Internet service

[cl0udy.livejournal.com]

The roomies and I live in Porter Square and subscribe to RCN's 10mbps cable internet service (no TV). Over the last few months, we've been pretty happy with the service and promotional rate we were getting, which was $26.95/month.

Now that the promotional period is over, the rate's switched to $44.95/month for a one-year plan. RCN customer service says that's the best deal we can get right now (despite their site advertising a $43/month rate).

I'm not too happy about this. Admittedly, I don't know what the market rate is for cable internet service in Somerville, but suddenly jacking up my bill by $18/month seems sketchy. What have your experiences been like with RCN internet? Would you recommend switching to another provider?

Comments

[afty.livejournal.com]

This is correct. RCN will stonewall you on price until you threaten to switch to Comcast. Then they will transfer you to a different department that will happily wheel and deal with you.

[arrowintwolakes.livejournal.com]

Does that work for Comcast as well? Because my trial period is expiring here pretty soon, but I think I've only ever see people suggest this if they have RCN and threaten to switch to Comcast, not the other way around.

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

It might. But RCN is a much better corporate citizen than Comcast.

[afty.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure, but, like you, I've only heard this technique suggested for RCN. I can personally vouch that it works for RCN. This summer my promotional rate ended, and I called to see if they could offer me anything better than the full rate. At first they told me they couldn't do anything. Later I received a Comcast offer in the mail and called RCN back, threatening to cancel and switch to Comcast. They transfered me to a different department that was happy to offer me the rate I asked for, which was even cheaper than the promotional rate I had had previously.

[arrowintwolakes.livejournal.com]

Heh, maybe I'll actually switch over to RCN, then. I'm not under any contract or anything with Comcast.