Comcast - good news

[Arctic Fox]

I have internet through Comcast at $19.99 per month (just coming to the end of my first year with them, having switched from Centurylink).

After three months on the Florida Vacation Plan (which reduced my monthly bill to $6 and which they never once managed to bill correctly, charging the full $19.99 until I called and explained to them the error of their ways) I reactivated my connection and, unbeknownst to me, they put me back on a different plan at $65 per month.

The e-mailed bill arrived today - $132 for 1.9 months (go figure) - and I immediately called them to sort it out.

After fighting my way past the automated assistant (although that name suggests that it was of some assistance, rather than being a complete pest) I spoke with an agent who investigated, found the problem and reinstated my original $19.99 package, with full reimbursement of the overcharge.

Moral of the story - while Comcast will use every trick in the book to charge you extra, stick up for your rights and they seem happy to relent.

[jnieman]

I have internet through Comcast at $19.99 per month (just coming to the end of my first year with them, having switched from Centurylink).

After three months on the Florida Vacation Plan (which reduced my monthly bill to $6 and which they never once managed to bill correctly, charging the full $19.99 until I called and explained to them the error of their ways) I reactivated my connection and, unbeknownst to me, they put me back on a different plan at $65 per month.

The e-mailed bill arrived today - $132 for 1.9 months (go figure) - and I immediately called them to sort it out.

After fighting my way past the automated assistant (although that name suggests that it was of some assistance, rather than being a complete pest) I spoke with an agent who investigated, found the problem and reinstated my original $19.99 package, with full reimbursement of the overcharge.

Moral of the story - while Comcast will use every trick in the book to charge you extra, stick up for your rights and they seem happy to relent.

Congrats on the great price for Comcast. These cable companies always reward the new customers and forget about the old customers. We've been with them for 8 years for internet and they charge us as much as possible. Unless you're willing to switch back and forth between companies every year or call and threaten them to leave you are stuck paying the high price. It just wears me out mentally to call them.

[Jalderman12]

Is Comcast better than CenturyLink for internet only? if so, why?

[Barefoot]

Congrats on the great price for Comcast. These cable companies always reward the new customers and forget about the old customers. We've been with them for 8 years for internet and they charge us as much as possible. Unless you're willing to switch back and forth between companies every year or call and threaten them to leave you are stuck paying the high price. It just wears me out mentally to call them.
We're in the same situation. And it wears me out mentally to spend three hours on the phone negotiating a better price, and three more hours when we receive the incorrect bill.

[Arctic Fox]

Is Comcast better than CenturyLink for internet only? if so, why?

The best rate we could get from CenturyLink was around $35 per month, so almost double that of Comcast, but we really switched because the CenturyLink connection kept cutting out - at least once every hour, for several minutes - and, although they came round to check, they could never find what was wrong.

[Arctic Fox]

These cable companies always reward the new customers and forget about the old customers.

Annoyingly, even though the agent said I should be able to renew at $24.95 at the end of my first year (in two weeks) she wasn't able to lock that in on today's phone call. I have to call back next Sunday as they "need my permission" within a week of the end of the contract. Funny how they didn't need my permission to ramp UP my rate from $19.99 to $65 :-)

[tomwed]

I have internet through Comcast at $19.99 per month (just coming to the end of my first year with them, having switched from Centurylink).

After three months on the Florida Vacation Plan (which reduced my monthly bill to $6 and which they never once managed to bill correctly, charging the full $19.99 until I called and explained to them the error of their ways) I reactivated my connection and, unbeknownst to me, they put me back on a different plan at $65 per month.

The e-mailed bill arrived today - $132 for 1.9 months (go figure) - and I immediately called them to sort it out.

After fighting my way past the automated assistant (although that name suggests that it was of some assistance, rather than being a complete pest) I spoke with an agent who investigated, found the problem and reinstated my original $19.99 package, with full reimbursement of the overcharge.

Moral of the story - while Comcast will use every trick in the book to charge you extra, stick up for your rights and they seem happy to relent.
Do you know what the upload and download speeds are? I only have comcast internet but my bill is $40+.
Does anyone remember the name and email of the wonderful comcast rep that has helped villagers before? I can search for it, if it's not handy.

