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Buds
Last reply · posted in Cable Television and Fiber Providers
I just completed the switch to DirecTV from TWC two weekends ago... I must say, it has been the best decision I have made in a while. Anyways, here is my Time Warner Story as seen on my Better Business Bureau Complaint. Sorry it's long but there was a lot to be said.

My original complaint:

I replaced three cable boxes that had different issues between May 2006 and August 2006. Starting on September 25th, my HD picture was becoming pixelated at random times. I called customer service and they sent a signal to the box that seemed to temporarily alleviate the issue. However, Sunday November 12th, it got real bad. I called support and they tried sending a signal and this time it did not fix the problem. When I said I was going to switch to Satellite TV, the agent attempted to convince me not to do that until he accidentally admitted that he himself has DirectTV at home! The agent told me that he will escalate the ticket and someone would call me back on Monday. Tuesday arrives and no one has called me back. I called and spoke with Ellis (ext. 4280)around 12:45 pm Tuesday 11/14. I explained the problem and then asked to speak to a supervisor. He informed me that his supervisor, Sandra, was heading into a meeting and she would call me back between 2 and 2:30 pm. By 4:15, I had not heard from Sandra. I call and speak with Ellis again and he informs me that she is not at her desk but he will see to it that she calls me by the end of the day. The end of the day comes and I have not heard from Sandra. Wednesday I call and make a service appointment for Saturday (11/18) between 8-11 am. 9 am Saturday I receive a call from a technician, he tells me that he is outside my complex looking at the line and the signal seems low and he needs to have a line technician come out and look at it that day. I never hear from anyone the rest of the day. Come 6 pm, I call to find out if someone actually showed up. I speak with Deidra and after some investigating she tells me that she is waiting to hear back from a tech supervisor and she will call me back within an hour. 5 hours later I still haven't heard from anyone, so I call and speak to an agent. I inform him about everything that has been happening and he does some investigating and finds out that no technician ever came to my house and in fact lied to me over the phone about being outside, he also told me that someone would call me the next day to setup an appointment, I ask to speak to a supervisor and he transfers me, I get a voicemail, leave a message, and never hear back. After no one called me back Sunday and Monday as promised, I call Monday (11/20) and speak with an agent, after going back and forth with him he finally agrees to get a supervisor on the phone. I speak with the supervisor to explain my problems and he absolutely does not care. He was not bothered by the fact that no one returns my calls or calls me back as promised. He did not care that a technician FLAT OUT LIED to me about being at my apartment, he did not care that I was going to file a complaint with the BBB, and he did not care that I was going to cancel my account. He did absolutely nothing to keep me as a customer. He He said he apologized, but those things were in the past and he could only help me with the future. I told him that there will be no future and he assisted me in canceling my account.

I cannot express how many times different agents told me that there was a)no supervisor present or b)the supervisor was busy and c)a supervisor would call me back. Each time I heard this and called back to get a different agent, I would usually get conflicting information. When I mention I wanted to cancel my service, AMAZINGLY a supervisor magically shows up for work... yet the agents dont let me talk to them! I have gone through my phone records and I have called Time Warner Customer Service a total of 21 times from 11/12-11/20 totaling 402 minutes of talk time. That is absolutely absurd!



Time Warner's Last Minute Response (notice no apology):
This issue is resolved. Account has been credited for service interruption in the amount of $34.67 plus 11.95 fee upgrade fee waived.


I rejected their response and had this to say:
[FONT=&quot]BBB REVIEWS CONSUMER REBUTTAL TO BUSINESS RESPONSE : (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I appreciate the attempt, however a months worth of free internet does not do justice for the complete disregard for their customers that Time Warner has shown. I am so disgusted by the treatment I have received that I cannot justify accepting this response. As soon as I have time to find a new internet provider, I will no longer be a Time Warner Customer. I will never recommend anything Time Warner sells to any of my family or friends. My father is so disgusted at this treatment that he is going to cancel his Time Warner Service at the end of his contract. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]To them, I am just a number. I am just one of millions of people whom are forced to use their service. However, if they are not careful, they will be struggling to keep their current customers. When I dropped my cable box off to cancel my service, I was the 15th person in line. Of those 15, I counted 10 who cancelled their service. Combine that with the fact that the DirecTV technician who told me that he is overwhelmed with the number of new installs he is having to do, and Time Warner will be hurting and fast. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
4 Replies · 2559 views
T
Transitions aren't always smooth. But, the grass isn't alway greener. Watch out for your cancellation fee if you ever get fed up with Direct. And get ready to pay for equipment upgrades.

