Cable Schmable

Comcast and I have a love/hate relationship.  As in, I love to hate them.  I am on the phone with them at least once a month complaining about the newest raise in prices and/or bad service.  I swear there is a flag on my account that pops up every time I call that just says, "Good luck - she'll never be happy."

That's the truth.  I just feel like prices keep getting higher and higher and the "after I've complained" price keeps getting worse and worse.  So now I am curious as to what other people are using.  Are my hands tied?  Do I HAVE to stay with them for cable/internet?  I've threatened to leave so many times now, that I don't think they are buying it anymore.  For once I just want to say, "No, this isn't so you'll lower my price, it's because you drive me insane."

Last week I called, complained, gave them my usual "I think I'll be switching to Dish," line - and I think they decided to add me to a new list of some sort because a few days later THEY CALLED ME to inform me of a better price option.  At first I was very intrigued.  The call went like this:

"Hello, Melissa - I see some notes in your account that say you are looking for better pricing on your current package.  I think I can help you out with that."  I smiled.  "Okay, so it looks like you pay $(X) every month for cable and internet, right?"

"Yeah, but I'm probably switching to Dish - it's just getting to be too much."

"Oh, well - I've got a great plan for you.  Now, do you have a home phone, or do you just use cellular phones?"

"Just cell phones."

"Great, great - this is perfect. Are you looking to get a home phone any time soon?"

"Never."

"Okay - great.  Well, now since you are paying $X/month for your cable and internet, I want to let you know that I can get you signed up today for a package that includes the same internet and cable you have now, plus a home phone line for only $45 more than you're already paying."

"WHAT?  Are you listening to me at all?  I don't want a home phone, and don't want to pay MORE than the bill I am already complaining about!"

"Right.  It's just a really great promotion that's only going on for a limited time, and since you're someone who we know likes to get in on the best pricing, we feel this the perfect package for your family."

Click.

Okay - I didn't really hang up.  I gave a few nice goodbye comments as I punched myself in the face. It's hopeless.

Please tell me you have Dish, or direct TV, and have great pricing and service. Please tell me you use someone other than Comcast - OR that you have slow Comcast internet and it works just fine for your family.  I can handle mediocre internet - and for cable the only real requirement is that I get DVR service.  Heck, I'd take only basic channels if I could get DVR with them.  Is that even possible?


Oh help!

BDEM:  Maddie and I raked all the leaves today.  It always LOOKS like such a fun and easy task.  Two hours later as my biceps and back throbbed I decided that it's just not as fun of a fall activity as I had hoped!  But in this time we had this conversation:


"Mom, all of the kids at school LOVE Michael Jackson.  Everyone but me."


"But Maddie, you DO love Michael Jackson.  Don't ever say such blasphemous words in my home again."  (Second sentence was only in my head)


"Oh yeah - I do like him, but there's somebody else all the kids love."


Eye roll, "Justin Bieber?"


"Yeah!  Him!  All the girls just LOOOOOOOOOVE him."


"Do you even know his songs?"


"No, but I don't think I'll like him.  Besides - I don't really think I'm his type."  


Then she ran away and pretended she was an Indian shooting arrows from her make believe bow.


Now, what kind of pop-star wouldn't be ga-ga over a gal like that?