Every $12.99 counts!

So I decided that I didn’t need high definition cable TV service from Comcast while doing baby step 2, so I called and attempted to terminate my account. I have both cable Internet and cable TV service through Comcast, and truth be known, I only watch a couple of shows on a regular basis – “LOST” and “The Office” to be specific. If you go to http://www.abc.com, you can watch “LOST” on the Internet for free. You can also go to http://www.nbc.com and watch full episodes of “The Office” for free. Why do I need cable TV again?

So nothing else holding me back, I called Comcast to terminate my cable TV service. In good salesmanship fashion, Comcast convinced me to stay with “limited cable TV” because if I went down to only a single service (Internet) they would increase the cost of Internet access by about $13, and “limited cable TV” is also about $13. In other words, it’s a wash. It stinks of a game that I don’t want to play, but I fell for it. I suppose I was a little upset that by selecting only one of their services, they would charge me an additional $13/month. Still, I had more than cut my bill in half, and I need Internet access. This seemed to be reasonable, although I mentioned to the Comcast representative that I would be looking for less expensive Internet access in the coming months. (She mentioned that I would certainly find less expensive Internet access, but that she wanted me to know that Comcast is superior.)

Okay so sales pitch aside, I proceeded to return my cable box the following day. As I was returning the cable box, the representative behind the desk mentioned that I would be charged $12.99 for the technician to install a filter on their line. At first I didn’t pay much attention, but when I got back into my car and started driving I got to thinking about it. I’m not actually getting anything for that $12.99. What exactly IS it I’m paying for again?

So I called Comcast. They said that they charge their customers for installing a filter of some sort, which prevents me from getting channels I’m not paying for. It smelled fishy, and considering I felt a little upset at being told my Internet cost would increase if that was the only service I had with Comcast, I told them to just forget the whole thing – to just cancel my entire account, Internet and cable TV, and I would look for Internet access elsewhere.

Well, the customer service representative immediately waived the $12.99 fee, and reduced the cost of my Internet access to half what it would be – for 6 months.

It was enough to convince me to stay with them, but I’m going to use the next 6 months to find another Internet service provider – one that doesn’t play games like this with me.

Now Comcast has been good to me – I’m not aware of any billing problems I’ve had with them in the past, and their service has always been at least decent. I have had no complaints about them as a company in the past.

At this point, I do wish they would compete for customers on the basis of service, rather than this stupid game of charging more, the fewer services a customer decides to sign up for. It’s a game – period. If their service is a good value, they shouldn’t have to play such a game. Mobile phone carriers do the same thing – and it hurts consumers. First, it locks consumers into 2+ year contracts, and second it creates an environment that does not require companies to compete on the basis of service. If consumers weren’t stuck with a company, and had more ability to move between companies for competing services, then those companies would have more incentive to provide a better service for the cost.

So I’m now looking for Internet access – with a company that won’t play games, and who will provide me with a quality service that is worth the cost. No games, no hidden fees, just a fair trade of money for a service.