Centurylink Ripoff

[Chatbrat]

We were on vacation for 2 months=prior to vacation we were paying $154.00, now Centurylong wants $216.

They're nuts

[golfing eagles]

We were on vacation for 2 months=prior to vacation we were paying $154.00, now Centurylong wants $216.

They're nuts

Did you put the service on hold for 2 months? If so, their rules change. Must be in the fine print somewhere. They also reset the clock to the full term of any promotional program.

[Barefoot]

We were on vacation for 2 months=prior to vacation we were paying $154.00, now Centurylong wants $216. They're nuts
I'm not a big Comcast fan, but at least they don't penalize us for vacation holds.
I'm beginning to think Communication companies in general are not interested in retaining customers UNLESS you complain.
Comcast actually has a Customer Retention Department, which seems to have the authority to cut prices.
IMHO, they should treat all customers fairly, and not reserve their good deals for complainers.

[Chatbrat]

One hour of hazzling $140.+tax too bad there is an app where I can dial hagglers are us

[JCMSr]

CenturyLink's Customer Support personnel are experts on the "bait and switch" game. Four months ago my 12 month contract expired and it was time to renegotiate or pay ridiculous full prices. CenturyLink agreed to renew at the same rate I had been paying. The next month the bill doubled. Called back and they said the previous agent had not entered the info into their system but unfortunately the same "deals" were not available. Negotiated a new rate slightly higher that I had been quoted the prior month. Next months bill came in and, you guessed it, bill was double what I had been quoted. To make a long story short I am now on month 5 and have yet to get a bill that matches what I keep being promised. Looks like I will go back to DirecTV. Tried Comcast and fired them after 4 months. Life is too short to deal with CenturyLink's Non-Customer Support. Stay away unless you have no choice and if you sign up make sure you check your bill every single month.

[John_W]

I guess I'm lucky, I'm paying the same $59.99 a month plus tax since July 2011. It's only internet and telephone. Now the first month I did call CS because the original bill was double, $200 instead of $100, that I was told it would be. I didn't even argue, I just said this isn't what I was told, they switched me to someone in Charlotte, NC, I think it was the retain desk. He immediately cut the bill in half and doubled my internet speed from 5 to 10.

A year or so later, they kept calling every month about Prism TV, and I kept saying I wasn't interested I have Directv and I'm happy. Finally after 3 or 4 months, I said I want something free for this aggravation of calling me. So they gave me 'call block' for free, which is worth it's weight in gold.

A year or so later, I had a problem with my computer. It was asking for a password to log on, and I never set one up, so I couldn't get past the logon page. I called them, they said we have technical support for $15 a month. I said I don't want that every month. They said, sign up today, we'll fix the problem and you can call and cancel tomorrow. I gave them the OK, they took control of my computer for about ten minutes as I watched the mouse move around. The computer was fixed, the next day I called and cancelled, and I was never charged not even a $1 for fixing my computer.

[biker1]

You can move to a VoIP phone service such as Ooma for about $4/month (after you buy a $100 box). You will probably start saving money after about 6 months or so. My internet only service with CenturyLink is $35/month including taxes and fees.

I guess I'm lucky, I'm paying the same $59.99 a month plus tax since July 2011. It's only internet and telephone. Now the first month I did call CS because the original bill was double, $200 instead of $100, that I was told it would be. I didn't even argue, I just said this isn't what I was told, they switched me to someone in Charlotte, NC, I think it was the retain desk. He immediately cut the bill in half and doubled my internet speed from 5 to 10.

A year or so later, they kept calling every month about Prism TV, and I kept saying I wasn't interested I have Directv and I'm happy. Finally after 3 or 4 months, I said I want something free for this aggravation of calling me. So they gave me 'call block' for free, which is worth it's weight in gold.

A year or so later, I had a problem with my computer. It was asking for a password to log on, and I never set one up, so I couldn't get past the logon page. I called them, they said we have technical support for $15 a month. I said I don't want that every month. They said, sign up today, we'll fix the problem and you can call and cancel tomorrow. I gave them the OK, they took control of my computer for about ten minutes as I watched the mouse move around. The computer was fixed, the next day I called and cancelled, and I was never charged not even a $1 for fixing my computer.

