Firing Cox Communications

[tulsacyclist]

My wife and I are throwing around the idea of dropping our current lineup of services from Cox. We pay them ~$140/month for cable/phone/internets. I can get all of the shows and movies we like to watch via netflix, hulu, library, etc so this could turn out to be some considerable savings per month.

Now, since I'll still need an internet connection I wanted to check here and see if anyone else is going through Cox or AT&T (are there others?) for their broadband internet connection only (no tv, phone, etc) and how much they are paying.

I'm going to call them in a bit to find out exactly how much it'll be per month but if any of you have done this recently, your insight would be appreciated.

[TUalum0982]

quote:Originally posted by tulsacyclist

My wife and I are throwing around the idea of dropping our current lineup of services from Cox. We pay them ~$140/month for cable/phone/internets. I can get all of the shows and movies we like to watch via netflix, hulu, library, etc so this could turn out to be some considerable savings per month.

Now, since I'll still need an internet connection I wanted to check here and see if anyone else is going through Cox or AT&T (are there others?) for their broadband internet connection only (no tv, phone, etc) and how much they are paying.

I'm going to call them in a bit to find out exactly how much it'll be per month but if any of you have done this recently, your insight would be appreciated.

I have cox internet only and I am satisfied.  I have the Premier (their fastest) and have no complaints.  I have a wireless network, with a laptop, a ps3, and my iphone all connected.  I have virtually no lag when my fiancee is on the computer and I am on my ps3 online.  I pay 56.00 dollars a month.  Somewhat expensive in my mind, but it works and works well.
About once a month I have to unplug the power to my router for about 30 seconds or so, and let everything reset itself, but other then that I am extremely happy.

[DolfanBob]

Last year I went back to DirecTV and done away with Cox TV accept for their basic service for my kitchen TV($11.99)I had their 1.5 meg internet($26.99)but it was to slow for all my computers and XBOX's etc.etc.....So I upgraded to their 9.0 meg($42.99)problem solved. I still have Windstream for my phone(which I can't stand)but after last year's ice storm and no power for five day's I was glad that I had it. Hope that this help's. Oh also. If you or anybody else would like to get DirecTV or Dish Network. E-mail me and I can get you hooked up in 24 to 48 hours.

[waterboy]

I use AT&T. One computer hard wired and a wireless laptop connection. I have the middle speed but the tech told me our neighborhood gets the highest speed no matter what you order. That said, its not too fast. However, I never have any technical problems, the rate never changes (about $35mo. I think) and the service people are good. Kind of like the Packard Cab of online. Great for a luddite being forced into tecnology.

[sgrizzle]

You might call Cox as was mentioned in other threads and tell them you are considering dropping/changing service. They will knock some $$ off.

[jmikeh]

quote:Originally posted by tulsacyclist

My wife and I are throwing around the idea of dropping our current lineup of services from Cox. We pay them ~$140/month for cable/phone/internets. I can get all of the shows and movies we like to watch via netflix, hulu, library, etc so this could turn out to be some considerable savings per month.

Now, since I'll still need an internet connection I wanted to check here and see if anyone else is going through Cox or AT&T (are there others?) for their broadband internet connection only (no tv, phone, etc) and how much they are paying.

I'm going to call them in a bit to find out exactly how much it'll be per month but if any of you have done this recently, your insight would be appreciated.

I was thinking the exact same thing. Drop Cox and keep our Netflix account.  We have the Elite DSL plan from ATT which is 6mb down and 768kb up.  $35 a month.  You may not have it available to you depending on where you are located.  It works great with online viewing.  I also have the ROKU box for Netflix viewing and it is a great viewing device.  It is a one time $99 charge but IMHO it is worth it.

Good luck..

[tulsacyclist]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

You might call Cox as was mentioned in other threads and tell them you are considering dropping/changing service. They will knock some $$ off.

I actually did that shortly after I posted. She knocked off part of the phone charge (until april), comp'd the dvr fee (1 year) and threw in 2 free premium channels free (1 year). I wrote it down but the paper isn't with me, she will be sending a detailed statement in the mail for me to look at.  We'll see how it goes, I'm still leaning more toward just dropping everything but the internet and using those other methods for viewing stuff.

The other thing is that while we don't use our home phone a whole lot, it is necessary to have for our alarm system to be monitored properly. I called TnT and asked them about what option they have for monitoring if you have no home phone and they said they have a CellNET option which uses a cellular device as opposed to the land line. So, that'd be $149 installed and an additional $7.99/month. Haven't crunched the numbers yet but I'd imagine that'd be cheaper (and more reliable) in the long run if we went that route and ditched the land line.

[patric]

If it's available in your neighborhood, you can get at&t U-Verse internet just by itself without having to order a TV or phone package.

Un-bundled is the way to go with any of the services mentioned here sofar, that way an ice storm or billing error doesnt knock out everything all at once.

[inteller]

I wish cox just offered an HD only tier like Dish network does with their TurboHD.  I don't want crapovision SD.  I just need them to get SpeedHD and they I'm all set.

