[Flashback]

I have Comcast's "Triple Play" phone, internet and TV.

Has anyone been able to negotiate lower rates with these folks?

[GypsySoul22]

All they seem to do is raise rates. I've been with them going on 3 years and I am not happy either.

When I move, I hope there are some other options.

[tkln]

I've heard a lot of people complain about these bundle and packages from cable companies...they lure you in the first year with a great contract and price, and then once you're in, they raise the prices constantly...I've had separate phone/cable/internet for years, and the price hasn't risen once. Not sure if its dumb luck though.

[GypsySoul22]

Well, apart from Direct TV, we have little choice up here. There isn't as much 'competition' like in NY. We had a new carrier every year down there!

[LowboyTZ]

True. We did the Fairpoint bundle package last year. Had Dish Network for 15 years without a problem, really didn't care to change. But as mentioned, we got the "bill of goods" sold to us by bunching up the satellite, phone and FINALLY DSL service, for about $40.00/mo. less than having it seperate. We did the dial up thing for years, and was getting ready to just take this thing out back, load my 12 guage shotgun and ventilate it for good, if I didn't get faster service to watch video, etc.
That's the sole reason why we switched, come to think about it. The wires/poles are 50 feet from the house, but Comcast refused to hook us to DSL for lack of customers per mile. Fairpoint had no quams about it, so we jumped.
If it doubles in price next year for some unknown reason, then it's back to Dish Network, and some other plan for phone and DSL...Another thing to have to fight with...does it ever end?

[GypsySoul22]

The sad thing is 'cable/internet' needs much more competition to lower the prices. We should have free or very cheap access to the internet all over the USA.

For many kids, it is a learning tool. For the rest of us, it is a necessity. Yet so many people either cannot get it due to costs or location. Information should not be limited to those with money or in 'populated' areas.

Cable, okay, it's tv--but the internet, that should be subsidized by the government.

[arctichomesteader]

The internet was created by the government.

[RunawayJim]

There a reason Comcast gets voted the worst company in America every year by the Consumerist.

[arel]

I have the Triple Play from Comcast. I got sick of the very high billls once the promotional period ended. I called and asked for a downgrade. I was told they'd only take away HBO, etc, but I soon discovered that they took away a lot more than that, e.g. BBC, Discovery Health, and those specialty channels.

I had a very bad experience back in NYC when I got the Triple Play from Cablevision. It took three visits for the phone to work. Not only that, but the installer drilled through a window moulding that was over 85 years old and also drilled thorugh a screen. I contacted the company. When the supervisor came over, he seemed appalled. He told me to get an estimate for repairs, which I did. Then he consistently failed to return my calls. I complained and got a new supervisor. Meanwhile, I left for Vermont and got a bill for service. Eventually, I was told that Cablevision would not pay for the repairs. They said they would send me a letter, which I never received. They also sent me a bill for the service. I refused to pay it. The money I kept was only a tiny fraction of the estimate, but at least it was something. Cablevision then sent the bill to a collection agency. The collection agent was sympathetic, and asked me to put my concerns in writing. I did, and I have never heard from Cablevision or the collection agency again.

[GypsySoul22]

Arel,
My parents had a lot of problems with Cablevision Triple play (constant phone problems) until they finally fixed it.

I still feel it is unfair how 'big media' is mainly a monopoly.