Cable companies have been in the spotlight for various reasons for quite some time. However, whatever the conclusion is, we can’t deny the fact that cable subscribers are dropping like never before. Similarly, the number of new customers is reducing with every year. Though there are exceptionally performing cable service providers for years, find out more about them here: https://www.localcabledeals.com/Spectrum/Silver-Package
But the cord-cutting trend is intensifying with time. The commonly mentioned reason why people think cable companies are screwing their customers is due to the price hike. The alternatives to cable services are way too cheaper and get libraries of content to watch anywhere anytime. The financial and location freedom provided by streaming services and free online content makes the cable a bad guy. Let’s find out how!
Service Charges & Equipment Cost
Cable companies mostly charge a monthly rental fee for using their equipment. Besides that for using the services of a company, you have to subscribe and pay the monthly bill for that. In addition to it, the company will charge for equipment like modem, router, DVR, and cable boxes (if any). If you want to use the Cable TV on multiple TVs, you have to pay more money as you’ll need more equipment.
Signing Long Term Contracts
A few groups of people watch TV occasionally. They love watching cricket world cups, so they watch TV less often than those who regularly watch shows and news content. Cable TV companies have nothing to do with the amount of content you consume or not. It doesn’t matter if you watch TV 24/7 or once a week, you have to pay the full fee you subscribed to. It would be great if you could pay for as much as you watch TV, but it’s not possible for Cable TV customers. Companies with long-term contracts that include Verizon and DirecTV have a policy of signing a two-year contract for the new customers. It would be wrong to say they are screwing their customers, this is their payment method and some businesses do use this model. You won’t be surprised to see 12 months long contract, 24 months is also not inappropriate for many.
Hidden Charges
Most Cable TV companies have hidden charges and that usually turns out to be a surprise for their customers. After you sign up with a Cable TV company, you’ll have to pay the installation cost, which is different from the activation cost. You might think these two processes are the same, but the company says they are separate. In addition to it, you’ll have to pay a rental fee for modems and any other equipment you have lent at the time of subscribing.
Some companies have launched a discount to facilitate their customers, those who would set their payment method to automatic payments. On the other hand, people with paper billing would have to pay an additional fee. Some people might look at it as screwing but it saves you from paying your bill late too. You won’t have to struggle with deadlines so you don’t miss your bill’s last dates.
You Don’t Get New Equipment
After paying a hefty amount as the activation and registration fee, you expect the company to give you new equipment. You can consider it as over-expectation. Most of the people who don’t want to lend equipment and pay every month till the contract ends, get themselves old or slightly used tools. The advantage is you won’t have to return it once the contract ends even though you paid every month. But when you face any problem using their service, they might tell that you have the old equipment and they’ll have to replace it. This is rare but one of the possibilities of getting yourself new tools instead of renting.
Some cable companies offer their customers to purchase the package for $50 in case of a long-term contract. This package feels unbelievable as you can enjoy exceptional features in it. Nonetheless, you have to be ready for the increase in this price. The company might increase this price up to $90/month after one year. Most likely without informing you. You can’t do anything as you have signed a long-term contract.