[Villageswimmer]

We're in the same situation. And it wears me out mentally to spend three hours on the phone negotiating a better price, and three more hours when we receive the incorrect bill.

I feel your pain. Every time we come back north we need to renegotiate up here because of the window constraints on their vacation package. We return the equipment, close up account, and start up a new account when we return in the Spring.

It's stressful and time consuming, but there's no other way.

oTOH, the vacation package is working well for us in TV.

An interesting aside, Comcast in TV relates in no way to Comcast in PA. It's as if they're two entirely different companies.

[Arctic Fox]

Do you know what the upload and download speeds are? I only have comcast internet but my bill is $40+.
Does anyone remember the name and email of the wonderful comcast rep that has helped villagers before? I can search for it, if it's not handy.

I have "Economy Plus" which is sufficient for my needs, but I can find nowhere on their website giving info on download/upload speeds

Tom at Villages AV is a good person to contact - is that who you are thinking of?

[tomwed]

I have "Economy Plus" which is sufficient for my needs, but I can find nowhere on their website giving info on download/upload speeds

Tom at Villages AV is a good person to contact - is that who you are thinking of?
Not Tom. He is a great guy too. I don't want to "take advantage" of his good work. He's a businessman and I respect that.
But now that I think of it, it might have been Tom that mentioned a Comcast Rep in a thread that villagers have emailed and have been helped without all the usual comcast BS.

[Villager Dude]

Between Lawn Care Companies and Cable Companies we are getting old fast.

I have an e mail of debbie_brainard@cable.comcast.com

Do not have a phone number for her.

do speedtest.com and you should be able to test your upload and download speed.

Cheers!

[Villager Dude]

There is an underline between debbie and brainard in the email.

[tomwed]

Between Lawn Care Companies and Cable Companies we are getting old fast.

I have an e mail of debbie_brainard@cable.comcast.com

Do not have a phone number for her.

do speedtest.com and you should be able to test your upload and download speed.

Cheers!
Thank-you
and I agree that dealing with cable companies are aging us. Comcast knows this. They know a certain percentage of their customers would rather overpay then talk to them. I'm guilty. I thought I was getting their best price and now I need to go back into the ring.

[jebartle]

Why was this thread considered Good News, sounds like the same old Comcast to me.
Sure would love to dump Comcast internet. I will say that the internet bill has not changed. $39.95 a month

[Kahuna32162]

Is Comcast better than CenturyLink for internet only? if so, why?


If you are using a CenturyLink Broadband connect and not the fiber, it is very slow and could not meet the speeds advertised for our package. Switched to Comcast for Internet only at 29.99/month and have had no issues with billing or speeds.

[Arctic Fox]

Why was this thread considered Good News, sounds like the same old Comcast to me.


The good news is that I managed to correct their "error" without spending too long on the phone but, you're right, it's the same old Comcast, up to its usual tricks.

Per today's Daily Sun, Comcast signed up the fewest new internet customers in the second quarter. And they probably lost more in disgruntled old customers.

[tomwed]

Between Lawn Care Companies and Cable Companies we are getting old fast.

I have an e mail of debbie_brainard@cable.comcast.com

Do not have a phone number for her.

do speedtest.com and you should be able to test your upload and download speed.

Cheers!
I ran the test using speedtest.net [not .com].
My results, averaged over 3 tries are:
ping 30 ms, download speed 42 Mbps, upload speed 10 Mbps

I would like to hear the results from others, especially the $19.95 comcast customer. I think I only need to be fast enough to watch Netflix and use 1 laptop online for searching at the same time.

[Arctic Fox]

I ran the test using speedtest.net [not .com].
My results, averaged over 3 tries are:
ping 30 ms, download speed 42 Mbps, upload speed 10 Mbps

I would like to hear the results from others, especially the $19.95 comcast customer. I think I only need to be fast enough to watch Netflix and use 1 laptop online for searching at the same time.

