Name:	Falcon635 -	Reply
Subject:	Charter
Date:	11/16/2014 3:27:39 PM

Charter has  taken away all my discounts and we will now be paying over $200 a month for TV, internet and phone.  Anyone have Direct or Dish? How much do you pay for the bundle and are you pleased with the service?  Hate that Charter has Silver and Gold package and you can't have the Gold without the Silver.  We are really quite happy with Charter, but their rates are getting out of hand.

Name:	George -	Reply
Subject:	Charter
Date:	11/16/2014 5:59:02 PM

I just recently switched from Dish to ComLink.  My bundle through Windstream ran around $205 a month.  That's 250 channels ( I sure don't need that many but I had to get it to get a few channels I wanted), internet and phone with free long distance.  The problem I had was I had to locate the dish about 200' away from the house and I lost the signal a lot.  Now I have friends that have the dish on the roof and they didn't have the problems I did.  Good luck.

Name:	Buteye -	Reply
Subject:	Charter
Date:	11/16/2014 8:44:49 PM

I agree that Charter's rates have reached unreasonable levels. I suggest that you call Charter Customer Service{1-866-447-4188) and complain about the increased cost for your cable service. They will tell you that Charter no longer requires a contract for their services, and that when your contract expired you are subject to their new rates. You should tell them their new rates have reached a level you can no longer afford. Tell them that they are offering new customers all three services for about $90.00 a month and that it seems unfair that an existing customer should have to pay over $200.00 for essentially the same services.  They will most likely tell you that those are their new rates and they cannot offer any discounts. You should tell them that you are considering terminating your service and ask if there is someone else you can talk to. They will probably tell you that you can talk to their supervisor but that they will tell you the same thing. I suggest that you go ahead and talk to a supervisor. It is unlikely they will offer you any alternatives. In that case, again indicate that you are strongly considering terminating your service and ask who you need to talk to. Most likely you will be told that you need to talk to an Account Specialist, and will be asked if you want to do that. At ths point you can elect to speak to an Account Specialist, telling that person pretty much what you have already told two other people, and ask if there is any further consideration that can be given to you. I have found that the Account Specialist can review your account, and if you get an understanding and customer oriented person, you have a good chance of being offered a lower rate. It is irritating that you may have to repeat yourself three times, but keep your "cool" and maybe your effort will pay off. Let us know if you have any success. GOOD LUCK!!!!!

Name:	Falcon635 -	Reply
Subject:	Charter
Date:	11/16/2014 10:35:15 PM

Thank you both for the info.  I definitely be calling them.  When I worked for the phone company in FL, I hated to hear people say "we are on a fixed income and cannot afford these rate increases".  Well, we are there now!

Name:	rga82 -	Reply
Subject:	Charter
Date:	11/17/2014 6:35:29 AM

I had DirecTV for 18 years. After getting the weekly flyers from Dish I called DTV and asked for the same deal Dish was offering. Same old bait and switch.....they offered a little better deal but you'd better watch out 12 months later. So, I decided to switch. I called DT and went straight to the "discontinue service" option. I think the supervisors all work there because they will negotiate with someone ready and willing to leave. Still, both are frustrating to deal with. 

Name:	PineNeedle -	Reply
Subject:	Charter
Date:	11/17/2014 10:12:19 AM

Three years ago we got the runaround from the 800 number.  Finally we drove to the Alex City office as you cannot call them directly.  We got great customer service and a great rate.  The girl there told us that when our rates go up the best avenue is to show back up in person at their office and you'll do better than the 800 number.  If you have the time that is what I would suggest.  However don't go on a Friday or the last day of the month as there are long lines of people paying their bills.  Also the Charter office has moved to the Winn Dixie shopping center.  We have also stopped in at the Auburn office before to pick up a new box and got good service there.  Good luck.

Name:	LonghornBoater -	Reply
Subject:	Charter
Date:	11/17/2014 5:30:42 PM

We recently went through the "upgrade" to all digital with Charter.  What a "goat rodeo"!  I got so sick of their excuses and outages that I contacted DirectTV.  They informed me that since I was a customer of theirs in Birmingham I could list my lake house as a vacation home and they would provide me with the same service I have in Birmingham for an additional $6.00/ month.  They even installed the disc for free.  It is just like adding another box to your residence.

Call me for details 205-492-6412.

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	Charter
Date:	11/17/2014 6:41:48 PM

Direct TV will be owned by ATT in 2015 as the deal is finalized.

Name:	bluecreekman -	Reply
Subject:	Charter
Date:	11/17/2014 7:04:24 PM

We also have DirectTV at our main residence and was shocked to find out that we could add 4 TV's with the same package at the lake for $6/TV. They came out and installed everything at no charge with a contract renewal. $24/month - What a deal !

We have Chrter for internet @ $39/month

Name:	CAT BOAT -	Reply
Subject:	Charter
Date:	11/17/2014 7:15:24 PM

We went through the same thing.  Had Charter bundle at home, and THREE locations.  The bill was over $300 per month.  Now, we have Charter internet, and that is it from them.  My DISH bill is around $100 and works at Home, River Camp, and both Cathouse shops.  Yea, sometimes in bad weather the TV goes out for a few moments.  Big deal!  Not really.  Call Debbie at DISH (Kieth Electronics) in Prattville.  They service the lake area.

Steve

Name:	Falcon635 -	Reply
Subject:	Charter
Date:	11/23/2014 3:13:18 PM

While there are no discounts for loyal customers, Rene in the local office gave us some "Special" that will not raise our rates for one more year.  Thanks to  all for your info.

Name:	ct -	Reply
Subject:	Charter
Date:	1/5/2015 4:34:12 PM

You may want to consider SlingBox if this is your vacation home...

I live in Birmingham and pay for all the Charter channels and internet.  I have a lake house on Lake Martin and only pay for internet through ComLink (lowest speed around $45/month which I would get anyway).  Using SlingBox 350 ($99 from Amazon) I can watch all my Birmingham channels at the lake for free in HD.  I watch it on my iPhone, iPad, and can stream it to apple tv ($99) in HD to my 60 inch.  I love it!  I also use it whenever I travel as it works whereever you have high-speed.