[retiredguy123]

To me, advertising any service with a guaranteed "price for life" is not a good sales pitch. I expect to get a good competitive service with a good competitive price with the understanding that any price or service is likely to change over time. It is not realistic to expect the same service with the same price to be delivered forever. That is just not the way things work.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

To me, advertising any service with a guaranteed "price for life" is not a good sales pitch. I expect to get a good competitive service with a good competitive price with the understanding that any price or service is likely to change over time. It is not realistic to expect the same service with the same price to be delivered forever. That is just not the way things work.

When it comes to keeping prices stable, which is one of the major complaints customers have, there is a significant difference between a fiber company that only delivers internet and the cable company that delivers internet, TV and phone service. The cable company is burdened by content fees which is a variable cost they pay to content providers to re-sell their content. Typically a cable company will have a contract with ESPN for example to pay "X" amount per subscriber for the length of the contract. When that contract is completed, ESPN, in this case the content provider, can and usually changes the price for their content for the next contract period. Usually its more expensive for whatever reasons. The cable company then has no choice but to past this increase on to their subscribers. This is the main reason why no matter how good or how large a cable company is, their cost of doing business always increases. On the other hand, a pure data company such as Quantum does not provide content so they don't have this ever increasing cost to manage. Their cost for doing business is running their data centers, servers, outside fiber plant and manitenance. There are some costs to connect to the internet but these are usually fixed. This is why a fiber internet company like Quantum or Centric here in our area can confidently make statements that they will keep costs low and fairly constant for as long as they provide that service.

Hope this helps.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by jrref

When it comes to keeping prices stable, which is one of the major complaints customers have, there is a significant difference between a fiber company that only delivers internet and the cable company that delivers internet, TV and phone service. The cable company is burdened by content fees which is a variable cost they pay to content providers to re-sell their content. Typically a cable company will have a contract with ESPN for example to pay "X" amount per subscriber for the length of the contract. When that contract is completed, ESPN, in this case the content provider, can and usually changes the price for their content for the next contract period. Usually its more expensive for whatever reasons. The cable company then has no choice but to past this increase on to their subscribers. This is the main reason why no matter how good or how large a cable company is, their cost of doing business always increases. On the other hand, a pure data company such as Quantum does not provide content so they don't have this ever increasing cost to manage. Their cost for doing business is running their data centers, servers, outside fiber plant and manitenance. There are some costs to connect to the internet but these are usually fixed. This is why a fiber internet company like Quantum or Centric here in our area can confidently make statements that they will keep costs low and fairly constant for as long as they provide that service.

Hope this helps.

Thanks, food for thought.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by jrref

When it comes to keeping prices stable, which is one of the major complaints customers have, there is a significant difference between a fiber company that only delivers internet and the cable company that delivers internet, TV and phone service. The cable company is burdened by content fees which is a variable cost they pay to content providers to re-sell their content. Typically a cable company will have a contract with ESPN for example to pay "X" amount per subscriber for the length of the contract. When that contract is completed, ESPN, in this case the content provider, can and usually changes the price for their content for the next contract period. Usually its more expensive for whatever reasons. The cable company then has no choice but to past this increase on to their subscribers. This is the main reason why no matter how good or how large a cable company is, their cost of doing business always increases. On the other hand, a pure data company such as Quantum does not provide content so they don't have this ever increasing cost to manage. Their cost for doing business is running their data centers, servers, outside fiber plant and manitenance. There are some costs to connect to the internet but these are usually fixed. This is why a fiber internet company like Quantum or Centric here in our area can confidently make statements that they will keep costs low and fairly constant for as long as they provide that service.

Hope this helps.

I appreciate the explanation, but you can buy internet service from a cable company with no content or phone service included. But, my main point is that promising to provide any service for a fixed price for life is unrealistic. It reminds me of the solar companies who will install a solar system and provide a 25 year warranty. Totally unrealistic, unless they invest money to finance future warranty repairs.

[New Englander]

I've had Quantum Fiber for several months now. It has been very reliable. The one thing I don't like is the customer service. It takes FOREVER to get in touch with them. I mean like 45minutes on hold waiting.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I appreciate the explanation, but you can buy internet service from a cable company with no content or phone service included. But, my main point is that promising to provide any service for a fixed price for life is unrealistic. It reminds me of the solar companies who will install a solar system and provide a 25 year warranty. Totally unrealistic, unless they invest money to finance future warranty repairs.

