djrobx
join:2000-05-31
Valencia, CA
 ·AT&T U-Verse
 ·AT&T CallVantage
·Time Warner VOIP
 ·RoadRunner Cable
 ·DSL EXTREME
| reply to chemaupr
Re: feeling the pressure?
quote:
For me, this is a big change in their business practices.
I saw a Time Warner commercial on TV just thismorning, touting "NO long term contracts!" with a nice graphic of a contract going through a shredder.
Right now businesses seem to have the mentality that new customers are worth more than the loyal ones who are sticking with them. I don't think this is right. Rather than try and lock customers into contracts, how about rewarding existing customers for their loyalty?
As it stands customers who really want to keep their bills low have to do a "new customer promo" bunny hop from provider to provider. Providers then have to look to contracts to slow this sort of churn down. I don't find it too surprising that cable is looking into this because they're about the only ones NOT doing this.
All that said, I definitely like the option of committing to a contract in exchange for lower bills. Particularly if the contract gives a truly good value (as opposed to extortionate non-contract prices), and the ETF isn't too horrific.
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Laser eye surgery rocks! I love frickin' laser beams. |
|
en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA
·RoadRunner Cable
·DSL EXTREME
·DSL EXTREME
| Yup... funny thing is that at&t supposedly doesn't have any required contracts with Uverse either.
The way I see it...
Contacts:
Free (or cheap) installation, and low(er) prices. ETF fees if you cancel. Sometimes this can result in lower quality service, as you're 'stuck' for a term of eat the ETF
No-Contracts:
Installation fees (typically), low service to start up, prices will typically increase after a couple of months (3-6 months).
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Canada = Hollywood North |
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raptor1418
Premium
join:2002-12-03
Denver, CO
 ·Mesa Networks
·Comcast
| reply to djrobx
Why would they do anything for us loyal customers. They already have us and don't worry about us until we want to cancel service.
I have experienced this personally with both my ISP and Sat provider. Both times (have done this twice with ISP and twice with Sat provider) I called and wanted to cancel and they dropped my rate or gave me a few months free to stay on.
So in the end I actually got what a new customer got and the best part of it all is I told my sat provider up front that I wanted to pay the ETF over the phone right than and there to cancel my service. That got the ball rolling with out me even having to say I would stay if they gave me a better deal. Too bad I am still going to probably cancel in a few months anyway. |
|
en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA
·RoadRunner Cable
·DSL EXTREME
·DSL EXTREME
| Right... you typically have to either threaten to leave, or have competition come by (Uverse?) before they'll react.
DirecTv offered my $10/month disount for 6 months if I kept a 1 year contract (no rate increases). Works for me...
I already have the service, and this brings the cost of my 3 sets on DTV to $50/month.
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Canada = Hollywood North |
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