Comcast Questions

[Patman]

alright... i'm starting to get a headache

I know offers tend to be location dependent... but i'm trying to figure out the discernible difference between cable plans. I'm locked into cable as my building won't have Fios and sat dish would be nearly unreasonable.

There appear to be various cable offers... its a little unclear in what's offered in each. Looks like its "digital starter", "digital preferred", and "digital premier" in that order... it doesn't make any mention of additional packages and plans as possibly needed like sports package and crap like that.

Other issues also seem to be there like they want $100 to install some useless computer software because i'm getting internet.

Anybody familiar with comcast want to chime in? I'm ok with an activation fee and stuff... i just want to be clear about what i'm getting for services.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Comcast Questions

The starter/preferred/premier just is how many channels you want. I believe I have "preferred" which is all the decent channels like ESPNews/music channels/etc, along with the Encores (movie channels, not as good or quick with the newer movies like HBO and such).

No clue about the software. That seems odd. I didn't have that mentioned (and wasn't charged for) when I first got the internet/cable package from Comcast.

If it helps, my bill for the combo is about $140/mo, but I do have the $8/mo sports package and the $7 (?)/mo HD enhancement.

Edit: things like the sports package are independent of the cable package. They are "add-ons."

 

[Greyeagle]

Re: Comcast Questions

The starter/preferred/premier just is how many channels you want. I believe I have "preferred" which is all the decent channels like ESPNews/music channels/etc, along with the Encores (movie channels, not as good or quick with the newer movies like HBO and such).

No clue about the software. That seems odd. I didn't have that mentioned (and wasn't charged for) when I first got the internet/cable package from Comcast.

If it helps, my bill for the combo is about $140/mo, but I do have the $8/mo sports package and the $7 (?)/mo HD enhancement.

Edit: things like the sports package are independent of the cable package. They are "add-ons."

I have the same package you do, sans the sports package. The preferred should also get you the local FSN station, IIRC.

When I added Comcast Internet they dropped off the modem and software, I don't remember any installation fees. In fact, the only installation fee I recall was when we had cable run to our upstairs office/sun porch.

 

[Patman]

Re: Comcast Questions

No clue about the software. That seems odd. I didn't have that mentioned (and wasn't charged for) when I first got the internet/cable package from Comcast.

i'm trying to do this online... i would have done all this a week ago but its not clear so I haven't pulled the trigger. I don't want to be in a position similiar to a colleague at work where he had to wait 2 weeks before getting service.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Comcast Questions

I have the same package you do, sans the sports package. The preferred should also get you the local FSN station, IIRC.

When I added Comcast Internet they dropped off the modem and software, I don't remember any installation fees. In fact, the only installation fee I recall was when we had cable run to our upstairs office/sun porch.

I think my installation was only for the cable, as it isn't that hard to hook up a modem.

But either way, it's not that much, just a hassle. Around $40 maybe? (I can't remember, as I beeched enough about getting it here, since I said it should be counted as a transfer, not a new account, so I got it free).

 

[Terrierbyassociation]

Re: Comcast Questions

They are willing to usually waive fees if you'll do it for himself.

 

[RaceBoarder]

Re: Comcast Questions

I have the "Digital Starter" package w/ the "Sports Pack"...

I was able to get it for 6 months at $35/month ($29.99 + $5.00) and now it's $61/month....

That was all your basic cable channels (ESPN, History, Discovery, CNN, MTV, ect. No Movie Channels or other premiums) plus the Sports Pack (3x Fox College Sports, Fox Soccer, NFL, Tennis, NBA, Sportsman, and just added ESPN-U)... That also includes "On-Demand"....

I think this is a very fair price, and didn't need to pay any extra... I also have their internet at $20/month till November.... I just got the install at home kit and avoided any extra fees...

I have had no problems and love the service...

 

[Slap Shot]

Re: Comcast Questions

Patman, I suppose it depends but when I had Comcast installed 18 months ago at my new house (phone/internet/cable) I paid no installation fees and in addition to phone I have high speed and 2 HD dvr's. This despite the fact they had to reroute line for the phone (my house is 14 years old) through my garage to the outside source. I can't imagine in this market they should charge any installation fees for standard hook-up.

 

[Patman]

Re: Comcast Questions

Patman, I suppose it depends but when I had Comcast installed 18 months ago at my new house (phone/internet/cable) I paid no installation fees and in addition to phone I have high speed and 2 HD dvr's. This despite the fact they had to reroute line for the phone (my house is 14 years old) through my garage to the outside source. I can't imagine in this market they should charge any installation fees for standard hook-up.

yeah, well, I think some of it is an attempt to sucker people in... I used charter communications last year and I had no problems and just paid the nominal installation fee.

I'm still not sure what exactly what i want to do... do I go for it all or just go for something a level down and tack on the sports package.

 

[aparch]

Re: Comcast Questions

I had the Digital Starter package at a promo rate of $33 for one year (check on Comcast.com for any specials they're running, and look around for any fliers/mailers that have different prices, I saw four difference prices at one point for the Digital Starter package).

Added the sports pack for ~$8 which gave me the NHL Network and Fox College Sports Atlantic, Central and Pacific. Then, Comcrap changed up their package offerings where the sports pack also gave you access to the MLB Network.

So, I pretty much had all my sports covered with the Digital Starter.

The Starter plan is roughly half the channels you will receive with the "Digital Classic." If you can live without Bravo, Syfy, and those type of channels, you'll be just file.




For my address, it looks like they're currently running a 12 month special on "Digital Preferred" for $44. It looks like it gets you everything except HBO/Showtime/Starz and the Fox College Sports Channels.

 

[mwade]

Re: Comcast Questions

Comcast seriously blows atleast in comparison to Time Warner in NYC. Choose the channels you really want and then call the rep - if you are in a large building, you may have a rep assigned ask the building manager. Then tell them what you want and refer to everything else as crap you don't want to pay for. Also do some major complaining about any fees and question whether you even want to be bothered with getting Comcast. It took a long call, followed by her "having to get back to me" and a shorter return call for me to get the various fees (and there are a few - so at the end of the conversation go over what you are getting and say X monthly fee is all I am paying) removed. My rep only steered me wrong on one thing - I wanted the country music station (I can't remember now which one of the 2 I decided was better) and she said I'd get it and I don't. Oh and you will most likely get the DVR thing as a toss in for no charge while you bicker back and forth so don't say you want it initially. I honestly had no desire to get it as I'd never had one before; sadly addicted to using it now.

 

[thebrain]

Re: Comcast Questions

If they want to charge you for something you don't think is right...Just say, "I think I'm going to look into DirecTV or Dish Network."