[fwpc3]

After reading on TOTV about Comcast still charging a rental fee for those who have purchased their own modem I went back and checked our bills. We do not yet live in TV and have set up our account with a credit card/auto pay. Sure enough, we were being charged the additional $7 monthly fee for modem rental. After an exasperating amount of phone calls and waiting we finally were able to speak to someone who corrected the situation and gave us a refund.
What we learned was that when we placed our account on vacation status for the summer it automatically defaulted to modem rental status when we restarted the account in the Fall.
Thanks to the original poster who brought this to our attention. Modem owners using the vacation hiatus option should be particularly attentive to watching their bills for added charges.

[Villager Dude]

Originally Posted by fwpc3

After reading on TOTV about Comcast still charging a rental fee for those who have purchased their own modem I went back and checked our bills. We do not yet live in TV and have set up our account with a credit card/auto pay. Sure enough, we were being charged the additional $7 monthly fee for modem rental. After an exasperating amount of phone calls and waiting we finally were able to speak to someone who corrected the situation and gave us a refund.
What we learned was that when we placed our account on vacation status for the summer it automatically defaulted to modem rental status when we restarted the account in the Fall.
Thanks to the original poster who brought this to our attention. Modem owners using the vacation hiatus option should be particularly attentive to watching their bills for added charges.

What is the make and model of the modem we should buy? Where can we buy it ? Seems like I heard if we had a bundled system that included phone we had to use their modem.

Thanks

[fwpc3]

This website has the Comcast approved list for compatible modems.
/DOCSIS Devices
We have a Motorola surfboard eXtreme DOCSIS3.0 sb6120, purchased on Amazon.

[cst4villages]

We use a Motorola SBG6580 DOCSIS 3.0 Wireless Cable Modem Gateway. This unit works great for us, it is a modem AND wifi router all built into one unit. Less wires and easier to hook up than using two separate units.

[Harry Gilbert]

Originally Posted by Villager Dude

What is the make and model of the modem we should buy? Where can we buy it ? Seems like I heard if we had a bundled system that included phone we had to use their modem.

Thanks

With the phone service you almost have to use their modem. If you can find one the Arris Tm722g is the one Comcast uses. But they are not readily available and not cheap.

[JoelJohnson]

You can save money by buying a combination modem/router, but modems almost never die were routers need to be replaced more often due to standards changing.

The router you might need depends on how many devices (including smart phones) are using the wifi and if you are downloading movies etc.

Today I woudn't get anything less than a "600" in it's name.

[livsea2]

Originally Posted by fwpc3

After reading on TOTV about Comcast still charging a rental fee for those who have purchased their own modem I went back and checked our bills. We do not yet live in TV and have set up our account with a credit card/auto pay. Sure enough, we were being charged the additional $7 monthly fee for modem rental. After an exasperating amount of phone calls and waiting we finally were able to speak to someone who corrected the situation and gave us a refund.
What we learned was that when we placed our account on vacation status for the summer it automatically defaulted to modem rental status when we restarted the account in the Fall.
Thanks to the original poster who brought this to our attention. Modem owners using the vacation hiatus option should be particularly attentive to watching their bills for added charges.

Complain to your state's public service commission. The do this all the time. They would add extra cable boxes to our bill when we returned from vacation disconnect. They do it all the time. Our complaint resulted in a PERMANENT $50 a month bill credit! I asked for how long and the manager said from this point forward! So it pays to complain plus they should pay for their dubious business practices.

[havanahuey]

Originally Posted by JoelJohnson

You can save money by buying a combination modem/router, but modems almost never die were routers need to be replaced more often due to standards changing.

The router you might need depends on how many devices (including smart phones) are using the wifi and if you are downloading movies etc.

Today I woudn't get anything less than a "600" in it's name.

why the comment " woudn't get anything less than a "600" in it's name. " regarding heavy use by smartphones etc. I am looking at several devices /modem/routers and would appreciate your insight. Havanahuey

[Gat0r]

Wait for 2 months they will do it again.

[philnpat]

We were on vacation status and our first bill when we returned was $60 higher. I called and was told when we lost our "bundle" by going on vacation status. I told them to come and get their gear...they told us they'd give us the bundle back at the introductory price.

[MikeV]

We have a Motorola surfboard eXtreme DOCSIS3.0 sb6120 and we use MagicJack Plus for our phone service plugged directly into our Apple Time Capsule Wireless Router. MJ+ is $10 a YEAR. We will not pay $35 a MONTH for phone service and if it ever comes to that we just will use our cell phones instead.

[Shirleevee]

Originally Posted by MikeV

We have a Motorola surfboard eXtreme DOCSIS3.0 sb6120 and we use MagicJack Plus for our phone service plugged directly into our Apple Time Capsule Wireless Router. MJ+ is $10 a YEAR. We will not pay $35 a MONTH for phone service and if it ever comes to that we just will use our cell phones instead.

We have had Magic Jack since its beginning and I'm with you, no more landline for us.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by philnpat

We were on vacation status and our first bill when we returned was $60 higher. I called and was told when we lost our "bundle" by going on vacation status. I told them to come and get their gear...they told us they'd give us the bundle back at the introductory price.

I hate the way that Communication Companies try to regularly rip us off. Comcast and Vonage are two examples. And then when you finally tell them you're cancelling your account, they transfer you to the Winback Department, who suddenly can offer all types of incentives to retain your business.

[rubicon]

For me it cuts as much as it kicks. I am with Comcast phone, TV Internet. I use their modem/gateway. I deplore the fact that they rent out equipment when in my mind it (the equipment) should be included free of charge.

On the other hand I had to replace two NetGear routers that were quite costly. Comcast replaces modem free.

Comcast service has been very responsive. . I like their products and I especially like the caller ID feature because it monitors who is calling me.

If Comcast and Time Warner merge it will enable Comcast to extend its WiFi capability and hence add cell phones to their bundle. I do know that Comcast is in partnership with Verizon now but with the merger Comcast will improve their capability.

contrast that with your water charges. There are basic charges for water, irrigation sewer, etc. I also believe that to be unfair in view of the fact that we are under a three tier system.

Given all the rain we have had like most residents we did not need our irrigation system turned on for two months yet there were substantial charges for irrigation...given the three tier system I find the basic cost redundant and unfair....but where you goin go....who you goin to complain to