Just Another Cable Provider Ripoff

[kaseydog]

Since 2016 I subscribed to a cable package that includes home phone service with voice mail. Just noticed I was not getting voice mails. Per the cable provider this feature was dropped from my package(without notice) If I want this feature I will be charged an additional fee. I am not ready to cut the cord til I can technical assistance.

[retiredguy123]

Why not just buy an answering machine? $40 on Amazon.

[Stu from NYC]

We had a package from xfinity that included land line with voice mail.

Every week or so had to reboot modem as phones stopped working. Complained to xfinity and they blamed my modem which we provided.

Solution was to finally end a landline which is great as most calls are bogus

[JoMar]

Since 2016 I subscribed to a cable package that includes home phone service with voice mail. Just noticed I was not getting voice mails. Per the cable provider this feature was dropped from my package(without notice) If I want this feature I will be charged an additional fee. I am not ready to cut the cord til I can technical assistance.

I suspect you chose them because they were the least expensive?

[retiredguy123]

We had a package from xfinity that included land line with voice mail.

Every week or so had to reboot modem as phones stopped working. Complained to xfinity and they blamed my modem which we provided.

Solution was to finally end a landline which is great as most calls are bogus
Interesting. I have had an Xfinity landline with voicemail for 6 years, and I don't think the phone has ever stopped working, as long as the modem is on. The landline came in handy a few years ago when my cell phone died. I have considered replacing the landline with a second Xfinity Mobile cell phone number, which would only cost $13.60 per month.

[Keefelane66]

Since 2016 I subscribed to a cable package that includes home phone service with voice mail. Just noticed I was not getting voice mails. Per the cable provider this feature was dropped from my package(without notice) If I want this feature I will be charged an additional fee. I am not ready to cut the cord til I can technical assistance.
If your Cable Provider was charging you for the service and not providing voicemail, that would be a ripoff.

[fdpaq0580]

Since 2016 I subscribed to a cable package that includes home phone service with voice mail. Just noticed I was not getting voice mails. Per the cable provider this feature was dropped from my package(without notice) If I want this feature I will be charged an additional fee. I am not ready to cut the cord til I can technical assistance.

When they dropped the voicemail portion of your service did they adjust your bill accordingly, or did they just steal your overpayment? If they are charging you for a service they agreed to provide, but they are not providing, that sounds like fraud. My first call is Better Business Bureau.

[retiredguy123]

Most cable packages have a one year of two year agreement with discounts or added services. Some people do not keep track of the expiration date for the agreement. So, when the price increases or they lose a service, they think they are being ripped off, but it is because their agreement expired. I think the cable company should notify the customer in advance of the agreement expiration date, but most of them do not. But, I wouldn't call it a ripoff.

[ThirdOfFive]

Since 2016 I subscribed to a cable package that includes home phone service with voice mail. Just noticed I was not getting voice mails. Per the cable provider this feature was dropped from my package(without notice) If I want this feature I will be charged an additional fee. I am not ready to cut the cord til I can technical assistance.
We cut the landline cord about eight years ago now, also got rid of DirecTV ($130 a month, cable, with a couple of premium movie channels) as well as two pricey (for the time, anyway) smartphones w/internet service. We went with CenturyLink internet ($45 a month), ditched the high-priced phone service opting for two basic phones that did only what phones have always been designed to do; make and receive phone calls. I installed an outside TV antenna (drew quite a crowd when installing it; the older people knew what it was but the younger folks had no idea) and got broadcast stations from about a 50-mile radius with crystal clarity; with the weather being right I could sometimes get stations over 100 miles away. With Apple TV (free after buying the hardware) and Amazon Prime, along with the broadcast stations I was getting all the TV I wanted for something like $11.00 a month. Our total savings was over $200 a month.

It continues in TV, with the only difference being the price of the internet service ($104.00 per month but lightning-quick).

It is amazing how much a person can pay for what they don't actually need.

[Babubhat]

Magic jack

[Djean1981]

Maybe get a free Google voice phone number..

[Michael G.]

Interesting. I have had an Xfinity landline with voicemail for 6 years, and I don't think the phone has ever stopped working, as long as the modem is on.


I also have never had trouble with our landline with Xfinity, and I bought my own modem.

[fdpaq0580]

Magic jack

I saw his show in a little club in Las Vegas. 😉

[Petersweeney]

I was thinking about getting a beeper….

[HawkinsGuy]

Try OOMA about $5 month for basic service. Initial investment about $100.

[Blackbird45]

I have one of these full packages from Xfinity with what I believe is 185 channels and I have very little complaints to what they have been providing me. Now what I started to realize was that I only watch a handful of channels offered. Other than local stations, maybe ever now and then HBO, HGTV, I've been spending most of my time on Netflix and Prime. My contract is coming to an end in November and have decided to cut the cord. It's not even the money, it's I'm purchasing something I don't use. As I said I have no complaints with Xfinity's service and will continue using them for my internet and mobile phone, but good-by TV.

There is endless info on cutting the cord on YouTube. You can tailor what comes into your home to match your needs without signing a contract. I've already purchased streaming devices, Roku and Chromecast and I'm more than happy with their performance.

[oneclickplus]

Since 2016 I subscribed to a cable package that includes home phone service with voice mail. Just noticed I was not getting voice mails. Per the cable provider this feature was dropped from my package(without notice) If I want this feature I will be charged an additional fee. I am not ready to cut the cord til I can technical assistance.

Who is that? Why is it a secret?

