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shapiro44
Anon
2004-Feb-26 6:12 pm
[TWC] [TWC] wants wants to charge me $25,000 for RRTWC wants to charge me over $25,000 (US dollars) for CABLE installation. They also cant get my address right, neither the town nor the zip code. There is not another area left in the country with this problem!! I live in Highland NY, with zip code 12528. The houses with addresses on Swartekill Road numbered greater than 300 have Time Warner Cable/ Road Runner. The houses with addresses under 200 have Cablevision/Optimum online. Those of us between 200 and 300 on Swartekill Rd have no CABLE TV (for 3 decades) and no chance of getting DSL either. Survey's done by Time Warner are now over $25,000; but they are sent to wrong address and list our town (200 - 300 Swartekill Road) incorrectly. TWC insist we are in Town of Esopus at zipcode 12429. Our correct town is Highland NY with zipcode 12429. Would you accept a survey result of $25,000 and hand over that much money to a company that can't even straighten out their customer database, and have the addresses correct? Lastly, because our addresses are incorrect in their (TWC) database our are requests are not being counted correctly - not being counted at all! In fact, when I call TWC for service they insist that I am not in there area. It takes several minutes to convince their rep that this is TWC area. I am sick of this conversation. For 6 years I have been calling TWC every month and getting no where. Everybody else can get high speed for free installation or $59 installation charge, Why do I have to pay $25,000 installation charge? and then have my address in the wrong town and zipcode yet. I still on dialup - probably forever. ~ |
actions · 2004-Feb-26 6:12 pm · (locked) |
Matt3All noise, no signal. Premium Member join:2003-07-20 Jamestown, NC |
Matt3
Premium Member
2004-Feb-26 6:17 pm
I feel your pain. We are in an old building in downtown and they wanted to charge us $55,000 to offer us Biz Class. |
actions · 2004-Feb-26 6:17 pm · (locked) |
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shapiro44 to shapiro44
Anon
2004-Feb-26 6:25 pm
to shapiro44
Re: [TWC] wants wants to charge me $25,000 fThis charge of $25,000 is a to residential private house. (I see I got one zip code incorrect above, This residence zip code is 12528 (not 12429 like TWC believes) Town of Highland NY (not town of Esopus NY like TWC believes) |
actions · 2004-Feb-26 6:25 pm · (locked) |
saber11Check Six Premium Member join:2000-06-09 Clayton, OH |
to shapiro44
Re: [TWC] [TWC] wants wants to charge me $25,000 for RRSounds like you need to get the Mayor of your 'burg involved and the town council to "persuade" TW to extend the lines.
Usually requests for new plant construction are better recieved from someone "official" than just a bunch of pissed off people.
Also they are your elected officials, they serve you, so being you are in a tiny podunk chances are they will "fight your battle" because it means the whole infrastructure of the town would improve as well.
Good luck. |
actions · 2004-Feb-26 6:29 pm · (locked) |
mattyw join:2004-01-16 Carmel, NY |
to shapiro44
Screw TWC, have you tried seeing what Optimum would want to do such a task? If I had the choice, Id choose them over TWC, OOL has 10Megs down, 1 up, as opposed to TWC 3Megs down, .35 up. Also the support for OOL seems to be much more intelligent and sympathetic, at least my experience. |
actions · 2004-Feb-27 12:26 pm · (locked) |
Rick5 Premium Member join:2001-02-06 |
to shapiro44
I was just going to suggest the same thing Mattyw suggested. If you have OOL on the other side..why not call them and see what they say? (if you haven't already) Maybe your area isn't Time Warners and OOL is who you should have been calling from the start.