BTW, I'm with Dish and they just raised thier prices and I'm getting ready to go back to cable - once my contract is over that is.
stevenl
Why did you only have 1 tech scheduled to goto your house since August from august till november.. The person on the phone cant fix your problem, a tech needs to goto your apt. After the first apointment screw up (the tech obviously doesnt care about his job) should of had another one schedule..

I may be missing info from the story but did you have any other techs come out or appointments scheduled?
Buds
A tech came out in early October to look at the problem. He told me that he couldnt find anything wrong with the line or signal strength. He also replaced my HDMI box with the old DVI box.

The other times I called to have the problem fixed they refused to send a tech out because sending a signal to the box seemed to temporarily resolve the issue. Finally in November I got sick of hearing this and that's when I had the technician "show up". Hope that clears it up a bit. It's hard for me to keep all of the conversations and appointments straight, i've had so many I can't remember them all! :)
Buds
Transitions aren't always smooth. But, the grass isn't alway greener. Watch out for your cancellation fee if you ever get fed up with Direct. And get ready to pay for equipment upgrades.

BTW, I'm with Dish and they just raised thier prices and I'm getting ready to go back to cable - once my contract is over that is.

I am aware of cancellation fees, however even if I get fed up with Direct there is not much left for me to switch to. I will never subscribe to TWC Cable again, so that leaves Dish as my only option.

I don't mind paying for equipment upgrades one bit. I have the newest Direct Dish so I should be okay in that department for a while. As far as the receivers go, I'd much rather pay for the latest and greatest equpment than I would being stuck with some 2-3 year old box for another 2 years (a la TWC).

Interesting that Dish is raising their prices... I thought long and hard about using them, but Direct's two new Satellite launches in 07 convinced me to go with Direct. I was able to lock in my price for a year so I shouldn't have to worry for a while :)
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Videos like this can make you appreciate the things we take for granted.


View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/a2cgQidHQJI
6 Replies · 142 views
Bobby
Videos like this can make you appreciate the things we take for granted.


View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/a2cgQidHQJI

That brought tears to my eyes.
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dishstaller
That brought tears to my eyes.
Really...REALLY hate to do this to you Bobby, but....


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsOo3jzkhYA&pp=ygUed29tYW4gaGVhcnMgZm9yIHRoZSBmaXJzdCB0aW1l
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dishstaller
Okay....if you think you can take it....this one brought tears to my eyes when I first saw it and did again just now.


View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/i5UCDwHMatg?feature=share
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dishstaller
This came up in my suggestions probably because of the video I posted. I had NO idea exactly what being color blind actually was. Now I understand why that man was so blown away with seeing the trees......a lot of color blind people see green as brown, so grass, trees, etc all look brown.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i18_RngKJDQ
Juan
Its a shame nobody told him orange was blue and red was purple etc etc etc
T
Often people who have organic vision or hearing activated as adults after never having had it cannot practically utilize it because their brains never developed the massive neural network needed to make sense of any of it.

Well, he sees in color, just differently. Can't he just enjoy that? My granny had anachromatic color blindness, meaning pretty much like a b&w tv
Bruce
Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in Internet Television (IPTV) Discussion Forum
Comcast is the first to report, with a massive 274,000 loss in video subscribers.

In the 3Q of 2016, Comcast had 21.42 million video subscribers and was the #1 provider, now at 10.39 million and is the #3 Provider, YTTV is #2 ( who also surpassed DirecTV-8 Million and Dish-under 5 Million), Charter/Spectrum is #1.

21 Replies · 878 views
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ncted
All my parents had to do to get a discount on Spectrum Internet is say the words "Verizon Home Internet," and they cut the price by $30/month.
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NYDutch
All my parents had to do to get a discount on Spectrum Internet is say the words "Verizon Home Internet," and they cut the price by $30/month.
I don't think they'll go below the current $30 price since it's part of a deal they have with the non- profit that owns the apartment building.
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ncted
I don't think they'll go below the current $30 price since it's part of a deal they have with the non- profit that owns the apartment building.
Yeah, I was just saying Spectrum suddenly wants to keep what customers they can.
Tom Speer
Optimum, which bought up our previous cable company, Suddenlink (originally COX), replac ed all of their coax disdribution with Fiber several years ago. They ran new fiber links to the house, but installed RFOG (RF over glass) devices on the outside of the house, which makes the house coax system look like a cable system. They used DOCSIS modems and of course we had the same assymetric bandwidth of cable internet. When I called them a couple years ago, and said I had installed a connection to the local Fiber provideer, MetroNet, They panicked and offered me the 300 MBit "Fiber powered" cable service for $20 per month. They were bleeding customers. I cancelled my Metronet and went with the $20 deal for a year, even though I didn't like the old cable technology.

