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| | Re: Bundled services said by Nightfall:
My opinion is this, if you don't like the price increase...
No one likes price increases, but I think the real issue is that Comcast is not giving a price increase notification or even admitting to a price increase. They are claiming this is a price reduction for bundled customers: "It is to reward our best customers with a price break on services" Price increases are one thing, but it is a completely different beast when your price goes up due to price breaks. The same thing happened to me with Charter, and I ended up getting basic cable from them as the total cost increase was a wash. Yes, I am getting more value on the current structure, but I was paying less and getting what I wanted before the price breaks. If they came right out and said that this is a price increase, I would have less of an issue with it (none if cable had to have price increases approved by the PUC like phone services)
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|   NightfallMy Goal Is To Deny YoursPremium,MVM
join:2001-08-03
Grand Rapids, MI
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| Re: Bundled services said by Dezbend:
said by Nightfall:
My opinion is this, if you don't like the price increase...
No one likes price increases, but I think the real issue is that Comcast is not giving a price increase notification or even admitting to a price increase. They are claiming this is a price reduction for bundled customers: "It is to reward our best customers with a price break on services" Price increases are one thing, but it is a completely different beast when your price goes up due to price breaks.
The price goes up for only people with cable modem service. I just don't see the problem with that personally. They instituted a new price structure. Here is the price for the TV cable service, here is your price if you get cable modem service with that. If you just want cable modem service, here is your new price.
I guess I don't see the problem in it. No one bitches about getting their car, home, and life insurance through one carrier and getting a discount. Same with phone service and DSL discounts. Yet, this is happening and people complain because it is happening in midstream. While it may upset some people, it is very legal to do so and a lot of businesses have bundled services.
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Arlington, VA | Re: Bundled services "I guess I don't see the problem in it. No one bitches about getting their car, home, and life insurance through one carrier and getting a discount."
Clearly you don't. Unlike cable companies, insurance companies don't have monopoly control of any particular area. As it currently stands, you can choose ANY insurance provider that serves your area.
With cable its different because your dealing with a company that has monopoly control in your area. This lady is upset because Comcast is essentially telling her that yes you can have our internet service but if you don't take our cable service along with it your rate will increase.
The problem here lies in the fact that when Comcast made that statement it reaks of anti-competitive behavior because its essentially giving the customer an offer that if they don't accept, will be penalized for. And when that customer accepts that offer it undercuts Comcast's competition because the customer cancels the account with the competition because they don't want to risk being penalized by Comcast.
Sure the customer can refuse but it means paying more or canceling their cable internet service altogether.
Hope that makes sense. lol | |
| | | NightfallMy Goal Is To Deny YoursPremium,MVM
join:2001-08-03
Grand Rapids, MI Reviews:
·Site5.com
·Comcast
·Callcentric
| Re: Bundled services quote:
Clearly you don't. Unlike cable companies, insurance companies don't have monopoly control of any particular area. As it currently stands, you can choose ANY insurance provider that serves your area.
With cable its different because your dealing with a company that has monopoly control in your area. This lady is upset because Comcast is essentially telling her that yes you can have our internet service but if you don't take our cable service along with it your rate will increase.
Again, we are talking about bundled services. It doesn't matter if you have 10 cable companies or just one. That company has the right to do bundled services because they exist in other businesses. Yes, she has a choice. Either pay more for just cable modem service or get basic and save. What is the problem with that? You have that choice when you go with telephone service. Get DSL and spend more or get their local service and DSL and pay less for DSL.
quote:
The problem here lies in the fact that when Comcast made that statement it reaks of anti-competitive behavior because its essentially giving the customer an offer that if they don't accept, will be penalized for. And when that customer accepts that offer it undercuts Comcast's competition because the customer cancels the account with the competition because they don't want to risk being penalized by Comcast.
Sure the customer can refuse but it means paying more or canceling their cable internet service altogether.