I'm getting 3.62/0.95 Mbps on my $19.99 connection

Sounds slow, but it is sufficient to stream TV programs

[NavyNJ]

I ran the test using speedtest.net [not .com].
My results, averaged over 3 tries are:
ping 30 ms, download speed 42 Mbps, upload speed 10 Mbps

I would like to hear the results from others, especially the $19.95 comcast customer. I think I only need to be fast enough to watch Netflix and use 1 laptop online for searching at the same time.

Tom - Are those speed test results for a "wired" or "wireless/wi-fi" connection to your device being tested??

[tomwed]

I'm getting 3.62/0.95 Mbps on my $19.99 connection

Sounds slow, but it is sufficient to stream TV programs

Thank-you---

I got this from Netflix https://help.netflix.com/en/node/306
Internet Connection Speed Recommendations

Below are the Internet download speed recommendations per stream for playing movies and TV shows through Netflix.

0.5 Megabits per second - Required broadband connection speed
1.5 Megabits per second - Recommended broadband connection speed
3.0 Megabits per second - Recommended for SD quality

3.62 Mbps is your speed

5.0 Megabits per second - Recommended for HD quality
25 Megabits per second - Recommended for Ultra HD quality
HD Video Quality

Movies and TV shows that are available in high definition will play in 720p or better with a fast enough Internet connection. To watch Netflix in HD, ensure you have an HD plan, then set your video quality setting to High in the Playback Settings for your account.

Netflix Bandwidth Usage

Higher quality video uses more bandwidth than lower quality video. If your service provider applies a bandwidth or data cap to your Internet service, you can Manage Bandwidth Usage by changing the video quality settings to Low or Medium to consume less data.

I should try and get the $19.95 rate and see if I notice any changes. Do you own your own cable modem/router too? I have been renting mine for $10/month. Do you know your make and model?


I have my cell phone costs down to $25/month including data, talk and text using Republic Wireless and I ported [linked] it to Google Voice. I had to buy a Motorola G phone for their service. It cost $150 at the time and is now down to $120.

I'm embarrassed to tell you my telecommunication costs in NJ before I moved down here.

[tomwed]

You need to run a speed test using an ethernet connected PC straight into the modem (or router).

Comcast Performance customers will get 30 Mbps (25 advertised) and Blast Internet customers will see 90 Mbps (75 advertised).

Wifi performance will vary depending on the signal strength, the quality of the connected device and most importantly the quality of the access point and router.

It's not hard to build a solid network in your home, pricing is closely tied to expectations.
I turned off the wifi on my laptop and ran the speedtest using a patch cable directly connected to the modem. 48Mbps download and 9Mbps upload

It seems like my speed is in between Performance and Blast. My bill is $50 for internet only and another $10 for modem rental. I went to the store a month or so ago. The one on the north end of town.

I ran the test multiple times.

I would be content to always use a patch cable with my laptop.

[Jima64]

I turned off the wifi on my laptop and ran the speedtest using a patch cable directly connected to the modem. 48Mbps download and 9Mbps upload

It seems like my speed is in between Performance and Blast. My bill is $50 for internet only and another $10 for modem rental. I went to the store a month or so ago. The one on the north end of town.

I ran the test multiple times.

I would be content to always use a patch cable with my laptop.

I guess some of us are stck with CC, but I really find the monthly rental very annoying knowing they are making a killing on something that cost them just a few dollars. I want to change services but the wife says no.

[tomwed]

I guess some of us are stck with CC, but I really find the monthly rental very annoying knowing they are making a killing on something that cost them just a few dollars. I want to change services but the wife says no.
I don't think the solution for me is changing services. I just want to pay $19.95 a month, buy a modem/router and see what that's like. And if all I had to do was send an email to the person in charge to make the switch I would do that. That would be easy.
Anybody have any thoughts on the make and model of the modem/router I need? I don't think I need the newest model to handle their slowest tier. Especially if I plug in a patch cable.

[Arctic Fox]

I just want to pay $19.95 a month, buy a modem/router and see what that's like. Anybody have any thoughts on the make and model of the modem/router I need? I don't think I need the newest model to handle their slowest tier.

