AT&T Uverse vs Comcast Triple Play
August 20, 2010
We have the Comcast Triple Play package and have been a Comcast customer for 10 years but may soon switch to AT&T Uverse when we move. If you’ve ever had to pay the fees involved when selling your house and buying a house, you’ll know the last thing you want to do when moving is pay another fee!
Comcast Activation Fees
When I called Comcast to switch our cable, internet, and phone service to our new house I found out they’re going to charge me $150 in activation and setup fees. I asked the customer service rep if he could waive or reduce the fee since we’ve been a customer for 10 years but he refused.
AT&T U-Verse Promotion
So I got online to see what AT&T could do, turns out that not only do they charge a much lower fee, but the latest AT&T Uverse promotion will pay us to become a customer! I’d rather just stay with Comcast because they’ve done a good job for us for 10 years but if they’re going to charge me $150 to remain a customer, what choice do I have?
Switching to AT&T
I’d think it’d be worth it to Comcast to waive or reduce the activation fee to keep me as a customer for another 10 years but apparently it’s not. I’m going to try one more time, I’ll let Comcast know what AT&T is offering me and ask them to waive our fees. If not I’ll change my transfer work order to a cancel work order and sign up for AT&T Uverse at the new house instead.
Below is the transcript of the web chat I had with AT&T yesterday:
Welcome to AT&T. My name is Jake.
Jake: I will be happy to answer your questions regarding AT&T U-verse products. To start, could you please tell me which State you’re located in and the zip code?
you: XXXXX
you: Are there installation and activation charges if I switch to U-verse?
Jake: In order to answer your question I’ll need some additional details. Let me ask you a few questions so that I can provide you an accurate answer.
Jake: Which services are you looking to order online today (e.g. Home Phone, Internet and TV)?
you: all 3
Jake: Glad to know that!
Jake: There is a one time TV activation charge of $29.
Jake: Standard installation for the first 3 TV’s, Voice, and 1 computer comes at no additional cost.
Jake: Could you please tell me which TV, Voice, and Internet plan you are interested in so that I can offer the best online promotions today?
you: I’m with comcast, moving 1 mile away and they’re going to charge me $99 hookup fee plus $20 per TV
you: so $29 is much better
Jake: Good to know that!
Jake: AT&T U-verse will get you the best services + satisfaction. Trust me you will love our services and never regret for your decision.
Jake: By ordering any AT&T U-verse TV plan + Internet plan + Voice plan online today you qualify for $300 Visa Reward Card as well.
you: cool, how far out are you scheduling? would I be able to have it setup by next week?
Jake: I do not have the exact date;however, as you proceed, you will receive an option for the installation day and time. You can select your desired date while ordering the service online (if available).
you: ok, I would probably just go with the base package, I don’t see the difference between the $99 on and the $112 one
you: oh, now I see, one has more channels
you: where can I see the list of channels with each package?
Jake: On the order page you get the option to build your own bundle by selecting from different plans. So, you will get the prices depending on your choices.
Jake: Click here to view the Channel Line-up.
you: great, so what do I need to do to get the $300 Visa Reward Card?
Jake: You would just require to place the online order to qualify for the online promotions.
Jake: After you make the selections and able to see ‘Completed’ under the TV, Voice, and Internet section, then click on ‘Continue’ button to proceed to the Shopping Cart page.
Jake: It hardly takes a few minutes to complete your online order, and I am right here to assist you in completing it today.
you: great, thanks for your help!
All posts by Ben Edwards
glad you had a good experience but mine is a nightmare. after calling ATT to lower my monthly phone/internet bill, the rep suggested u-verse. I specifically asked about modem/equipment and installation charges, fees, etc and was told there were none and I would receive $200 in gift cards. Imagine my surprise when I received a bill for $218, most of which were charges. and I will get my first monthly bill, larger than my original before I switched services. Customer service is looking into this and I am waiting for a call back.
I got rid of my land line and cable tv because I was sick of their constantly rising prices and all the stuff they nickled and dimed me over. I do have internet, but that is it. Haven’t regretted the decision.