[mrbgull]

Their days are short. It is going the same way as the cord phone I am almost done with these fools, months and counting

[rubicon]

comcast, Century Link Direct TV,et al they are all rip offs.
Just read that 30% of today's population didn't know that you can get free today using rabbit ears. it blew their minds when they discovered it:D

[biker1]

Actually you probably aren't. The distinction between internet and TV has become blurred. "Cable TV" is essentially packets of data via your internet connection. While you may stop subscribing to a specific TV service (where you are paying for content, and lots of it, whether you watch it or not), you will probably continue to have internet access (through these fools), albeit at a substantially reduced cost. While you can opt for internet access via a cell phone company, most people will find a better deal through a traditional "cable company" or "phone company". I stopped subscribing to a TV service several years ago but still have, and need, internet access. "TV" is gradually moving to an ala carte service (pay for the content you want). Over-the-air antennas, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Youtube TV, Sling TV, etc., are alternatives to traditional cable TV service but they all require internet access, accept for an over-the-air antenna.

Interestingly, the cost in dollars for broadband internet access hasn't really changed for me since 1995, when I first subscribed to DSL. Back then it was about $40/month for about 1 megabit/sec download. I pay about $35/month today but the bandwidth is obviously a lot higher. In terms of the value of a dollar, the cost has actually dropped substantially over the last 20+ years.

Their days are short. It is going the same way as the cord phone I am almost done with these fools, months and counting

[John_W]

You can move to a VoIP phone service such as Ooma for about $4/month (after you buy a $100 box). You will probably start saving money after about 6 months or so. My internet only service with CenturyLink is $35/month including taxes and fees.

When I first talked to CL in 2011 they didn't have anything more than 10 mpbs available in my area, so I added the phone for $20 a month for the convenience. We pay very little for cell phone, $100 a year for an AT&T Go Phone prepaid for a 1000 minutes for 12 months. I really don't see the need for a smart phone, so I prefer having a real phone at home. Also our connection is fiber optic, we have no modem on the computer and we've had great service with CL, only one outage in 6 years and that was for a lightning strike and they came and replaced the backup battery the same day and all was fine. I just prefer to leave CL alone since it is working fine and I don't mine paying $60 a month plus tax.

I did call them a year ago and they now have 40 mpbs in my area, and it's only $35 a month. Two problems, you had to give them your credit card for billing and they said year 2 it would go up to $78 a month. I said my 10 mpbs is just fine and don't touch my service.

[biker1]

Yes, CenturyLink direct bills to my credit card. I view this as a convenience plus we get points. When I come up to the end of the contract period, I just call them up and negotiate the price back down.

When I first talked to CL in 2011 they didn't have anything more than 10 mpbs available in my area, so I added the phone for $20 a month for the convenience. We pay very little for cell phone, $100 a year for an AT&T Go Phone prepaid for a 1000 minutes for 12 months. I really don't see the need for a smart phone, so I prefer having a real phone at home. Also our connection is fiber optic, we have no modem on the computer and we've had great service with CL, only one outage in 6 years and that was for a lightning strike and they came and replaced the backup battery the same day and all was fine. I just prefer to leave CL alone since it is working fine and I don't mine paying $60 a month plus tax.

I did call them a year ago and they now have 40 mpbs in my area, and it's only $35 a month. Two problems, you had to give them your credit card for billing and they said year 2 it would go up to $78 a month. I said my 10 mpbs is just fine and don't touch my service.

[New Englander]

You can move to a VoIP phone service such as Ooma for about $4/month (after you buy a $100 box). You will probably start saving money after about 6 months or so. My internet only service with CenturyLink is $35/month including taxes and fees.

What internet speed do you get for $35/month?

[biker1]

40 megabits/sec download, 20 megabits/sec upload via CenturyLink (fiber to the house).

What internet speed do you get for $35/month?

[Chatbrat]

Century Link stock is in the toilet, they are being sued for illegal billing practices, similar to what Wells Fargo did-their stock price has fallen by 1/3 over the last 52 weeks-however they dividend yield is close to 10% if they don't cut it

[New Englander]

40 megabits/sec download, 20 megabits/sec upload via CenturyLink (fiber to the house).

Thank You. That's fast enough for streaming Netflix right?

[biker1]

Most definitely. Netflix needs approximately 5 megabits/sec to stream 1080p HiDef.