So from a cable company yes you can buy only internet service but that makes no difference because their cost of doing business is still variable because whether or not you buy their content, they still have this cost and will pass the increase on to All their subscribers.

As for Quantum providing a "price for life", agreed, mostly marketing. What they are trying to convey is they will give you a constant price for as long as they provide the specific service you are getting. In the fine print, they can discontinue that service and increase your price. So you are correct there is no such thing as "price for life" in human life terms. But that said, for all the reasons I mentioned, you will probably get a very stable, low price for a very long time from an internet only provider such as Quantum and Centric fiber here in our area.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by New Englander

I've had Quantum Fiber for several months now. It has been very reliable. The one thing I don't like is the customer service. It takes FOREVER to get in touch with them. I mean like 45minutes on hold waiting.

This is not usually typical but Quantum is migrating their new wifi pods to WiFi7 and the changing of the system is causing lots of issues for customers trying to connect new wifi pods both wifi6 and wifi7 ones. Before this, I never waited long to get to tech support for a question.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

If you like Quantum fiber, and you want the company to not go bankrupt, please pay the increased price
-- CEO Kate Johnson

Net Income

2020 - $-1.2 B
2021 - $ 2.0 B
2022 - $-1.5 B
2023 - $-10.3 B :yikes:

There was a huge 8.8 B write down in goodwill, which means that their prior acquisitions are not generating returns assumed when purchased, and they have incinerated $8.8 B in cash from their prior investments. . That's a big hit to the company. .

please pay the increased monthly amount to keep the company alive. .

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by CoachKandSportsguy

If you like Quantum fiber, and you want the company to not go bankrupt, please pay the increased price
-- CEO Kate Johnson

Net Income

2020 - $-1.2 B
2021 - $ 2.0 B
2022 - $-1.5 B
2023 - $-10.3 B :yikes:

There was a huge 8.8 B write down in goodwill, which means that their prior acquisitions are not generating returns assumed when purchased, and they have incinerated $8.8 B in cash from their prior investments. . That's a big hit to the company. .

please pay the increased monthly amount to keep the company alive. .

Can I pay more to keep the company alive? They spent a huge amount of money wiring Bonita, wonder how many years it will take to break even on it. Strangely no announcement that they are ready to take on new customers

[jrref]

You have no idea how lucky we are to have fiber at our homes and not hostage to the cable companies.

[Byte1]

So, what I gather from several posters on here is, that as long as you are getting good internet, it's OK for Quantum to lie in their advertising. Don't worry, be happy. Like I said before, a thirty percent increase at such a low price will not break me, but if the company can't honor their advertised price, they they should at least explain their reasoning for it. I left Xfinity because they consistently increased the price over the years, to the point where I was paying $250 a month. My complaint with Quantum is NOT related to quality, but their outright lies. None of this matters, because where I am moving Quantum is not available. I think some folks on here remind me of the frog in the stew pot. Like the saying goes, put the frog in the cold water and turn on the heat and the frog will not notice the increased heat and eventually cook. It you put him in the boiling water, he might attempt to jump out. I was offered $30 a month price and they are increasing it without explaining. I turned down their $50 a month price for life, because I did not need or want the increased speed. I have no doubt that those paying $50 a month for life, will see it go up to $60 and then $70 a month and just shrug their shoulders. After all, Xfinity charges more, right?
Lie to me once, shame on you. Lie to me the second time and I do nothing, shame on me. If it's not "for life" as advertised, then how can we even trust them in anything else they say? I guess we can chalk off a thirty percent increase as a result of inflation. Kind of like going to the grocery store today, prices are due to inflation. Nobody's fault..........nothing to see here, folks.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by Byte1

So, what I gather from several posters on here is, that as long as you are getting good internet, it's OK for Quantum to lie in their advertising. Don't worry, be happy. Like I said before, a thirty percent increase at such a low price will not break me, but if the company can't honor their advertised price, they they should at least explain their reasoning for it. I left Xfinity because they consistently increased the price over the years, to the point where I was paying $250 a month. My complaint with Quantum is NOT related to quality, but their outright lies. None of this matters, because where I am moving Quantum is not available. I think some folks on here remind me of the frog in the stew pot. Like the saying goes, put the frog in the cold water and turn on the heat and the frog will not notice the increased heat and eventually cook. It you put him in the boiling water, he might attempt to jump out. I was offered $30 a month price and they are increasing it without explaining. I turned down their $50 a month price for life, because I did not need or want the increased speed. I have no doubt that those paying $50 a month for life, will see it go up to $60 and then $70 a month and just shrug their shoulders. After all, Xfinity charges more, right?
Lie to me once, shame on you. Lie to me the second time and I do nothing, shame on me. If it's not "for life" as advertised, then how can we even trust them in anything else they say? I guess we can chalk off a thirty percent increase as a result of inflation. Kind of like going to the grocery store today, prices are due to inflation. Nobody's fault..........nothing to see here, folks.