Also, what I think i'd be doing is first figuring out how many houses your talking about that aren't being serviced? You say the addresses are 200-300 but how many houses is that? If you all banded together it would make for a much better presentation to approach either TW or OOL and say here are XXX amount of customers who would love to have service from you. Perhaps you could work out a compromise on the price, where each homeowner split the cost of installation. |
actions · 2004-Feb-27 12:40 pm · (locked) |
rec9140Provoice just DO it join:2003-07-29 Mulberry, FL |
to shapiro44
If your interested in persuading BIG CONGLOMERATE CABLECO to see the errors of their ways to get high speed internet then you and your neighbors need to band together. First, put the tar, feathers, rope, and torches down. As much as I agree with the concept, that just makes them ignore you even more. Second, you and your neighbors need to form your own little group. The Swartekill Road Cable Action Board or something else similar. With a BIG OFFICIAL OVERBEAR TITLE to go with it. Form it as some non profit or something. Registering with your local state and local business licensing groups would help, but not really needed. Now that you have your own little PAC group. Its time to make a decision. WHO do you REALLY WANT to deal with. MEGOPOLY Borg Raper - TimeWarner Or MiniMegopoly Raper - CableVision. Stricly speaking as a high speed internet user, I think I would deal with CableVision as they offer the better broadband product, speed wise. Others will point out they have issues with their NNTP, POP3, and SMTP servers. This could be an issue for many. I use my own outside servers for all of these as I don't want to be tied to any particular ISP. As far as TV service is concerned I won't address that, as I consider cable TV video services lacking in quality, offerings, price, and prefer DBS. I would imagine that most of the homes in this stretch have one or the other DBS provider since you say no cable for 30 years. So the main goal here is to get HSI. Your group then needs to go to one of the various cable plant builders, take a look at » www.business.com/directo ··· _design/Or if one your members works/is an engineer they may know of a local firm that does this sort of work. Have them come out and do a STUDY to expand BOTH companies lines. This will cost you some $$$ unless one your members can arrange it themselves. Try to arrange the study so that both cableco's see the company out there doing the study. Get neighbors on both sides to call in service calls so they have to come out and check things. Vans with big logos like "BIG GUY CABLE CONTRACTOR" will get noticed. Have them set up some orange cones, "Work Area Ahead," "Survey Crew" signs. Make a big show of it. You could do this yourselves with out really doing a study, run to your nearest Taylor Rental or other construction rental place and rent the signs and cones for a few days. You could skip the study, and begin to lobby your local cable board, mayor, city council, board of elders, what ever applies. If you have to take it to the state utility board/PUC or what ever NY calls it. Having the study is a MAJOR plus as the cableco will know your serious about this when you form a group to take action as a WHOLE v. upset and irate single NON CUSTOMERS. The study helps to show what it really costs and YOU KNOW what it costs v. being some uninformed consumer. How long a stretch is this? 1M 1/2M, 1/4M more? less? How many homes? What type of demographics? All single family homes or mutliple dwelling units as well? The more $$$$$ you can make the cableco see the more likely they are to consider it. Break it down for them. Look up their present packages and costs. Put it on paper when you lobby your politicos that: Give them some demographics on median age, median income, etc.. Compare your stretch to the same stretch on either side of you, especially if your area has better demographics. x homes WOULD subscribe to basic x homes WOULD subscribe to Premium x homes would subscribe to HBO x homes would .... to HSI x homes .... to multiple movie packages x homes .... average y/PPV/month x homes ... have multiple outlets Put some numers to these and multiply out the numbers so the see the $$$$. SHOW THEM THE MONEY! DON'T INFLATE THESE be realistic with them. You don't have to put addresses to them, just a x homes. Whether thats what happens in the end or not doesn't matter. Use your DBS bills to compare it out. If your really lucky you could get them both to cover the stretch and have competition for your business. Keep your little group together and make them report to you. Maybe even make your area its OWN FRANCHISE and COLLECT FRANCHISE FEES! That may be the route to go now that I think of it. Put out and RFQ enter negotiation with both for a franchise to cover your area. I am sure that would definately spill some ones milk real quick. Especially if you have no local cable board. |
actions · 2004-Feb-27 2:29 pm · (locked) |
krathis join:2002-11-02 Lake Mary, FL |
Call your City Manager (or if your city is big enough, your utilities liason person) and ask them to get involved. You can also ask them to check the franchise agreement with the utility as most of them have some sort of clause about who/how they will provide service, and some agreements even have specific service levels included (i.e. they need to respond to issues within a certain amount of time). Good Luck..red tape is a biznatch. |
actions · 2004-Feb-27 4:34 pm · (locked) |
mba2 join:2000-12-09 Flushing, NY |
to shapiro44
Send them a letter with an envelope containing the envelope for you utility bill that shows the zip code. Ask that a manager call you.
