Which Is Your Internet Provider?

[bicker]

Nothing is perfect, but the preponderance (warning: generalization ahead!) of Comcast- (and Time Warner-, Cablevision-, Cox-, Charter-, etc.) -bashing is either people misunderstanding the level of service that they've purchased, or just expressions of frustration that the company has the gall to charge them what the service is actually worth to them, instead of some lower amount.

The best indication of whether folks are sincere about their concerns about Comcast (Time Warner, Cablevision, Cox, Charter, etc.) is generally (warning: generalization ahead!) whether or not they've switched to FiOS or DSL yet. If not, then they're probably (warning: generalization ahead!) just whining -- basically understating the value of the service they're receiving, to justify their criticisms. If yes, then they've probably (warning: generalization ahead!) evaluated the services, and actually found Comcast's (Time Warner, Cablevision, Cox, Charter, etc.) lacking.

 

[OK!]

I have Charter, and while their customer service completely and totally sucks more than anything has ever sucked in all of recorded history, their internet service is OK. Just don't ever experience issues or expect someone to be able to help you with them if you do.

 

[SanFranciscan]

We went to talk to the Comcast guy at the mall today and have an appointment to see whether we can get the new Double Play without damaging the walls of the property by drilling holes because we don't own the property. If I want the landlord to respect what is mine when he is in the apartment, I had better respect what is his while I am there. We are thinking of getting rid of the landline telephone from AT&T and getting prepaid cell phones since we are so seldom on the telephone. Most of the people we know are people that we see several times per week anyway.

 

[SanFranciscan]

Nothing is perfect, but the preponderance (warning: generalization ahead!) of Comcast- (and Time Warner-, Cablevision-, Cox-, Charter-, etc.) -bashing is either people misunderstanding the level of service that they've purchased, or just expressions of frustration that the company has the gall to charge them what the service is actually worth to them, instead of some lower amount.

The best indication of whether folks are sincere about their concerns about Comcast (Time Warner, Cablevision, Cox, Charter, etc.) is generally (warning: generalization ahead!) whether or not they've switched to FiOS or DSL yet. If not, then they're probably (warning: generalization ahead!) just whining -- basically understating the value of the service they're receiving, to justify their criticisms. If yes, then they've probably (warning: generalization ahead!) evaluated the services, and actually found Comcast's (Time Warner, Cablevision, Cox, Charter, etc.) lacking.

I have no prior experience with Comcast. I know our neighbors upstairs, who have a high level of disposable income so they don't seem to care what they spend, discouraged us from getting Comcast and told us to be sure to read all of the fine print.

We are getting Comcast anyway because we have lost confidence in AT&T's telephone lines since the repairman who restored our dial tone on Thursday said that the lines are so old that the wires up the pole broke in his hands as soon as he touched them. Our neighbors got the same story when they had their AT&T Internet installed on Wednesday, after being unable to get it on Tuesday as promised due to the condition of the telephone lines. Such unreliable telephone lines defeat the purpose of having a landline since landlines are supposed to be the most reliable way of reaching 911 emergency operators while cell phones are so much more convenient. Yesterday (Friday) we lost our dial tone for an unknown amount of time since we sometimes go two or three days without using the telephone at all. My husband was calling me and getting a busy signal over and over while I was not on the telephone because it wasn't working. Around midnight the telephone restored the dial tone without any repairs being made to the lines to the best of our knowledge. Weird.

Most customers angry at particular Internet companies have horror stories about what happened when they tried to cancel. Remember that 20 minute recorded conversation that the media played over and over after a customer called AOL trying to cancel? The customer repeatedly requested cancellation but the agent kept arguing and refusing to cancel while he got angrier and angrier at her.

 

[bicker]

Most customers angry at particular Internet companies have horror stories about what happened when they tried to cancel.

Indeed, but it is important to remember that there are comparable stories regarding every vendor, pretty-much in direct proportion to how much of the market the specific vendor services. That indicates that they're all providing a comparable, standard level of service, commensurate with the price charged, but consumers want a better-than-"standard" deal, and are a bit frustrated that they're stuck choosing between options between which they're pretty much indifferent.

 

[Kimberly]

Optimum/Cablevision. They're not the best to be honest. Looking into getting a dish and getting a fiber optic internet connection. Should be more reliable and cheaper...

 

[bama106]

We have Mediacom for our high speed internet service and love it, we switched 3 1/2 years ago and have never had any issues with it. We were using Earthlink and did not like them at all.

 

[SanFranciscan]

I don't think that all Internet providers are the same. I wouldn't be asking who on Disboards has which service and which, if any, they switched from if I thought that the services were all the same. I get scared anytime they start talking about contracts because I have never heard of a vender/customer contract that was 50/50.

The whole point of no obligation offers is that the public is afraid to buy anything that we doesn't understand. I have never had cable television before because I don't know what those channels are, but I know that the contracts are written by lawyers who were not thinking of what is in the best interests of the consumers at the time. Anytime I am told to sign something that says that I am making a commitment determined by a company but is vague about what the company's obligations are, the deal is off. Pay for installation and be prepared to get cut off if you don't pay for services rendered are terms I understand because I don't live on credit. I pay cash for everything. I don't have a credit card, and I don't borrow from banks. Period. I am just too scared.

I bought a pre-paid cell phone for the same reason today. I respect the fact that if I no pay I no get, but the most frightening words a salesman can say to me are "Trust me."

 

[rparmfamily]

Hawaiian Telecom

 

[bicker]

It is true that businesses make offers that are to their benefit to offer, and don't make offers that are to their detriment. It is so much the general case that you can count on it. You can also, however, count on that sometimes taking such risk, in the long-run, pays off better than always avoiding such risks.

 

[monorailsilver]

We started with dial up from SNET/SBC.

Then when cable was available in our area we got Comcast. It was OK but every storm we would lose power & cable. Not a biggie since we have a generator to power up.

Then when DSL was available we switched-AT&T. I want the Uverse but this boonie deal that I live in doesn't allow that.

 

[mybestieismickey]

We have Qwest. The internet service is fine, but our bill seems to get screwed up every other month. I would switch, but our options are very limited where we live and they offer the best deal by far.

 

[LindaG4458]

In Florida we have Comcast for TV and internet. Very satisfied.

In NH we have Time Warner for both TV and internet. Also very satisfied

In addition, we maintain a $11.99 per month dial-up AOL service. It is useful when the cable goes out and takes several days to be repaired. (We live in the sticks in NH, and Florida has hurricanes.) Also, we can use it when travelling if the hotel doesn't offer high speed connections.

Now, if both cable companies would stop calling to get me to take telephone I would be ecstatic. See above about cable going out. I don't like all of my eggs in one basket.