|
|
PSA: Buy a cable modem if you're "leasing"
11-03-2012, 11:22 AM
|
#1
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NC
Posts: 21,201
|
PSA: Buy a cable modem if you're "leasing"
I may be the only one so stupid, but Comcast has been charging me $7/mo to lease the cable modem they provide. Of course if anything goes wrong, they fix replace it. But I have spent enough "leasing" to buy several, and of course Comcast won't drop the charge no matter how long you've been paying (I asked). A quality Motorola cable modem with the same capability as the no-name modem Comcast provided cost $70 at Best Buy, so a 10 month breakeven. The Motorola comes with a 1-year warranty, so presumably you can't lose. I am sure the typical cable modem will last much more than 1 year.
If you go this route, make sure you turn your Comcast modem in to your local Comcast office and get a receipt and follow up to make sure it's taken off your monthly invoice in a timely fashion.
What started this: Comcast threatened to raise my monthly rate from $48.95 to $62.95*. When they've done so in the past, I told them I would switch to DSL, and they backed off. This time they refused to back off, so I dropped down one level keeping my monthly cost at $49.95**. They offer 7 performance levels and corresponding prices, I had no idea: - Economy
- Economy Plus
- Performance Starter**
- Performance*
- Blast!
- Extreme 50
- Extreme 105
So now we pay $49.95/mo instead of $55.95/mo ($48.95+$7.00). The difference in speed isn't even noticeable for most activities including streaming. It's only apparent on large downloads, and then it's not that bad. I may drop down another level or two and save even more.
I save $72/yr while Comcast loses $72/yr and gets a useless old modem back.
Every little bit counts. FWIW...
http://mydeviceinfo.comcast.net/
__________________
No one agrees with other people's opinions; they merely agree with their own opinions -- expressed by somebody else. Sydney Tremayne
Retired Jun 2011 at age 57
Target AA: 50% equity funds / 45% bonds / 5% cash
Target WR: Approx 1.5% Approx 20% SI (secure income, SS only)
|
|
|
|
Join the #1 Early Retirement and Financial Independence Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
Are you planning to be financially independent as early as possible so you can live life on your own terms? Discuss successful investing strategies, asset allocation models, tax strategies and other related topics in our online forum community. Our members range from young folks just starting their journey to financial independence, military retirees and even multimillionaires. No matter where you fit in you'll find that Early-Retirement.org is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with our members, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create a retirement blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
11-03-2012, 12:24 PM
|
#2
|
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,679
|
Our most recent Time Warner Cable bill for our Roadrunner internet service has a notice that starting with our next bill we will now have to pay $3.95/mo for our cable modem. We can avoid the charge by purchasing our own modem and they gave links to which modems will work for our service.
The modem we would buy is $53.95, sold at Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart. My first reaction was that of course we would buy our own and avoid the new monthly charge. Talking to our son, who also has the same cable modem service at his place, he pointed out that in the last few years we both have had the occasion to trade in our modem at TWC for a newer one. Ours was a modem that just got flaky and slow, I don't remember what happened with his modem. The TWC office is close by and it's easy to exchange the modem, come home and connect it and make a call to activate the new ID number.
So, for now we are going to keep leasing TWCs modem. At any time we can go buy one and take theirs in and avoid the charge. Our son said he's been exchanging his modems about every 9-12 months. Still thinking about this one....... One thing to consider is that our local Walmart is open 24hrs/day and keeps our model of modem in stock so if we had an issue we could get one locally and not have to order and wait for it to ship and be without internet.
__________________
Married, both 69. DH retired June, 2010. I have a pleasant little part time job.
|
|
|
11-03-2012, 12:30 PM
|
#3
|
Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 717
|
Comcast is a monopoly in CA and it sucks. They dictate prices as they wish and there is no competition to be found. Why nobody screams "socialism" about Comcast?!
__________________
“The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubt, while the stupid people are full of confidence.”
(—Charles Bukowski)
|
|
|
11-03-2012, 12:39 PM
|
#4
|
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,366
|
I ran the same cable modem for years until I upgraded my service and purchased a new DOCSIS 3.0 modem. They should last way longer than a year or two.
|
|
|
11-03-2012, 01:36 PM
|
#5
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NC
Posts: 21,201
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sue J
We will now have to pay $3.95/mo for our cable modem.
