip-hop. o Local programming and all the popular cable channels. o Easy parental controls that keep your family safe. o On-screen program guide. Digital Preferred $ 75.44 a month Over 100 channels and tons of free movies with On Demand o 100+ digital cable channels. o Over 10,000 movies and shows–most free–ready to play as you please with On Demand. o 45 commercial-free music channels, from Top 40 to classical to hip-hop. o Local programming and all the popular cable channels. o Easy parental controls that keep your family safe. o On-screen program guide. Digital Preferred Plus $ 100.94 a month Includes HBO and Starz, and their On Demand libraries o 150+ digital cable channels. o Over 10,000 movies and shows–most free–ready to play as you please with On Demand. o 45 commercial-free music channels, from Top 40 to classical to hip-hop. o Local programming and all the popular cable channels. o Easy parental controls that keep your family safe. o On-screen program guide. Digital Premier $ 114.94 a month Includes HBO, Showtime, Starz and Cinemax, along with their multiplexes and On Demand libraries, plus the Sports Entertainment Package o 150+ digital cable channels. o Over 10,000 movies and shows –most free– ready to play as you please with On Demand. o 45 commercial-free music channels, from Top 40 to classical to hip-hop. o Local programming and all the popular cable channels. o Easy parental controls that keep your family safe o On-screen program guide. HIGH SPEED INTERNET PACKAGES Economy Internet Service $ 24.95 a month Way faster than dial-up with downloads up to 1 Mbps and uploads up to 384 Kbps. o No dialing in required and no tying up the phone line. o Download speeds that are way faster than dial-up. o The highly-acclaimed, McAfee Security Suite—a $120 value! o The SmartZone® Communications Center, which combines e-mail, Comcast voice mail and contacts into one convenient place online. o Seven e-mail accounts, each with 10GB of storage. o Access to Comcast.net to share photos, check e-mail and more. This starting price is for customers who currently subscribe to Comcast Cable and/or Comcast Digital Voice service. Performance $ 42.95 a month Downloads up to 15Mbps, uploads up to 3Mbps with PowerBoost® o The perfect upgrade from DSL. o Surf the net, download music, upload photos and chat with friends faster than ever before. o Comprehensive security tools. o SmartZone™ Communications Center. o Access to Comcast.net. o 7 e-mail accounts, each with 10GB of storage. This starting price is for customers that currently subscribe to Comcast Cable or Comcast Digital Voice service. Blast!® $52.95 a month Downloads up to 20Mbps, uploads up to 4Mbps with PowerBoost®. o All the speed you need for downloading music and movies, and uploading photos and streaming video. o Comprehensive security tools. o SmartZone ™ Communications Center. o Access to Comcast.net. o 7 e-mail accounts, each with 10GB of storage. This starting price is for customers that currently subscribe to Comcast Cable or Comcast Digital Voice service. Ultra $ 62.95 a month Downloads up to 30Mbps, uploads up to 7Mbps with PowerBoost®. o Lightening fast for multiple online users; increased frame rates for gamers. o Comprehensive security tools. o SmartZone ™ Communications Center. o Access to Comcast.net. o 7 e-mail accounts, each with 10GB of storage. This starting price is for customers that currently subscribe to Comcast Cable or Comcast Digital Voice service. Extreme 50 $ 99.95 a month Downloads up to 50Mbps, uploads up to 10Mbps with PowerBoost®. o The fastest download speeds around–incredible speeds for households with several computers, hard-core gamers, downloading HD movies and more. o Comprehensive security tools. o SmartZone ™ Communications Center. o Access to Comcast.net. o 7 e-mail accounts, each with 10GB of storage. This starting price is for customers that currently subscribe to Comcast Cable or Comcast Digital Voice service. PHONE SERVICE Comcast Local with More® $24.95 a month In-state and out-of-state nationwide long-distance for just 5 cents a minute. o Easy to switch–keep your home phone number. o Unlimited local calling. o Rated #1 in call clarity* thanks to our advanced fiber-optic network. o 12 popular calling features including Caller ID, Call Waiting, and more. Based upon an independent study performed by Keynote dated November, 2008, Wave 6 Study. Comcast Unlimited® $39.95 a month* Unlimited local and Nationwide long-distance calling for one low rate. o Easy to switch–keep your home phone number. o Unlimited local and long-distance calling to the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. o Rated #1 in call clarity* thanks to our advanced fiber-optic network. o Visual voice mail that lets you see who called so you can listen to the most important messages first. o 12 popular calling features including Caller ID, Call Waiting, and more. o Low international calling rates. Based upon an independent study performed by Keynote dated November, 2008, Wave 6 Study. This starting price is for customers that currently subscribe to Comcast Cable and Comcast High-Speed Internet. That's all the information I can give you from my local area Bicker, I hope this is what you were asking for... JEFF __________________ Epson Home Cinema 6100 Projector 100" Screen 16:9 Format Fixed Frame Monster Speaker Cables & HDMI Monster HDP 2400 Panasonic DMP-BD55 Comcast HD Tivo Direct TV HD DVR Onkyo HT-R530 2 Def Tech Pro Monitors 800 1 Def Tech Pro Center 1000 ***************************** FUTURE PURCHASES Definitive Technology ProMonitor 800 @4 Pioneer Elite SC07 HT Receiver