Once again, we are talking about bundled services here. Sure, if the customer wants only one service, they are going to have to pay more for it than if they just bought both services. What is the problem with that? I guess I just don't understand the issue here. I have made my point, and you keep pointing out blanket statements that it isn't fair. Well, tell telephone companies, insurance companies, and so on to stop offering bundled services and this problem will go away. In fact, make bundled services illegal and then this issue will disappear.
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Arlington, VA | Re: Bundled services Dude,
You keep trying to simplify the major point here by saying that the customer has a choice. If you listened at all to what I said, you'd understand that the problem is the possibility of anti-competitive actions on the part of Comcast. | |
| | | | | NightfallMy Goal Is To Deny YoursPremium,MVM
join:2001-08-03
Grand Rapids, MI Reviews:
·Site5.com
·Comcast
·Callcentric
| Re: Bundled services said by NPGMBR:
Dude,
You keep trying to simplify the major point here by saying that the customer has a choice. If you listened at all to what I said, you'd understand that the problem is the possibility of anti-competitive actions on the part of Comcast.
It is a simple point really, you are right.
I did listen to what you had to say, but I don't think it is going to take away from satellite service and it isn't in the least bit illegal. You say "possible" anti-competitive actions. Well, are you saying any services that are bundled are anti-competitive? What about insurance companies offering customers discounts for having multiple policies on home, auto, life, natural disaster, and so on? I think not.
Maybe there is a small amount of miscommunication going both ways here though. I will admit to that.
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| | | | | | NPGMBR
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Arlington, VA | Re: Bundled services I just can't explain it any better than the second response that I made. I think that if you not focus on the customer that brought the complaint, or the services offered you might see it a little clearer.
I have a complete understanding of what your saying, however, your missing the major point of the article which was titled (Bundling an Antitrust Violation?).
Thats the focus of the article. Not the customer, because she has a choice of going with DSL and dumping Comcast all together or not having a highspeed connection at all. | |
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| | | | | You've been hit in the head too many times. You still don't get it.
1. Comcast is forcing "people" to pay more whether they want the bundle service or not.
2. Comcast has monopolized the market.
3. Monopolies are not easily remedied, look the Microsoft case. Can all those companies testifying against Microsoft really work together to conspire, not. They all agree that the monopoly exist.
You're not looking at the picture, stand back and maybe you'll get a better view. | |
| | | | | | | Re: Bundled services Are you stupid? they have not monpolized anything they are not buying out other businesses. To decrease marketing.
For that matter in my area you would have to shut down the whole consumer home services market.
Phones Companies do it (bundle DSL,long distance and local = less money or higher charge if you don't)
Cell phone companies do it (more phones less money)
Power Companies do it (If you order gas and electric together they reduce your rate or else you get higher rates)
WHY CAN'T COMCAST DO IT? | |
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| Broadband cable internet may be monopolized but broadband isn't. She could use DSL or even Satilite High Speed service. No one is putting a gun to her head forcing her to use Comcast. Broadband is a choice not a right.
[text was edited by author 2003-03-26 16:28:28] | |
| | | | | | Re: Bundled services Dude, she ONLY wants Comcast for internet.
Comcast is telling her that she'll have to pay for the internet AND cable tv.
She does not want cable tv, but need to pay for it regardless. | |
| | | | | | | Re: Bundled services Dude, TV and Cable Internet costs $ 90
Cable Internet alone costs $ 60
She's can pay the higher prices, if she wants the service if not cancel...and go to some one else | |
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| | | I am not arguing the legality or even the right to raise prices. Companies need to raise prices sometimes. I take issue to the fact that from the article it seems that Comcast is denying that this is a price increase. Most customer will not see a difference in their bill as they have both internet and television or just television. Those with just internet will see a price increase. The new price structure does encourage bundled services (which I don't have a problem with). It just seems the company should word the situation as a price increase to the customers that are going to be paying more, or grandfather them into what they are currently paying if this really is not a price increase.
As a side note I think cable modem service price changes should be subject to the same rules as DSL price changes.
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