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How to get cheaper cable TV from Time Warner Cable

October 21st, 2008, 7:13 am · 42 Comments · posted by

**UPDATE on 10/22** “How to get cheaper cable TV in O.C., part 2″

I’ll get right to the point: Call and ask for it.

That’s what my colleague Nancy “Fast Food Maven” Luna did over the weekend. After reading my post on Time Warner Cable last week (see “Time Warner Cable plans more channels in O.C. despite fines“), she complained to me about her $170/month bill for TV, Internet and telephone. I suggested she ditch the phone service and just use her cell phone, or opt for a cheaper alternative such as an Internet phone like Vonage (which I use for $25/month). 

Before making any change, she called Time Warner for a detailed explanation on every charge that appeared on her monthly statement.

“Of course, every crazy fee was fine. Then, I said: You guys are way too expensive, and I can find cheaper phone service elsewhere. Is there anything you can do for me? Are you running any specials?  She says, ‘ Let me check.’ Then the next thing I know, she gets back on the line, and knocks $40 a month off my bill,” Nancy told me.

And no, Nancy says she wasn’t mean or nasty and she didn’t threaten to leave. She asked why they were offering this and the Time Warner employee said, “We don’t want to lose you as a customer. So we want to help.”

The new price — which saves Nancy $480 a year — is good for a year. I guess Nancy will have to call back next year to get the price relowered.

Now, I’ve definitely heard about successfully calling in to get jacked-up DSL fees lowered, as well as discounts on newspaper subscriptions. But cable TV companies haven’t been known for this (and trust me, my husband tried it several years ago, with no luck.)

However, we’re in a different TV-watching era. Cable TV providers must realize there is growing competition now from not only satellite TV companies but Internet TV, like AT&T’s U-Verse and Verizon’s FiOS TV (read “What TV service has most satisfied customers? (Hint: Not cable)“).

And after Time Warner’s customer-service fiasco last year following its acquisition of local Comcast and Adelphia customers, the company could use more love from customers.  I recently visited the Time Warner office in Anaheim and will report on it later this week. They seem amenable to fixing the bad feelings and improving service.

So, if you’ve got a complaint, send it my way or leave a comment because Time Warner is reading this blog. Does anyone else have a tale about their attempt to get a lower cable bill?

**If you do want to leave a comment** It would help me to know how much you are paying for cable. Knowing that someone pays $70 for basic cable is outrageous. Every instance helps me when I talk to the president of the OC Time Warner operation.

By the way, here’s the phone for Time Warner Cable: 1-888-TW-CABLE (or 1-888-892-2253). Try your luck with other TV services in O.C. and find phone numbers at “Guide to paid-TV services in OC.”

Because of reader interest, I’ve decided to focus more on local TV services. Bookmark this blog and check back often.

**UPDATE on 10/22** ”How to get cheaper cable TV in O.C., part 2″

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 42 Comments

  • Kevin in HB says:
    October 21, 2008 at 12:45 pm

    Verizon FIOS has basic TV for $12.95/month, Internet $39.95, unlimited local-long distance home phone $19.95. Must have fiber installed of course.

    Why are these cable companies still in business?

    Maybe time to shop around.

  • Warren says:
    October 21, 2008 at 12:49 pm

    since the Los Angeles area is one of TWC’s most competeive markets, Verizon, AT&T, DirecTV & AT&T, it will be willing to keep the rate the same after the first year.

  • Smartest Shopper says:
    October 21, 2008 at 12:54 pm

    If you really want to lower your phone bill, forget vonage and cell phone, get magic jack, $45 one time charge for the entire year, then only $20 after that! Also might switch to TWC instead of AT&T because they will NOT left you order their high speed “MAX” service and FORCE you to buy a TV Package in order to get it.

  • In-Cable-ble says:
    October 21, 2008 at 1:16 pm

    On a slightly different note, I’ve been a long-time COX subscriber (Basic + 1st iter TV & internet). Recently, I got a notice that my credit card was expiring soon, and to please update the information.
    So I went to their website to update my credit card information. My attempt failed, as I got the error message that “Billing information cannot be updated due to a pending payment.” DUH!
    So I e-mailed them, and their respnse was that I need to call them or mail them the information.
    I have a better idea: either drop me, or send me a bill. Either one of which will cost you. Why should I be inconvenienced?
    So now I have a snail-mailed bill in my bill pile, aka the “compost heap.”
    I’m just waiting to see what they’ll offer me to sign up for automated billing again.

