1 edit | reply to Melissa2009B
Re: [Speed] May have to switch to Comcast OK, are you ready for bizarro? This has been like dealing with a different planet! Here's my chat logs just now, with their agent!:
Chat log from 5-27-12 around 9 PM
Chris: Thank you for answering my questions. Based on the information you have provided, the Performance - Special Offer would suit your needs.
You: They said we could get HSI with no contract, and even add voice to it
Chris: The Performance plan is a great upgrade from DSL, and it offers value with faster Internet speeds so you can enjoy chatting with friends and downloading your favorite music and movies!Chris: Our Performance plan gives you up to 20 Mbps downloads with up to 4 Mbps upload with PowerBoost.
Chris: Our Performance Internet at this time has a promotion for the first 6 months at $29.99/month for New Customers!
Chris: When you continue using our Performance Internet from months 7 - 12 the pricing would be $44.99/month.
Chris: From months 13 and on the pricing of our Performance Internet is around $62.95/month stand alone.
Chris: The good thing about this plan is that it is not under contract which gives you the flexibility to modify your plan anytime and still take advantage of this offer while it is still available.
Chris: How does that sound?
Chris: May I ask if you usually make long distance calls or calls outside of the U.S?
You: We make LD calls, but not outside the U.S.
You: Usually under 200 minutes a month
Chris: Thank you for answering my questions. Based on the information you have provided, I would recommend our Performance Internet & XFINITY Unlimited bundle.
Chris: This bundle includes Performance Internet service (download speeds up to 20mbps and upload speeds up to 4mbps with PowerBoost) and our Comcast Unlimited phone service.
You: ok...
Chris: With the XFINITY Unlimited plan, you will receive unlimited local and long distance calling including 12 popular calling features for one flat monthly rate.
Chris: Unlimited local and long distance calling will include the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Canada and certain other U.S. territories.Chris: Our Performance Internet with Xfinity Unlimited plan is $39.99/month for the first 12 months with a 2 year contract.
Chris: After the first 12 months, monthly charges are $59.99/month for months 13-24.
Chris: After 24 months, regular rates apply and is around $94.90 - $96.90/month depending on the area.
Chris: How does that sound?
You: Wonderful!
Chris: Let's go ahead and get you started.
Chris: What questions can I answer for you before we get started with the order process?
You: From what I found out from your local people, they'd come over & install a internet/voice gateway. We need wireless to all these devices, the 2 PC's and 2 rokus
You: How much is install?
Chris: There is a one-time installation fee of around $34.99 for professional installation.
Chris: Your installation includes our professional technician setting up both services.
You: Wow! For wireless like this? Again the local people were telling me much more
Chris: An EMTA modem device will be required for Digital Voice service and needs to be connected your cable outlet.
Chris: This fee covers the cost of setting up the EMTA Modem in your home and testing your phones.
You: great!
Chris: You would need to lease our modem for only $7 a month to lease our XFINITY Wireless Gateway which includes a router, cable modem and voice adapter in one device.
Chris: It allows multiple devices in the house to access the Internet at the same time with reliably fast speeds!
Chris: What additional questions can I answer for you before we get started with the order process?
You: yes I know, thanks
__________
CONCLUSION: DO NOT, REPEAT NOT DEAL WITH THEIR LOCAL OFFICE, ONLY ORDER ONLINE!!! |
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Reviews:
 ·Comcast
1 edit | reply to Melissa2009B
Rear View of 614 |
It is an ancient Netgear WGR614v9 [b/g], bought it new for under $40 in 2008. It still does all I want, otherwise I would replace it with one, that others are mentioning.
Currently I am in a 1700 sq ft Condo and I have coverage throughout, including outside without problem.
In the past, I have had it setup on a lower floor of a two story 3000 sq ft farmhouse at one time. Bedrooms were upstairs where the laptops were.
»www.speedtest.net/ and others consistently give 12/3+ in d/l speeds or whatever package I am signed up with. I do not take a speed hit with this unit.
Here is the kicker - in the summer months I travel and stay with friends and relatives. I bring it with me. All I need is an open port on their router or switch and a place to plug into 120v. Once that is done, I am connected. I do not have to worry about setup with friends/relative's AP protocols, SSID or Security. Just an open port with RJ45 and a patch cable.
Reading your posts, over the last couple of days, me thinks you are over thinking your setup.
Edit: Once I upgrade my ancient 6 year old, Latitude D610, I will update my Router/Wireless Access Point to that of a dual band that includes b/g/n and any other emerging technology. |
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|  The interchanges from everyone here, plus me being an old electronics tech, got me doing that. |
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| Whoops!
Double Post, sorry. |
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Reviews:
·Comcast
| reply to Melissa2009B
said by Melissa2009B: The interchanges from everyone here, plus me being an old electronics tech, got me doing that.
And we all like to help!
Due to my current station in life over the last several years and moving a couple of times.
My only need from Comcast was to supply a coax cable to the room I was renting. [majority of time it was already there] From that I hooked up their Modem, went through their self install process with my laptop hooked directly to their Modem.