Then T-moble Fiber struck a deal with Metronet Fiber where T-mobile would take over the marketing, billing and customer relations for residential Customers. They offered a "Founders Deal" for 2 Gigabit service, symmetric speeds, for $70 per month for new customers. That included all taxes and fees and was guaranteed for 10 years. I couldn't resist. That deal is no longer offered, but I am set for 9 more years.

Now the successor to the old local telephone company, Brightspeed has also installed a modern Fiber system in the neighborhood, but won't be getting my business. But their Fiber technology is also superior to Optimums cable based system.

With Fiber competition, the cable companies are eventually doomed.
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Foxbat
Meanwhile, my neighbor 300' away has gigabit fiber, and I'm stuck with copper solutions.
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S
Meanwhile, my neighbor 300' away has gigabit fiber, and I'm stuck with copper solutions.
similar situation. almost every neighborhood around me has fiber, but our 3 block area. I called AT&T and was like, how hard is it to bring fiber over about 200 feet (I am closest to the folks with fiber and can see it on the poles from my front door); crickets and very frustrating.
b4pjoe
Pub Member / Supporter Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in Computers and Gadgets
15 Replies · 329 views
harshness
Given that Tubi is one of the hottest FAST services out there, I don't expect it to go anywhere. Building up intolerance for ads takes a while, and as long as the advertisers are willing to foot the bill, why not?
Neutron
Another reason I'm glad we are swapping or Rokus out for Apple TVs. I was already planning on ditching the Rokus earlier this year and had been waiting on Apple to announce the new one last month. Our Rokus have had issues the last year or so with freezing video and reboots, and one with an HDCP issue randomly.
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dishstaller
Building up intolerance for ads takes a while, and as long as the advertisers are willing to foot the bill, why not?
That is what I have to explain to customers all the time. They want it free with no ads :facepalm
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TRG
TRG
Another reason I'm glad we are swapping or Rokus out for Apple TVs. I was already planning on ditching the Rokus earlier this year and had been waiting on Apple to announce the new one last month. Our Rokus have had issues the last year or so with freezing video and reboots, and one with an HDCP issue randomly.
Hmmm... I don't have any of those problems with my Roku devices. I have 3 of them.
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navychop
I suspect Fox will make me consider 2-3 more Apple TV STB purchases.
Jimbo
Hmmm... I don't have any of those problems with my Roku devices. I have 3 of them.
I have the Roku's, 2 or 3, I just rarely use them ... I prefer the Google/Android Sony set up.

People tell me that the Apps on the TV will end thier usefulness as they age ... They are doing ok for me so far ... I also have the TV take the App Updates whenever possible ... then again, I don't know how often App updates come to it.

So, so far, I'm doing ok, but if they start to get sluggish, I'll eventually change to a Roku ... I don't want to, but eventually ... (Or buy another new TV :eeek:shh:clapping:biggrin
R
I suspect Fox will make me consider 2-3 more Apple TV STB purchases.
As long as my Roku Ultra works I will use it. I use it for all of my streaming apps except for Prime. I read that Prime works best with Android TV's.
navychop
Hmmm. Not watching much Prime, but it would be on our Apple TV STB.

You know of any drawbacks using Ultra and Prime?
osu1991
Hmmm. Not watching much Prime, but it would be on our Apple TV STB.

You know of any drawbacks using Ultra and Prime?
Prime seems to have a problem passing the DV/HDR metadata to Roku and Apple devices, but no problem with their Fire devices.
Juan
That is what I have to explain to customers all the time. They want it free with no ads :facepalm
The ads are boring and repetitive...same ad over and over...bring back 1970s ads..might not be as big an issue
Scott Greczkowski
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!

So let the game continue!

The last song was added by Bobby who posted...

One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters

CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!

Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game

Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.

Example:

Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow

Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio

Another example:

Ride the Lightning -- Metallica

Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne


Get it?


An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
68770 Replies · 2687271 views
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long_time_Dish
Really Wanna Know You - Gary Wright
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H
Don't WANNA KNOW-Maroon 5
harshness
I Want to Know What Love Is - Foreigner
Bobby
Oh What A Night For Dancing - Barry White
sdfntx
It's a Good Night for Singing - Jerry Jeff Walker
dfergie
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Stumbled across this ... http://www.gaspricewatch.com/USGas_ZipSearch.asp
I found no local prices, although it did show stations at my location...
Added these to this post...
USA National Gas Temperature Map
State By State Gasoline Taxes
Gas Buddy

Ethanol Free Stations

5569 Replies · 462449 views
Bobby
Regular$5.459​
Premium$5.899​
Diesel$7.999​
at Costco, Rohnert Park.​
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dishstaller
Billboard along I-10 had reg at $3.81 and diesel at $5.54
Bobby
Regular$5.399​
Premium$5.899​
Diesel$7.999​
at Costco, Rohnert Park.​
osu1991
$3.55
R
$3.45 in Jane, MO.
K
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Pub Member / Supporter Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in DIRECTV Programming Forum
https://www.directv.com/insider/mysports-changes-the-game/
https://streamtv.directv.com/mysports/ (You might have to logout or open a private window to see the details)
As of now this is only available for streaming customers in select markets. Existing streaming customers can switch to it for $69.99, but they are not eligible for the $20 off for 3 months discount. More genre-specific packages will launch during the first half of the year.