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

I wish cox just offered an HD only tier like Dish network does with their TurboHD.  I don't want crapovision SD.  I just need them to get SpeedHD and they I'm all set.

I need G4 and cartoon network, those are the only SD channels I watch anymore.

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

quote:Originally posted by inteller

I wish cox just offered an HD only tier like Dish network does with their TurboHD.  I don't want crapovision SD.  I just need them to get SpeedHD and they I'm all set.

I need G4 and cartoon network, those are the only SD channels I watch anymore.

G4 is coming (rumor says early december just in time for the holidays)  and cartoon network is currently advertised on the Cox billboards around here as a new HD channel so I dunno where that's at.  If it is anything like NickHD though there isn't any HD content so it is mostly worthless.  G4 needs to get in HD quick because their core audience is dropping rapidly.  apprently looking at high res video game graphics in SD isn't cool to young white males.  Go figure.

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

quote:Originally posted by inteller

I wish cox just offered an HD only tier like Dish network does with their TurboHD.  I don't want crapovision SD.  I just need them to get SpeedHD and they I'm all set.

I need G4 and cartoon network, those are the only SD channels I watch anymore.

G4 is coming (rumor says early december just in time for the holidays)  and cartoon network is currently advertised on the Cox billboards around here as a new HD channel so I dunno where that's at.  If it is anything like NickHD though there isn't any HD content so it is mostly worthless.  G4 needs to get in HD quick because their core audience is dropping rapidly.  apprently looking at high res video game graphics in SD isn't cool to young white males.  Go figure.

Cox put up those billboards and shortly thereafter added lifetimeHD and Hallmark Movie Channel HD so now I can watch I can watch a woman leave her cheating husband, cry over Rocky Road, and meet the flannel-wearing man of her dreams on TWO channels in HD!

[patric]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

I need G4 and cartoon network, those are the only SD channels I watch anymore.

G4?  Really?
I thought they lost any audience past puberty after they got rid of "The Screensavers".
You have to be Canadian to get that show now :-(

Anyway, back on topic... Its good that Cox is trying to match the lower prices of their competitors (even though they cant offer all the extra channels), but dont bite if it comes with a contract attached, or some "introductory rate" that expires in 90 days.

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by patric

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

I need G4 and cartoon network, those are the only SD channels I watch anymore.

G4?  Really?
I thought they lost any audience past puberty after they got rid of "The Screensavers".
You have to be Canadian to get that show now :-(

Anyway, back on topic... Its good that Cox is trying to match the lower prices of their competitors (even though they cant offer all the extra channels), but dont bite if it comes with a contract attached, or some "introductory rate" that expires in 90 days.

I watch Attack of the Show, and sometimes Ninja Warrior. I don't own a game console, so most of the rest of the network is useless to me.

[TUalum0982]

quote:Originally posted by tulsacyclist

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

You might call Cox as was mentioned in other threads and tell them you are considering dropping/changing service. They will knock some $$ off.

I actually did that shortly after I posted. She knocked off part of the phone charge (until april), comp'd the dvr fee (1 year) and threw in 2 free premium channels free (1 year). I wrote it down but the paper isn't with me, she will be sending a detailed statement in the mail for me to look at.  We'll see how it goes, I'm still leaning more toward just dropping everything but the internet and using those other methods for viewing stuff.

The other thing is that while we don't use our home phone a whole lot, it is necessary to have for our alarm system to be monitored properly. I called TnT and asked them about what option they have for monitoring if you have no home phone and they said they have a CellNET option which uses a cellular device as opposed to the land line. So, that'd be $149 installed and an additional $7.99/month. Haven't crunched the numbers yet but I'd imagine that'd be cheaper (and more reliable) in the long run if we went that route and ditched the land line.

We ran into the same problem.  We built a house and was complete in Feb.  We didnt want to get a home phone strictly for the alarm so we went with TNT.  Robbie Hernandez did our install.  ONE OF THE BEST INSTALLATIONS OF ANY KIND I HAVE EVER SEEN.  Any chance I get to recommend him and the company, I do.  Our home was already prewired for the alarm, but after adding the wireless remotes that operate the garage door, with an LED indicator to let you know the alarm is either armed/disarmed and 2 monitored smoke detectors, our bill was bout 550.  We signed a 3yr contract, and for $27.99 a month it is monitored wirelessly.  If anything goes wrong with the alaram, including the replacing of batteries in our wireless keychains, they replace them for free.  We have set the alarm off accidently about 4 or 5 times, they call within 1 minute to make sure everything is OK.  They have always been professional.  I would recommend them to ANYONE.  Robbie knew exactly what he was doing, very polite, very knowledgable.  All in all, it took him about 4-5hours to install everything.  He vacummed afterwards, showed us how to use the system, and asked if we had any questions.  I could not be happier with the service we have gotten from them thus far.  You can sign a 1-5yr contract, and they gaurantee the price will not go up during that time.  

But looking into almost every local alarm company (including some nationwide companies as well), TNT was by far the cheapest and offered the best service from what I could tell.