[jrref]

Originally Posted by Skip

Problem with switching to a different provider is that you will lose your comcast.net email box. So many of my accounts use my comcast.net email address as my ID, I might get locked out of banking, ordering and other necessary accounts if that address goes away. Even cancel Xfinity FAST, wait 3 days and order NOW internet might cause this problem. How many here have switched from Xfinity FAST to NOW and how did you do it? Can they do it at an Xfinity storefront?

Skip

Don't worry about loosing your Comcast e-mail since in my experience, I've know a lot of people who left Xfinity and still have their Comcast e-mail working. I agree, there are a lot of companies who Will disconnect your e-mail but Comcast is not one of them. Not sure why. Maybe they hope you return and it's a good way to keep their name in front of you.

Also, you shouldn't be using an email account for all your important needs from a company that is area specific. What happens if you have to move somewhere in the future where you can't get Comcast? So, it's best to get a Gmail or other non-area specific e-mail address so you and your children don't have issues in the future.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by jrref

Also, you shouldn't be using an email account for all your important needs from a company that is area specific.

Oh, I agree with you. But years ago when they were set up, they automatically made your email address your Log-In ID. You can change your password but not your ID. Sorta, Catch-22.

Skip

[Skip]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

...my @comcast.net address still works (I’ll confirm later)

Please do, it would be good to know that it's still there - but usually inactivity of 1 year may delete the mailbox.

Skip

[jrref]

Originally Posted by Skip

Oh, I agree with you. But years ago when they were set up, they automatically made your email address your Log-In ID. You can change your password but not your ID. Sorta, Catch-22.

Skip

Understood, but don't let the e-mail prevent you from getting the service you want because it won't be disconnected based on everyone I know who's switched away from Xfinity.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Skip

Please do, it would be good to know that it's still there - but usually inactivity of 1 year may delete the mailbox.

Skip

It still works. (sorry, I should have updated my post last night).

***** It turns out I left only one year ago, not two (I'll fix that as well). I have my mail set up to check that account daily and perhaps that is enough to keep it active.

I wouldn't worry about your comcast.net address being turned off but I would recommend using a more generic email to avoid this concern in the future. Gmail, Yahoo, and Hotmail have been around a long time and I'm sure there are others.

[Skip]

No one on this forum has switched from Xfinity FAST to (cheap) NOW by going to the Comcast Storefront? Looking for your experience doing this.

Skip

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Skip

No one on this forum has switched from Xfinity FAST to (cheap) NOW by going to the Comcast Storefront? Looking for your experience doing this.

Skip

Yes, see the Xfinity NOW Redux thread

[justjim]

Originally Posted by Overlook1

Yeah I always dread the yearly Comcast negotiations! Have to say the store people will get you into a better plan than online or phone. I can usually get same service or a little better within $5 of current plan. But I have no “extra stuff”.

It’s shameful what we go through with cable companies. The Cable companies lobby the politicians by purporting that “competition” will make the services cheaper. As my Dad used to say hogwash!

I have never been a fan of regulation but Cable/streaming cellular and access to the internet are necessary like water and electricity today. I have developed a considered opinion that maybe it’s time to regulate this industry. What say you?

[jrref]

Originally Posted by justjim

It’s shameful what we go through with cable companies. The Cable companies lobby the politicians by purporting that “competition” will make the services cheaper. As my Dad used to say hogwash!

I have never been a fan of regulation but Cable/streaming cellular and access to the internet are necessary like water and electricity today. I have developed a considered opinion that maybe it’s time to regulate this industry. What say you?

I don't believe this industry will ever be regulated.

These days in order to get out of the cable company price increases is to go with an internet provider like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Quantum Fiber or Centric Fiber then stream TV either by using your smart TV or streaming stick like Roku, Amazon, AppleTV, etc.. Or you can put a TV antenna on the roof and get whatever free TV is available in your area. Or use any combination of the above.

