how-to block ads
|
seriousfun
join:2003-02-27
Los Angeles, CA
 ·Comcast
 ·Verizon FIOS
| reply to medici
Re: Well
said by medici  :
They're not forcing anyone to subscribe to cable tv. They are discounting Internet Access for customers that also subscribe to Cable TV.
...
Comcast, specifically in this example, is not trying to sell this as a discount, but a requirement to get a service at a price. Their marketing gaffe is that they didn't analyze their inheritable customers' services and expectations, and IMO it wouldn't have taken genius to do so.
Bundling can be an effective marketing tool when there is a clear-cut set of needs by a class of customers in a market, but internet service and cable TV are not the same water, just because they come down the same pipe. Bundling would involve a choice of adding faster DL with existing UL speeds, or a higher newsgroup DL limit with your existing service, and giving a price break for the bundle; with cable it would be for example an ala-carte choice of channels or a fixed number of PPV events for a fixed price, smaller than ordering them individually. Bundling just doesn't apply here in the classic sense.
Bundling as a marketing tool can make sense when it makes your bundle a more compelling value than your competitor's; monopoly or not, none of us can switch to a competitive cable internet provider (Earthlink reselling notwithstanding).
I am certainly evaluating alternatives to Comcast with the switchover from ATTBI, and I certainly would have had no specific motivation to do so without being faced with this bumbling, possible mean-spirited, non-bundle being shoved down my throat.
[text was edited by author 2003-04-17 18:53:29] | |
Kaltes
Premium
join:2002-12-04
Los Angeles, CA
| seriousfun, do what I did: immediately purchase basic cable for $9.95, which will mitigate your loss by saving you the full $15 hike, cutting it to $10.
additionally, if you calmly and respectfully express your frustration with Comcast to the salesperson, and inform them that you really think paying even $10 more a month in too much. Also say that you have seriously been considering switching to DSL, you just havent made up your mind yet for sure.
If the Comcast salesperson does not offer you a promotion for $5.95 a month with free installation, claim your friend told you he signed up under that promotion (I actually did sign up about 2 weeks ago under that promotion) and that if you got that deal, you'd stay with Comcast for sure.
*OR*
SBC is offering a deal for $35/month so you can just switch to DSL. | |
|
