Update: after visiting the Charter website, I find that their current deal is 39.99 for internet only. Internet only is the service I use. "They say" this is for New Customers Only but I am here to say It Ain't Necessarily So.

I was a little tweaked when I discovered this rate, because I am a light internet user (don't download movies, don't stream, don't fileshare, etc), and I was required to pay 54.99 after the last promo deal of 44.99 (they offered ME this) expired recently. I did pay their new price for 2 months this year (for April/May service). However, after finding out that NEW customers for 30/4 internet pay only 39.99, I called to ask for a better deal. I asked for their latest Promo (which is a code word for "I know you can do better than this").

After over 1 hour of phone calls, several non-silent holds (hearing ads & the kooky Charter theme song), one billing rep, one sales rep and another billing rep because Charter dropped my (internet) call, my rate is now 39.99 for 30 down, 4 up, for 12 months after which they tell me it will revert to 54.99. This discount happened because I was quiet, respectful, peaceful, able to clearly and calmly explain my position and customer history, and expressed appreciation for each of these these reps for doing their jobs, without being effusive.

Being on Musical and Advertisement Hold several times during these calls was rather annoying, but the phone reps were attentive and nice, and did what need doen. Bottom Line: $54.99 reduced now to 39.99 puts $15 in my pocket here, which is enough for one large Tech Pizza with 2 toppings per month, delivered here still hot, plus an extravagent tip for the delivery guy.

So Rich, if you get a nice promo for a year for whatever you need & then the bill goes up, Do Call Back Negotiate. This is not the first time I have obtained a promo from Charter after my last promo expired.

A final note: I haven't been able to contact Charter by their usual number for around a year or more, but the corporate office number also works and the menu will direct you to whatever department is needed, including Billing, which is where I started on my latest & greatest journey with them this eve. 314 965 0555.

Anchovies & Black Olives, & Good Luck to Rich.

88s over & out,
Liz J









On 5 May 2014 17:48, E Johnson <iris.gates@gmail.com> wrote:
Charter is probably the only viable option.

Depending on what you need (TV or not? Phone or not? Or just internet), you can probably get a promotion with a price that will remain fixed for 1-2 years. Whether or not you need a "package" or only internet, ask the customer service (sales) Rep to find you a promotion.

I'm paying 54 now for only internet, which can run 30 mb down and I think 5 up. This is up from a one-year promo for which I was paying 44. When I check the download speeds, it usually comes down at around 35 mb.

Internet analysis test (the Netalyzer at USC Berkley I think) is very comprehensive and has been giving good reports. Once Charter got some line issues fixed in the neighborhood about 2 years ago, the Netalyzer tests come out very good. The only complaint that Netalyzer notices is that the buffer is somewhat too big, but usually things work okay, even in packet-sensitive applications such as Skype. But maybe that is my router or something. Maybe the modem (which I own).

Welcome back to Woo.

Liz J


On 5 May 2014 16:44, Richard Klein <rich@richardklein.org> wrote:
I'm moving back to Worcester after 5-ish years.  I used speakeasy for DSL when I lived near Indian Lake, but they aren't the same company anymore, and the new place is just off Hope Ave, by the cemeteries, Hadwen Park, and the Auburn line.  Can anyone recommend a good ISP out that way, or a good website to find an ISP?

-- 
Thanks!
Rich

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