Thank You. That's fast enough for streaming Netflix right?

[dewilson58]

Century Link stock is in the toilet, they are being sued for illegal billing practices, similar to what Wells Fargo did-their stock price has fallen by 1/3 over the last 52 weeks-however they dividend yield is close to 10% if they don't cut it

??? WFargo stock is up from 52 weeks ago.

:oops:

[New Englander]

Most definitely. Netflix needs approximately 5 megabits/sec to stream 1080p HiDef.

Thanks

[Chatbrat]

All the banks are doing just fine

[Richard1366]

People that work at Internet/TV/Phone providers are fired auto salesmen who were too honest!!!

[NYGUY]

DirecTV is no better. Fourteen months into my promotional offer they cut off the discounts saying I had agreed to sign up for 2 AT&T services. My contract says nothing of the kind....they don't care. They are all slime!! barf

[John_W]

Thank You. That's fast enough for streaming Netflix right?

I have CL 10 mpbs and I have no problem streaming Netflix 4K movies or any videos on Youtube. That's one of the reasons I stayed with that speed and didn't pursue an upgrade. If it ain't broke don't fix it. My area just north of 466A is fiber optic since I signed on in 2011, no modem at all. We plug the router or computer directly into the wall jack.

[John_W]

DirecTV is no better. Fourteen months into my promotional offer they cut off the discounts saying I had agreed to sign up for 2 AT&T services. My contract says nothing of the kind....they don't care. They are all slime!! barf

I've been pretty lucky with Directv, been with them since 2008. I called in June to tell them don't sign me up with NFL Ticket this year, I've had it with them the last five years. They gave me NFL Ticket this year for Free and a $40 credit a month for 12 months, I have no complaints, all you have to do is ask.

[biker1]

To stream Netflix 4K resolution (2160p) you need about 20-25 megabits/sec of bandwidth (according to Netflix). However, Netflix is adaptive so it will adjust the resolution to whatever bandwidth it senses. This is necessary to prevent buffering delays. You have more than sufficient bandwidth for 1080p. The reason I have 40 megabits/sec download is I used to move 50 gigabyte tarballs around on a regular basis.

I have CL 10 mpbs and I have no problem streaming Netflix 4K movies or any videos on Youtube. That's one of the reasons I stayed with that speed and didn't pursue an upgrade. If it ain't broke don't fix it. My area just north of 466A is fiber optic since I signed on in 2011, no modem at all. We plug the router or computer directly into the wall jack.

[John_W]

To stream Netflix 4K resolution (2160p) you need about 20-25 megabits/sec of bandwidth. However, Netflix is adaptive so it will adjust the resolution to whatever bandwidth it senses. You have more than sufficient bandwidth for 1080p. The reason I have 40 megabits/sec is I used to move 50 gigabyte tarballs around on a regular basis.

The Netflix picture I'm getting is better than the 1080 that I get from Directv. I've seen Comcast HD and Directv HD is superior looking, so the Netflix 4K on my 75" Samsung is looking really good. Although I don't have any complaints about Directv's HD picture.

Anybody looking to upgrade to 4K and going big, the Samsung 75" 4K LED Smart TV model UN75MU6300FXZA at Best Buy for $2297 is a really good TV, I've been looking at mine for about 3 months. However, if you're a Sony fan, they have the Sony 4K 75" Smart High Dynamic Range TV on sale for $2499 regular $3499.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sony-75-class-74-5-diag--led-2160p-smart-4k-ultra-hd-tv-with-high-dynamic-range/5748203.p?skuId=5748203

[biker1]

DirectTV may/should look better than Comcast since they potentially have access to more bandwidth. Comcast and streaming Netflix through an internet provider will be limited by your cable (internet) bandwidth. If you want to see true Netflix 4k you will need to upgrade your download bandwidth. Of course, if you are sitting 12 feet or more from your TV you probably can't tell the difference between 1080p and 2160p source material (perhaps even more so because of the compression involved).

The Netflix picture I'm getting is better than the 1080 that I get from Directv. I've seen Comcast HD and Directv HD is superior looking, so the Netflix 4K on my 75" Samsung is looking really good. Although I don't have any complaints about Directv's HD picture.

