gwlaw1999
@fcc.gov | Paying more for new HD CHannels--Ripp Off or Fact of Life
Should I be pissed that I have to upgrade to anew tier of HD to get the new HD channels or is this just a fact of life that HD channels cost money and they have to pass that cost onto subscribers, |
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JohnA
Premium
join:2003-09-16
Pittsburgh, PA | said by gwlaw1999 :
Should I be pissed that I have to upgrade to anew tier of HD to get the new HD channels Not until you price it. |
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aaronwt
Premium
join:2004-11-07
Woodbridge, VA | reply to gwlaw1999
No one is forcing anybody to upgrade. |
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blue_trooper
join:2007-04-17
Exton, PA
| reply to JohnA
said by JohnA  :said by gwlaw1999 :
Should I be pissed that I have to upgrade to anew tier of HD to get the new HD channels Not until you price it. I'm paying less for more.
God bless America! |
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gordonw
join:2008-05-01
Norwood, MA | reply to gwlaw1999
Same here. Upgraded to new tier, got more HD channels and faster internet for less money. |
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carljanderso
Premium
join:2008-09-15
Huntington Beach, CA | reply to gwlaw1999
I am paying less since I kicked Time Warner to the curb.
However, if the network is going to charge VZ to distribute the channel, I fully expect (at the end of my term) that my rate would increase.
Just a fact of life. |
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bgtimber75
join:2006-06-23
Columbia, MD | reply to gwlaw1999
I should be paying less for more as well. Not positive though since they tacked $30 or so on my last bill and I haven't seen this month's yet. |
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KenAF
join:2006-01-23
Arlington, VA
4 edits | Remember, Verizon offers a bundle of 20/5 Internet and FiOS HD Extreme for $79.99/mo.
New channels do cost money in in infrastructure and programming fees, but the costs are not at all in line with the price increases. More often than not, new channels are just a means to justify higher prices.
Note that doesn't necessarily mean you are getting "price gouged." It is entirely possible that the cost structure upon which the lower prices were based was not sustainable, and the new prices better reflect the realities of providing FiOS service. |
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barje
join:2002-06-24
Park Ridge, NJ
| reply to gwlaw1999
I called twice and was told it was a $5 increase to go from Premier to Extreme. That's because I wanted to keep 20/5. There would be no increase if I wanted 10/2 internet. I didn't upgrade because Premier and Extreme seem to be the same for me for the channels I watch. NNJ area. |
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sameshtdd
join:2006-01-04
Teaneck, NJ
| said by barje :I called twice and was told it was a $5 increase to go from Premier to Extreme. That's because I wanted to keep 20/5. There would be no increase if I wanted 10/2 internet. I didn't upgrade because Premier and Extreme seem to be the same for me for the channels I watch. NNJ area. Hmmm, I called and upgraded to Extreme HD and my costs and internet levels all stayed the same. I'm also in NNJ area...I would call again maybe you'll get a better person. |
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joe01880
join:2007-10-26
Wakefield, MA | reply to gwlaw1999
Pay more get more, sounds fair to me.
Better then paying more and not getting more! |
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mrvid
join:2007-06-19
Levittown, NY
2 edits | When there is a cable and telco's going head to head with triple play's, they will likely give you the best you can get for a fair price, cause if one don't the other will.
I think the answer to your question is, with competition between 2 providers that can near match each other, is, shop for the best price, a sort of "buyer beware".
I don't see providers giving away more than what will give them some kind of reasonable profit but at the same time, I wouldn't think they want to lose you as a customer either. |
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barje
join:2002-06-24
Park Ridge, NJ | reply to sameshtdd
They said because I had a 2 year contract and was paying $94.99 and wanted 20/5 it would go up $5. They also said that the 1 year contract at the time I signed up was $99.99 that's why the $5 increase. What are you paying? |
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jdjr23
@verizon.net
| reply to gwlaw1999
I upgraded to extreme HD , and upgraded to 20/5 from 10/2. My cable/internet bill is now $10 less per month because I upgraded. I don't see why it is so inconsistent with the billing department, but tell them you want your rate dropped, and see what they say. |
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toups
join:2001-11-02
Boxborough, MA
| reply to gwlaw1999
said by gwlaw1999 :
Should I be pissed that I have to upgrade to anew tier of HD to get the new HD channels or is this just a fact of life that HD channels cost money and they have to pass that cost onto subscribers,
Relax, unless you signed up very recently, you are getting more HD channels than you had when you originally signed up. Yes, I had thought (hoped) that I would get all the new channels for the same price, but I understand the new pricing policy.
For many, a new bundle is cheaper than their current bundle. I haven't called to see if I can get a better rate than the advertised rates. In my case, the new bundle would probably cost me an additional $10 plus tax differential but would give me the additional HD channels beyond premier plus upgrade my internet from 5/2 (yes 5/2 that is why I am another $5 or so cheaper than some. I believe I balked at a previous "upgrade bundle" and they offered a counter that saved a few bucks. But then again, my memory may be faulty.) |
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joe01880
join:2007-10-26
Wakefield, MA
 ·Verizon FIOS
1 edit | In the creation of the Extreme HD package in switching to it many are having to sign new one years contracts which is fine
But a lot of folks had new(er) 2 year contracts so by entering in to the new contract Vz is doing away with the 2 year contracts and getting a few more bucks out of you at the same time, of course they give you some more channels and faster internet to make up for it...this time.
Speculating further down the road the shorter contracts will make it easier to bump up the cost of service and offer little to nothing in return. Any thing Verizon is doing is in reflection of the long term im sure. |
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birdfeedr
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-11
Warwick, RI
·Verizon FIOS
| reply to barje
said by barje :They said because I had a 2 year contract and was paying $94.99 and wanted 20/5 it would go up $5. They also said that the 1 year contract at the time I signed up was $99.99 that's why the $5 increase. What are you paying? Not sure when you signed up, but in January 2008, the 2-year contract was $5/mo. more than the 1-year contract. I took the 2-year on a bet that prices would rise more than $5 after the 1-year expired. They have. |
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joe01880
join:2007-10-26
Wakefield, MA | but have you signed up for Extreme HD? |
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Rattler
join:2001-04-13
Havertown, PA
 ·Verizon Online DSL
·Verizon FIOS
| I have not yet signed up but talked to a CSR about the pricing.
I got my Triple Play 2-year contract in Feb., 2008 with Freedom Essentials phone, 15/2 internet and TV Premiere with all movies, no sports ($109.99/mo, base + movies + boxes). If I were to go with Extreme and upgrade to 20/5 it should cost me $1 less/mo than I'm currently paying. I'd lose 2 months off my contract period.
I'm a little reluctant to do it because I had such a difficult time getting my bill straightened out after I first signed up (took 4 months) and I would not look forward to that fun again.
--
Never raise your hands to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected. -- Red Buttons |
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barje
join:2002-06-24
Park Ridge, NJ | reply to birdfeedr
I signed up in November 2007. I'll keep calling until I get a rep with a better price. |
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