Charter claims they are going to provide better pricing

[John2021]

were paying 45.00 a month for there gig service. the rep told us thar promo was for 3 years!!! i thought it was for a year i was wrong.. . i use our own modem and router and not there crap...

 

[John2021]

To rent a cable box from charter next month is going up from 13.50 to 14.50

 

[harshness]

To rent a cable box from charter next month is going up from 13.50 to 14.50

This is especially painful given that they've more or less done away with alternatives to using their STBs. Spectrum no longer offers CableCARDs (they still provide replacement/updated cards for those already registered.

 

[comfortably_numb]

they've more or less done away with alternatives to using their STBs

Don't they have a way to stream their programming the same way DirecTV does? My parents have Spectrum and their full lineup appears to be available through the Spectrum app on Roku.

 

[harshness]

Don't they have a way to stream their programming the same way DirecTV does?

Spectrum is a partner in the Xumo project. They offer the Xumo box for $60 up-front or $5/month.

The Streaming product isn't a 1:1 analog of the Cable product.

 

[comfortably_numb]

The Streaming product isn't a 1:1 analog of the Cable product.

It's pretty darm close if not exact IIRC. I looked at my parents' account on the Spectrum Roku app last time I was home and all of the channels were there, even the OTA ones, although some are greyed out unless the Roku is on the same subnet as the Spectrum gateway.

 

[Bruce]

Spectrum is a partner in the Xumo project. They offer the Xumo box for $60 up-front or $5/month.

The Streaming product isn't a 1:1 analog of the Cable product.

They offer the option of using a Roku ( I assume other devices also), so you do not have to purchase/rent a Xumo box.

Comcast, the other partner in Xumo, offers the same option.

 

[John2021]

Comcast and spectrum might merge. Lord I hope not i like my unlimited data.

 

[rvvaquero]

I quit doing business with Spectrum years ago because of their deceptive practices. I swore I'd go without before I'd go back to them.

However, a friend recently moved to the area and wanted internet. Spectrum is the only thing available. So, I went with her yesterday to see about getting service.

Online, Spectrum offered 100 mb/s service at her address for $30 month for 2 years, 500 mb/s service for $50 month for 2 years. Since my friend is on very limited SS income, she wanted the $30 month plan and was going to move her phone to Spectrum which is advertised as free for one year.

When we arrived at the Spectrum store, I told the sales person exactly what was offered online and what we wanted. She acknowledged that it was exactly as I stated, then began to get personal info from my friend. Then, after completing the application, she says that the $30 plan was not available at that location, even though it says it was after entering the address, both on my computer and at the store. She says the cheapest plan available was $60 month for 2 years, then goes to $90. BAIT AND SWITCH, just like in the old days.

I asked if taxes and fees was included in the internet and phone line price and she said, "absolutely, one flat rate, no surprises on the bill". I asked several times and she repeated that.

While my friend was completing the process, I went over and talked to the store manager. I asked why Spectrum can't be honest and just spell out what's available without playing all these games with people. He said that there's no way the website can tell if a certain service is available until the application is completed. Nonsense.

I then asked him about the taxes and fees. He said that all plans have taxes, no way to get around that for any company. I told him that some companies include taxes and fees in their quoted price, some don't. I asked why his employee repeatedly lied about the taxes and fees when I asked her. He just looked at me stupidly.

I still feel badly today about taking my friend to Spectrum. What a sh!t company. I still feel that I would go without before doing business with them, but my friend wanted internet.

 

[comfortably_numb]

Hate to tell you this, but the other companies aren't any better. Comcast is just as bad, if not worse.

 

[harshness]

Comcast is just as bad, if not worse.

In my area, if you want to talk to Comcast, you have to take a number.

 

[John2021]

This is especially painful given that they've more or less done away with alternatives to using their STBs. Spectrum no longer offers CableCARDs (they still provide replacement/updated cards for those already registered.

you can still rent traditional boxes from spectrum. you have to call in and ask for one. the the rental fee's along with all of the other fee's won't surprize you it will shock you.. from what i heard the world boxes don't use cable cards.. i could be wrong just what a rep said.. pure speculation in my mind..

Hate to tell you this, but the other companies aren't any better. Comcast is just as bad, if not worse.

back east we used to call em comcrap and that was 25 years ago LOL. id'e hate to see it now. from what i hear it's a great big sh*t show!!

 

[John2021]

I quit doing business with Spectrum years ago because of their deceptive practices. I swore I'd go without before I'd go back to them.

However, a friend recently moved to the area and wanted internet. Spectrum is the only thing available. So, I went with her yesterday to see about getting service.

Online, Spectrum offered 100 mb/s service at her address for $30 month for 2 years, 500 mb/s service for $50 month for 2 years. Since my friend is on very limited SS income, she wanted the $30 month plan and was going to move her phone to Spectrum which is advertised as free for one year.

When we arrived at the Spectrum store, I told the sales person exactly what was offered online and what we wanted. She acknowledged that it was exactly as I stated, then began to get personal info from my friend. Then, after completing the application, she says that the $30 plan was not available at that location, even though it says it was after entering the address, both on my computer and at the store. She says the cheapest plan available was $60 month for 2 years, then goes to $90. BAIT AND SWITCH, just like in the old days.

I asked if taxes and fees was included in the internet and phone line price and she said, "absolutely, one flat rate, no surprises on the bill". I asked several times and she repeated that.

While my friend was completing the process, I went over and talked to the store manager. I asked why Spectrum can't be honest and just spell out what's available without playing all these games with people. He said that there's no way the website can tell if a certain service is available until the application is completed. Nonsense.

