WFE
join:2013-01-03
Sterling Heights, MI | Prices going up Just got a letter in the mail today that my bundle is going up $5 per month and also there will be a Broadcast TV Surcharge of $3 taking place in March. Ouch. $8 per month all at one time! |
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| I get it. Prices are going up. It happens everywhere and is inevitable. OK. But WTH is with separating out the $5 and the $3. So the $3 is for Broadcast TV surcharge, but are you telling me that none of that $5 increase is due to increase in the cost of programming? The letter went on at some length about how much programming costs are increasing. I took it to mean that the $5 has to do with that too.
It seems to me breaking it apart is quite dishonest and a way to skirt the issue. And since it's being listed as a surcharge, I'm wondering...is this $3 fee going to be included in the package price, or is it going to be a separate surcharge they tack on so they can advertise a lower price? The wording in the letter seems to suggest that. If so, then why don't they just list the entire cost of all programming as a surcharge. Then they can say their service is only $20/month and then in fine print list the $50 programming surcharge. |
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 aes128
join:2003-12-19
Saint Clair Shores, MI | It seems Charter did this a few years ago so others have done it. This is from UVerse:
Beginning with the February 2013 bill invoices, there will be a separate Broadcast TV Surcharge of up to $1.99 per month. This surcharge is to recover a portion of the amount local broadcasters charge AT&T to carry their channels.
Seems this will NOT be part of the package price but more like a tax say as your cell company charges. |
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 mix
join:2002-03-19
Utica, MI | reply to WFE
Isn't this just a way to charge more when you have a fixed plan for x many number of months? |
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| reply to LordKronos
It's total bull$hit that these broadcast stations are allowed to charge cablecos for the same programming they are broadcasting over the air. This combined with the robbery being performed by outfits like ESPN, etc are the reasons for the price increases period! |
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| reply to WFE
I never received that letter yet. In fact since switching to UltraTV, it says on my billing statement that my prices are guaranteed until 2014. So I'll be surprised if mine go up. |
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| Your price is garunteed, not taxes and surcharges. That word means you will be effected. |
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| reply to WFE
Yeah, I'm not terribly excited about this price increase either. Especially with the abysmal customer service that everybody has been experiencing.
It just so happens that I got a comcast promo envelope in the mail today as well. It came with the WOW letter. That's almost hard to believe, but it is true. |
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| reply to Iisijn
said by Iisijn :Your price is garunteed, not taxes and surcharges. That word means you will be effected.
Well I might see the $3 tax increase.. but I hope I don't see the $5 programming increase or their guarantee means nothing.
And for all I know I might not even see the tax increase. Taxes seem to be localized or even state based. The OP is from Michigan.. I'm in Ohio. So I might not see the increase at all. |
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gene32
join:2004-05-03
Reynoldsburg, OH | reply to WFE
This will give me more reason to dump the cable/DVR and just subscribe to the internet service. Guess I'll be partially cutting the cord. If WOW's service has been rock solid, I could maybe see this but man, their service has gone to sh*t lately. I don't think I want to pay a dime more for the same crap quality. |
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| reply to WFE
If they raise my prices anymore, I'm dropping TV. |
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aes128
join:2003-12-19
Saint Clair Shores, MI | said by clocks11:If they raise my prices anymore, I'm dropping TV.
Depending on what TV package you have, I am not sure you save much. I have 30/3 Internet and only Basic cable (I have Netflix, etc. and little use for TV). I looked into dropping Basic and I saved maybe $20, perhaps less. I guess if I put up an antenna I would drop Basic but still Basic seems worth $20/month.
WOW Internet has been "rock solid" for me for years unlike some here. I have had my own MODEM for over 2 years now and it has paid for itself. Mototola SB6120 and I mostly always get 30/3. No fancy "Ultra stuff" so all works just fine. Both TVs have QAM tuners which are also just fine. For what I need, WOW is better than the alternative. |
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| said by aes128:said by clocks11:If they raise my prices anymore, I'm dropping TV.
Depending on what TV package you have, I am not sure you save much. I have 30/3 Internet and only Basic cable (I have Netflix, etc. and little use for TV). I looked into dropping Basic and I saved maybe $20, perhaps less. I guess if I put up an antenna I would drop Basic but still Basic seems worth $20/month. Ok, lets saying I'm paying $20 for cable tv. If they add $8/month, that is about $360 per year after you add taxes to the $28per month. I'll take the savings, especially since when you factor my DVR, and other stuff, I am paying more than $20 per month. |
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| reply to WFE
Still nothing in Ohio. Just got my monthly bill today and there's nothing in there about prices going up. |
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juryman
join:2007-12-08
North Royalton, OH | reply to WFE
I recieved the price increase letter. Dont fool yourself. The prices are going up in Ohio. WOW is starting to inch its way closer to TW & ATT prices, and dont provide the channel selection that the others do, in my opinion. I see deals for TW in the mail all the time. Looks like I will be taking a serious look. |
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| said by juryman:I recieved the price increase letter. Dont fool yourself. The prices are going up in Ohio. WOW is starting to inch its way closer to TW & ATT prices, and dont provide the channel selection that the others do, in my opinion. I see deals for TW in the mail all the time. Looks like I will be taking a serious look.
Taxes going up is one thing as WOW! has no control over that. I would be seriously disappointed if my rate went up since I have the 2014 price guarantee in place. |
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| I'm in Columbus, and received the price increase letter dated Jan 25.
Broadcast TV Surcharge of $4.00 a month beginning March 2013. ($1.00 more than OP ?)
HD DVR Reciever was $9.99, going to $13.00
HD Receiver was $4.99, going to $5.00
For 8 years I was very happy with WOW, until the last year. I'm not quite ready to switch yet, but I'm getting closer. |
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Reviews:
 ·WOW Internet and..
·Time Warner Cable
| reply to WFE
I got the price increase letter also. I've got an offer from Time Warner for a $89.99 bundle deal with a $200 prepaid Visa card... getting pretty close to just taking it and heading down to the WOW office with the 3 boxes ready to pay my final WOW bill., |
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| reply to WFE
If you do a google search on cable fees going up and limit it to websites updating the last week.. you'll see Time Warner and Insight are also going up in prices the same as WOW! I think AT&T is also.
Doing more searching around.. I found this article which could be the reason why:
»www.nytimes.com/2013/01/26/busin···ss&_r=1&
So go ahead and switch. You'll be paying more for the same service with the other providers. |
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| reply to WFE
My Bill that just came today |
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