Good luck.
Morris |
actions · 2004-Feb-28 5:41 pm · (locked) |
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MarkyD Premium Member join:2002-08-20 Oklahoma City, OK |
MarkyD
Premium Member
2004-Feb-28 8:36 pm
said by mba2: Send them a letter with an envelope containing the envelope for you utility bill that shows the zip code. Ask that a manager call you.
Good luck.
Morris
Good luck with that. Most of these companies outsource bill processing. A manager would never see it. |
actions · 2004-Feb-28 8:36 pm · (locked) |
JoshNJ Premium Member join:2001-12-25 Freehold, NJ |
to shapiro44
shapiro44, try cablevision, if you don't get anywhere, register on this site and send a pm to halw ] (he works for cablevision) |
actions · 2004-Mar-1 3:42 am · (locked) |
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to shapiro44
Get a T3 or DS3 line and share that with your neighbors. Better yet, become your own ISP in your nieghborhood and make a profit. |
actions · 2004-Mar-2 4:43 pm · (locked) |
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to shapiro44
I'm right down the road from you (in Milton), and I went through the same debacle with TWC. My road had no cable (although the cross-street did) since the developer never did the run. TWC quoted me $10,0000 to wire the road.
Go down to the down hall, and check the franchise agreement that TWC has with the town of Highland. In my case, they were contractually obligated to "build-out" service to any street that exceed a certain population density. Once we called that to their attention, they ran the cable and hooked us up.
In my case, the town was reasonably helpful, but don't expect them to have much leverage. After all, the franchise fees that TWN pays the town are not small change.
Good luck...... |
actions · 2004-Mar-8 10:23 pm · (locked) |
myshap join:2000-04-25 New York, NY |
myshap
Member
2004-Apr-8 5:57 pm
Curious to know how this saga continues. I have enjoyed optimum online service for serveral years and hope you can enjoy it too! |
actions · 2004-Apr-8 5:57 pm · (locked) |
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zmike2
Member
2004-Apr-8 11:42 pm
$25,0001!! SHOOT the DOG you will save $25,000 in dog food! |
actions · 2004-Apr-8 11:42 pm · (locked) |
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to shapiro44
Re: [TWC] [TWC] wants wants to charge me $25,000 fThey lost 100 billion dollars as a result of the aol and twc merger... They have to make it up somehow. We need Alternatives to the cable monopoly. Without real competition, we'll always get crappy products and services... |
actions · 2004-Apr-11 1:25 pm · (locked) |
richk_1957If ..Then..Else Premium Member join:2001-04-11 Minas Tirith |
to shapiro44
I feel for you, really. You're stuck between a rock & a hard place (TWC & OOL) What probably happened is that when TWC [who is supposed to be your provider] came in, they did a survey and not many people were interested in getting cable. So they probably thought why bother & spend money where no-body's interested. You're going to have to check town records because the town might have them down as a franchise, but never completely wired the area. If that's the case, they would be obligated to wire the area . |
actions · 2004-May-30 11:37 pm · (locked) |
Test99 Premium Member join:2003-04-24 San Jose, CA |
to shapiro44
How about setting up a wireless link to a neighbor who already has broadband Internet access, or who would be willing to get it? People in the wireless forum should be able to advise you on the technical details. It may be easier to find a cooperative neighbor than to fight a large bureaucracy. |
actions · 2004-May-31 4:44 pm · (locked) |
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WhyADuck
Premium Member
2004-May-31 5:48 pm
Another thought, have you tried involving the local newspaper? Sometimes they like stories about people getting screwed by local utilities and will dig into them and find the right people to talk to (hint: You've almost certainly been talking to the wrong people).