I then asked him about the taxes and fees. He said that all plans have taxes, no way to get around that for any company. I told him that some companies include taxes and fees in their quoted price, some don't. I asked why his employee repeatedly lied about the taxes and fees when I asked her. He just looked at me stupidly.

I still feel badly today about taking my friend to Spectrum. What a sh!t company. I still feel that I would go without before doing business with them, but my friend wanted internet.

hate to tell you but all of these companies today do a bait and switch!!! it does not pay to be loyal to one company like in the old days where when you had auto ins and you were a long time customer they would give you some kind of deal..

 

[John2021]

I quit doing business with Spectrum years ago because of their deceptive practices. I swore I'd go without before I'd go back to them.

However, a friend recently moved to the area and wanted internet. Spectrum is the only thing available. So, I went with her yesterday to see about getting service.

Online, Spectrum offered 100 mb/s service at her address for $30 month for 2 years, 500 mb/s service for $50 month for 2 years. Since my friend is on very limited SS income, she wanted the $30 month plan and was going to move her phone to Spectrum which is advertised as free for one year.

When we arrived at the Spectrum store, I told the sales person exactly what was offered online and what we wanted. She acknowledged that it was exactly as I stated, then began to get personal info from my friend. Then, after completing the application, she says that the $30 plan was not available at that location, even though it says it was after entering the address, both on my computer and at the store. She says the cheapest plan available was $60 month for 2 years, then goes to $90. BAIT AND SWITCH, just like in the old days.

I asked if taxes and fees was included in the internet and phone line price and she said, "absolutely, one flat rate, no surprises on the bill". I asked several times and she repeated that.

While my friend was completing the process, I went over and talked to the store manager. I asked why Spectrum can't be honest and just spell out what's available without playing all these games with people. He said that there's no way the website can tell if a certain service is available until the application is completed. Nonsense.

I then asked him about the taxes and fees. He said that all plans have taxes, no way to get around that for any company. I told him that some companies include taxes and fees in their quoted price, some don't. I asked why his employee repeatedly lied about the taxes and fees when I asked her. He just looked at me stupidly.

I still feel badly today about taking my friend to Spectrum. What a sh!t company. I still feel that I would go without before doing business with them, but my friend wanted internet.

oh and they do charge for the router for wifi if she has that but not the modem that's included in the price

 

[EarDemon]

I asked if taxes and fees was included in the internet and phone line price and she said, "absolutely, one flat rate, no surprises on the bill". I asked several times and she repeated that.

While my friend was completing the process, I went over and talked to the store manager. I asked why Spectrum can't be honest and just spell out what's available without playing all these games with people. He said that there's no way the website can tell if a certain service is available until the application is completed. Nonsense.

I then asked him about the taxes and fees. He said that all plans have taxes, no way to get around that for any company. I told him that some companies include taxes and fees in their quoted price, some don't. I asked why his employee repeatedly lied about the taxes and fees when I asked her. He just looked at me stupidly.

I still feel badly today about taking my friend to Spectrum. What a sh!t company. I still feel that I would go without before doing business with them, but my friend wanted internet.

There are 0 taxes and fees on internet and phone service.

Taxes and fees on internet access are illegal in the US as per the Internet Tax Freedom Act.

"Taxes on Internet Access
The initial three-year moratorium included a grandfather clause permitting states that imposed and enforced taxes on internet access prior to October 1, 1998, to continue taxing internet access. The Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 set a June 30, 2020, expiration date for the grandfather clause. The ITFA now prohibits all state and local taxes on internet access. The ITFA defines the term "internet access" as a "service that enables users to connect to the nternet to access content, information, or other services offered over the nternet." The term excludes "voice, audio or video programming, or other products and services . . . that utilize nternet protocol or any successor protocol and for which there is a charge."

https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF11947

The only additional change associated with internet is if you opt to use their router at a cost of $10/month

Everything is outlined in this link below.

https://www.spectrum.com/policies/spectrum-broadband-disclosure

There's are zero taxes and fees on landline service. It's $25/month minus any bundling discounts. The only additional associated change with voice is if you opt for international calling long distance, which is $5/month.

The only real fee associated with TV service now, is the franchise fee. I know someone will probably chime in about the DVR and cable box rental fees, like the same ones Dish and DirecTV charge. There is no more Broadcast TV Fee under the new packaging structure and contrary to what many people say, Spectrum has never, ever had a Sports or RSN fee, or at least haven't since 2016.

 

[comfortably_numb]

Taxes and fees on internet access are illegal in the US as per the Internet Tax Freedom Act.

TMO charges me a $1.60 fee on my tablet internet plan

 

[EarDemon]

My mistake, I should have said taxes are illegal, but BS fees are not.

 

[rvvaquero]

I guess ATT didn't get the memo either.

 

[EarDemon]

I wouldn't say they didn't get the memo, I would say they are ignoring it. It's federal law passed by Congress that States and Localities cannot change tax on internet access. The link is directly from Congress and the quoted portion is pretty clear.

I do not now how much 28 cents is worth to you, but AT&T and/or the state of Texas is in violation of federal law barring some odd loophole and that should be looked into.

The internet and voice portion of my bill is exactly $110 for Gigabit internet and phone service. There are no additional taxes and fees, period.

 

[harshness]

It's federal law passed by Congress that States and Localities cannot change tax on internet access.

Sales and use taxes are probably allowed. There are whole bodies of law regarding cost-recovery fees.