Question about Comcast billing

[shireen]

I hope this is the right place to post this question and rants.

Comcast has some peculiar billing practices that I don't understand. So i'm asking if other hi-tech service companies in the communications industry do the same thing to their clients.

Background:

I had a package that included
- an enhanced tv channel selection (no subscription channels like HBO)
- internet
- phone

I hardly use that phone because I use my cell all the time. But if I got rid of the phone service, I would be billed the standard price for tv and internet, which is higher in price than the package that has all three services. It's as if they're forcing you to use their phone service.

My bill was way too high so I decided to cut back from enhanced tv channel selection to a more limited selection, but keep the same internet service and stupid phone. That dropped the bill by $50. But wait ... I asked the rep, is this the standard price for this new service package? No, he said it was a promotional rate for the new package. It would last one year, then would increase $20 the following year, then increase $25 in the 3rd year. WTF?!!!

Do these billing practices happen at other cable companies? I'm amazed at how they're getting away with charging us such high prices.

[Galileo126]

1. Yup - they'll all like this

I have Time-Warner in Socal. I have the enhanced cable (no premium channels), with internet and landline. When I first got the package, it was $89.99/year, which lasted 2 years. Then it went up to $120/year for a year. Now I pay the full rate of $154/year. I asked for a break, being a long-time customer, and they basically said to go pound sand.

It is insulting to see TWC promos on TV saying "join us for only $89.99/year!!" while the old-time customers subsidize the new folks coming in. Then again, in a couple of years, they'll figure out what we know now: Go pound sand!

"Same as it ever was..."

If you hear of anything better, I'm all ears!!

-gali

[RebelOne]

2. I feel as if I am always being overbilled.

I usually call and complain and they will drop the rate by $20 for a year. Then it goes up again and I complain again and they drop the rate again. It is a never-ending cycle.

[fadedrose]

3. If you call and argue with them

they'll strike you a better deal...it happened to us too, and got some free HBO for a while.

[Politicalboi]

4. I was shocked by Brighthouse

We were moving, and I owed an out standing bill. I sent my brother to return their equipment and pay what I owed. I owed about 170.00 and the woman behind the counter asked my brother "How much would you like to pay". He said $68.00 and they took it, and I owed no more.