How Much does Comcast REALLY Charge?

Post by **bicostp** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:53 am

We have Comcast extended analog cable, and they're slowly chipping away at the channel lineup (while increasing the price). This year we've lost about 10 channels, including several we watch on a regular basis. Add to this a nearly $60 a month bill for a handful of decent channels displayed in glorious Noise-O-Vision, and you get irate customers. (I plugged a TV into the wire coming right off the street and it looked just as crap as all the TVs in the house, so it's not our amplifier and network of splitters.)

We can't get satellite because of the trees (they're not on our property, so we can't do anything with them), and Verizon hasn't run fiber-optic down our way yet, so we're stuck with good ol' "bend over" Comcast. Since there's no other choice besides getting the local stations over an antenna like a Neanderthal, we're now looking at their digital services.

Unfortunately, they pull the same BS nearly everyone else does: the actual monthly prices you pay after the promotional offers expire are nowhere to be seen. (Unlike Dish Network, who puts the real prices and what channels are included right in plain view.)

Do any of you guys get Comcast's digital service, and if so how much is it a month? And how are the rates for receivers? (We've got 5 TVs to cover.)

Bonus slightly off-topic discussion: Cable companies have mini-monopolies in their areas, and can therefore charge their customers out the pooper.

APHawkes · Post by **APHawkes** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:02 am

I've got Comcast as well. I've got digital with DVR and HD and it's pretty good for me....when it works. And it's a bit expensive.

Some areas around the country are much better than others. If you live in Atlanta, I'm sorry for you. If you live in Ft. Meyers, well, aren't you lucky! You can usually get a deal if you call Comcast and threaten to go to satellite service. They have a special "retention" part of their call center which will try VERY HARD to keep you as a customer.

Not that I've done it, but I keep hearing about people ditching cable completely and doing everything through downloads (legal and illegal). No commercials, you own it and can watch it whenever you want. I've thought about this, seriously. Of course it's hard to find torrents for Spongebob Squarepants or The Goodnight Show for the 2 year old daughter.

typamc95 · Post by **typamc95** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:08 am

Cox charges a bit for the full package, which we have, but it good service, about 25 movie channels, Music choice, HBO on demand is free, along with spome other on demand services for free, like cinamax, only a ocationoly we get Crap-O-vision.
+ Free HD
+ 5 dollars a month for HD DRV

Rekarp · Post by **Rekarp** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 10:21 am

I pay $125 a month for Digital Phone (worthless cause I have a cell), Digital Cable Internet (which is decent), and Digital TV with free DVR. I have been thinking of calling Comcast and threatening to switch to AT&T Advance TV so I can get a lower rate.

The service is very good especially the Digital TV. Every couple weeks they add more channels and HD stuff. Free On Demand sucks tho. Theres no choice in the content really but it is getting better. Make sure to get the HDMI box as sometimes they will give you the crappy composite only box.

The Internet service is the standard speed we get here in Texas but I do most of my downloading on UT campus where I get access to the fiber optic line.

Can't comment on the phone service cause I don't use it.

vskid · Post by **vskid** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 11:42 am

We have Dish for TV. I think the rates have inched up periodically, but I'm pretty sure we've gotten more channels (nothing we watch though...).
We have Qwest for internet, courtesy of my dad's work. Its only 1.5mbps, but for normal browsing thats good enough.

Harshboy · Post by **Harshboy** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 12:41 pm

We have Comcast Cable (Not Digital, Not Basic) and Comcast High Speed Internet Performance Plus.

I think the bill is $100 a month or so.

We get Phone Service from Verizon, $25 a month for home + $70-80 a month for our cell phone bill.

Verizon FIOS isn't in our area yet, so that why we use Comcast.

gamemasterAS · Post by **gamemasterAS** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:43 pm

We don't get any cable we just have really fast internet (14mbps) but I don't watch tv anyways so its cool.

tom61 · Post by **tom61** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 11:48 pm

I don't know if it's the same with Comcast, but if you bring in your bill with Charter right after the promotional rate is no longer in effect, you can get them to give you the current promotional rate.

Also, if you already have signed up for the promotional rates, if you read the bill carefully, you should be able to figure out how much it costs without the promotion. The back of my bill for Charter has "Charge Details" that list the normal price and promotion discount for each service offered. Failing that, go to the local office and ask for the rates before and after promotion (the call center usually isn't a good place to find out anything).