The Friday Five Good Things

 

Five good things that happened this week

1. We were without Internet access for 24 hours. A call to Verizon. The tech worked for 3 hours and got us up and running again.

2. Lunch at Point Breeze with the teaching assistants. Fun group of girls.

3. First Day of Spring

4. Nice day. I washed windows and changed curtains

5. Thursday with Teague

How was your week?

Cutting the Cable

 

I mentioned in Friday's blogpost, we had gotten a Roku device and signed up for YouTube TV in the first step for cutting cable. This is my experience so maybe your mileage will vary..

Sandra had asked:  I would love to get away from cable or at least just have the basics. Any tips would be appreciated.

The basic way to cut cable is to go with an HDMI antenna. The major networks have to offer a free access to their transmission. The antenna will search for television stations in your area for free. The only output is the cost for the antenna. $20 and up depending on the model you get.

We tried this route several years ago as we were mostly watching Netflix at that time $9.99. We're at a fairly high elevation so you think we would be able to pick up tons of signals, but we didn't. One of the Boston news stations would come in sporadically so sometimes someone would have to dance around with the antenna to see if the signal would come in stronger. Himself was a good sport and lost his sports network, but was able to listen to games on the radio or over his computer.

The Eldest then got a job with Charter (now Spectrum) as a customer service rep in their call center. As part of her employee perc, she got Phone, Cable (the uber premium package!), and Internet all for free. Since she was still living here, everything went in her name. 

We still had Netflix, added Amazon Prime Video. While she worked at Spectrum, we got HBO for Game of Thrones and Starz for Outlander. Himself got to have New England Sports Network. I was able to watch Doctor Who on BBC America. Color us very happy. 

 The two cable providers in our area are Spectrum and Verizon FIOS. When we first moved here, we had Charter (Spectrum). Then Verizon came in with FIOS and Himself wanted to switch so we did.(Though the installation was a nightmare as sales oversold the area so there were few technicians to do the install. Ours happened over 3 or 4 nights from 6 PM until 9 PM)  Now that the Eldest was leaving, Himself wanted to go back to FIOS. Since all the wiring had already been done first time around, the install was a breeze. He got the Sports Package, but the channel line up was very limited.

During the Summer months, we move the television from the bedroom to the sun room where there is a cable box. Now that it's too cold to be out in the sun room, the television got moved back to our bedroom. There is no cable box in the bedroom. Hence, getting the Roku so we could watch television without a lot of dancing around with an antenna.

There are lots of free options on Roku with a one time investment for the Roku device, but you still need Internet access.

There's also Tubi TV. Pluto TV (though we weren't impressed), Crackle, Haystack, Filmrise which we haven't checked out. We can also get CW so we can watch Supernatural as we have invested 15 seasons of the show and there are only 3 episodes left for the series finale.

There are paid services to get other channels and movies. Hulu, YouTube TV. Himself decided he wanted YouTube TV as he would be able to get the New England Sports Network.  And the day after we started with YouTube he got a notice that YouTube and NESN weren't able to negotiate a contract so no more NESN. Felt a little bit of bait and switch to me. I'm not sure if Himself will decide to keep or scrap YouTubeTV for something else.

So YouTube TV gives us a better channel line up than Verizon FIOS did., but by the time we finish adding in the other premium channels we are paying for, we're probably not saving money.

Pros to having YouTube TV is being able to watch programs on all our devices besides the television. So I can tune into the news or a movie on the iPad while I clean up in the kitchen or work in the studio without having to use the news station's crappy app. I can watch it live. We'll also be able to watch when we travel provided we have Wi-Fi access. YouTubeTV also allows up to 5 others in the household to have their own account so the girlies can watch, too.

So pay attention to your television viewing. Do you need the premium channels? If you can get by without local news access and premium channels, you could save yourself some $$$.

Since we're new to Roku, if any of you have cut cable and have some $$$ saving tips, they would be greatly appreciated.

If You're Really Bored

and you have Verizon FIOS On Demand, you can stare at The Great Wave by Katsushika Hokusai

How Does Your Garden Grow?

and obligatory bitching whining (wingeing) about the weather.

 

Bitter cold start to the week. Temperatures didn't improve much through the rest of the week.

 

The cardinal stopped by for a snack.

