Cable modem rental - NOT

[disneysteve]

I decided recently that my goal this year was going to be to clean up some things in our financial lives. We used to be much more frugal, mainly out of necessity, and as our means increased, we loosened our belts and got a little sloppy.

The first thing I focused on was our cable bill. We had been on a promotional deal that ended recently and our bill jumped up. I called to see if there was a new promo I could get and there wasn't a deal that was worth it to me. So I cancelled part of our service package and knocked $18/month off the bill that way.

I then realized (actually already knew this but had forgotten) that we were renting our cable modem for $7/month. I looked on Amazon and was able to buy the exact same modem used for just over $14. I ordered that. It came the other day and I installed it today. I'll return the rented one to the cable company and start saving $7/month which will pay for the new one in just 2 months.

So if you are still renting a modem, stop doing it. It is way cheaper to buy your own.

[Thrif-t]

I'd love to do this because we just started getting charged for our modem but only 3.95/mo. We've had so many problems in the past with our internet and have gotten new modems for no charge. I'm afraid if I got my own then when there is a problem they won't come out and service me they'll just say it's my modem, but maybe it's the line. For the convenience of not having to worry about fixing my own service problems I'll stick with the 3.95 per month. Plus the modems that I would have to buy to be compatible would be in the 100-150 price range. If the rental prices jumps too much I may think about.

[disneysteve]

the modems that I would have to buy to be compatible would be in the 100-150 price range.

Don't be so sure. The modem I just got has a list price of $150. Amazon sells it new for $60. I got it used for $14. You might be able to get the one you need for a lot less than you think. Check Amazon and ebay.

[QuarterMillionMan]

I was also wondering about this myself. I'm currently on the promotion bundle and renting all of my equipment from the cable company. I wasn't sure if getting my own equipment would work, after the promotional rate ends. I rent the modem/wi-fi device. This information will encourage me to research buying my own equipment.

[~bs]

Or you could stop watching tv entirely :-)

[kork13]

Or you could stop watching tv entirely :-)

Cable modems aren't for TV, but actually for internet service over cable lines. Sadly, if you drop the cable TV service but keep the internet service, they gouge you even more for going solo on the internet service. ugh....

[cypher1]

Sadly, if you drop the cable TV service but keep the internet service, they gouge you even more for going solo on the internet service. ugh....

That's why I hate Comcast and MediaCom. They kept raising the rates to 70+ when I only used cable internet and kept trying to sell me on adding cable TV packages and a landline. Ended up going with DSL for a fixed price.

On the same note, I used to lease a modem for 8+ years at $5-7 a month when I lived at parents with Comcast, and only ever had 2 issues with hardware.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Below is my most current detailed monthly cable bill (triple play promotion which includes TV, internet, & phone for $89 for 12 months & includes free Showtime for 12 months). The total amounts to $138 per month after a few add-ons such as the sports package, turbo internet, taxes, etc.


03/10-04/09 HD DVR Rcvr
$10.00
03/10-04/09 TWC Triple Play Package
$152.98
03/10-04/09 Ncec-twtpdig 89.99 12mo
-$62.99
03/10-04/09 Showtime Unlimited
$15.00
03/10-04/09 Ncec-shotmc Free 12mo
-$15.00
03/10-04/09 TWC Sports Pass
$8.99
03/10-04/09 Internet Modem Lease
$3.95
03/10-04/09 Home Wifi
$4.95
03/10-04/09 Turbo Internet Upgrade
$20.00
03/10-04/09 Ncec-rr Turbo $10 12mo
-$10.00
-View Taxes and Fees$10.44
03/06 Emergency Telephone Users Surcharge Tax $.08
03/06 CA Universal Lifeline Tel Serv Program $.20
03/06 CA Relay Service & Comm. Device Fund $.04
03/06 High Cost Fund Surcharge A $.07
03/06 Casf And High Cost B Surcharge $.08
03/06 Fusf-federal Universal Service Fund $.85
03/06 Ctf-ca Teleconnect Fund Surcharge $.10
03/06 Regulatory Recovery - State $.03
03/06 Regulatory Recovery Fee - Federal $.18
03/06 Regulatory Recovery Fee Cable - Federal $.08
03/06 Utility User Tax-residential-video $3.30
03/06 FCC Regulatory Fee - Voice $.02
03/06 Utility User Tax-telecommunication $1.21
03/06 PEG Municipal Capital Fee $.75
03/06 Franchise Fee $3.45

[~bs]

Cable modems aren't for TV, but actually for internet service over cable lines. Sadly, if you drop the cable TV service but keep the internet service, they gouge you even more for going solo on the internet service. ugh....

lol you're right. I read that wrong.

Anyways, I did purchase my modem as well. It works out cheaper that way.

I find the major providers to be a huge rip-off in terms of what you get for what you're paying. Years ago, I was somewhat lucky enough to find a smaller provider that charges reasonable rates for internet. I was paying $45/month for a 25Mbps connection, which was pretty awesome. But later downgraded it because I didn't really need it. So now I pay $22/month for a 6 Mbps line. They even offer a "cheapskate" connection that's 1 Mbps for $9/month.

[feh]

Did the same thing 2 years ago when we switched to cable for internet access. Bought a used modem on amazon for about $20.

Your cable company should have a web page that lists the modems compatible w/ their service.

[Like2Plan]

03/10-04/09 HD DVR Rcvr
$10.00

We pay $10.00/month for our HD rcvr (no DVR). I have been wondering if it possible to buy one of these gizmos?

[disneysteve]

We pay $10.00/month for our HD rcvr (no DVR). I have been wondering if it possible to buy one of these gizmos?

Honestly, I don't really see why you need a DVR at this point. Most shows are available for free either online or on-demand. I'm not a big TV watcher but the few shows that I do watch regularly I almost never see when they are broadcast. I watch them at my convenience online or on-demand.

[Like2Plan]

Honestly, I don't really see why you need a DVR at this point. Most shows are available for free either online or on-demand. I'm not a big TV watcher but the few shows that I do watch regularly I almost never see when they are broadcast. I watch them at my convenience online or on-demand.

I meant just the HD receiver part. I was wondering if that part could be purchased. We pay 10/month (X2 TVs) to rent. The rental of these 2 hd receivers constitutes 19% of our monthly bill! . We've had our service for 12 months now, so we have spent $120.00 on each of them so far.

[disneysteve]

I meant just the HD receiver part.

This may be heresy but what about not doing HD? Just do regular service? We don't have HD and don't plan to get it.

[Like2Plan]

This may be heresy but what about not doing HD? Just do regular service? We don't have HD and don't plan to get it.

The gadget that they rented to us for non-HD was $6.00/month. We had a 3rd hook-up in the basement that just had the non-HD device, but nobody used it so I returned it. Either HD or non-HD I was wondering if the device could be purchased somewhere?