Jackson Heights Life

I've been on Spectrum for a few years now and have only ever had basic internet service. I repeat basic. I am not a gamer at all, occasionally stream a movie, and do some light coding. 

I believe at one point I was paying $29.99, maybe 8 years ago. It then increased to $39.99. Then $49.99. At one point I asked why is the price increasing. They said something about improvements to their system and premium high-speed internet. I reminded them that I only have basic internet. They said that that was the premium service. ?! (call comparatively basic bandwidth premium and then charge for the designation?)

This month's bill is now $59.99. I call to ask why the increase. They tell me that I have been on a $20 promotional introductory plan. I tell them I've been on spectrum for years and if it was "promotional" wouldn't I now be paying $69.99.

She spends 20 minutes "talking to a manager" and then tells me i have been a client since 2012, but that some glitch in the system allowed me to keep the $20 discount for this long. And then she tells me that i still have a $10 discount, but her system can only predict my billing statements through July. So basically I have $69.99/month to look forward to for basic internet service come August.

Anybody else have an experience like this or can shed any light on this?

Maybe it’s just inflation.

Can you switch? Price shopping always works for me. But I am lucky and have FIOS, Spectrum and RCN available in our building.

I believe at one point I was paying $29.99, maybe 8 years ago. It then increased to $39.99. Then $49.99. At one point I asked why is the price increasing. They said something about improvements to their system and premium high-speed internet. I reminded them that I only have basic internet. They said that that was the premium service. ?! (call comparatively basic bandwidth premium and then charge for the designation?)

I was in the same boat. It's criminal the price we pay for basic internet. See if FIOS or RCN is an option in your building. Otherwise, I used https://www.asktrim.com/, which somehow negotiates a bill reduction. They do charge for the service, which is a portion of their yearly savings, but you still end up ahead in the end.

Same here, my bill went from $49 to $59 for the same basic 50MB service. They are actually claiming that I'm getting $10 discount given that the "official" price for this service tier is $70! Of course they suggested to increase my speed as a "special" offer...and we all know that in 6 - 12 months the special offer will expire and we are back from where we started.

Seems Verizon is still not available JH (or at least on my street) any suggestion how to push them to finally provide service? (not that they are much better, but at least have some leverage for negotiation with Spectrum)

Filed an informal complaint with FCC about Spectrum pushing services on its customers (something that ISP are restricted to do but clearly, suggesting a speed increase is just that). Please sue the link below if you want to file one too: https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=38824

You should be able to buy your own modem and not pay a monthly fee for one.  I did that back when the service was provided by TWC.  Be sure to check that 1.it's supported and 2.that it's rated for whatever bandwidth you're paying for (and ideally faster so you don't have to get a new modem if you decide to upgrade).

Quote from: Shallot on March 23, 2020, 04:52:40 PM

You should be able to buy your own modem and not pay a monthly fee for one.

Spectrum doesn't charge extra for the modern, nor do they give you a discount if you have your own. It's all included, which seems like a good deal until they jack up the price.

THIS

Having Time Warner doesn't exempt you from the price increase, as my own bill went up on today's statement to $59.99. Time to figure out if FIOS fees and taxes add up to any real savings when added to their promotional price.