Wondering 1 wrote:
Thank you, local, for your enlightening explanation. Is there anything consumers can do about this? To pay so much money for such poor service is unacceptable. If a product doesn't work properly you can return it to the store. Dealing with service providers isn't so easy.
the fine print says it all. something nobody knows how to take it but the ISP attorneys themselves. you are bound to the "agreement" that and are satisfied and will pay for the service.
tightwad has the right idea though. if you are already getting less than desired reception/service, you may as well choose the cheaper package. i say this for two reasons:
1) more likely to get the quality of service you agree upon
2) may as well pay for that because that is all you are getting anyways
most choose the package deal of tv/internet/telephone. although this is the best overall value, paying for the extra services is where they get you. for instance the internet speed/bandwidth. if you are only getting 1Mbps on average, why pay for 1.5Mbps service? the same goes for the tv programming. the more channels they pack into that band, the less overall per channel you are likely to get. trying to avoid getting techie.
unfortunately there is not much you can do about this, for the fact it is the only service provider of its kind locally. there are other reasons why you service price changes, but not getting into that. to put it simple, every new agreement they have you sign, you are bound to them terms and not the previous agreement in which becomes null and void. there is ways to avoid this, but it takes a frugal shopper to achieve.
there is a line management charge on your bill(or is likely to be one if you chose to). this covers the cost of them maintaining performance of the lines to your house. ever notice no matter if the cable like was there from a previous property owner, they always put in a new one. make sure they hold up their end of the bargain, because they have terms they agreed upon too. you pay good money, you deserve the best service they can give, with exceptions(of course). talking on the phone to a tech or rep is not going to do much. what can they do from there besides to a simple test on your line? a lot of times this test is so inaccurate, it would take a technician to see it for themselves to determine this.
best i can say is hold them to their part of the agreement and try not to sign a new one if your previous was sufficient.
p.s. dont take "i dont know" as an answer, make sure they answer your questions and hear your concerns. they are real people too but their boss sees them as numbers.