raj2001
02-03-03, 02:56 PM
Humm... Maybe some cableco's aren't so evil after all.
http://www.lsj.com/columnists/columnists/030201john_1b.html
By John Schneider
Schneider: It pays off to complain to AT&T
AT&T Broadband spokeswoman Leslie Brogan told me earlier this week that her company's 35 percent hike in broadband Internet rates would affect relatively few AT&T customers.
Well, I think I've heard from every one of them.
Since writing about the increase in Tuesday's column, at least 30 dismayed AT&T subscribers have called or written to
complain.
However, several of them pointed out something about the monthly fees that you may not know:
They're negotiable.
The squeaky customer gets the grease, it seems. But more about that later ...
Effective next month, the hike will take the price of broadband Internet service from $42.95 to $57.95 per month - but only for those who don't subscribe to AT&T Broadband cable TV service. For customers willing to buy the cable TV service, the price of the Internet will remain at $42.95 - for the time being anyway.
Unhappy customers
"So it seems I'm not the only one unhappy about being bullied into using AT&T cable TV," wrote Joe Norton, a network technician at Michigan State
University.
Scott Owen of Eaton Rapids wrote: "I'm another AT&T Broadband Internet user who's getting the shaft. Competitively priced? Considering that AT&T is the only broadband Internet service available in my area, they have no competition. Sounds like a monopoly to me."
However, not all of those who responded held the majority point of view.
"Tell those AT&T Internet users to quit whining," wrote Dave Hume of Charlotte. "They are getting a deal, even at the higher rates."
Instant discounts
But about those flexible prices ...
Mike Gazella of Lansing was informed by AT&T Broadband that the cost of his Internet service would rise to $57.95 - a 61 percent hike in one year. Gazella called AT&T Broadband to get a "reasonable explanation" for the hike - and to voice his intention to change Internet services, AT&T offered to drop his rate to $39.99 per month.
Brian Adkins of Haslett also got $39.99 (for the next six months) when he complained, as did Joseph Tuchinsky of East Lansing.
Bill Long of Lansing did even better. Last year, when his AT&T rate went to $42.95, he announced his intention to switch to SBC's DSL (digital subscriber line), which cost $29.95. The AT&T Broadband representative offered Long cable Internet for the same price.
"But why should I have to dicker and deal?" Long asked. "I should be given the price right from the start."
I asked AT&T spokeswoman Brogan about that. She said the lower prices reflect "specials" that are available at various times.
"When customers call in ... we can make them aware of special promotions," Brogan said. "There are always going to be special offerings."
Several readers pointed out that the increase in rates coincides with a change in the AT&T Broadband "brand."
In November, the company merged with Comcast Cable Communications and will adopt that name this month.
What do you think? Call John Schneider at 377-1175, send a fax to 377-1298 or e-mail jschneid@lsj.com. Include your name, phone number, city, town or township.
http://www.lsj.com/columnists/columnists/030201john_1b.html
By John Schneider
Schneider: It pays off to complain to AT&T
AT&T Broadband spokeswoman Leslie Brogan told me earlier this week that her company's 35 percent hike in broadband Internet rates would affect relatively few AT&T customers.
Well, I think I've heard from every one of them.
Since writing about the increase in Tuesday's column, at least 30 dismayed AT&T subscribers have called or written to
complain.
However, several of them pointed out something about the monthly fees that you may not know:
They're negotiable.
The squeaky customer gets the grease, it seems. But more about that later ...
Effective next month, the hike will take the price of broadband Internet service from $42.95 to $57.95 per month - but only for those who don't subscribe to AT&T Broadband cable TV service. For customers willing to buy the cable TV service, the price of the Internet will remain at $42.95 - for the time being anyway.
Unhappy customers
"So it seems I'm not the only one unhappy about being bullied into using AT&T cable TV," wrote Joe Norton, a network technician at Michigan State
University.
Scott Owen of Eaton Rapids wrote: "I'm another AT&T Broadband Internet user who's getting the shaft. Competitively priced? Considering that AT&T is the only broadband Internet service available in my area, they have no competition. Sounds like a monopoly to me."
However, not all of those who responded held the majority point of view.
"Tell those AT&T Internet users to quit whining," wrote Dave Hume of Charlotte. "They are getting a deal, even at the higher rates."
Instant discounts
But about those flexible prices ...
Mike Gazella of Lansing was informed by AT&T Broadband that the cost of his Internet service would rise to $57.95 - a 61 percent hike in one year. Gazella called AT&T Broadband to get a "reasonable explanation" for the hike - and to voice his intention to change Internet services, AT&T offered to drop his rate to $39.99 per month.
Brian Adkins of Haslett also got $39.99 (for the next six months) when he complained, as did Joseph Tuchinsky of East Lansing.
Bill Long of Lansing did even better. Last year, when his AT&T rate went to $42.95, he announced his intention to switch to SBC's DSL (digital subscriber line), which cost $29.95. The AT&T Broadband representative offered Long cable Internet for the same price.
"But why should I have to dicker and deal?" Long asked. "I should be given the price right from the start."
I asked AT&T spokeswoman Brogan about that. She said the lower prices reflect "specials" that are available at various times.
"When customers call in ... we can make them aware of special promotions," Brogan said. "There are always going to be special offerings."
Several readers pointed out that the increase in rates coincides with a change in the AT&T Broadband "brand."
In November, the company merged with Comcast Cable Communications and will adopt that name this month.
What do you think? Call John Schneider at 377-1175, send a fax to 377-1298 or e-mail jschneid@lsj.com. Include your name, phone number, city, town or township.