06-25-2009, 09:22 AM	#73
zip2play TV...INDISPENSIBLE Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 244	So then Mustang Jeff...you are agreeing with bicker that a charge of $61.49 for Digital Starter INCLUDES an HD tuner box? In my area Comcast demands an additional $9.95 plus tax extra to add HD to "DIGTAL STARTER" otherwise you get a junky little box without HD capability. Are you SURE you would get an HD box at that price? I'll bet NOT. Of couse any premium package including a DVR would include the HD service because that's the way the boxes are made...you can't have the former without the latter. For me, a DVR added to any level of service is an extra $15.95/mo. and that will include HD. Last edited by zip2play; 06-25-2009 at 09:34 AM.

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06-22-2009, 06:24 PM	#63
bicker High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burlington, MA Posts: 1,530	Unfortunately, we don't have all those services here, so I cannot provide a comparative price. Could you post specific line items, perhaps from the price information brochure for your area, and I'll post the corresponding line items from mine? Here are a few to start with: Digital Starter: $62.35 plus tax per month Digital Classic: Digital Starter + $13.95 ptpm Digital Preferred Plus 1 Premium: Digital Starter + $28.45 ptpm Digital Preferred Plus 1 Premiums: Digital Starter + $39.45 ptpm Digital Premier: Digital Starter + $53.45 ptpm CableCARD rental: $1.50 ptpm 12Mbps High-speed Internet: $59.95 ptpm 16Mbps High-speed Internet: $69.95 ptpm 22Mbps High-speed Internet: $79.95 ptpm 50Mbps High-speed Internet: $139.95 ptpm Digital Voice $44.95 ptpm The top level Triple Play we have here doesn't include DOCSIS 3.0 service, that you have, but it is priced $209.99. Seems like your Triple Play pricing ($207.31) is very close to our Triple Play pricing, if not better -- and remember, we have five competitors offering service here, including three terrestrial competitors .

06-23-2009, 03:16 AM	#65
bicker High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burlington, MA Posts: 1,530	Yup, that's a fine set of data for the comparison. And as I understand it, you don't have FiOS or RCN available to you -- however, your prices are actually lower than ours, here, where we have Comcast, FiOS, RCN, DirecTV and Dish Network available to us. It looks very clearly like you're getting a competitive price where you live.

06-23-2009, 08:59 AM	#67
MisterTV What is HD? Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 2	You could always buy yourself a good antenna.

06-24-2009, 08:30 AM	#68
zip2play TV...INDISPENSIBLE Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 244	Mustang Jeff; Don't forget to add $10 if you want any of those choices in High Definition.

06-24-2009, 10:22 AM	#69
bicker High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burlington, MA Posts: 1,530	That's not the way pricing works everywhere. I'm sure Jeff would have mentioned it if he was paying a $10 high-definition fee.

06-24-2009, 08:19 PM	#71
Lee Stewart Behold - the future! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Age: 58 Posts: 25,179	Really PO'd at Comcast! Damn Straight! They announced last September that they were going to start offerring HDnet and HDnet Movies. OK - it's friggin June! Where are they? AND . . . In the last 6 months I have received ONE single additional HD channel - some local crap Maimi channel called ION that is mostly paid programming and has very little HD. And no - I don't have any SAT choices.

06-25-2009, 03:52 AM	#72
bicker High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burlington, MA Posts: 1,530