Check out the following:

DOCSIS Devices (http://mydeviceinfo.comcast.net/)

I bought a Motorola SB5120 (shown under Arris/Motorola in the Comcast listing) on TOTV and it is connected directly to the computer through which I stream TV.

The modem is described by Comcast as "end-of-life" but that doesn't seem to be holding it back with my basic internet package.

[rn1tv]

tomwed and Villager Dude, Debbie Brainard's phone number is 904-256-1800. I do not call the call center anymore; I call or email Debbie. Yes, I'm sure she is tired of hearing from me but if they put competent people in their call center, I wouldn't have to bother her.

[Villager Dude]

Thanks for the phone number.

[Jima64]

Check out the following:

DOCSIS Devices (http://mydeviceinfo.comcast.net/)

I bought a Motorola SB5120 (shown under Arris/Motorola in the Comcast listing) on TOTV and it is connected directly to the computer through which I stream TV.

The modem is described by Comcast as "end-of-life" but that doesn't seem to be holding it back with my basic internet package.

after my comment yesterday about CC and not likeing the modem leasing, we got a letter from them stating our modem is not able to handle their higher speeds. We don't have the higher speeds but now I see I can buy one of their suggested modems from amazon or wherever and use it and remove the leasing fee. Thank you Comcast. I will probably also buy the arris/Motorola as it is one of the suggested modems.:MOJE_whot:

[mtdjed]

I may be dreaming but it seemed like I read something from Comcast that said that they would be changing their TV and Internet such that only devices bought/rented from them would work. I do not have internet but do have cable and I despise renting devices that are required to receive the Digital signal. Originally free.

[tomwed]

tomwed and Villager Dude, Debbie Brainard's phone number is 904-256-1800. I do not call the call center anymore; I call or email Debbie. Yes, I'm sure she is tired of hearing from me but if they put competent people in their call center, I wouldn't have to bother her.
I emailed Debbie who put me in touch with someone in Comcast sales management.
Thanks to you, Debbie saved the day for me because she got the Comcast ball rolling. To make a long story short I am now a happy comcast customer.
When I tried downgrading to just internet back in may at the local store in the north end of town they made a mistake. I was overpaying.
Starting today I will be getting
Performance: 25 Mbps / 5 Mbps [25000 Kbps / 5000 Kbps] for $25/month for a year and reimbursed for the mistake made in May.

I also ordered a router and modem from New Egg for $90.
25-390-001 CABLE MODEM ARRIS | SB6141 R
$89.99
33-416-002 WL ROUTER ON NETWORKS| N300R-199NAS
$0.00

This was my goal [$50 for telecommunication] for quite some time but I just couldn't seem to put it into action.
I have plenty of Internet for $25. I have a motorala g smartphone [$150] and plenty of wireless service including data for $25/month from Republic Wireless.

I regret not being more diligent when I first moved here. I did waste a bit of money on trial and error.

[This is my next purchase from Walmart. Obihai Technology OBI100 Voip Phone Adapter Sup Google Ctlr Voice Sip And Obitalk
By: OBIHAI TECHN...
Obihai Technology OBI100 Voip Phone Adapter Sup Google Ctlr Voice Sip And Obitalk
$54.04

With this device, google voice and an old fashion phone if the republic phone doesn't work as long as comcast is working I wont miss a call at home and will have phones all over the house in case of emergency.]

[Arctic Fox]

This was my goal...$50 for telecommunication.

Glad that you have found solutions that work for you, TomWed. Now you can relax - for a year, anyway.

I have used MagicJack for my telephone needs for the past five years and it has been very reliable. I take it with me when I travel so I always have a US number with me,

[tomwed]

[QUOTE=Arctic Fox;1092884]Glad that you have found solutions that work for you, TomWed. Now you can relax - for a year, anyway.
I do need to relax.

[Arctic Fox]

Annoyingly, even though the agent said I should be able to renew at $24.95 at the end of my first year (in two weeks) she wasn't able to lock that in on today's phone call. I have to call back next Sunday as they "need my permission" within a week of the end of the contract.

As a service to the many of you following this exciting story - eat your heart out, Downton Abbey - here is the thrilling conclusion.