Once setup, I plugged in my Router/Wireless AP and was set to go.
I like KISS.
I used my Cell for my main phone and Skype and Google Voice for all else. Though I did not have to use a setup as you describe for your business. |
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Reviews:
·Comcast
| reply to Melissa2009B
said by Melissa2009B:CONCLUSION: DO NOT, REPEAT NOT DEAL WITH THEIR LOCAL OFFICE, ONLY ORDER ONLINE!!!
That's just the way it is for a lot of stuff now, especially with these gigantic corporations. Many promotions and the best deals you can only get online.
The 20Mbps download / 4Mbps upload speeds listed are for powerboost that kicks in for the first 20MB. For large files and streaming it will probably be 16 down / 2 up sustained speeds. That's still enough to stream 2 HD movies simultaneously and have some extra for web surfing, an HD Netflix stream only runs about 5-6Mbps. Even for the best Vudu HDX 1080 streams 9Mbps is what you need. |
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| I've decided to sign up only for the HSI now, as it's without a contract. That's a nice bundle they offer with voice, but it's with contract too. Oh well. Keep CenturyLink for voice.
BUT for the future, I'm thinking I might could get the TM 722G modem and have EMTA capability for the future. Or a Zoom 5341J?
And then add the wireless router. |
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 tshirtPremium,MVM
join:2004-07-11
Snohomish, WA
kudos:3 | That's a good plan and it's easy to upgrade as needed. |
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 PeteC2Got Mouse?Premium,MVM
join:2002-01-20
Bristol, CT
kudos:6
·Comcast
 ·AT&T Yahoo
| reply to Melissa2009B
said by Melissa2009B:I've decided to sign up only for the HSI now, as it's without a contract. That's a nice bundle they offer with voice, but it's with contract too. Oh well. Keep CenturyLink for voice.
BUT for the future, I'm thinking I might could get the TM 722G modem and have EMTA capability for the future. Or a Zoom 5341J?
And then add the wireless router.
You need wireless right away for your Roku and such, yes?
It makes no sense to get their wireless gateway - you wil not get good range on it - check out the Comcast forums on router issues...
If you want to rent their modem...ok, but you still need a router.
If you think that you may go Comcast voice in the near future, I'd stick with renting the modem, otherwise buy your own.
BTW, I recently got Comcast internet and voice at the performance tier (20Mbps down/4Mbps up with speedboost) and am not on a contract. (plenty of speed for multiple users & Roku/Netflix)
Earlier advice about getting any used modems is incorrect! You simply do not know if what you are getting will be provisioned by Comcast or not! Many of the used modems out there are stolen, there is no assurance that you can receive that ensures the modem will be useable. No one is going to tell you that they are selling a stolen modem after all...
As far as eMTAs, unless Comcast has re-set their eMTA policy, no, you can not just buy an eMTA any old place and expect Comcast to provision it...regular cable modems of course are much less stringent. They have to be from their "approved list" not for any nefarious reason, but they have to be specifically programmed for. Yes, Comcast reps sometimes are all over the place when asking them these questions, so beware.
Refurb routers?  Pay your money and take your chances, but they were "refurbed" for a reason...they absolutely do not "replace the insides"...they would throw them away first! A refurbed router is essentially checked for proper firmware flash, tested briefly, prettied up, and put in a new box. No manufacturer actually repairs routers, there is no money in it. Sometimes you luck out and it was just a bad power brick, and often it was just user-error that was the problem...but otherwise refurb routers are in precisely the same condition as when they were returned.
They may be "ok", but they are not "good as new". Your router is the distribution point for all your on line data throughout your house, it usually is on 24/7/365...for that, I would want more than "ok".
PS - Your conversation with Chris sounds good. The prices and set-up described is spot on, and he sounds knowledgeable. I have found that not all Comcast reps are equally aware of their own products and policies 
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Deeds, not words |
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| said by PeteC2:said by Melissa2009B:I've decided to sign up only for the HSI now, as it's without a contract. That's a nice bundle they offer with voice, but it's with contract too. Oh well. Keep CenturyLink for voice.
BUT for the future, I'm thinking I might could get the TM 722G modem and have EMTA capability for the future. Or a Zoom 5341J?
And then add the wireless router.
You need wireless right away for your Roku and such, yes? Yes.
It makes no sense to get their wireless gateway - you will not get good range on it - check out the Comcast forums on router issues...
If you want to rent their modem...ok, but you still need a router.
If you think that you may go Comcast voice in the near future, I'd stick with renting the modem, otherwise buy your own.
BTW, I recently got Comcast internet and voice at the performance tier (20Mbps down/4Mbps up with speedboost) and am not on a contract. (plenty of speed for multiple users & Roku/Netflix)
Earlier advice about getting any used modems is incorrect! You simply do not know if what you are getting will be provisioned by Comcast or not! Many of the used modems out there are stolen, there is no assurance that you can receive that ensures the modem will be useable. No one is going to tell you that they are selling a stolen modem after all...
