neofate
Caveat Depascor
Premium
join:2003-11-11
Birmingham, AL
 ·AT&T DSL Service
 ·Charter Pipeline
| Internet for life, Charter Communications -- Bids.
Wow..
At the time of this writing, bids closing in on $12,000.00 --
That is about 15-16yrs of PAID internet service already. Hope it is going for a good cause. 
»connect.charter.com/forlife/
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Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced. |
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BoMarty
join:2001-02-01
Ballwin, MO
| The bidding just came to a quick halt 
"Paul Allen was recently approached by unnamed investors inquiring about possible investments or transactions with the St. Louis-based cable company."
Article dated March 11th............... |
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neofate
Caveat Depascor
Premium
join:2003-11-11
Birmingham, AL | reply to neofate
Huh? |
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cvig
join:2003-12-31
Monroe, WI
edit:
March 13th, @01:14AM
| reply to neofate
Whomever wins has my sympathies .
(to be clear -- due to the value, not the server as I'm happy with my Charter 10/1 service besides the non-promo pricing) |
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rid0617
join:2003-07-20
Greer, SC | reply to BoMarty
As I said all along, it was a marketing ploy to raise come cash for the in debt cable company. |
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neofate
Caveat Depascor
Premium
join:2003-11-11
Birmingham, AL
·AT&T DSL Service
·Charter Pipeline
| said by rid0617  :As I said all along, it was a marketing ploy to raise come cash for the in debt cable company. Perhaps -- depends on where to bids go. 20,000 Isn't going to make or break Charter Com. 2 Mill would help things,.. 20 Mill even more, etc.
Which is why I commented somewhere that they should have taken the top 10, 20, or even 50 bids and granted the service. That would , indeed, be a significant amount of cash, even now.. and not effect the overall company due to customer base and the likely-hood of some of the 'winners' moving out of the service area well before their 'lifetime' is over.
Of course it is a marketing ploy though -- There is nothing else it could be. I don't think they were/are trying to hide that,.. as it is pure marketing.
I think it is sort of 'neat'. If this goes over well, why not hold bids on all kinds of services once a month.. decent way to bring in a little cash and keep people interested.
In 4 years they would have only given 48 people some 'lifetime' service of some sort,.. and earned what? Potentially 1million + in capital.
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Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced. |
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gargoyle999
join:2007-11-28
Lakeville, MN | reply to neofate
I just bid $13,351. Hope I win! |
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SyNiSt3r
join:2007-04-26
Morristown, TN | reply to neofate
Wonder what will happen if charter went under and you had a lifetime agreement with them? |
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kerrigjl
join:2002-09-02
Saint Louis, MO
 ·Charter VOIP
·Charter Pipeline
| said by SyNiSt3r :Wonder what will happen if charter went under and you had a lifetime agreement with them? Charter Sells System - No Longer a Charter Property
* If within 3 years of the winning bid Charter sells the system that services the Winner, Charter will prorate the amount the Winner paid based on length of service provided and refund the Winner a portion of the winning bid. Example: The Winner paid $3K — Charter sells system after year 1. Charter will refund the Winner $2,000. Any time after the 3 years, Charter will not offer any refunds. |
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AmICrazy
@charter.com
| reply to neofate
I am sorry, anyone bidding more than 3 years worth of service is insane. To pay 'up front' for service that you will need to have for 15-20 years to break even is absolutely crazy. There are so many reasons why this is such a bad financial decision (for the bidders, not for Charter) that it is almost beyond comprehension.
If someone can get me the list of emails for anyone bidding over 10k it would be greatly appreciated. I have lots of other services I want to auction to them. |
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SyNiSt3r
join:2007-04-26
Morristown, TN
| reply to neofate
I agree with you crazy and if speeds increase over the span of 15 to 20 years as you know they will do you always get the fastest speed, lowest speed or what?
Charter will be flying to be around 3 years from now with having some outside source put money into the company or without borrowing money out the rear end.
There are analyst reporting that charter will need to borrow 500 to 700 million just to make it through 2009.
Also, There are some that are now speculating that there are people that could be interested in buying some of charter. Who knows for sure but i wouldnt take a chance on charter thats for sure. |
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neofate
Caveat Depascor
Premium
join:2003-11-11
Birmingham, AL
·AT&T DSL Service
·Charter Pipeline
| reply to AmICrazy
Yup.. exactly what I mentioned in my OP -- That it would take 15+ years at the bids yesterday.. even higher today of course.
These people just have very low IQ's. It doen't take a genius to figure out the math on this equation. 20 grand will pay for the fastest residential internet connection for anyones lifetime alone.. They aren't winning anything, they are simply giving Charter more money than they otherwise would have.
Again, if this money were going to a charity, I would understand the high bids.. or even the purpose.
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Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced. |
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spm9999
Fluffy Farkletush
Premium
join:2003-11-17
Imperial, MO
clubs:
·Charter Pipeline
 ·Dish Network
·ViaTalk
| reply to neofate
This has got to be the poorest way to invest your money. If you invested that $18,000 that its up to now you could make enough interest to buy cable, phone, internet and more services. This of course is over time.
BTW I have a bridge I need to sell.................
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»www.menofart.com |
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AmICrazy
@charter.com
| reply to neofate
Now over 22k, I know I shouldn't care, but it almost pains me to see these people bid. What is the matter with these people.
Please, if anyone here actually bid over 10k, please post and let us know why? I can't figure it out, what am I missing?
When I first heard of the promotion, I honestly beleived that $1500 would be near the top. Even at that, I wouldn't have bid. |
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SystemTech
Premium
join:2003-03-18
Simpsonville, SC
clubs:
| reply to neofate
It is a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity.
Charter’s "High-Speed for Life" Internet Auction Draws Over a Half-Million Visitors
Innovative marketing campaign opens new channels to reach online communities
St. Louis, Missouri, March 24, 2008 – Charter Communications, Inc.'s (NASDAQ: CHTR) innovative marketing campaign is opening new sales channels and driving heightened awareness of its blazing fast high-speed Internet service. Charter’s "High-Speed for Life" Internet auction is aimed at surfers of social networks, blogs and other online communities. Consumers can bid on receiving Charter High-Speed® Internet service, along with wireless home networking, for life.
An independent research firm, comScore, Inc., ranked Charter’s high-speed Internet speeds to be more reliable than combined Internet offerings provided by national phone companies in areas where Charter provides service.
"The participation and awareness generated by this auction has far surpassed our expectations and we are astounded by the enthusiasm it is attracting. Online communication has become an integral part of our daily lives, and all of our services – video, high-speed Internet and telephone – contribute to our brand promise that 'Charter Brings Your Home to Life.' This campaign offers just that, for life," said Bob Quigley, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Charter. "As a company committed to the communities we serve, when the auction is over, we will donate the proceeds to Habitat for Humanity, another organization dedicated to bringing homes to life."
Over the past year, Charter has invested over a billion dollars in capital to serve its customers and to upgrade its networks. Charter is committed to investing in its communities to make them strong, and providing value to all its customers by offering high-quality products and services backed up by superior customer care.
Bidding in Charter's "High-Speed for Life" Internet auction ends on March 26, 2008. More information on the auction, including registration and bidding, can be found at »connect.charter.com/forlife/.
Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than 250,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than one million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.
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I post for myself. Statements made do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer, Charter Communications |
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zed260
join:2007-09-30
Cleveland, TN
edit:
March 26th, @10:44AM
| reply to neofate
it will probably be around 50 60k by time it ends
as for the auction if charter donates it they still get nice tax benefits from the auction |
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