 

The day before the storm. Red sky in the morning sailor take warning. This adage proved to be so true.

 

Birds flocked to the feeder during the Bomb Cyclone. That's what the weather dudes were calling the storm. I heard it was because the satellite view of the storm showed a definite eye wall as seen in a hurricane and as the storm moved up the coast, its energy just exploded.  Maybe they just needed a new and sensational title as Stormaggedon, Snowpocalypse have already been used.

 

There wasn't much bird activity (that I saw before the storm), but during the storm, the birds flocked to the feeder. You would think they would be hunkered down some place. 

And in the middle of this, Verizon sent a technician to connect us to Internet, phone, and cable.  We thought they would have cancelled. I mentioned to the tech that the governor had said non-essential personnel stay off the roads. He said, communications was considered essential. He said Verizon was more reliable than the post office, and he said it with pride. Hope he made it home safely.

 

There was a good 10 inches maybe even a foot of snow, Thursday afternoon during the first pass at shoveling. On the coast, the snow was heavy and wet. Inland where I am, I was reminded that the snow was fluffy and light. That's like saying the heat in desert climes is a dry heat.

 

The wind was fierce and kept blowing the singing bells off their hooks. The ground was solidly frozen so no chance of pulling them up.

 

With all the snow blowing and drifting, none settled in the branches of the Japanese maple and the maple was still holding on to its leaves!

 

Model shoot for the cover of Avalanche magazine.

 

Friday, the day after the storm. Hard to tell how much snow we actually got as there was so much blowing and drifting. Nearly 23 inches in a spot near the back birdfeeder.

 

The South solar array completely buried. The snow on the roof made it both dangerous and exciting to shovel a path to and around the condenser. All that snow could come crashing down. Brushing snow away behind the condenser, I disturbed a little critter, a mouse of a mole. He leaped into the snow bank. I don't know who was more startled. Wait, I do know. It was me.

 

You never would have guess I had shoveled a path to the birdfeeders. Blowing and drifting snow undid all my hard work.

 

I'm happy to report the mailbox survived the plows during this storm.

 

The temps are still in the single digits. The wind has been howling the past few days and wind chill temps are in the dangerous zone. I'm glad we're safe and warm inside the dollhouse.  Lots of people in coastal towns didn't have it so easy during the storm. Astronomical high tides and fierce winds caused major flooding in Boston and surrounding cities and towns. 

I hope today finds your safe and warm in your home. And your weather sunny, a lot warmer, and no snow.

I Got No Strings To Hold Me Down.

While I was on the phone to Verizon to cancel the landline, I also cancelled our cable subscription. We don't really watch much television anymore. We're all quite happy with Netflix. I can watch the news on the computer or iPad. Even the shows we do watch (Supernatural, Blacklist, Gracepoint) can be seen on the computer, a day or two, after they are aired on television.

The only show I didn't really think about was Doctor Who. The last episode of series 8 ended two weeks ago. BBC America doesn't offer the show for viewing on their website. I won't be able to see the Christmas special. Not really a big deal. I like the new doctor, but he's not my doctor. I can happily watch my doctor on Netflix and wait for the new doctor's episodes to be aired on Netflix in the near future.

Dealing with Verizon wasn't too bad. The first customer service rep was flustered when I told her I wanted to cancel the phone and cable. She put me on hold while (I assume) she contacted her supervisor. While I waited forever, I tweeted my frustration, and got a response from AT&T

ATTCares ‏@ATTCares  Nov 17

@CJKennedyink Oh no! Join the #ATTFamily @ http://soc.att.com/SwitchNow  ASAP for service that will make you smile! ^Colton

Made me laugh. Gotta love social media.

Finally, another rep. got on the line to take care of me. I didn't like having to justify my reason to them. I'm not sure Verizon liked hearing I didn't feel like making two more car payments or another mortgage payment. Yeah, the bill was that high, and we didn't even have premium channels except for the Sports package for Himself. The second rep. cancelled everything instantly.

We still have Internet service with them, and I don't have a problem with that. Though I did drop the Internet speed. The speed we were (supposedly) at 35/35 was no longer offered. I dropped to 25/25 and haven't noticed much difference. If it does pose a problem, we can always upgrade.