Failing that, try the local news departments of any TV stations serving your area - talk to the consumer reporter if they have one. The TV stations may be more interested if you emphasize your inability to get Cable TV as opposed to cable Internet. If you are in the fringe area of a TV station that is on the cable, you could emphasize how you can't get a clear picture on their station.
The idea of contacting your city officials is also a very good one. Usually they have at least one or two people whose job it is to deal with the local cable franchises; occasionally there's an entire cable committee. Call city hall and ask who you'd complain to about cable service, then explain the situation to them.
Failing on all the above counts, I'd contact the state representative that serves your district. As a constituent, you have a right to express your concern about a cable company attempting to gouge you on installation, and who knows, they may know someone high enough in the cable company to get something done.
Now, one critical piece of advice: If you ever get to talk to someone at either cable company that sounds like they know what they are talking about, or especially if they make any promises to you, make sure you write down their name, telephone number, and the department and city they work out of, or if they have a title, write that down. The name and phone number are essential, but get as much other info as you can. Otherwise, when promises aren't kept or no action is taken, you won't have a clue who you spoke to and you'll have to start over from scratch. Utility employees will sometimes promise anything just to get you off the phone, knowing full well that you don't know who they are and even if you call back you'll have to deal with someone else, who will promptly deny everything. Don't let them play that game - get full contact information for anyone you talk to, and don't be afraid to call them back if commitments are not kept! |
actions · 2004-May-31 5:48 pm · (locked) |
Hall MVM join:2000-04-28 Germantown, OH |
Hall
MVM
2004-May-31 6:01 pm
said by WhyADuck: Failing on all the above counts, I'd contact the state representative that serves your district. As a constituent, you have a right to express your concern about a cable company attempting to gouge you on installation, and who knows, they may know someone high enough in the cable company to get something done.
It's not likely that the OP is being given an inaccurate figure. It may very well cost that much... The issue is, he's being expected to foot the bill himself. Who's to say EVERY OTHER neighbor hasn't called the cable company and been told the same thing ?? Depending on the franchise, they may simply input the address, and see "no service available". No one thinks to log these requests and see a pattern... As already said, they need to *organize* and go to the cable company as a group and say they've got "x" potential customers. If it's enough, the cable company will cover the build-out cost in return for having "x" number of new subscribers and that much more $$$ coming in monthly. |
actions · 2004-May-31 6:01 pm · (locked) |
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WhyADuck
Premium Member
2004-Jun-1 12:08 am
"It's not likely that the OP is being given an inaccurate figure"??? Sorry, but I simply cannot believe it costs anything remotely close to $25,000 to extend a cable ONE BLOCK. If it really costs that much, no place would ever get wired.
They may CLAIM it costs that much, but as I say, I do not believe it for a second. Utilities lie to customers all the time, and a figure that high simply doesn't make sense. It's like when some kid hacks into a corporate computer and gets caught, and the company pulls a multimillion dollar damages figure out of thin air and then tries to come up with some way to justify that figure. In other words they pull a figure out of a hat and then, only if necessary, cook some books to justify that figure. As I say, utilities are famous for this (virtually all telephone company accounting that is presented to public utility commissions is more fiction than fact), and if they really want to make such a claim I'd like to see them justify it to the penny, and then explain how they managed to wire the rest of the town if it cost them that much (you know that most residents of the town didn't pay a dime to have the cable run past their homes; if anything they only paid a small installation charge when they actually subscribed). |
actions · 2004-Jun-1 12:08 am · (locked) |
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"One block" is your assumption. No one can figure out what it takes to install cable in an area without a knowledge of the area including such information as house spacing, location of existing facilites, etc.
One doesn't just go up to existing cable and hook up an extension. |
actions · 2004-Jun-1 5:05 am · (locked) |
Hall MVM join:2000-04-28 Germantown, OH |
Hall
MVM
2004-Jun-1 7:51 am
said by Kip patterson: One doesn't just go up to existing cable and hook up an extension.