[retiredguy123]

I have one of these full packages from Xfinity with what I believe is 185 channels and I have very little complaints to what they have been providing me. Now what I started to realize was that I only watch a handful of channels offered. Other than local stations, maybe ever now and then HBO, HGTV, I've been spending most of my time on Netflix and Prime. My contract is coming to an end in November and have decided to cut the cord. It's not even the money, it's I'm purchasing something I don't use. As I said I have no complaints with Xfinity's service and will continue using them for my internet and mobile phone, but good-by TV.

There is endless info on cutting the cord on YouTube. You can tailor what comes into your home to match your needs without signing a contract. I've already purchased streaming devices, Roku and Chromecast and I'm more than happy with their performance.
I have thought about the same thing. But, whenever I do the math, my savings would be less than $40 per month. But, that includes adding YoutubeTV for $65. I would need it for local channels, the Golf channel, and a few others.

I would suggest using the website, "suppose.tv" to calculate the cost for everything you need. Also, visit the Xfinity store about a month before your contract expires to see what Xfinity is offering, and do an apples to apples comparison.

[fdpaq0580]

I was thinking about getting a beeper….

Hahaha! The good old electronic leash! 😂

[PugMom]

Most cable packages have a one year of two year agreement with discounts or added services. Some people do not keep track of the expiration date for the agreement. So, when the price increases or they lose a service, they think they are being ripped off, but it is because their agreement expired. I think the cable company should notify the customer in advance of the agreement expiration date, but most of them do not. But, I wouldn't call it a ripoff.

you are correct. keep an eye on the bill, if it suddenly increases, i get on the phone & the rep will direct me to another plan.

[Luggage]

since you have cable - buy an OUMA.com machine and pay 4.77 ( taxes ) per month.

FREE voice phone and access your messages from anywhere..


Since 2016 I subscribed to a cable package that includes home phone service with voice mail. Just noticed I was not getting voice mails. Per the cable provider this feature was dropped from my package(without notice) If I want this feature I will be charged an additional fee. I am not ready to cut the cord til I can technical assistance.

[CosmicTrucker]

http://https://www.obitalk.com/info/products/obi202 (https://www.obitalk.com/info/products/obi202")


I use a Google Voice unit from Obihai.

[Blackbird45]

I have thought about the same thing. But, whenever I do the math, my savings would be less than $40 per month. But, that includes adding YoutubeTV for $65. I would need it for local channels, the Golf channel, and a few others.

I would suggest using the website, "suppose.tv" to calculate the cost for everything you need. Also, visit the Xfinity store about a month before your contract expires to see what Xfinity is offering, and do an apples to apples comparison.

Thanks for the info, but as I said in my posting, it has less to do with price and more to do that I need to sign a contract. I want to be able to purchase and drop things I don't want, when I want to.

[retiredguy123]

Thanks for the info, but as I said in my posting, it has less to do with price and more to do that I need to sign a contract. I want to be able to purchase and drop things I don't want, when I want to.
Note that, you can upgrade or downgrade your Xfinity services at any time without a penalty, as long as you keep one service. So, if you keep the internet service, there is no penalty for deleting channels, etc.

[chrissy2231]

Try OOMA about $5 month for basic service. Initial investment about $100.

Great reception, clarity & the best bargain - $5.61/month

[jedalton]

or contact me and I will give you same as cable plus more for $30/mth, saving $125-$140 per month

[jedalton]

or contact me and I will give you same as cable plus more for $30/mth, saving $125-$140 per month
__________________

[OhioBuckeye]

Just curious are you getting unlimited DATA too? Most cable phone companies give you 2 GB.

[collie1228]

We cut the land line cord with Xfinity just yesterday. Only saved about $10.00/month, but I am now aware of just how confusing (intentional?) the bill is. Bottom line is that Xfinity says they give me internet service at a whopping 1200+ MPS and charge me $95 per month (that includes fees and taxes). Now I have to figure out how to get rid of that one too. We cut the cable cord about a month ago and now have a streaming service which works just fine.

[retiredguy123]

We cut the land line cord with Xfinity just yesterday. Only saved about $10.00/month, but I am now aware of just how confusing (intentional?) the bill is. Bottom line is that Xfinity says they give me internet service at a whopping 1200+ MPS and charge me $95 per month (that includes fees and taxes). Now I have to figure out how to get rid of that one too. We cut the cable cord about a month ago and now have a streaming service which works just fine.
If you cancel the Xfinity internet service, make sure your contract has expired. Otherwise, they will charge you an early termination fee. You can cancel some Xfinity services at any time, but if you cancel every service, you are subject to the fee.

[saywhat]

Set up a Google voice and port to their voicemail. That's what I do even for my cell number. Love Google voicemail... Never fills up. You can opt for text and email notifications delivered transcribe to text (sometimes super funny), and even download the audio messages. Far superior to any isp or cell providor service.

[MrChip72]

Why not just buy an answering machine? $40 on Amazon.

You can still get a landline in the Villages? I had no idea. I think the last time I had one was 2008, and I thought I was late to the game getting rid of mine.

[retiredguy123]

You can still get a landline in the Villages? I had no idea. I think the last time I had one was 2008, and I thought I was late to the game getting rid of mine.
I have the digital "landline" service from Xfinity, but it works fine with any answering machine. My house is wired for analog phone service, but I don't know if you can still get the analog service from a phone company. With the digital service, you can connect a regular phone cord from the modem to the nearest wall phone jack, and it will power every phone jack in your house. Or, you can just use cordless phones that don't require any house phone jack, except the one on the back of the modem.