 I'd really like to drop the cellphone service. That's where the real expense on the bill is. Friend and colleague, Andy Fish, switched his cell service to Republic. You can read his reviews on his service.(Scroll down because the first search of Republic is from Republic Pictures) Andy's a savvy fella.  Unfortunately, I read Andy's reviews a couple of weeks after I renewed my cellphone contract with Verizon. Terminating the contract is too expensive, so it's marked on my 2016 To Do calendar.

Watson, Come Here. I Don't Need You

I finally ditched the landline. I'd been thinking about doing it for a long time. Seemed silly to pay for something that wasn't really used. Most of the calls were from telemarketers. I also had a distinctive ring number for the FAX machine which I've only used a half dozen times. That was disconnected, too.

The girlies use their cellphones to text or Skype with their friends. (Himself is a Luddite and doesn't like using a phone, land or cell.)

 I pretty much transfer all the house calls to my cellphone. I got into the habit of having calls transferred when my parents were in the nursing home as I would get calls from the nursing home staff several times a week (a day!). I also like knowing instantly who's calling me. Call me often enough and you get your own ring tone.

Do you still have a landline?

Is This Any Way to Run an Airline?

The problem, I received a bill from Charter for internet, phone and television services for October. The last bill was paid on 12. Sept. and you will recall on the 15. Sept, we began 3 days of installation hell with Verizon. We had no telephone, no internet, and no phone services for those three days.

I called Charter Customer Service only to be told since my name is not on the account, they could not speak to me. Even though I'm the one who pays the monthly bill. An argument ensued and I asked to speak to a Supervisor. Was put on hold and the call never answered.

I call a second time and had to endure the same song and dance, and the frustration of being put on hold and no supervisor picking up in a timely fashion. By now, I'm spitting nails.

From the Charter website, I followed a link to talk to a live representative. I pretended to be Himself. Part way through our conversation, I almost asked the representative if she was mentally impaired. Bostonians will instantly understand the expression I was going to use including the colorful adjective. At this point, I began typing in CAPS

Here is the actual transcript:

Thank you for choosing Charter Chat Live! A Customer Care representative from Billing Inquiries will be with you shortly. You have been connected to TTD Ria .

TTD Ria : Thank you for contacting Charter Communications Support Team. My name is Ria. How may I assist you today?

Himself : Hi Ria, I received a bill for bundled phone, internet, and tv, however on Sept 15, services we terminated because we switched to Verizon

TTD Ria : Hi, Himself.

Himself : since we have not had charter services since Sept 15, we should not have a bill nor expected to pay any bill

TTD Ria : Please let me check on this.

Himself : thank you

TTD Ria : Can you please provide me with your account number?

Himself : Yup

TTD Ria : Thank you.

TTD Ria : The balance left on your account is $115.74.

Himself : except there should be no balance

Himself : and when I returned equipment, we were told there was a credit on the bill. and we should receive a check

Himself : the last bill paid was in the amount of $183.90 and paid Sept 12

TTD Ria : Himself, this bill is for your services for the period of 10/16/08-11/15/08.

TTD Ria : Please be reminded that you are paying for your services one month in advance. Himself : we are no longer with charter

Himself : services were terminated Sept 15

Himself : we did not use charter services after Sept 15

TTD Ria : Yur services are scheduled to be disconnected on October 15, 2008. Himself : the services were disconnected on Sept 15

Himself : for 3 days while Verizon completed installation I had NO phone, NO internet, NO TV TTD Ria : Himself, you had Charter services since 2004.

Himself : yes, but as of Sept 15, 2008 we switched to Verizon

Himself : so from Sept 15 2008 to the present, we are not using Charter services Himself : we are Verizon customers

Himself : ergo the bill was sent by mistake

Himself : I turned in 3 boxes and a modem for the phone

Himself : we no longer have charter equipment

TTD Ria : Himself, I are you saying you had your services connected September 2008 and had those disconnected on the same month?

Himself : yes

TTD Ria : Himself, I'm sorry but I can see on the account that you had Charter services since 2004.

TTD Ria : You may go to your local office to check on this further.

Himself : is that the only way this issue can be resolved?

Himself : you cannot help? TTD Ria : I'm sorry but I can't see what you are saying on the account that I pulled up.

