Things Smackie Thinks You Need to Know...

Is this the default technology thread?

My wife is telling me I need to step up and get the Verizon Triple Play Fios for $69 monthly for two years. I guess it includes landline+internet+cable.

Our current Verizon landline+internet monthly bill is $134.

Are there any hidden hitches/costs to the triple play offer? We don't need cable (but definitely want to keep the other two), but if it's included and our bill would still be around half of our current bill, are there any reasons not to switch?

Muchos gracias for your reply.

Space wrote:
Is this the default technology thread?

My wife is telling me I need to step up and get the Verizon Triple Play Fios for $69 monthly for two years. I guess it includes landline+internet+cable.

Our current Verizon landline+internet monthly bill is $134.

Are there any hidden hitches/costs to the triple play offer? We don't need cable (but definitely want to keep the other two), but if it's included and our bill would still be around half of our current bill, are there any reasons not to switch?

Muchos gracias for your reply.

esto es importante.. ayudenlo a James Ford a ahorrar dinero! gracias.

pero hablando en serio.. si sos un cliente actual de Verizon no se si te daran el descuento por el Triple Play.. creo que la oferta es para NUEVOS clientes…

You'll need set top boxes ($10) or DVR boxes ($20).  Taxes and fees will add $25 or so.  If you want extra channels beyond baseline, there's a charge for that.  If you choose a sporting package, there's a franchise fee in addition to that.  The package includes Starz/Epix for free for the first year, that autorenews in month 13 for $10 or $15 per month.  The price includes a $10 (or $25) discount that expires after a year.

When the whole thing auto-renews at 2 years, you'll be paying $200 easily.

El wrote:
pero hablando en serio.. si sos un cliente actual de Verizon no se si te daran el descuento por el Triple Play.. creo que la oferta es para NUEVOS clientes…

Good point, but there are ways around that.

mustardondabeets wrote:
When the whole thing auto-renews at 2 years, you'll be paying $200 easily.

If you aren't calling your cable company every 12 months and loudly and belligerently repackaging your services, you are leaving hundreds of dollars on the table.

Julian, wrote:

mustardondabeets wrote:
When the whole thing auto-renews at 2 years, you'll be paying $200 easily.

If you aren't calling your cable company every 12 months and loudly and belligerently repackaging your services, you are leaving hundreds of dollars on the table.

trato de negociar pero me cuesta mucho.. necesito mi cable!

El wrote:

Julian, wrote:

mustardondabeets wrote:
When the whole thing auto-renews at 2 years, you'll be paying $200 easily.

If you aren't calling your cable company every 12 months and loudly and belligerently repackaging your services, you are leaving hundreds of dollars on the table.

trato de negociar pero me cuesta mucho.. necesito mi cable!

Yo soy a tener una mochilla de color a la manana, baja la Dios! Mi sacapuntas es peligrosa y puede cortar. Le deseo la mejor astronauta capitán en su búsqueda para el cable barato para la gloria de su familia fina!

Well said.

mustardondabeets wrote:
Well said.

Julian's America, knows, no language barrier.

Julian, wrote:

mustardondabeets wrote:
Well said.

Julian's America, knows, no language barrier.

;D

Julian, wrote:

mustardondabeets wrote:
Well said.

Julian's America, knows, no language barrier.

as long as it is easily translatable into the language of money?

Space wrote:
My wife is telling me I need to step up and get the Verizon Triple Play Fios for $69 monthly for two years. I guess it includes landline+internet+cable.

Our current Verizon landline+internet monthly bill is $134.

Julian is right.  If you're not still on a new customer plan, then you need to call your TV/Internet provider and get a lower rate.  If it's not the plan your wife suggests, it's something.  These companies, like the phone companies that preceded them, survive on customer laziness.

Thanks for shaming me into doing this.  Got upgraded DVRs and modem and cut my bill by $40.

Nuke wrote:
Thanks for shaming me into doing this.  Got upgraded DVRs and modem and cut my bill by $40.

DVRs multiple? Really need to look at TiVo if you're doing multiple DVRs (if you're doing 3 DVRs and not moving to a TiVo Roamio/Bolt + 2 TiVo minis, I hope you die bankrupt).

Also purchase that exact same modem on eBay and return the one they're sending you immediately and stop paying $10-12/month to rent a PoS cable modem.

i need to give Verizon Fios a call and ask for their retention dept…

what's your fav opening line?  do you go in all hardball, or do you try winning them over?

I upgraded to Fios Quantum.  Not sure what the new setup will be.  I currently have a multi-room DVR.  They claim you can have DVR-like control of up to 10 TVs.

And you're probably right about the modem.

sweetcell wrote:
i need to give Verizon Fios a call and ask for their retention dept…

what's your fav opening line?  do you go in all hardball, or do you try winning them over?

I'm specialized at Comcast and I ask to speak to "retention department" to "discuss repackaging my services." They will then transfer you and you will be given the option of 1-2 terrible packages. Immediately declare both "totally unacceptable" and ask to speak to "premiere customer support" which will get you a second transfer to someone who can offer you (worst case scenario) a new customer package and (best case scenario) will wipe out the HD-upcharge fee in exchange for a new 12 month contract.

Doing that, plus setting reminders in my phone for the very day my rate runs out the next year, plus all customer owned equipment and the discounts (and now REBATES per the FCC) has me paying ~$112 everything inclusive for the largest HD package (plus all sports + HBO/Showtime/Cinemax/Starz) + 115/50 internet and its less than an hour on the phone annually.

Julian, wrote:
Also purchase that exact same modem on eBay and return the one they're sending you immediately and stop paying $10-12/month to rent a PoS cable modem.

Verizon is a little more tricky than Cable Modems.

FIOS doesn't use modems, they use routers, so search for an older Verizon FIOS Router, turn off that device's WiFi and purchase a solid WiFi router with the savings from your monthly rental fee.  Because it looks like you have FIOS-TV as well, you need the Actiontec or Quantum router to deliver data to your other STBs.  I haven't done one in a while, but the ActionTech Rev I was the inexpensive and available model, especially with wireless G (hence why I said turn it off and use your own WAP).

Nuke wrote:
I upgraded to Fios Quantum.  Not sure what the new setup will be.  I currently have a multi-room DVR.  They claim you can have DVR-like control of up to 10 TVs.

You have one DVR shared to all other STB's.  AT&T, FIOS, DirecTV and Dish all utilize this setup.  TiVo is only necessary for those that use cable and wish to have the same share feature.

Julian, wrote:a TiVo Roamio/Bolt + 2 TiVo minis, I hope you die bankrupt).

TiVo people talking about others being bankrupt still cracks me up.