Author Topic: Cable TV (Read 17825 times)

Gregg · « **on:** December 14, 2007, 07:28:42 AM »

I recently discovered that AT&T offers cable service in my area. I was wondering if anyone here has their TV service.

They offer 100 channels for $39 which is cheaper than my 150 channel package with DISH by $11 (unless there are taxes AT&T didn't mention - I plan to call back and ask about that...) We watch maybe 22 channels, but some not very often at all. The only one not included in AT&T's "100" package that I watch is the NFL Network.

Seems like a good idea. Maybe I can negotiate for that one channel...

sandbox · « **Reply #1 on:** December 14, 2007, 08:03:42 AM »

http://www.my3cents.com/companyOverview.cgi?code=141

Gregg · « **Reply #2 on:** December 14, 2007, 12:15:13 PM »

A page of complaints...

Happy customers don't write. Any happy ones here???

dolphin · « **Reply #3 on:** December 14, 2007, 01:57:06 PM »

QUOTE(Gregg @ Dec 14 2007, 08:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I recently discovered that AT&T offers cable service in my area. I was wondering if anyone here has their TV service.

They offer 100 channels for $39 which is cheaper than my 150 channel package with DISH by $11 (unless there are taxes AT&T didn't mention - I plan to call back and ask about that...) We watch maybe 22 channels, but some not very often at all. The only one not included in AT&T's "100" package that I watch is the NFL Network. How about the BIG TEN NETWORK GREGG??? You gotta see your ILLINI!

Seems like a good idea. Maybe I can negotiate for that one channel...

I can't tell you anything about it...don't know anyone with it!!!

Xairbusdriver · « **Reply #4 on:** December 14, 2007, 09:37:59 PM »

Another result of 'bundling'. It's hardly ever a good deal whether it's in software or anything else. There's usually too much of one thing and not enough of another, one size hardly ever fits everyone. That said, you will be lucky to even have a choice between two telecoms and/or two cable companies. So you end up trying to compare apples and oranges.

In my opinion, your choice is between fairly fast downloading, slower uploading and channels you don't watch, on the one hand. Your second choice is faster down and uploading and fewer wasted channels. On the Internet side, the choice is obvious. But if you treasure some of those missing channels (and you may not be the only one who misses them!), you may have to live with a slightly slower Internet!

Of course, you could also try 'un-bundling' the services and see what that would cost, probably higher but maybe not as much as you thought. And there's still your fourth choice of trying to get some of those missing channels and the higher Internet speeds.

How's that for help? You ask about one choice and get four different ones as an 'answer'!

Maybe some darts would be easier...

Jack W · « **Reply #5 on:** December 15, 2007, 09:57:05 AM »

xAirBusDriver,

I signed up for Time Warner's bundled package — Digital Cable with so many chanels I can't count them all; Turbo RoadRunner; and Digital phone with unlimited long distance 24/7 anywhere in U.S. of A. or Canada.

They were offering Digital Cable free for a year if you signed up for RR and Digital Phone. And no long-term contract to sign up for. I was already subscribed to Digital Cable and RR, so I essentially get Digital Phone free. - Total $100/month for all three services. And my wife got converted to Digital Phone for an additionl $25/month. Same free long distance.

I've been very happy with the products — Cable reception is very clear; RR seems speedy; and phone is very clear.

Only glitch is their customer service "Rather than having you wait on hold, a representative will call you back in 45 minutes to an hour . . . " Then the cutoffs, or somebody that doesn't know anything about your problem calling you back and then saying "Let me transfer you ..." and then getting "Rather than . . ." Hate that BS!!!

Even when you only want to ask a simple question. VERY frustrating! It took over a month to get a couple of glitches straightened out.

But now that everything is humming (literally speaking) smoothly, I'm very happy.

Gregg,

Our neighbor had AT&T U-verse installed about the same time frame. They tout "Fiber Optics" but the connection is via DSL from the Fiber Optics box a couple of blocks away. AT&T was really canvassing the neighborhood at that time trying to get us to bite on the "free" month of service. "Then you can cancel if you are not happy." And I could not pin any of the sales reps on what the cost would be after the "free month". Just glib answers like "We have various levels of service . . ." I've always thought of AT&T always being the most expensive of the lot. So I nixed them, and am very happy I did.

It took AT&T over a month to get my neighbor happy, with their trucks over there every couple of days. "Hey Jan, the At&T truck is over at Karen's again." I even saw the truck over there a couple of times over two months later. She had problems with her laptop connecting with their router, and had problems with FAXing over the DSL. Anyway, Karen was ticked off at Time Warner about something or other so she decided to switch to AT&T. I haven't talked to her lately to see if she's happy now.

I guess AT&T getting permission to compete got Time Warner responding! I love competition!

- Jack

dboh · « **Reply #6 on:** December 15, 2007, 12:37:21 PM »

I've dealt with AT&T customer service close to 10 times over the past three months, and it's been a very, very miserable experience. This was for phone, not cable, but I'd keep this in mind as you make your choice. (It's not just me: several friends have also complained about AT&T customer service.)

bil207 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 15, 2007, 12:42:14 PM »

QUOTE(Gregg @ Dec 14 2007, 08:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I recently discovered that AT&T offers cable service in my area. I was wondering if anyone here has their TV service.

