Switching from time warner to direct tv or dish? (cable and internet)

[cdgreg]

I live in NY and TW just upped their monthly charges again, I'm paying almost $200 a month for cable with 1 HD box, some extra channels like HBO/on demands, and cable internet/wireless router. I've always been incredibly happy with TW, but their prices have gotten outrageous, it's hard to justify $2,000+ a year for this.

I keep getting directv offers in the mail and I'm starting to give them a second look...I don't care much about TV, but my wife does, especially HBO and on-demand networks so I can't go too barebones on that. I, on the other hand, do care about my internet speed and reliability because of ffxi. Based on some of the fine print it looks like directv doesn't even offer high speed internet, it's through preferred providers and billed separately?

Hell, I guess I'd even consider switching to dish network...what kind of advice do you guys have in regards to trying to save money but continue with a cable subscription of some sort and high speed internet?

PS my wife is no where near ready to stream all TV through hulu or other tv sites sadly.

[Meresgi]

I feel for you, having lived in NY all my life till the past year when I moved to MD, Time Warner sucks balls. Cant believe they are jacking the rates again, but since they have a monopoly, who's gonna stop them. Really there isn't much choice for internet up there depending on where you live if Verizon doesnt service near you for fios. DirectTV ive never tried out, but a few people in one of my classes said its an ok setup. Are you paying for that roadrunner turbo package? if so drop that shit since it's a waste, and if you're paying them for phone drop that too and just get a VoIP provider like Vonage.

[Seshat]

A few months ago Optimum tried to raise their prices on us (Cablevision) and Verizon Fios had just become available in our area. I live in NY. The price is really good. $128 for 1 dvr hd box, 7 regular boxes with access to dvred recordings, phone, and high speed Internet. At best the Internet is 25/25, but usually hovers around 20 down and 18 up during peak hours. It's reliable, tv is amazing and clear (I have an led 40" Samsung tv and it's gorgeous). I also used to play xi and there was minimal lag at premium settings. If you have access to fios, get it.

[Kerberoz]

Cancel everything but internet, put together a HTPC, and pirate your media.

[Man0warr]

Just tell them you are switching and they will reset your monthly cost after "bundling" stuff to keep you. I usually do it every year-2 years here in Dallas to get back down to ~$110 a month for tv/internet

[Guyverarmor]

Man0warr is right... and hate customers who pull that shit. Love it when I tell em " I can give you this, but if you want it for 40$ less that ain't happening " "Well I want to disconnect ! " "Well now, I can I take care of that for you if you want " "...your not gonna transfer me to your disconnect dept?" "No sir, I am a supervisor, I handle all areas of the call center ". Once that happens, they either take what I give em, or they hang up

[cdgreg]

Thanks all. I called FIOS and our address is not in the system, to have it added I'll have to call back during the week and speak with an engineer. I then called TW and told them I love their service, but the recent price hike has taken them out of our price range and asked about disconnecting. After some respectful back and forth offer wise we ended up with our current package + home phone (which i really have no desire for, but whatever) for $126 a month rather than $176 a month for 1-year. I'll just have to remember to call back next Dec! Overall, a very positive experience.

[Guyverarmor]

Now if that's how you talked on the phone, then that cool cdgreg. If people are actually respectful and yelling unless I give free stuff, then yeah I will help out all I can. Let me know if you ever move to SATX if you do, I will see what I can hook you up with. I'm still waiting on Dimmauk to call and ask for me...

[cdgreg]

Now if that's how you talked on the phone, then that cool cdgreg. If people are actually respectful and yelling unless I give free stuff, then yeah I will help out all I can. Let me know if you ever move to SATX if you do, I will see what I can hook you up with. I'm still waiting on Dimmauk to call and ask for me...

Oh ya, I'm a school administrator and learned many moons ago that you get more with honey than you do with vinegar. I also always go the extra step and address quality customer service/waiter/waitress through calls to supervisors, letters, whatever. I got the guys name and extension, so I figure I'll call back, fight through the myriad of automated responses and try to speak with a supervisor to compliment the employee on his professionalism and communication skills.

