Houston Comcast Cable Rates Go Up - Will customer service go up as well?
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oddstar @ 1st Sep 10:48AM:
Is anyone really surprised?
That isn't a huge cost increase, but it sure isn't welcome either. Oddly enough my Dish network installation is planned for today :)
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StEaLtHBuNnY @ 1st Sep 10:53AM:
sigh
You just get a raise from work and your all excited because of making more money and then that money just goes to pay more for something else...
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Jovi @ 1st Sep 10:59AM:
Bottom Line
"increased value of our services"
is only in the eyes of the person paying the bill. ;)
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"Where's my coffee? Oh. I guess it's my turn to make it." :(
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reelbigfish @ 1st Sep 11:13AM:
Re: Is anyone really surprised?
Every time they raise cable rates I check to see how much DirecTV costs. With the promo it would cost $65/month for the programming and $60 for Verizon phone and DSL. Total of $125 for the first 3 months, $130 after. Comcast with their promo for 1 year with is $133 with taxes. Taking into account Verizon taxes, satellite costs more. Plus I have to pay $199 for the HD DVR and the internet is slower. After that cable may go up, but they are offering contracts to stay at the same rate that I have now.
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binarycode @ 1st Sep 11:14AM:
lol
"increased value of our services" and the company's investment of $200 million to improve network reliability
a neat way to side step that they are not upgrading their network capacity, just using sandvine to restrict everyone's uses.
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keason @ 1st Sep 11:33AM:
Re: lol
I suppose it's not a bad strategy for comcast.
Price increase for TV watchers -> few customers -> more P2P -> higher demand for internet -> more Comcast Internet customers -> higher costs - > Price increase for TV watchers.
Comcast reliability? Very poor in my experience compared to telco.
At least it helps keep the satellite companies in business.
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LeftOfSanity @ 1st Sep 11:39AM:
Re: lol
said by keason :
I suppose it's not a bad strategy for comcast.
Price increase for TV watchers -> few customers -> more P2P -> higher demand for internet -> more Comcast Internet customers -> higher costs - > Price increase for TV watchers.
Comcast reliability? Very poor in my experience compared to telco.
At least it helps keep the satellite companies in business.
I can honestly say in my neck of the woods, Comcast is great. I've had TV and CHSI for over 5 years now, and only issues were when I lost power. I've had CDV for 1.5 yrs and its been great.
I guess it really does matter what market/division you are in.
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Mactron @ 1st Sep 11:40AM:
Front page news?
Isn't this a predicable annual, twice annual event ? :huh:
So why is this front page news ? :uhh:
Yawn, same ol stuff from (insert cable provider name here) _______... ;)
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eric87m @ 1st Sep 11:43AM:
Re: Is anyone really surprised?
Enjoy HD-Lite in that case, guy.
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TK Junk Mail @ 1st Sep 11:46AM:
Hope we aren't going to have a Comcast price hike news item
....every time the price hike is implemented in cities across the country. One per every 6 months is more than enough.
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moonpuppy @ 1st Sep 12:05PM:
Why can't they be honest?
Seriously, the cable employees come on here every time we have a story like this and complain that the price hikes are neccesary because of increased costs in gas, salaries, content, etc.
Now, why doesn't Comcast actually say that instead of the cryptic "increased value of our services"? Seriously, if they want to have less backlash over rate hikes, blame it on the real reason and not this BS of "increased value of our services."
Everyone knows that the prices of things are going up. Not everyone is that stupid yet Comcast loves to insult the intelligence of their customers. :uhh:
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ISurfTooMuch @ 1st Sep 12:15PM:
Re: Why can't they be honest?
They say it because it's a chance to market their services. They believe that they can turn a negative (rate increase) into a positive (Our service is getting better every day!). Sure, very few believe it, but as long as it doesn't have a negative impact, it's better than the alternative.
I have Comcast for TV and Internet, and, while the Internet works great for me, I question why I keep the TV package. My location won't let me get a dish (nowhere to put it), but, as soon as I can do that, Comcast is history.
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MysticGogeta @ 1st Sep 12:18PM:
Sigh coming from Houston
About a week ago my tv was in and out for 4 days strait and now they increase I wonder where the hell is this investment going to?
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BosstonesOwn @ 1st Sep 01:06PM:
Re: Sigh coming from Houston
Brian Roberts needs a new Bentley. Every other ceo is driving the 2007 models , he wants the 2008 before every one else.
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Scree @ 1st Sep 01:12PM:
well
If that happens everywhere eventually I would like the option of removng ondemand service.
