Comcast/Verizon "Triple Play" Wars

[Perknose]

Haven't posted in HD for a long, long time. Bear with me here, please.

I live in SE Pa., near Philly.

I recently switched from Comcast cable TV to Verizon FIOS TV, as part of their ~$100 "triple freedom" tv/internet/phone package.

I did this because I have had Verizon FIOS internet for about a year already and it has not gone down even one time!

But, turns out that Comcast's equivalent TV package included a number of movie channels like Sundance and IFC that are only available in an extra cost package from Verizon.

As I neared my 15 day "point of no return" with the 2 year :shocked: Verizon committment, I decided to call and ask for the RETENTION DEPT. to see what they might do for me.

The results are exceeding my fondest hopes and dreams. Retention is giving me, free for the next two years, their $20 movie package with all the indies, Starz, and HBO!

They are also sending me out a second box, which costs $5 a month, and giving me a $100 "thank you" credit to defray all but 4 months of the 24 month cost of it.

Plus, because she kept me on the phone so long, I'm getting a $100 American Express gift card as well. This (I hope this part works out) should be in additon to the $200 best buy card that I'm choosing in lieu of the free 19" HDTV, from the promo under which I signed up.

Not bad, I say, not bad at all.

 

[HomerJS]

So when you signed up for Verizon 3x freedom package there is a period of time to cancel before the 2 year obligation kicks in? What is that time period?

 

[Jassi]

Originally posted by: HomerJS
So when you signed up for Verizon 3x freedom package there is a period of time to cancel before the 2 year obligation kicks in? What is that time period?

Read the op again. 6th line.

 

[shingletingle]

Perknose, your sig is awesome.

 

[wirelessenabled]

:thumbsup:

Love your sig

 

[dakels]

hmm.. I'll have to keep this in mind when FIOS comes to my neighborhood... which should be soon since they already wired half of my town. In the meantime I got a deal from Comcast I got some awesome CSR that put together this package which would cost about $120 (premium cable + HBO/SHO, 6/1 internet) for about $60/month. It expires in 6 months to normal prices, but they said I can cancel or put together a new deal package. NO CONTRACT OR COMMITMENT! They spent like an hour going through their terrible pricing system to mix and match pricing incentives to make me that custom package. Like Perknoses post proves, if you hassle with customer service long enough you can usually get a deal. These companies have a lot of flexibility when putting together package prices and incentives and credits. It all depends on who you get as well...

 

[krashx6]

I wanna try this with my cable company. (brighthouse cable) What do I say to the retentions depart if they dont offer me an special packages and I really don't want to cancel?

 

[dakels]

Krashx6: Just call them and ask what the current promos are and if you can sign on to them. Try to at least do some homework on what other providers are doing so you have something to argue. Just call and simply say something like "I'm not happy with my service and I'd like to know if there are any promotional offers or I can change or cancel my plan." or something along those lines.
In my experience if you also make some legitimate complaints about this or that, say like service outtages, internet problems etc. At the least they may throw you a credit.

Hopefully you will get some sort of promotional offer. That's usually what they do for me in my experience with 2 different cable companies, Cablevision and Comcast. There is no guarantee you will get anything. It is dependant on the service provider, their CSR flexibility, and current offers. I think Comcast's screwed up system makes it more flexible for the consumer. The CSR I spoke to was able to dig up all sorts of different stuff that was available (they said) only online, only via phone, only via mail... etc. Speculating from what it sounded like over the phone, they were scanning through some crazy database of offers.

 

[trexpesto]

How about, "I want to cancel and go with Verizon's awesome FIOS package (or whatever). What kind of packages can you offer?"
Your willingness to take on their services for phone and internet may be used as a bargaining factor. But really, hard to beat what the OP got from Verizon. disclosure: me = stockholder
- What no Dollar Sign emoticon?

Or just 'let slip' you are teh AT Hot Deals mod. :laugh:

 

[dakels]

one thing I don't like about those triple play packages is that you have to get landline phone service... Verizon wouldn't let me make a triple play package with internet, TV, and cell phone. Had to be a land line, even with FIOS internet. I haven't used a land line in well over 10-12 years (motorola startac anyone?).

 

[Rio Rebel]

Oops. misread.

***Comcast rant deleted***

 

[Inspector Jihad]

w00t southeast PA

 

[Jay]

South Central PA has pockets of FIOS, but not in my neighborhood yet.

 

[ibex333]

Verizon FIOS is NOT available in Brooklyn, NY - FAIL.

 

[gwynethgh]

No TV in Portsmouth NH/Kittery ME though the internet service is great

 

[Pardus]

Had lots of problems with Fios.. it's not all it's cracked up to be.. went back to timewarner.

 

[vfrjim]

Fios is excellent here, do not know what I will do after my 2yr contract is up...