At launch, MySports includes 40 sports and broadcast channels and is initially available in 24 metro areas, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, and others. Click here for more information and the list of initial launch markets. The availability of MySports will expand into additional markets as DIRECTV adds more local stations to the package.

The streamlined MySports package includes national and local channels in select markets, as well as live news channels.

National sports channels immediately available through MySports include ACC Network, Big Ten Network, DIRECTV 4K Live, DIRECTV 4K Live 2, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Golf Channel, MLB Network, NBA TV, NFL Network, NHL Network, SEC Network, TBS, TNT, TruTV and USA Network. Local channels will initially include any stations owned and operated by ABC, FOX, and NBC, with additional stations coming online soon.

Additional networks, local stations and ESPN+, will be included in MySports at no extra cost in the near future.

Consumers who sign up online for the contract-free package before Feb. 28, 2025, can receive MySports for $49.99 monthly for the first three months, a $20 monthly savings. After the free trial, it auto-renews monthly, and consumers can cancel anytime.
75 Replies · 8272 views
K
They recently split the news channels off of MySports, so CNBC, CNN, FBN, FNC and MSNOW are no longer part of it.

MySports was decreased to $64.99, and a new "MySports+MyNews Duo" pack is $79.99, which will also give you Bloomberg, CNBC World, CNNI, the C-SPANs, i24 and Newsmax.

Tennis Channel also joined MySports at some point over the past year.
C
They recently split the news channels off of MySports, so CNBC, CNN, FBN, FNC and MSNOW are no longer part of it.

MySports was decreased to $64.99, and a new "MySports+MyNews Duo" pack is $79.99, which will also give you Bloomberg, CNBC World, CNNI, the C-SPANs, i24 and Newsmax.

Tennis Channel also joined MySports at some point over the past year.
AMC+ now included in MyEntertainment Pack. I guess we know why the $8 price increase.
K
Here's the Insider article. Shudder is now part of MyCinema and Fanatiz1 was added to the Spanish packages last Friday. PX Sports was also added a few weeks ago.

It's not just AMC+ driving the price increases on the genre packs, the rest of the AMC Networks (AMC, WE, IFC, Sundance, BBC America), along with Paramount/CBS, Hallmark, Weigel and others joined since they debuted last year.
K
MySports now has some CW affiliates, and MyNews now has some CW affiliates and the MyNetworkTV O&Os.

At quick check, it looks like the CBS and Sinclair owned CW affiliates are missing.
C
MySports now has some CW affiliates, and MyNews now has some CW affiliates and the MyNetworkTV O&Os.

At quick check, it looks like the CBS and Sinclair owned CW affiliates are missing.
No Hearst owned CW in Orlando
osu1991
Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club

The number-one US state for EV growth, according to the June 22 Yardi report?
Oklahoma.


:eek


It has no ZEV mandates and "minimal" incentives, Yardi says, but also has cheap electricity, high multi-car household rates (so, for example, a non-Lightning Ford F-150 pulls their trailers), and a consumer base willing to switch.
121 Replies · 1324 views
osu1991

The Cybertruck was supposed to make the F-150 obsolete. It wasn't supposed to be boring, like a Ford or a Chevy. It was supposed to be "more truck than truck." It turns out, people just wanted trucks that were trucks, and CEO Elon Musk announced on X earlier this morning is that the Cybertruck is dying.


Ending production in middle of next year at gigatexas for cybercab production.
  • Wow
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dishstaller
IF they had made the cyber truck more like a conventional truck, more would have bought it. There is a REASON trucks all have a very similar layout....it's what people want AND it serves the purposes those of us who have a truck needs.
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harshness
There is a REASON trucks all have a very similar layout....it's what people want AND it serves the purposes those of us who have a truck needs.
As it is, most consumers buy trucks as comfortable transportation rather than commercial utility. The Cybertruck approach to that goal was way out in left field. It turned out to be more of an austere sedan with awful daily-driver attributes (visibility, parking). The expectations regarding truck durability were dashed early on.
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