Anybody looking to upgrade to 4K and going big, the Samsung 75" 4K LED Smart TV model UN75MU6300FXZA at Best Buy for $2297 is a really good TV, I've been looking at mine for about 3 months. However, if you're a Sony fan, they have the Sony 4K 75" Smart High Dynamic Range TV on sale for $2499 regular $3499.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sony-75-class-74-5-diag--led-2160p-smart-4k-ultra-hd-tv-with-high-dynamic-range/5748203.p?skuId=5748203

[New Englander]

Do you have Direct TV Dish or online streaming?

[John_W]

Do you have Direct TV Dish or online streaming?

I have a dish. Installation is free, the dish is on the roof of our CYV and 15' behind the privacy fence. It's out of sight, out of mind. That's what you need to get the most programming. I have the Premier Package which is all the available channels in HD. We watch a lot of TV, especially in the summer with the heat, and I wanted the best possible programming without jumping through hoops.

[JohnN]

I'm glad I'm not a snowbird. I just signed with CenturyLink at $55/month for 40mbps. I was paying $75/month at Comcast for only 25mbps.
Plus when I had equipment issues, Comcast customer service was horrid. I couldn't be happier.

[RedBaron]

CenturyLink's Customer Support personnel are experts on the "bait and switch" game. Four months ago my 12 month contract expired and it was time to renegotiate or pay ridiculous full prices. CenturyLink agreed to renew at the same rate I had been paying. The next month the bill doubled. Called back and they said the previous agent had not entered the info into their system but unfortunately the same "deals" were not available. Negotiated a new rate slightly higher that I had been quoted the prior month. Next months bill came in and, you guessed it, bill was double what I had been quoted. To make a long story short I am now on month 5 and have yet to get a bill that matches what I keep being promised. Looks like I will go back to DirecTV. Tried Comcast and fired them after 4 months. Life is too short to deal with CenturyLink's Non-Customer Support. Stay away unless you have no choice and if you sign up make sure you check your bill every single month.

I, too, have had the bait and switch with CenturyLink. I was told that what I had been promised by the original person who signed me up wasn't in the system. I think they do this on purpose. Sure wish we could get some competition here.

[biker1]

There is actually a lot of competition here. For TV you have:

Comcast
DirectTV
Dish
CenturyLink
Spectrum (below 466a)
Over-the-air
Streaming services such as YoutubeTV and SlingTV

For internet you have:

Comcast
CenturyLink
Spectrum (below 466a)
Cell phone companies

I, too, have had the bait and switch with CenturyLink. I was told that what I had been promised by the original person who signed me up wasn't in the system. I think they do this on purpose. Sure wish we could get some competition here.

[Barefoot]

There is actually a lot of competition here.
For internet you have:
Comcast
CenturyLink
Spectrum (below 466a)
Cell phone companies [/COLOR]
We've had Comcast for ten years for internet. We were planning to change companies when we return.
Since we live close to CR 466, I guess CenturyLink is our only option? :eek:
And this thread is entitled "Centurylink Ripoff". :sigh:

[Nucky]

$35.90 Per month. I don't know the Jiggawatts of the speed I have but it is fine. I bought the router for $100 on day one instead of renting it for $10 a month. I'm expecting a change any month now on the bill. We'll see about the outcome of that. No problems to speak of. I'm happy with them.

[hillncea]

Comcast has (or at least, has had) the same policy as CenturyLink--when you come off seasonal hold, the prices go up to full retail prices until you call them and renegotiate. I was seasonal for several years with Comcast, and that was the situation every time I returned. After you get used to it, it's not a big deal--but I certainly was shocked when I got my first bill the first time I returned from a seasonal hold.

[fw102807]

There is actually a lot of competition here. For TV you have:

Comcast
DirectTV
Dish
CenturyLink
Spectrum (below 466a)
Over-the-air
Streaming services such as YoutubeTV and SlingTV

For internet you have:

Comcast
CenturyLink
Spectrum (below 466a)
Cell phone companies


[/COLOR]

All of these choices are not available to everyone. Depends where you are located and the consensus from this thread is that they are all bad.

[biker1]

Reread my post. I indicated that Spectrum is not available above 466a. There may also be some areas where CenturyLink can't deliver their TV service because of insufficient bandwidth via DSL that is too far from a switching station. Anyone who has fiber to the house is fine. The others should be available everywhere else. I have had CenturyLink for over 3 years and have no complaints - they deliver exactly what they promise.