They offer 100 channels for $39 which is cheaper than my 150 channel package with DISH by $11 (unless there are taxes AT&T didn't mention - I plan to call back and ask about that...) We watch maybe 22 channels, but some not very often at all. The only one not included in AT&T's "100" package that I watch is the NFL Network.

Seems like a good idea. Maybe I can negotiate for that one channel...

Greg,

I don't have AT&T but I do have cable (Cablevision) and can't get the NFL network.
Most cable companies won't carry the NFL network because the NFL wants it to be included in the basic cable package but the cable companies want to offer it on a pay tier unless the NFL give's them access to the Sunday Ticket package.

The NFL has an exclusive deal with the Dish Network and Direct TV to carry the Sunday Ticket package for the next couple of yrs. so you may not be able to get the NFL network on cable in your area anytime soon.

kcourt · « **Reply #8 on:** December 15, 2007, 04:51:49 PM »

Too bad you do not have Cox in your area - they give great service. I have their phone, cable and internet services - you can call any time of day or night and they will help you over the phone. I can count on the fingers of one hand where I have had a problem in the past eight years with them, and they gave credit each time.

Kathy

Gregg · « **Reply #9 on:** December 15, 2007, 08:24:48 PM »

Roy, the Big Ten Network is included. That would be a "deal killer" for sure, as would not having WGN so I couldn't watch my Cubbies.

Bill, so that explains why AT&T doesn't have the NFL Network in their 100 channel package. An extra $15 a month for one channel I would watch (but only for the final four weeks of the football season) and 99 others I'd never watch isn't a very good choice.

I think we'll stick with DISH for awhile. But, when AT&T begins offering their cable and internet bundle where my son lives (only four miles from us!) it will be a good deal for him. He pays $30 a month more for Time Warner cable and RoadRunner internet than he could be paying for the same services from AT&T!

Those stories about poor customer service didn't help their cause either!

sandbox · « **Reply #10 on:** December 16, 2007, 02:46:16 AM »

QUOTE(Gregg @ Dec 14 2007, 01:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A page of complaints...

Happy customers don't write. Any happy ones here???

It's very hard to find a happy at&t customer.

I was at a birthday party last night that drew friends from three counties. One dude told a story about .......you guessed it at&t.

He bought a cellphone account for his wife last xmas, the phone didn't work in their area, though the mapping said it did, he couldn't send or receive calls from his house. Changed the phone, nada. So he tried to drop he service and guess what? he was locked for 2 years with his phone # transferred and no phone service. They would not release his contract. He went through the Obudsman's office who pressured at&t to resolve the dispute.

if you like pain, get at&t

chriskleeman · « **Reply #11 on:** December 16, 2007, 07:50:15 AM »

IAW everyone who has not had a positive experience with ATT... The last time I dealt with them was a few years ago, but from what I read in this thread, little has changed with their lack of customer service. We had them as our state-to-state long distance service through our local independent phone company. Nothing but trouble, starting with a bait-and-switch routine with prices and service for the long distance service they were providing. Many hours of phone time and a nasty letter or two to get things straightened out, definitely not worth it to deal with them IMO.

Chris K

Dick Miller · « **Reply #12 on:** December 16, 2007, 01:34:55 PM »

Strange, I've had AT&T for years and never had a problem. My DSL is as fast or faster than most Cable service in this area. My daughter switched from AT&T to Time Warner and has had many problems.

Gregg · « **Reply #13 on:** December 17, 2007, 07:22:21 AM »

I've only had AT&T telephone service, and haven't had any trouble with their customer service. But, maybe I made the right choice to pass on their cable TV offering for now....

Xairbusdriver · « **Reply #14 on:** December 17, 2007, 12:27:13 PM »

I think it's generally hard to find satisfied customers for almost anything! They just don't make too much 'noise' when things happen as they are supposed to!

So it's much easier to find stories about poor service, frustrations and bad experiences with anything. We've had AT&T for a long time, and now they have our cellular connection since Cingular is now owned by them. Always had great service, often they have suggested cheaper 'bundles' and saved us money. We used to have TimweWarner but they swapped our area for another with Comcast. TV & Internet with them. Have not seen a major change since then and have had relatively little problem with either. I'm sure we could save some money by combining these three services with one provider but I have seen too many cases where a loss of Internet would have meant a loss of phone service also. Cable is still not as reliable as the phone line, IMHO. Dish TV/Internet is probably as reliable as it gets for those services, not sure it's any better than phone lines, however. All these different methods can fail, of course. But as long as there is some competition, cable and DSL will remain as alternatives and prices won't take giant leaps. Satellite remains a limited threat to either cable or land line, so it will probably remain competitively priced as the 'underdog'.

My basic logic is to use the fastest, most reliable service for each method of communication. And the older I get, the more important 'reliable' becomes!

Speed can be subjective, available or not is very objective!

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Author Topic: Cable TV (Read 17825 times)