Two hours. That is
how long it took to “chat” with a Verizon representative and have some minor
changes made to my account. (In fact,
the issue is not completely resolved. But,
I decided to de-couple a second issue and make it tomorrow’s headache.)
It made me wonder how long it would take if I wanted to cancel
my account and establish one with another provider (of wireless, internet,
and/or pay-tv/streaming). Verizon and
its competitors pride themselves in their low “churn rates”. I truly believe that more customers don’t switch
providers because it is too hard to do so and not because they are happy
campers. In essence, these firms hook us
with attractive offers and then make it very difficult to wiggle off that
hook.
What if, however, we are determined to make the switch. A crucial step is deciding what to switch
to. While wireless and broadband
choices are few, the number of plans offered by each is daunting. Then, if you want to add on entertainment
services, you can become overwhelmed quickly and feel great uncertainty (and
unhappiness) in making the “right” choice.
One alternative to Verizon in every market is AT&T
(DirecTV). For that one firm, here is
what you see when you go to the website:
|
Package Name
|
Channel (minimum)
|
Mo. Price ($)
|
Broadcast Channels
|
Notes
|
|
Streaming (internet)- AT&T TV Now
|
||||
|
Plus
|
45
|
50
|
Y
|
HBO incl.; Starz, Cinemax, Showtime = $11/mo
|
|
Max
|
60
|
70
|
Y
|
HBO & Cinemax incl.; Starz Showtime = $11/mo
|
|
Entertainment
|
65
|
93
|
Y
|
|
|
Choice
|
85
|
110
|
Y
|
|
|
Xtra
|
105
|
124
|
Y
|
|
|
Ultimate
|
125
|
135
|
Y
|
Starz included
|
|
Pay-TV - Price good for first 12-months, 24-month agreement
(early termination fees apply)
|
||||
|
Select
|
155
|
60
|
Y
|
HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz incl. for 1st 3-mo only
|
|
Entertainment
|
160
|
65
|
Y
|
HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz incl. for 1st 3-mo only
|
|
Choice
|
185
|
70
|
Y
|
HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz incl. for 1st 3-mo only
|
|
Xtra
|
235
|
80
|
Y
|
HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz incl. for 1st 3-mo only
|
|
Ultimate
|
250
|
85
|
Y
|
HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz incl. for 1st 3-mo only
|
|
Premier
|
330
|
135
|
Y
|
HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz incl. for 1st 3-mo only
|
|
where AT&T available, $10 off per month inf bundle TV
package with internet
|
||||
So, what do “we” do? We
stay with our current provider. Who
wins? “They” do.
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