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en102 @ 1st Sep 01:47PM:
Re: Bottom Line
They have to pay for those high speed internet / HD programming somehow.
For all those looking at the 15Mbps HSI... this is where you pay for it.
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fiberguy @ 1st Sep 02:32PM:
Re: sigh
said by StEaLtHBuNnY :
You just get a raise from work and your all excited because of making more money and then that money just goes to pay more for something else...
In school, I'm sure you took an economics course, right?
Your paycheck and expenses SHOULD raise at ABOUT the same pace. If you have a job where you are worried about a simple raise, then don't expect to ever get rich on that job much less live a lush life from that paycheck.
However, I will give you a little credit on your gripe, because in this administration you're never going to get ahead unless you are an upper class person.
Mr. Bush's idea for the next 1040EZ will read the following:
Line 1: How much did you make? ________
Line 2: Send it in.
But seriously.. the idea of that raise is for you to be able to meet the higher cost of living which is why it's called a cost of living increase.
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Rick @ 1st Sep 02:32PM:
Even after the increase
Houston customers will still be paying less than we do here in Ct.
"Starting in October, Comcast's standard cable bill will increase $3, from $44.99 to $47.99, the company said. Digital Classic, its most popular digital package, will jump $5 to $60.99 from $55.99."
Our standard cable price is 49.95 now (and has been since January)..and our digital classic tier is 61.89 now.
Is it expensive? I guess that depends on ones perspective.
1.66 per day for the news, shows, movies and overall entertainment it provides seems to be a bargain compared to many other things we spend our money on each day.
I have to say though that at least in my household, the internet has almost totally replaced TV and If it's even on 5 hours a week, that's probably a lot.
Personally, I think that someday, cable tv will be a thing of the past. What cable co's are is just a middleman between us and the stations and studios who produce the content we watch. As the net and TV becomes more entwined, I think we'll just go to NBC's site..click a link..and watch whatever shows we want..when we want them.
And movies, and everything else will be this way as well.
It's already happening in a limited fashion. And even netflix is now getting into the download business.
This is why the size of the internet pipes is going to be so important. That's just a lot of data that's going to be flowing out there. Obviously, it won't kill off the cable and telco hsi providers, it will just demand that they can keep up and it will shift their roles to one of just being a pipe to connect us to the stations and studios.
What's good about this scenario is it lets us watch and subscribe to what we want..instead of these prepackaged cable and satellite packages that have so much that we don't want.
Anyways..enjoy your TV service while you can..along with it's associated increases Comcast and others.
I think your days are numbered though that you'll be able to do that.
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The Coyote captured the RR! Roadrunner Rick is now Comcastic!
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fiberguy @ 1st Sep 02:34PM:
Re: Hope we aren't going to have a Comcast price hike news item
News Flash: Prices go up! It's how our economy works. It's hardly newsworthy and since they make it here at every turn, I rest my case.
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fiberguy @ 1st Sep 02:38PM:
Re: Why can't they be honest?
Where are those employees complaining that they are necessary? I'm at your post and yet to see a single one. I've yet to see any employee here "complain they are necessary"... what I HAVE seen are PEOPLE who with intelligence GET thee basics of economics.
Unless you can tell me in this society how a company can spend millions to billions of dollars and NOT raise prices to some point in order to offset the money out - then I'm sure EVERYONE would LOVE to hear it!
I'd love for people like you to own your own business, make an investment in your operation and try to not not prices with out being honest to yourself about it.. AND stay in business.
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"Complaining is the least path of resistance for the self-serving, the lazy, and I’m told it’s a woman’s prerogative..."
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jjeffeory @ 1st Sep 03:26PM:
Re: Even after the increase
Dude,
It's obvious that you work for Comcast. This shit is too expensive.
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Rick @ 1st Sep 03:56PM:
Re: Even after the increase
said by jjeffeory :
Dude,
It's obvious that you work for Comcast. This shit is too expensive.
"Dude", with my going on 7 years of history here at BBR I think it's quite obvious that if I was an employee of comcast, that fact would be well known by now.
In fact, I've only been a customer of their's even since January, when they took over my local cable co. (adelphia) and I doubt you could even find one post on this site prior that in all the years before that where I even discussed their company at all.
Again, is it expensive? Like I said..it's a matter of perspective. Probably for me, it is..because I watch so little of it. But, for those who regularly watch it..I don't think that what amounts to 1.66 per day for standard tv is a lot. What else do you get for that money.....a bottle of soda?