[Laude]

Yeah, my internet went up with them... was paying 56 after tax, now 63 with tax. I have the turbo boost as well. Does it really do nothing? O_o

SATX

I'm in Killeen :D

[Guyverarmor]

Oh ya, I'm a school administrator and learned many moons ago that you get more with honey than you do with vinegar. I also always go the extra step and address quality customer service/waiter/waitress through calls to supervisors, letters, whatever. I got the guys name and extension, so I figure I'll call back, fight through the myriad of automated responses and try to speak with a supervisor to compliment the employee on his professionalism and communication skills.

You are one of the few. People like to put in a lot of complaints, but when my reps. do a good job, I rarely hear anything from customers.

[Dimmauk]

Now if that's how you talked on the phone, then that cool cdgreg. If people are actually respectful and yelling unless I give free stuff, then yeah I will help out all I can. Let me know if you ever move to SATX if you do, I will see what I can hook you up with. I'm still waiting on Dimmauk to call and ask for me...

Down to just Roadrunner and local stations. LOLOLOL

[Man0warr]

You are one of the few. People like to put in a lot of complaints, but when my reps. do a good job, I rarely hear anything from customers.

I never said I was a dick to the people on the phone. Going from ~120 to ~170/month over 2 years without adding/removing services is just dumb though.

[Seanr]

I never said I was a dick to the people on the phone. Going from ~120 to ~170/month over 2 years without adding/removing services is just dumb though.

He never said you were a Dick either, go join your students in English class.

[Ksandra]

Down to just Roadrunner and local stations. LOLOLOL

hubby and I like never watch tv anymore 'cause of work/school. When we moved to a new apt he was like "do we really need cable?" I wanted it though to watch football, but then he came up with a brilliant idea. We got one of those HD antennas thinking they'd be a load of crap but it was only $30, so we figured if it was terrible we'd just return it. It's amazing! I mean you really do only get the basic (cbs/nbc/fox/pbs) but they're insanely crystal clear. We paid for basic at our last apt and now I feel stupid 'cause that was like $25 a month vs. just a one paid deal. Something to look into at least if you really only watch those channels.




We also get a fuckton of japanese/spanish/korean channels...LOL

[Dimmauk]

You are one of the few. People like to put in a lot of complaints, but when my reps. do a good job, I rarely hear anything from customers.

The Devil, goes on to tell the Penn State students how bad they looked for rioting after Paterno's firing and then, so horrified at the Paterno news, decides to break his fork and go back to his former job as a customer service rep with Time Warner Cable.

Do you remember working with him?

http://media.masslive.com/sports_imp...2627-large.png

http://www.hulu.com/watch/299647/sat...-on-penn-state

[Guyverarmor]

Not gonna lie, that is pretty damn funny. Hey, I got free services and kick ass health benefits/vacation paid ( 100% coverage health, and going up to three weeks paid vacation this year, woot ! )

Dimmauk, let me sell you on a bundle for 89.99$ dude, I need some sales to help out my reps. this month

[Ksandra]

Somewhat related, we got TW installed yesterday and my hubby is already about to punch a hole through the wall. Internet is slow as fuck. At first it didn't seem like FIOS was in our area, but now I found out it might be, so gonna contact them this week. If TW can't improve our internets (paying for 20 mbps getting about 5-7 atm) within the week, FIOS it is!

[Guyverarmor]

If I could pull up accounts in Cali I would help out Ksandra

[Palin]

I went through the same thing recently. Time Warner Cable with Roadruner was like $150 a month, without HBO or anything. Just having a 2nd box was an extra $30 bucks or so after DVR and HD. Bullshit.

I dropped TW Cable and went with Direct TV for television, but kept TWC Roadrunner unfortunately. Just because there's no FIOS in my area and no better alternative. I hate their service but its that or DSL. I saved like $40 bucks on my TV by switching to Direct TV and its a million times better for sports.

Fuck Time Warner.