You mean they can't do it with a coupling and some RG6 cable ?? |
actions · 2004-Jun-1 7:51 am · (locked) |
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No, they need at least RG-11 and a supply of skyhooks.
Seriously, there are a lot of things that have to happen.
A rideout with the pole owner, and all the poles used have to be added to the pole contract. About $10 per pole per year, by the way.
Is there an existing feeder that can be extended? Amps needed? Losses have to be calculated, tap plate values calculated.
If it can't be done from an existing feeder, where is the nearest trunk? May need to extend the trunk, a bridger amp for sure, plus the new feeder, taps, amps.
No trunk available? Where's the nearest fiber splice box with an open pair to the neighborhood hub? Set a node, run the fiber, install a new laser and receiver, perhaps add a line card, plus all of the above. |
actions · 2004-Jun-1 8:01 am · (locked) |
bodosomLeger de main Premium Member join:2004-03-05 WNY/Niagara ARRIS SB6183 Ubiquiti EdgeRouter X pfSense SG-2220
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to WhyADuck
said by WhyADuck: "It's not likely that the OP is being given an inaccurate figure"??? Sorry, but I simply cannot believe it costs anything remotely close to $25,000 to extend a cable ONE BLOCK. If it really costs that much, no place would ever get wired.
My letter from TW (my share is $9,533) says the formula they use for cost "sharing" is set by the State of New York. |
actions · 2004-Jun-1 1:32 pm · (locked) |
Hall MVM join:2000-04-28 Germantown, OH |
Hall
MVM
2004-Jun-1 1:35 pm
said by bodosom: My letter from TW (my share is $9,533) says the formula they use for cost "sharing" is set by the State of New York.
Don't recall where the OP is from, but at least here in Ohio, the state gov't doesn't meddle with the cable industry. Local gov'ts have a little bit of "regulatory" control over them though... |
actions · 2004-Jun-1 1:35 pm · (locked) |
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to shapiro44
Re: [TWC] [TWC] wants wants to charge me $25,000Using a 10 foot long and 4 foot wide piece of masonite I finally put up a sign on my property easily viewable from the road that reads: TIME WARNER SUCKS
The white painted letters on the brownish masonite is even more readable at nite. Then I called 6 phone numbers at TWC and left voicemail informing them what I've done, leaving them my name address phone numbers to reach me. One guy at TWC actually answered the phone, I retold him my story. First thing he said was "that sucks". An hour later he stopped by my house in a TWC truck, taking his own survey etc. I doubt anything will come of it, but I can always hope. I told him that I aint taking the sign down until I see spools in my neighborhood.
So, feel free to drive by (there's enough information in the first post on the first page of this thread), then post here, tell me how you enjoyed my artwork. |
actions · 2004-Aug-29 4:56 pm · (locked) |
Hall MVM join:2000-04-28 Germantown, OH |
Hall
MVM
2004-Aug-29 6:02 pm
You should make more signs like
(sign # 1) TIME WARNER WANTS TO
(sign # 2) CHARGE ME $25000
(sign # 3) TO EXTEND THEIR SERVICE
(sign # 4) TO MY HOME
Not sure if this was asked earlier or not, but where you live, is there a "franchise authority" ?? It's usually a gov't (local or county) that oversees the cable companies. |
actions · 2004-Aug-29 6:02 pm · (locked) |
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Hall, Time Warner holds the franchise. I got a copy of the cable agreement with my town. Its from 1985. It doesnt address the issue of building everybody. It gets renewed every 6 months with no changes. (My town is not interested in changing it.)
There is a N.Y. State cable commission whom I called once, told them my story. They never got back to me.
Thanks for posting. |
actions · 2004-Aug-30 10:02 am · (locked) |
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Looking up Highland, NY was a lot more fun than working!
With 1,000 dwelling units, Highland probably generates around $500k per year for TW, assuming they are all passed by cable. Looks like you've got a real uphill battle with few troops on your side. |
actions · 2004-Aug-30 11:31 am · (locked) |