Stealing Cable

[cercis]

I was talking to a friend this weekend.

When they moved, they splurged and got digital cable in their main room and regular cable in the two bedrooms. They paid for HBO, but no other premium channels.

So, she's telling me that earlier this week her dh was flipping channels in the bedroom and discovered they get cinemax in there. He swears he didn't do anything to the cable to get it (and knowing him, even if he tried, he wouldn't be able to get it to work, so I believe him).

The only thing they can think is that the traps that were set didn't work since so many people have digital cable now.

She asked me if they were stealing if they watched cinemax in their bedroom.

I have to admit, I don't know. On the one hand, they are getting a service that would cost $20/month (give or take depending upon the package), on the other hand, they didn't seek it out and it isn't something they would pay for any way.

I guess technically they are stealing, but I'm trying to see what loss the cable company is suffering. If it had never been there, they never would have paid for it. Now, she says, if the trap gets fixed, they might actually pay for it (apparently skinemax is pretty good ).

So, what do you think?

[sweeps]

Re: Stealing Cable

If a company unknowingly provides a service and the recipient knowingly takes advantage of it, it is unethical (and possibly illegal). Whether the user sought out the service or would otherwise pay for it is irrelevant.

Another example: Joe's next door neighbor hires a company to shovel the snow off of his driveway and sidewalks. The company mistakenly starts shoveling Joe's snow instead, he notices it, and he lets the company go ahead and finish the job. That is unethical, but also if it could be proven in court that he let it happen, he would be financially responsible.

However, having said all that, it's possible the cable company doesn't care. Digital cable is their real money maker. Perhaps it isn't worth the cost to them to block premium services on the analog cable (particularly if it means aggravating the customer). A call to the cable company would confirm that, and probably settle your friend's conscience.

[cicy33]

Re: Stealing Cable

We have digital cable in our house and the only way we can get the "pay" channels like HBO or Showtime or Cinemax is with the box. So it is possible that there is a filter attached to the cable that is coming out of the wall that was there before. It is probably round and cylinder like. We have cable in all the bedrooms and the kitchen and the only way to get the digital is through that box. Our channels don't go to 400 +. I don't know that it is illegal or unethical. If they feel bad, have them call the cable company. Also make sure that the cable isn't have a free cinemax weekend. that does happen occasionally.

[Dingoluv4eva]

Re: Stealing Cable

I don't know if they still do it.

But I remember years ago.. the Local Cable company at the time would let u watch premium channels for a week out of the year.

they would hope the people like them so much , that they would subscribe to that package once they shut it off again.

So the cable company would basically advertise HBO etc like that.

so maybe that is what is happening..

if it is a faultry trap.. than well how would u know.. Only way for u to know if their trap is broken, is to speculate that it is broken.. Speculation is wrong 99.9% of the time.. especially when u are no expert in it..

So i would not speculate, that the trap is broken, the Cable company is the expert in that, so let them contact you, if they believe it is broken.

Now on the flip side. they are giving you these channels u never had before to watch..

Great service by them.. no idea if they are advertising to you, and plan to shut it off later.. or maybe their service package changed.

Since u received no pamplets on it, u really cant speculate.
Lets them contact you if they have to.

ENJOY THE CHANNELS U LOVE !
They got absolutely no legal ground, to ask for money from you later on. if you are worried something is amiss here.... but have faith in them, and believe they know what they are doing, and they are doing this on purpose, after all they are the experts.. so relax and buy some popcorn.

[abowers]

Re: Stealing Cable

It's possible that the company is giving them the channel for free for a month or something. My parents have Time Warner and they suddenly had the "On Demand" service for 30 or 45 days, without ordering it. When they called to ask about it, they were told it was a promotion, and when it would end.

[Snoopy2645]

Re: Stealing Cable

I agree its probably a promotion so I wouldnt worry about it

[PRICEPLUS]

Re: Stealing Cable

Ditto.

[cercis]

Re: Stealing Cable

If it's a promotion, I want it.

That's why she mentioned it to me. We live in the same neighborhood and have the same package. So she called me to find out if I had it, and I don't.

We also tend to think it's not a promotion because it's only on the regular cable and not the digital cable.

But, I can't call to ask if they're running a promotion without turning her in and I don't want to do that.

[BAGAGT1]

Re: Stealing Cable

Depending on the situation, I don't think it is either illegal or unethical, however, since it sounds like they just recently moved in to this house I would err on the side of caution. If this is a newly constructed home (or recently constructed), I would not worry about it, as the cable company does not fix the filters until all of the construction in the area is finished.

When I bought my home I ordered basic cable so I could get a good local signal. At the time I had at least 20 channels available to me, the technician said that it was normal, and they would send someone out eventually to correct the filters. It took about two years after I had the cable installed before they finally corrected the filters.

If the house is not recently constructed, I would call customer service and let them know that I was recieving a premium channel incorrectly. If they told me not to worry about it I would write a letter to their customer service department informing them of the issue and send it certified mail. Should it turn out that the former owner was recieving cable illegally then I would have proof that I tried to get someone to come out and fix it.

I do remember reading a story of someone in a similar situation, he got free cable when he moved into his apartment. He called to have the cable shut off several times, but no one ever came out. It was three years before the cable company fixed the problem, then they cable company claimed he was stealing cable. Unfortunately he didn't send a letter to customer service, so he had no proof that he tried to turn it off.

[cercis]

Re: Stealing Cable

It's not new construction, but it is new cable wiring. When they moved in, the cable company couldn't make the previous wiring work (they didn't know why) so they ran new wiring.

My house was never connected, but it's an older house as well (I guess the previous owner either had no TV or had a satellite - antenna doesn't seem to work here), so my wiring is all new as well.

I want cinemax, but I can't justify the price. DH insisted on HBO - plus with a premium channel, you get a lot more options for free movies (which saves the cost of a premium channel).

[Dingoluv4eva]

Re: Stealing Cable

With Friends like these, who needs enemies


J/k!! LOL

If u're looking for what we would wanna do in this situation.
I'd say.., not get greedy.. don't call the Company.

Be in on your friends secret, don't go and jepardize their premium channels.

I feel the cable company has no right to ask from extra money, since its their filter that broke.. thats their problem.

Last i checked the Population of the United States were not on the FCC payroll, to go checking for IF they are doing their jobs right, and offering the right services.

[cercis]

Re: Stealing Cable

Yeah, dingo, that's why I said I can't call to check without turning her in. So I can't call to check.

Although, I could call to find out if they are going to be running promotions anytime soon. I'll also be moving in a few weeks, so I can check to see if maybe there's a promotion for new homeowners.