Talking to our son, who also has the same cable modem service at his place, he pointed out that in the last few years we both have had the occasion to trade in our modem at TWC for a newer one. Ours was a modem that just got flaky and slow, I don't remember what happened with his modem. The TWC office is close by and it's easy to exchange the modem, come home and connect it and make a call to activate the new ID number.
So, for now we are going to keep leasing TWCs modem. At any time we can go buy one and take theirs in and avoid the charge. Our son said he's been exchanging his modems about every 9-12 months.
|
Wow, I seriously doubt Comcast would let you just exchange modems "every 9-12 months." In 8 years or so, my first one failed after 4-5 years, and they asked questions before replacing it. I think they wanted to be sure it had really failed before they'd give me another, and the one they gave me was not new. I was on my second one, still going fine. So my experience is they last at least 4 years. YMMV
But $3.95/mo beats the heck out of $7.00/mo for a used no-name modem like I had.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Animorph
I ran the same cable modem for years until I upgraded my service and purchased a new DOCSIS 3.0 modem. They should last way longer than a year or two.
|
I paid a little extra and bought DOCSIS 3.0 as well.
__________________
No one agrees with other people's opinions; they merely agree with their own opinions -- expressed by somebody else. Sydney Tremayne
Retired Jun 2011 at age 57
Target AA: 50% equity funds / 45% bonds / 5% cash
Target WR: Approx 1.5% Approx 20% SI (secure income, SS only)
|
|
|
11-03-2012, 01:42 PM
|
#6
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Northern IL
Posts: 26,819
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by wanaberetiree
Comcast is a monopoly in CA and it sucks. They dictate prices as they wish and there is no competition to be found. Why nobody screams "socialism" about Comcast?!
|
Not so sure about "socialism", but I do scream "we need more competition"! But I don't scream too loud, as I just don't have cable. DW wants it, but I told her it would be bad for my blood pressure. I can really get worked up dealing with utility-like companies.
-ERD50
|
|
|
11-03-2012, 02:38 PM
|
#7
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 12,894
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by wanaberetiree
Comcast is a monopoly in CA and it sucks. They dictate prices as they wish and there is no competition to be found. Why nobody screams "socialism" about Comcast?!
|
Hum, I live in CA and use AT&T U-verse.
|
|
|
11-03-2012, 02:40 PM
|
#8
|
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 1,894
|
I orginally had one from the cable company. Got it free over 10 years ago with the original signup agreement. After a management change they started to want a $5 lease fee + a maintence fee per month. I got one off ebay for $20 and took theirs back.
|
|
|
11-03-2012, 02:56 PM
|
#9
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Lawn chair in Texas
Posts: 14,183
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by ERD50
Not so sure about "socialism", but I do scream "we need more competition"! But I don't scream too loud, as I just don't have cable. DW wants it, but I told her it would be bad for my blood pressure. I can really get worked up dealing with utility-like companies.
-ERD50
|
Yeah, sort of the opposite, a monopoly. But, an unwieldy bureaucracy nonetheless...
__________________
Have Funds, Will Retire
...not doing anything of true substance...
|
|
|
11-03-2012, 05:15 PM
|
#10
|
Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 182
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Midpack
If you go this route, make sure you turn your Comcast modem in to your local Comcast office and get a receipt and follow up to make sure it's taken off your monthly invoice in a timely fashion
|
Thanks for the reminder. I had turned in my modem to Comcast last month, and see your post reminded me to check my new bill. Sure enough, the 7.00 charge was still on the bill. I just got off the phone with them and will be receiving a credit.
|
|
|
11-03-2012, 05:32 PM
|
#11
|
Gone but not forgotten
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Peru
Posts: 6,335
|
Website for comcast modems
DOCSIS Devices
Use the "end of Life" option to see which modems Comcast recommends and which ones they consider to be ineligible for use. Even if you have an older 2.0 or earlier Docsis version, you can use the older modems, but they don't tell you that. I have a DOCSIS 2.0 which is good enough for my use... it's on the end of life list, Had to insist to use it when I moved. I suppose gamers would be better off with a 3.0.