They are not lying. If you read the fine print all the details are there. At the end of the day an Internet company can and will keep the pricing to what the market conditions are unlike the cable companies which have an unending content provider cost that is always passed on to their customers. For many years $500 MBS for $50 and 1GBS for $75 is the average price for these Internet services and is actually less expensive than most of the country and I Don't expect these to change any time soon. All I see here is Quantum raising their prices slightly to align with the market. The good news is they are now offering you WiFi7 mesh network pods which are superior to the old ones and they still come with the service at no extra charge. Most people don't realize but this is a big deal since if you had to buy a similar system yourself it would cost you at least $400 or more.

Sorry to hear you can't get fiber service at your new home. Now you have to go back into the hamster wheel dealing with the cable companies for a good price.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

To me, advertising any service with a guaranteed "price for life" is not a good sales pitch. I expect to get a good competitive service with a good competitive price with the understanding that any price or service is likely to change over time. It is not realistic to expect the same service with the same price to be delivered forever. That is just not the way things work.

Thank you, most don't get this. When I was in NY I had Verizon FiOS and loved it. Never had a problem, always consistent fast bi-directional speeds. When I saw my home here in the Villages was Pre-Wired for fiber I couldn't believe it. Signed up for the service as soon as we moved in and 3 years later, not one problem.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by jrref

They are not lying. If you read the fine print all the details are there. At the end of the day an Internet company can and will keep the pricing to what the market conditions are unlike the cable companies which have an unending content provider cost that is always passed on to their customers. For many years $500 MBS for $50 and 1GBS for $75 is the average price for these Internet services and is actually less expensive than most of the country and I Don't expect these to change any time soon. All I see here is Quantum raising their prices slightly to align with the market. The good news is they are now offering you WiFi7 mesh network pods which are superior to the old ones and they still come with the service at no extra charge. Most people don't realize but this is a big deal since if you had to buy a similar system yourself it would cost you at least $400 or more.

Sorry to hear you can't get fiber service at your new home. Now you have to go back into the hamster wheel dealing with the cable companies for a good price.

For those of us who do not have Quantum, what are the details that allow the Price for Life to change well before then end of life?

Yes, I read about taxes and fees and equipment charges but in one of the posts the OP wrote that he has none of their equipment. Are they increasing the charge for the equipment whether or not you have any equipment?

If Quantum has a BECAUSE-WE'RE-LOSING-MONEY fee that allows them to increase the Price-for-Life billing whenever they desire, is that not misleading to the point of being a lie? EDIT: Back in 2019 this was called the Internet Cost Recovery Fee and was determined to be illegal in Colorado.

Again, what are the details that allow this increase?

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by Byte1

Lie to me once, shame on you. Lie to me the second time and I do nothing, shame on me. If it's not "for life" as advertised, then how can we even trust them in anything else they say? I guess we can chalk off a thirty percent increase as a result of inflation. Kind of like going to the grocery store today, prices are due to inflation. Nobody's fault..........nothing to see here, folks.

Boiling a frog is a good analogy.
So what the marketing is relying on the human behavior in that if you are the lowest cost provider, raising rates and still being the lowest cost provider is a bet on the subtle trend of cable increasing internet fees and cable charging lower subscription fees, future consumer lack of competition at the future price point, and consumer inertia changing ISP providers.

I would bet the increase is a combination of those three observed behaviors.
However, I also believe that the recent financials had a substantial influence in the decision to raise now versus some time in future. . .

Remember with subscription services, the best customer is a returning customer.


cable relied upon that same inertia of a captured town customer, to raise rates with no competition for a long time, the local monopoly effect. If there is a demise of cable, out of business, to streaming, then Quantum may have the local ISP monopoly, also a potential future long term goal.

Lowest cost commodity supplier versus customer ethics in the US economy which is all based on the lowest cost of product or service?

Pay the increased bill and continue having great service. .