Anyways..I'd rather discuss HSI. TV holds little interest for me personally and usually is good for one thing for me.
To put me to sleep real quick. :p
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The Coyote captured the RR! Roadrunner Rick is now Comcastic!
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riturno @ 1st Sep 06:44PM:
It's fall...
While the leaves still may be on the trees in some parts when this happens, fall is a traditional time for the Comcast fairy to raise prices.
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spewak @ 1st Sep 06:49PM:
They have to hold the line
on price hikes. Amazing how they raise the rates so often. What gives? :(
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Johnny @ 1st Sep 08:04PM:
Truck Rolls
They have to pay for the useless truck rolls that every subscriber gets about 11 of before they call the regional VP and get it fixed.
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punker @ 1st Sep 08:17PM:
Dish only wants 100 forall the channels
getting an doog deal with dish
Dish only wants 100bux for all the channels
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Aidens Daddy @ 2nd Sep 12:51AM:
Re: Is anyone really surprised?
The sad thing is, your going to get HD-Lite almost everywhere. The only time it is not HD-Lite is when it is OTA and not using sub-channels.
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SRFireside @ 2nd Sep 01:14AM:
Re: Even after the increase
Considering Time Warner was only charging about $35 for standard cable before Comcast came along I think there is a good cause to complain. Sorry things aren't so cheap in CT, but keep in mind different states have different costs of living.
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Combat Chuck @ 2nd Sep 01:19AM:
Re: Why can't they be honest?
said by moonpuppy :
Now, why doesn't Comcast actually say that instead of the cryptic "increased value of our services"? Seriously, if they want to have less backlash over rate hikes, blame it on the real reason and not this BS of "increased value of our services."
Because if they said that than people would be in here complaining about the fact that CC's overhead and increased expenses aren't their problem.
So instead they go with the better spin.
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anon @ 2nd Sep 01:57AM:
Comcast should be called Skamcast
:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
Comcast aka Time Warner aka AOL crapola, thats all it is. They can't even get their new and improved fantastic digital phone (that we had no choice in getting) to stay online during a rainstorm.
What does first level support say but "TW is not responsible for anything beyond the first 8 hops. After that it is the customer's responsibility."
????????????????????
What genius wrote that line for them? The sad thing is, there isn't much for options in this huge city (D/FW). $%^*)&#*$&
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nursemike @ 2nd Sep 06:04AM:
Re: Sigh coming from Houston
Oh, to be Top Dog and have your director buddies set your salary for you!
KEY EXECUTIVES
Mr. Brian L. Roberts , 47 $ 5.50M $ 19.92M
Mr. Ralph J. Roberts , 87 $ 1.85M $ 2.75M
Mr. John R. Alchin , 59 $ 1.18M $ 2.83M
Mr. Stephen B. Burke , 49 $ 2.00M $ 19.04M
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TraumaJunkie @ 2nd Sep 12:59PM:
Re: Comcast should be called Skamcast
said by CatherineDaGreat :
:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
Comcast aka Time Warner aka AOL crapola, thats all it is. They can't even get their new and improved fantastic digital phone (that we had no choice in getting) to stay online during a rainstorm.
What does first level support say but "TW is not responsible for anything beyond the first 8 hops. After that it is the customer's responsibility."
????????????????????
What genius wrote that line for them? The sad thing is, there isn't much for options in this huge city (D/FW). $%^*)&#*$&
Huh?
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tmc8080 @ 2nd Sep 02:32PM:
My response to customers:
CANCEL THE ACCOUNT.
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Bharat @ 2nd Sep 10:42PM:
Three Thumbs Down
I'm extremely upset about this. Comcast advertised that we'd get more for less money than with TWC. They advertised that nothing much would change. I'm really busy, but I'm now looking into alternatives.
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emptywig @ 3rd Sep 09:21AM:
Re: sigh
Is it impossible for someone to keep their f*&king politics to themselves for just ONE TOPIC! All of you, Dems and Repubs, just STFU about the politics already!
Its impossible to have a civil conversation anymore because there is always one goob who insists on turning it into a political platform.
Jeesh,
wig
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emptywig @ 3rd Sep 09:28AM:
Re: Is anyone really surprised?
I'm really surprised that the service in Houston went to s**t exactly the day Comcast took over. Since then its been screwy signals, intermittent internet service, and OnDemand which works about every 3rd or 4th try. Customer service has been astoundingly awful, worse than it ever was with Time Warner. I'm on my third reschedule for having the Digital Voice installed, and
I'm still waiting for my first Comcast bill. I'm sure its going to be a disaster.