BTW, if you buy a modem, and turn in your rental, be SURE you get a receipt. You'll need it to for proof, when your billing doesn't change. Also, if you have any other equipment, be absolutely sure to get a receipt. After a move I received a "generic" bill for all possible equipment $410.00... and it took three months and a lawyer letter to get it resolved.
In our area, modems are available at resale stores for from $2 to $10. (DOCSIS 2.0). YMMV
My experience with Comcast has been very bad... Have to be strong and stick to your guns in any dispute...IMO much, much incompetence... If in a discussion with a rep, and anything seems wrong, immediately ask to escalate the call. The rep is not allowed to deviate from the "script", so more discussion usually goes nowhere, except to raise blood pressure. If supervisor discussions go badly, always ask for employee ID number.
Google "comcast sucks" and find 1.9 million results.
One more thing... the current "on time" guarantee... $20 credit for late service. Our service here is bad, so I've collected twice already, this year. Unfortunately, no options at all, except satellite.
My opinion only.
|
|
|
11-03-2012, 05:36 PM
|
#12
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Northern IL
Posts: 26,819
|
I've tried to make this suggestion to my kids, save a few bucks per month, but I don't think they want any possible hassles.
Can't say I blame them too much, they are very busy with their lives at this stage, mucking around and setting up a modem or router for a few bucks isn't high on their list.
Me, I like the challenge, and have the time, so it's almost a no-brainer (well, I don't have cable, but on similar things.
-ERD50
|
|
|
11-03-2012, 07:04 PM
|
#13
|
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,049
|
I've had bad luck with wireless routers, which die after 2 years or so, but my cable modem has lasted about 5 years. The DOCSIS level is only for greater bandwidth; a DOCSIS 2.0 modem is more than sufficient for streaming movies.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOCSIS
I dropped cable and went to DSL recently. The 7MBPS is plenty for streaming on 2 computers or playing a game on one and streaming on the other.
|
|
|
11-03-2012, 08:31 PM
|
#14
|
Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 717
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by FIREd
Hum, I live in CA and use AT&T U-verse.
|
Do you run 25 mbps?
__________________
“The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubt, while the stupid people are full of confidence.”
(—Charles Bukowski)
|
|
|
11-03-2012, 08:36 PM
|
#15
|
Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 717
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by HFWR
Yeah, sort of the opposite, a monopoly. But, an unwieldy bureaucracy nonetheless...
|
Not much different to. No choice, single player, 'socialism' for Comcast as they are allowed (by the local, state governments I guess) rip-off all around them.
__________________
“The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubt, while the stupid people are full of confidence.”
(—Charles Bukowski)
|
|
|
11-03-2012, 09:02 PM
|
#16
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 13,130
|
Brings back memories of the old days with Ma Bell. I remember after that monopoly divested, my mom still had a rental phone for about a year until one day one of her son's said..."What the heck? Still renting? When now you can buy a phone for next to nothing!"
__________________
Have you ever seen a headstone with these words
"If only I had spent more time at work" ... from "Busy Man" sung by Billy Ray Cyrus
|
|
|
11-03-2012, 09:06 PM
|
#17
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 12,894
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by wanaberetiree
Do you run 25 mbps?
|
18 mbps.
|
|
|
11-03-2012, 09:11 PM
|
#18
|
Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 717
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by FIREd
18 mbps.
|
Really? And how much does it cost?
__________________
“The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubt, while the stupid people are full of confidence.”
(—Charles Bukowski)
|
|
|
11-03-2012, 09:13 PM
|
#19
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 12,894
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by wanaberetiree
Really? And how much does it cost?
|
$53 a month (bundled).
|
|
|
11-03-2012, 09:17 PM
|
#20
|
Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 717
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by FIREd
$53 a month (bundled).
|
Well, my Comcast runs ~24 Mbps and it's shame not to have ATT U-verse available in San Francisco and I am nostalgic for $15 per month rates...
__________________
“The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubt, while the stupid people are full of confidence.”
(—Charles Bukowski)
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
» Quick Links
|
|
|