  • Cherise D says:
    October 21, 2008 at 2:05 pm

    There is several different companies now that are all competing against each other for the best prices. That is the wonderful thing about our day and age we are no longer forced to go with one internet, telephone, cable or satellite service and we are not forced to pay one price. We can look around and window shop for the best deal in town and for the provider that best fits our needs. I have found the website http://www.phonetvinternet.com very helpful in comparing prices and getting the service I need.

  • working mom says:
    October 21, 2008 at 2:32 pm

    I pay 134.+ a month for basic cable, (with dvr of course) and internet…

    I’m calling after work for a discount!!

  • wtfitc says:
    October 21, 2008 at 3:19 pm

    TWC CS is pretty bad. But then again all customer service anywhere you go in America is bad. The last time I called TWC when my cable went out about a week ago, I got the message” your approx wait time is 29 minutes”. WTH!! I called back and chose the menu option to add new service. Go figure, I got a CS rep in like 10 seconds. Goes to show that these companies put more focus on signing up new customers than servicing existing customers.

  • How to get cheaper cable TV in O.C., part 2 - Alt+Save with the Gadgetress - OCRegister.com says:
    October 22, 2008 at 9:45 am

    [...] How to get cheaper cable TV from Time Warner Cable [...]

  • CableH8ter says:
    October 22, 2008 at 10:25 am

    I’m stuck in an apartment that wont allow Satellite (its in the lease agreement) The phone lines are very old and wont support higher speed for net and TV
    No outside antennas either and most of the fixed income people who live here that cant afford cable get only a few digital channels with the “big joke” converter where as they use to get all channles with rabbit ears
    I’m stuck with basic Totally Worthless Cable at $45 a month, I cant wait for the day they offer Ala-cart and you get to choose the channels you want, not Mexican, Religion and Home Shopping trash they offer now

  • Deb M says:
    October 22, 2008 at 11:35 am

    It’s not just Orange County being overcharged. I live in Los Angeles (Ladera Heights), and I pay $70.00 a month too. Every other week or so including last night, the cable goes out, the picture is pixel, and choppey sound and picture, the lines gets so busy no customer service, they suggest sending a tech to your home almost over a week later, and appx. a $2-$3.00 credit for day. They are crazy, and monopolizing. It’s ridiculous!!!

  • Diabla says:
    October 22, 2008 at 12:50 pm

    Cable is a luxury.. so if you cant afford it you shouldnt have it… get a life! stop wasting your time indoors and go out some times

  • CableH8ter says:
    October 22, 2008 at 3:48 pm

    >Cable is a luxury.. so if you cant afford it you shouldnt have it… get a life! stop wasting your time indoors and go out some times<

    1) Its not safe to go out (too many gang kids proweling the streets)

    2) Got no money to go out

  • DanGarion says:
    October 23, 2008 at 11:06 am

    Couple things that are wrong in these comments. Someone stated that apartment complexes can’t ban satellite service, that isn’t true, they can ban dishes from being put up in their patios still. They just can’t have exclusive agreements with ONE company. Dishes are somewhat unsightly to people.

    Also someone said that you HAVE to have internet service to get TWC digital phone, that is false. You can have any of their services you want, there are no stipulations that you must have one service to get the other (TV, Internet, Phone).

    Just thought I would clear that up.

  • Dee says:
    October 23, 2008 at 2:28 pm

    Diabla – you are showing your snooty OC colors. Go back to your country club and leave real conversation to the adults.

  • eyemale says:
    January 7, 2009 at 4:17 am

    Cable is a luxury? thank goodness some politicians disagree with that statement. and are pushing for a la carte or over air packs offered by cable companies just for a few bucks a months. because they believe even those on a low income have a right to watch TV.

  • GRH says:
    January 16, 2009 at 6:09 am

    I was paying $140 per month for phone/cable and internet. Made the call, was nice and my monthly fee was lowered to $99 per month. Very nice and codial, valued me as a customer……..I’ll stay with TW

  • RUBY says:
    May 15, 2009 at 2:50 pm

    I’m just like the reader above, I’m paying $147 per for phone, cable, and internet and I’m going to make the call as soon as I post this comment.

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