All of these choices are not available to everyone. Depends where you are located and the consensus from this thread is that they are all bad.

[dewilson58]

Reread my post. I indicated that Spectrum is not available below 466a. There may also be some areas where CenturyLink can't deliver their TV service because of insufficient bandwidth via DSL that is too far from a switching station. Anyone who has fiber to the house is fine. The others should be available everywhere else. I have had CenturyLink for over 3 years and have no complaints - they deliver exactly what they promise.


Really????..............then I don't understand how I have internet service.

[biker1]

I obviously meant it is available below 466a. See my original post. I am pretty sure you knew what I meant.

Really????..............then I don't understand how I have internet service.

[fw102807]

The key word is fiber. We have CenturyLink internet and it is Sloooowwww

[biker1]

If you have CenturyLink via DSL over copper then your bandwidth will be limited - it is a function of how far you are from the switching station. I thought CenturyLink was slowly retrofitting all of The Villages to fiber-to-the-house. All the southern areas have it. You might want to ask them what their future plans are. Comcast can probably deliver better internet performance if you do indeed have DSL over copper with Century Link.

The key word is fiber. We have CenturyLink internet and it is Sloooowwww

[fw102807]

If you have CenturyLink via DSL over copper then your bandwidth will be limited - it is a function of how far you are from the switching station. I thought CenturyLink was slowly retrofitting all of The Villages to fiber-to-the-house. All the southern areas have it. You might want to ask them what their future plans are. Comcast can probably deliver better internet performance if you do indeed have DSL over copper with Century Link.

We are locked in to Centurylink for another year then will probably switch.

[John_W]

We have CL fiber optic in Tamarind Grove since it was first installed in 2011, we're just north of 466A. Never had a modem, wall jack in the kitchen with two plugs, one for telephone and one for internet. Even though we only have 10mpbs speed, I think that helps a lot because we have no problem with Netflix or Youtube with video, especially 4K and it looks great.

[elshackovillages]

Deals are made with local and county politicians, that only allow certain companies into certain areas. That wipes out competition, and you, the consumer, pay the price. We decided to cut the cord, and just use Comcast XFinity for high speed internet. We get television shows next day using Hulu. We also get HBO and Netflix. We have cell phones, so we don't need the home phone service. We get our news online. We might be adding Sling TV, just to get live sports.
We were paying $213 a month for cable TV with HBO / phone / internet. We are now paying $98 a month, and, if we decide to add Sling, it will be $133 a month. That's an $80 a month savings or $115, if we don't add Sling TV.
We were reluctant at first, but now, after seeing the results, we are 100% satisfied. We especially like the original content available only on Hulu, Netflix and HBO.

[PJackpot]

CenturyLink's Customer Support personnel are experts on the "bait and switch" game. Four months ago my 12 month contract expired and it was time to renegotiate or pay ridiculous full prices. CenturyLink agreed to renew at the same rate I had been paying. The next month the bill doubled. Called back and they said the previous agent had not entered the info into their system but unfortunately the same "deals" were not available. Negotiated a new rate slightly higher that I had been quoted the prior month. Next months bill came in and, you guessed it, bill was double what I had been quoted. To make a long story short I am now on month 5 and have yet to get a bill that matches what I keep being promised. Looks like I will go back to DirecTV. Tried Comcast and fired them after 4 months. Life is too short to deal with CenturyLink's Non-Customer Support. Stay away unless you have no choice and if you sign up make sure you check your bill every single month.
If you do go back to Direct TV, go through Costco if you can. They have a much better deal than going direct. We can also both get $100 credit if you acknowledge you were referred.

[PennBF]

It may be worthwhile to contact DirectTV Corp. directly and use one of their Corp. Stores. You can find out which in the area are corporate stores by looking it up on the internet. Otherwise you may be using a "Franchise Store" which is a retail outlet. To show the difference when I had a remote control for my Direct TV fail I went to the Franchise Store in the Village and it was about $30. When I called the Corporate Offices they said it was only about $15 and they would send one to me. There are other advantages.:wave:

[Engine12]

Anyone have Century Links Fiber Optic 1gig internet service ? If so, how do you like it ?