I called Comcast yesterday to see what rate they would give me for my next year of internet service. (I had already checked on their website and, although the $19.99 was available to new customers, the only package I could sign up for on-line cost $86 a month.) The customer service (hah!) agent said $39.99 was the best she could do, but she would check my account to see exactly when my current deal expired. She came back to say that I am currently on $14.99 until July 2016.

I have no idea how I got that rate, or who put me on it, but I now have it in writing (after two more phone calls and an on-line chat session) so all's well that ends well.

The DVD of this story is now available in the foyer, for just $39.99 per month.

[spring_chicken]

Is Comcast better than CenturyLink for internet only? if so, why?

At this moment, I'm getting 88mbps download speed and 12 upload with Xfinity. You will not get that with centurylink.

[tomwed]

As a service to the many of you following this exciting story - eat your heart out, Downton Abbey - here is the thrilling conclusion.

I called Comcast yesterday to see what rate they would give me for my next year of internet service. (I had already checked on their website and, although the $19.99 was available to new customers, the only package I could sign up for on-line cost $86 a month.) The customer service (hah!) agent said $39.99 was the best she could do, but she would check my account to see exactly when my current deal expired. She came back to say that I am currently on $14.99 until July 2016.

I have no idea how I got that rate, or who put me on it, but I now have it in writing (after two more phone calls and an on-line chat session) so all's well that ends well.

The DVD of this story is now available in the foyer, for just $39.99 per month.

I know what you mean. Everything is complicated. My rate is $25 and I'm getting 30mb down and 3 up using a patch cable. Comcasted refunded what I have been paying for the last 3 months after I made my case that I was paying for services I did not ask for or could even use.

I bought a modem that came with a free router from NewEgg that just arrived. I think I can set it up on my own.

Has anyone done this? Is the first step to call Comcast with the mac address of my new router? I have always rented modems. I have set up routers but it's been a while.

[Arctic Fox]

I bought a modem that came with a free router. I think I can set it up on my own. Has anyone done this? Is the first step to call Comcast with the mac address of my new router?

When I first set up my Comcast account they tried to connect me over the phone (rather than with a service call) as the previous owners had used Comcast years ago. While they didn't manage to do so, they did ask for my MAC address so I think that that is the best place to start. If you are already connected with Comcast then it should be a simple matter for them to change the settings at their end and have you back up and running.

[kellyjam]

I have blast through Tom A/V for $39.99 for a year. My Test speeds today were
hard wire 90.46mbps download. Wireless is 55.04mbps. speed test done at
XFINITY Speed Test (http://speedtest.comcast.net/)

[tuccillo]

Actually CenturyLink has a 100 Mbit/sec and 1000 Mbit/sec offerings if you have fiber to the house. I have their 40 Mbit/sec download and 20 Mbit/sec upload offering at my house. I work from home running software projects and find this level of bandwidth exceeds my needs. In reality, most people's bandwidth needs are fairly modest.


At this moment, I'm getting 88mbps download speed and 12 upload with Xfinity. You will not get that with centurylink.

[Villageswimmer]

As a service to the many of you following this exciting story - eat your heart out, Downton Abbey - here is the thrilling conclusion.

I called Comcast yesterday to see what rate they would give me for my next year of internet service. (I had already checked on their website and, although the $19.99 was available to new customers, the only package I could sign up for on-line cost $86 a month.) The customer service (hah!) agent said $39.99 was the best she could do, but she would check my account to see exactly when my current deal expired. She came back to say that I am currently on $14.99 until July 2016.

I have no idea how I got that rate, or who put me on it, but I now have it in writing (after two more phone calls and an on-line chat session) so all's well that ends well.

The DVD of this story is now available in the foyer, for just $39.99 per month.


Loved your post. Before you break out the champagne, I'd wait for your first bill.
Yeah, I know, you have it in writing. We'll keep fingers crossed...

[Arctic Fox]

Loved your post. Before you break out the champagne, I'd wait for your first bill.
Yeah, I know, you have it in writing. We'll keep fingers crossed...

You are so right on that score.

I haven't had a correct bill from Comcast since April.