John Rougeux Member # -1
Registered: 11/06/08
Posts: 6095
Loc: Louisville, KY
Originally Posted By: Jim_
Originally Posted By: John Rougeux
The big reason why I hate the Dish/DirecTV crap, contracts.
Crap, I didn't know they did that. After contract can you go month to month?
What cable options where you live?
Yup, 2 year contracts. Sucks.
And we only have 1 cable TV/Internet provider here (TWC). There is ATT/Uverse, but again, I think they like contracts AND I couldn't get Uverse anyways apparently...they didn't run the cable out this way. So, no bargaining chip really.
Acumowchek Is this thing on?
Registered: 12/30/07
Posts: 4208
Loc: Petaluma, CA
I played the DISH/DIRECT TV tango for four years before I cut it. Evidently, they didn't like me switching back and forth every couple of years (contract). But hey, the plus side is, I have these beautiful satellite dishes installed on my roof. No charge.
And we only have 1 cable TV/Internet provider here (TWC). There is ATT/Uverse, but again, I think they like contracts AND I couldn't get Uverse anyways apparently...they didn't run the cable out this way. So, no bargaining chip really.
Can you get DSL? They wouldn't want to lose your Internet either.
Lousiville has only 1 provider? Isn't Comcast available?
MrB
I invented modding!
Registered: 08/28/03
Posts: 9722
Loc: SE Kansas
Originally Posted By: Acumowchek
But… But… Golf is so exciting to watch on TV!
I think you forgot The Fishing Channel.
Reminded me that, people have different favorites. I personally agree with you about the Golf and fishing but I know peeps who those are their favorites. I've a friend who watches HGTV all the time. HGTV used to be Home and Garden TV with shows about gardens along with decorating homes . Now it's just reality type shows about buying houses. I don't think there is a program about gardening at all.
But the bundling of channels the company's have sure sucks us into buying more
Dave
_________________________
If we don't count our blessings We are just wasting our time
And yes, I know that all those crap channels subsidize the sports channels, which cost an arm and a leg. But the sports channels are what I don't watch at all. I can live without ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN News, ESPN U, Golf Channel, SportsNet, CBS College Sports, NHL Network, NFL Network, NFL Redzone, Tennis Channel. Really. Never ever watch any of them.
I know they all have to make their coin, but I really think it's more that the major networks want their big cut than the cable provider's decision. If the providers could offer some alacarte menu for a few bucks more a month I know some people that would be glad to be able DVR what they really want to watch in full quality, rather than torrent it, for no income to the cable provider. I was talking to someone the other day that felt that way.
I have been with my provider for 13+ years. Every year when the price went up I would call and get it back to the new customer rate, "or I'd switch" if asking nice doesn't work. I do have 2 cable options. If there's some reason you wouldn't want to switch don't worry, they don't want to lose you.
It's to the point where when it went up last time and I saw it on my bill, I called and they refunded me, and the rep actually told me to make sure I call every year and they will re-up my "preferred customer" rate or something like that.
They want your money. Any income with profit is better than no income. You can bargain with your providers as long as you have other options. If you have at least 2 viable high speed options in your area it's pretty much a lock on getting the new customer rate, or close to it. Just threaten them with switching.
Me too. I just called and threatened to quit them like Brokeback Mountain. (I wish I could quit yew!) They set my price back to it's original for the next year. ==
I also call my credit card companies and get lower APRs just by asking nicely. Seriously.