As far as eMTAs, unless Comcast has re-set their eMTA policy, no, you can not just buy an eMTA any old place and expect Comcast to provision it...
regular cable modems of course are much less stringent. They have to be from their "approved list" not for any nefarious reason, but they have to be specifically programmed for. Yes, Comcast reps sometimes are all over the place when asking them these questions, so beware.
Refurb routers? Pay your money and take your chances, but they were "refurbed" for a reason...they absolutely do not "replace the insides"...they would throw them away first! A refurbed router is essentially checked for proper firmware flash, tested briefly, prettied up, and put in a new box. No manufacturer actually repairs routers, there is no money in it. Sometimes you luck out and it was just a bad power brick, and often it was just user-error that was the problem...but otherwise refurb routers are in precisely the same condition as when they were returned.
Well have a look, read the reviews:
»www.amazon.com/NetGear-WNR3500L-···6DYQXVYN
They may be "ok", but they are not "good as new". Your router is the distribution point for all your on line data throughout your house, it usually is on 24/7/365...for that, I would want more than "ok".
PS - Your conversation with Chris sounds good. The prices and set-up described is spot on, and he sounds knowledgeable. I have found that not all Comcast reps are equally aware of their own products and policies
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| reply to Melissa2009B
r.e. Ring central?
Soon.
»Comcast Offers Free Voice2Go Service |
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| Well the installer showed up here at 2:40 PM and had a completely different work order than the promo that I signed up for online on the 27th. They had canceled the promo and added phone, ALL at full price! I went ballistic. So the poor guy had to stand around for 45 minutes while I hashed it out with a rep on the phone and got my pomo back, WITHOUT voice! I signed up online with it, with their chat tech, without voice, KNOWING that if I added voice, there's no more promo and no more going without a contract!
So get this - the agent on the phone tells me that if I just wait 2 weeks and then order the voice, it will only be $20 more per month than the promo price!
This is like Keystone Cops, dealing with the sales and signup part of this company! It could make blood shoot out of my eyes!
Absolute insanity!
I get a better deal if I don't have it all installed now!
Now I'm wondering, if I get the phone added for only $20 a month more, in 2 weeks, if that will require me going with a contract with them?
Jeez! |
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tshirtPremium,MVM
join:2004-07-11
Snohomish, WA
kudos:3 Reviews:
·Comcast
| Just go with what you have, remember promos are intended to pay back over their life or within the next year. so whatever bonus they offer will have an equal negitive.
you were happy with the promo before and will save money/get better speeds with this, don't wait for "our lowest price ever" there is always a catch. |
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| reply to Melissa2009B
Well we're all installed for the HSI and it works great! The upload speed now is faster than the download speed was with CenturyLink!
I tried watching my favorite streaming channel and no more stalling! Yeah!!!
So I wait 2 weeks and then approach them about adding the phone. |
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 NetFixerFrom my cold dead handsPremium
join:2004-06-24
The Boro
·Comcast Business..
 ·Vonage
 ·Cingular Wireless
·Comcast
| said by Melissa2009B:Well we're all installed for the HSI and it works great! The upload speed now is faster than the download speed was with CenturyLink!
I tried watching my favorite streaming channel and no more stalling! Yeah!!!
So I wait 2 weeks and then approach them about adding the phone.
Or, since you are already a RingCentral customer, you might want to see what it would cost to convert your current account into a full service VoIP account.
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History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid.
-- Dwight D. Eisenhower |
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| We might lose our 800 number, which may not be portable. And I don't know if Comcast offers everything we get from RingCentral.
And Comcast is VERY aggravating with sales. I've never seen a company that penalizes people for bundling more services with them! |
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NetFixerFrom my cold dead handsPremium
join:2004-06-24
The Boro Reviews:
·Comcast Business..
·Vonage
·Cingular Wireless
·Comcast
| said by Melissa2009B:We might lose our 800 number, which may not be portable. And I don't know if Comcast offers everything we get from RingCentral.
And Comcast is VERY aggravating with sales. I've never seen a company that penalizes people for bundling more services with them!
I think you misunderstood my post. I was suggesting upgrading your existing RingCentral account. RingCentral is more than just a call answering, call forwarding, and internet fax service. They are also a VoIP provider. You may be able to integrate their VoIP service into your existing account for less than you currently pay for your CenturyLink phone service, or what you would pay for the Comcast Digital Voice service.
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History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid.
-- Dwight D. Eisenhower |
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| Integrate it into Comcast's account? Wow. Didn't know RC bundled with CC. |
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NetFixerFrom my cold dead handsPremium
join:2004-06-24
The Boro Reviews:
·Comcast Business..
·Vonage
·Cingular Wireless
·Comcast
| said by Melissa2009B:Integrate it into Comcast's account? Wow. Didn't know RC bundled with CC.
Nevermind.
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History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid.
-- Dwight D. Eisenhower |
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| Duoh!  I see what you meant.
Well I have misgivings about plain old VOIP. I've seen people use it and it was all chopped up.
But Comcast has supposedly done some higher tech things with it, so it's like a real phone? |
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