Comcast Transition...Let the fun begin

[JeffGrimes]

OK, I'm going to log my switch to Comcast Digital Cable. Not sure if this will be an appropriate location...Moderators let me know if we should move it.

I'm going to sign-up with Comcast Digital Cable with DVR...and based on my first call, this may be an adventure...So I figure I'll share my experience.

9:20 PM Talk to Daniel at Comcast.
Daniel : Ditch the Dish only applies to Silver/Gold/Platinum service...sir!
Me: The ads don't say that Daniel
Daniel: I'm sorry, sir...Thats an internal policy, premium channel packages only
Me: OK, so what can you offer me to switch.
Daniel: Well, I'll reduce the Digital plus package from $59.99 to $44.99 ($15/off)
Me: Daniel, its being offered for $39.00 on your website.
Daniel: Oh, I didn't even think about that.
Me: OK, so $44 + 9.99/eac for two DVR's Thats $64.00. Thats $10 more than I'm paying, where's the deal...?
Daniel: Sir, do you want the package or not?
Me: No thanks, I'll cut the cabloe, and leave the dish, have a good night!
Daniel: Thank you for calling Comcast, is their anything else I can do tonight?

Here we go!


I'm going to try again, and see what happens. The New England Website explaining Ditch the Dish makes no reference to "Premium channels required" for the discount...This guy just didn't want to give it to me.

I'll check in later.

[JeffGrimes]

Ok, called again, different Operator.

Yes, the Ditch the Dish only applies to Silver Gold and Platinum...and, the $39.99 Cable rate for Digital Plus does NOT apply to me, because I have basic cable with my internet service.

So, I'm an existing customer...no deals.

Comcast came to 79.99, I pay $51.00

The only caveat...is, right now I pay $60 for High speed Internet (taxes and fees, etc. Included)...

That would drop by $15...if it included my upgraded cable package.

I'll crunch some numbers...maybe upgrading to Silver will work out cheaper with the reduced "cable modem" rate...and the Ditch the Dish offers.


No more calls tonite. Besides, its in my record that I've been quoted, so perhaps their is no deal to be had....

[Daytona24]

For some reason switching to cable and dish and back even with deals somehow never saves you anything? When I went to DTV I saved a little but I also didnt have as many premiums as I did with cable, if I went back to cable now it would actually probably cost me more money. My solution, I have DTV for my analog TV's and my DTIVO and cable for my HD (only need it on 1 TV with thier DVR) and my broadband service. I am paying almost exactly what my in laws are paying for thier cable w/ broadband service but am happy becuase I have the quality I need where I need it. Its a complex tv service system but somehow it works!

[fastep]

Did you call the toll-free number or your local Comcast office? I found that cs from 1-888-COMCAST is much better than dealing with cs at the local office. Or it could be that in your area Comcast is not as pressed to add new customers??

I added Comcast several weeks ago and was already getting high-speed internet and basic cable through them and like you I was spending around $60 per month.

My deal was I give them an old DTV receiver and get high-speed internet AND all channels (except TMC) including HD for $59.99 plus $9.95 (hd and receiver fee) per month, free install and dvr, cancel anytime. This price is guaranteed not to increase for 12 months(which should be enough time for Fios tv to come around).

In 12 months I'll see what's available and compare my options again!

[JeffGrimes]

Did you call the toll-free number or your local Comcast office? I found that cs from 1-888-COMCAST is much better than dealing with cs at the local office. Or it could be that in your area Comcast is not as pressed to add new customers??

I added Comcast several weeks ago and was already getting high-speed internet and basic cable through them and like you I was spending around $60 per month.

My deal was I give them an old DTV receiver and get high-speed internet AND all channels (except TMC) including HD for $59.99 plus $9.95 (hd and receiver fee) per month, free install and dvr, cancel anytime. This price is guaranteed not to increase for 12 months(which should be enough time for Fios tv to come around).

In 12 months I'll see what's available and compare my options again!



Fastep...Sounds like you took advantage of the "Ditch the Dish" odffer...and took the Gold/Platinum package. Am I correct?

I'm going to post a seperate thread inquiring about DtD...See if anyone's received the offer without going at least Silver on their cable package.

[fastep]

Fastep...Sounds like you took advantage of the "Ditch the Dish" odffer...and took the Gold/Platinum package. Am I correct?

I'm going to post a seperate thread inquiring about DtD...See if anyone's received the offer without going at least Silver on their cable package.


You know, I'm not sure what package I have. I called the toll-free number and said I was a DTV customer looking for options. The cs rep asked what county I lived in and at first offered a basic deal but he dug a little deeper and found a special for current internet customers who had DTV and the rest is history.

If the deal wasn't such a no-brainer I may have waited. Instead I switched and I AM BEYOND HAPPY!!!!! I cannot express in words the incredible joy it is to use a dvr that actually works like a dvr was meant to work - FAST! PQ is better across the board and I have since added a sony 500gb HD dvr which is even better than the comcast dvr! It's also nice having Starz and Cinemax HD as HBO and SHO were limited in their choice. OnDemand is another cool feature.

Next year if my price rises above what I was paying with DTV, I will be more than happy to pay it. The quality and choice Comcast offers can never beat by DTV.

This may not be true everywhere however but I recommend to everyone who has the option- try it ! If it doesn't work out - cancel at no charge. You got nothing to lose! And don't wait for tivo3 - I feel Tivo will not be worth the wait. The Comcast motorola 6412 series III is FREE and the interface is better than Tivo. The only problem is a 120gb HD but as you know there are other cablecard Hd dvrs available with more to come as well as cheap firewire dvrs (if your TV has firewire).

Of all the Dvrs I've had, Tivo is the slowest and cable tivos are just TOO EXPENSIVE!!!!!! That may change with tivo3. My gut tells me the 250gb tivo3 will cost around $1000 and $12.99 per month for the guide. I picked up a 500gb sony for $249 and the guide is FREE! (and better looking).

Good luck with your negotiations! Hope to see you on the other side............

[TR7spyder]

fastep, how can you say that Comcast DVR is faster? I find it to be MUCH slower than my D* TiVo!

Unless, HD TiVo is slower than my SD D* TiVo?

[fastep]

fastep, how can you say that Comcast DVR is faster? I find it to be MUCH slower than my D* TiVo!

Unless, HD TiVo is slower than my SD D* TiVo?


Which dvr are you using? I have the motorola 6412 seriesIII (firmware 12.18). I have read prior versions are much slower. The 6412 not only has the fastest guides but also has the fastest one touch recording of all the dvrs I have.

If you have the same model, call and get it replaced.