TTD Ria : What is reflected in my database is that you had services with us since 2004.

Himself : WE ARE NO LONGER CHARTER CUSTOMERS

Himself : what don't you understand

Himself : WE TERMNATED CHARTER SERVICES ON SEPT 15, 2008

Himself : THIS YEAR

TTD Ria : Himself, I'm sorry but I can't just believe in what you are saying. I need something as proof. I'm sorry but what you are saying is not reflected in my database.

Himself : WE RECEIVED A BILL FOR OCT-NOV, BUT WE HAVE NOT USED CHARTER AS WE ARE CONNECTED TO VERIZON. WHAT DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND ABOUT THAT? Himself : THE BILL WAS SENT ERRONEOUSLY

Himself : OUR SERVICES ARE NOT TO BE TERMINATED IN OCTOBE3R, BUT WERE TERMINATED IN SEPTEMBER

TD Ria : Well, I'm sorry but only the local office can check on that further.

Himself : can you tell me if the local office is open on Sat

Himself : and what the hours are

TTD Ria : Sure. TTD Ria : Your local office is open Monday8:30 AM1:00 PM2:00 PM5:00 PMTuesday8:30 AM1:00 PM2:00 PM5:00 PMWednesday8:30 AM1:00 PM2:00 PM5:00 PMThursday8:30 AM1:00 PM2:00 PM5:00 PMFriday8:30 AM1:00 PM2:00 PM5:00 PM

Himself : No Sat hours?

TTD Ria : I'm sorry but no.

Himself : do these transcripts get looked over for quality assurance?

TTD Ria : Yes.

Himself : please note: Customer Service should not be an oxymoron.

Himself : I guess this ends the session

I'm of a good mind to ignore the bill and wait to receive if you don't pay this bill, we will terminate your services. Let them!

Seven

Seven reasons to be unhappy with the installation and phone service for Verizon FIOS

1. We were told the technician would arrive at 1pm and the installation would take 4 hours. We took time off from work. At 2pm, we called to find out the job had not been dispatched and the technician would arrive between 1pm and 5 pm for an installation that would take 4 to 6 hours.

2. A call at 5pm said the technician would be on his way. The technician, two helpers and 3 Verizon trucks with cherry pickers arrived at 6:50pm. The lead technician was surly. I was too. They couldn't get things up and going so left close to 9pm with a promise they would arrive the next day at 3pm.

3. The next day, Charter, our previous cable company, yanked service to phone, Internet, and television. At 3pm, using my cellphone I called Verizon and waited on hold for a half an hour while the Customer Service Rep. tried to get in touch with the dispatcher and technician. The technician called a half hour later to say he would arrive in an hour. He kept good his word, was in a better mood and set about getting phone service, Internet service on my computer, the television in the bedroom up and running, and the local network stations on the television in the sunroom.

4. When asked for documentation for the telephone options such as setting up voice mail, he said Verizon would be mailing the booklet in 3 to 5 business days. There was a help section online. The technician left close to 9pm. By the way, what is the proper etiquette when dealing with technicians who arrive during dinner and the family hour? Are they invited to dinner? Given clean linen and shown to the guest room?

5. The online phone help was as useful as a teat on a bull. Though it told me in a general vague way how to set up the voice mail, it did not provide access numbers or temporary passwords. I had to call Customer Service to obtain this information.

6. Through online help I found the access codes for Call Forwarding to another telephone. A feature I use quite frequently. When I went to attempt to forward calls to the home phone to my cellphone, I received a call can't be completed as dialed message. A call to Customer Service revealed that this service is not available as part of my package. I would have to pay $5 per month for this feature. Seems that all of the features the cable company included in our cable bundled package, Verizon charges!

7. The installation began on Monday and was completed Wednesday night. I have not received documentation for the telephone features.

The whole experience left me more with an OMG! feeling instead of the WOW from the Verizon media blitz. If it sounds too good to be true, it generally is. I'm not inspired to recommend Verizon FIOS to anyone without adding caveat emptor, buyer beware. Verizon, do you hear me now?

I had no trouble with Charter, the cable company. The technicians arrived on time, were never surly, completed installations in a timely fashion, and left us up and completely running. Maybe we should have paid attention to the adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it.