The problem with the cable companies is they have a lot of overhead providing TV content. So many people have "cut the cord" that cable companies now try to bundle your TV and Internet with cell phone service. All this might sound good, and it can be but the price they offer is almost always a 1 or 2 or 3 year offer meaning it will go up and they tell you that. I don't think this is ever going to change until the cable companies focus on Internet like the rest of the industry because as time goes on, more and more people are going to be streaming vs getting TV from the cable company. I can't tell you how many Villagers talk about paying $200, $300 and more for Xfinity and Spectrum and are just paying the price for whatever reason.

I know not everyone here in the Villages has a choice of internet providers but if you can get fiber internet, it will be almost the cheapest and the most stable priced. If you can't get fiber try one of the fixed wireless services from Verizon, T-mobile or AT&T where it's offered. Since they are a phone company, they will bundle your cell phones and the internet to get you a good price. For most people you will get enough bandwidth from a fixed wireless service as long as you are close enough to one of their towers. Fortunately, they let you try the service and if it doesn't work you can return it.

I would not go with DirectTV or Dish unless you need special programming because they have long contracts.

[MorTech]

Originally Posted by justjim

It’s shameful what we go through with cable companies. The Cable companies lobby the politicians by purporting that “competition” will make the services cheaper. As my Dad used to say hogwash!

I have never been a fan of regulation but Cable/streaming cellular and access to the internet are necessary like water and electricity today. I have developed a considered opinion that maybe it’s time to regulate this industry. What say you?

Is this satire?

Competitive pressure is the only way to lower costs...Getting the Gubbermint even more involved will just increase costs. I am signing up for the $20 Spectrum deal to get another Internet provider terminated at my cabinet. As soon as I can get a $35 deal from Quantum, I will do that. 3 internet providers to switch between if I don't like someones service. Internet provider customer service is bad at all companies...The turnover rate is even far worse than McDonalds. I would jump out a window before completing my first week I would rather boil rocks for soup than do that job.

[jrref]

Any more feedback on how this service is working?

If it works well, any thoughs why most in the Villages wouldn't get the service given the price?

Just curious of any pros or cons given this is a new internet service offering.

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by jrref

Any more feedback on how this service is working?

If it works well, any thoughs why most in the Villages wouldn't get the service given the price?

Just curious of any pros or cons given this is a new internet service offering.

I started another thread as a follow-up: Xfinity Now Redux

Hope this link works:

Xfinity NOW redux

[ralphie]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

The monthly charge for the slowest internet has just gone up to $48 (it was $30 last year) so I looked for a better deal.

They are offering "Now" for $30 a month, no contract, so I decided that would work for me.

I tried switching on-line but ended up going round in circles. The Chat assistant was useless but I eventually persuaded it to give me an agent. After ten minutes the agent (Moses) said he had limited access to my account info so couldn't help me, and just cut me off. I fought my way back to another agent (I****a) who sounded promising and offered to cut my bill. After 30 minutes of idle chat she came up with an offer of $55!

I eventually found out that you can't have Now if you already subscribe for another service, so you have to cancel that, then wait a few days (without any internet) for the Now equipment to arrive.

I have scheduled an appointment at the Rolling Acres store and am hoping that they may have the equipment there so I can switch without interruption. Judging from the fact that the earliest available appointment is next Friday I think there must be a lot of people who have just had a rate increase and want to renegotiate.

Comcast never fails to disappoint with its lack of appreciation of its customers - I am "Platinum" but I suspect that's just to boost my ego as I don't see any benefits from having been with them for ten years. Sadly, no other choice in this neck of the woods.

I just switched to T-Mobile & have no issues at all. Just as fast as Xfinity for $45/month

[Brighthouse]

Switch to Spectrum. Call Lysander Jimenez, his is one of their local sales rep. I got 500Mbps for $30/month Guarantee for 2 years. He came to my home and explained everything to me and even came out after my installation to make sure everything was working properly. I never got anything remotely close from Xfinity for customer service. His number is 352-239-3538. I would definitely recommend him.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by Brighthouse

Switch to Spectrum. Call Lysander Jimenez, his is one of their local sales rep. I got 500Mbps for $30/month Guarantee for 2 years. He came to my home and explained everything to me and even came out after my installation to make sure everything was working properly. I never got anything remotely close from Xfinity for customer service. His number is 352-239-3538. I would definitely recommend him.

It’s actually $30 if you supply your own modem and $40 if they supply it.