Another $8? Yes its too much. They haven't even been here two months!
Bastards. All of 'em.
wig
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Sometimes a paradox is just a paradox
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emptywig @ 3rd Sep 09:33AM:
Re: Front page news?
Maybe because Comcast has only been in Houston for two months, and their service has been AWFUL on all fronts from the day they took over. OnDemand that doesn't work, screwy, pixelated signals on many many channels, intermittent internet service, and momentously bad customer service.
I have had more problems with my service the weeks since Comcast took over than I had in 10 years with Time Warner.
I never would have believed that a company could suck so bad unless I had experienced it myself. They are AWFUL!
AT&T is in the neighborhood now, and if Comcast doesn't shape up, I'm gonna dump 'em.
wig
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Sometimes a paradox is just a paradox
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emptywig @ 3rd Sep 09:38AM:
Re: Three Thumbs Down
Of course they did what all of these companies do - they lied to us. Again. Like they lie to everyone else.
They lied to us. Plain and simple.
wig
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Sometimes a paradox is just a paradox
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kreggo @ 3rd Sep 05:38PM:
Re: Bottom Line
The 15Mbps tier is not available in Houston.
I had the 6Mbps package and rarely saw download speeds anywhere near 6Mb, usually around 2-4 MB.
I recently switched my internet connection to ATT DSL for less $ and get much better data rates up and down. Looks like it's time to drop the Comcast TV package as well.
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revision @ 3rd Sep 11:00PM:
Re: Bottom Line
I'm just waiting for AT&T uverse to come to my area. They promised no price hikes anytime soon and now it's going to be 4 months and they have a hike?
Here's my other issue, ever since they took over, the broadband has gone in the toilet. I can NOT get a download anywhere _NEAR_ where it was when twc was here.
Their support said "give it 2 more weeks as your area is in the first half of the conversion" it has been 2 going on 3 months since that chat with the support rep and I'm STILL only getting 1161kbps down 358kbps up... THAT'S NOT AN IMPROVEMENT IN SERVICES.
All you "economists" suggesting this is simple economics need to wake up from your delusional mental state because you've been drinking some freaking serious koolaid.
Comcast, GO AWAY time warner may have not had all the HD channels you have but I'll gladly take them back over this junk. You ruined my internet, you've ruined my on demand, and be glad you have the rest of these fools believing your price hike to be "simple economics."
This price hike is for another CEO to line his pockets even deeper with cash while widening the margin of pay difference with the people who make his company what it is.
I hope IPTV drives Comcrap into the ground.
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moonpuppy @ 5th Sep 10:24AM:
Re: Why can't they be honest?
said by fiberguy :
Where are those employees complaining that they are necessary? I'm at your post and yet to see a single one. I've yet to see any employee here "complain they are necessary"... what I HAVE seen are PEOPLE who with intelligence GET thee (sic) basics of economics.
You are the one with the loudest bullhorn (at least on this site.) See your own paragraph below.
said by fiberguy :
Unless you can tell me in this society how a company can spend millions to billions of dollars and NOT raise prices to some point in order to offset the money out - then I'm sure EVERYONE would LOVE to hear it!
Tell me where I said a company cannot raise prices.
All I am saying is Comcast should be more "honest" about why they have raised prices at a greater rate than inflation. If it is because of content, then say so and maybe the customers would be more sympathetic (since they can lay their blame on the sports starts and celebrities.) If it is because of utilities (which in parts of Maryland have gone up 72% in 1 year) then maybe we can understand it (since we all pay for gas and electric.) If it is because you want a higher profit margin and stock price, then people are not going to be sympathetic. If it is for upgrades, then what upgrades are those? People want to see what they are getting for their money.
said by fiberguy :
I'd love for people like you to own your own business, make an investment in your operation and try to not not prices with out being honest to yourself about it.. AND stay in business.
I have experience with that and I know how it works in a "competitive" environment. Let's be honest, Comcast has very little competition in many markets and therefore, doesn't worry too much about rate hikes.
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Bharat @ 4th Nov 12:03PM:
Re: Three Thumbs Down
I didn't say I was surprised (I wasn't), but I am f***ing outraged by having my cable bill mysteriously raise not just one time, but about $6 a month since August.
I'm paying $125 on my current bill when it was about $80 on my last Time-Warner bill.
Good thing DirectTV just sent me a great offer in the mail!
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