Posts in Category: Personal Finance
you’re not new
I have to say, Ally bank is onto something with its ad about treating existing customers to the same perks and benefits as new customers. As many of you know, about 30 ago I dropped my cable/phone/Internet bundle and went Internet only. At the time of my switch, the 25Mbps tier was priced at $49.99 for new customers. As a “valued, long-time customer,” I was able to get the tier for $54.99. For whatever reason, I popped onto the website for my Internet provider, RCN, and noticed that it changed the Internet speed/pricing tiers.
Hmmmm. Interesting. Not happy that my existing rate for 25Mbps service is $5 more than the new 50Mbps tier price, I called to see if RCN would move me up to the faster tier, since it was, essentially, the same price. If they couldn’t move me up to the faster tier, how about lowering my bill to match the new price for 25Mpbs (about $15 less than what I’m currently paying)?
Nope!
After being on hold for a long time I was eventually given the old song and dance about that price being for new customers. When I asked what RCN was doing to show appreciation for customers that have been with them for years, all I got was “I’m sorry.” I’m in a bit of a pickle because RCN actually has the best rates in the area for the speed, so I will likely not pick up my router and go elsewhere. Nevertheless, it’s still aggravating to see these price. I can’t imagine that, say, Verizon Wireless would change the pricing of its tiered minutes/data plans and not adjust all existing customers to the new pricing — up or down.
Footnote: I looked at RCN’s pricing for Internet service in the other markets it serves — Boston, Chicago (anyone else notice something screwy with Chicago’s prices?), Philadelphia, New York. Wow. I guess I won’t complain too much.