Shaw Cable rant thread

[fovea]

Before I call Shaw, I'm hoping someone here can help me. It's actually not for me, it's for my elderly parents.

My parents have basic analog cable. No frills, no specialty channels, just the very bottom basic service. They also have highspeed internet. ( If it makes any difference, they do have 3 outlets). They live in Calgary.

Their monthly bill is $100.75 including tax. Can this be right? It sounds insane.

Is there anything they can do to lower their bill?

Recently, a Shaw mail-out advertised an introductory offer bundle. $9.95 month for digital cable, $9.95 month for high speed internet, and $9.95 month for Shaw digital phone. This is for 6 months. They wouldn't be interested in the digital phone, but is it possible for my parents to be eligible for an 'introductory offer'? Or is it only for new customers? Could they be considered new customers if they switched to digital instead of analog?

Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

[Shaw Guru]

It would only be new customers or customers who have 6 months of good history and who do not currently subscribe to one service (ie: phone in your parents case).
The $100.75 price sounds like they are paying for Classic cable (channels 2-54) and high speed internet. The price for Classic cable is $60.95 then add $35 for the bundled rate of High speed internet. If they only have Basic cable ($35.95/month it would include only about 30 total channels) and when bundled with internet it would be around $70/month plus taxes.

[fovea]

Thanks. Yes, I believe they must have Classic cable then, since I'm pretty sure their channels go from 2 to 54. (I didn't know there was an even more 'basic' cable than this).

So, since my parents have 6 months of good history and don't subscribe to digital cable (or digital phone), would they be able to take advantage of the Shaw introductory offer?

[Shaw Guru]

They would not be able to take advantage of the Cable or internet introductory offer since they already have those services but they could most likely get a rental digital terminal for 6 months. There would be a $2.95/month rental fee and they could waive that fee (appropriate discount to counter-act it).

[beanagee1]

Leaving Shaw in about 10 days. I have two HD PVRs, Internet and digital phone with them. I will keep the phone service and pay $65 per month compared to $55 in the past. Shaw's phone is way better than Telus.

Main reason for leaving was PVR anywhere from Telus. We have two PVR but we only really record from one box. All of the other features, greater download speeds, higher upload speeds, faster switching, and lower hardware costs were a small factor, but a factor nevertheless.

Stacking commands on my box was a real pain. I have switched boxes about 5 times (for various reasons including stacking commands) and I have had hard re-set done about a dozen times. I can provide technical support for almost every problem. Turn it off and turn it on again and hope for the best. Shaw answered the phone but they failed to solve customer problems or give me straight answers.

About six months ago, I asked Shaw if they would offer me a free PVR given that I am giving them over $180 per month and I have been with them for nearly 20 years. I do not like empty threats of leaving. I was just straightforward with them. Nothing.

When I phoned to cancel, I was put on hold to conference in a retention department. They hung up on me. I had call again, scheduled another call back, just to cancel. They did arrange for a cancel without a problem, eventually. I kept the phone for small leverage if they gave me real problems.

[wiseman]

Keep in mind that Telus will make you sign up for a long term contract.

[beanagee1]

Originally Posted by wiseman

Keep in mind that Telus will make you sign up for a long term contract.

Wiseman:

Very wise of you to point that out. Yes, there is contract but how is that different from paying a "grand" upfront for equipment? You are locked in either way. Two PVRs with Shaw will set up back about $700. My upfront cost of a switch is about $190 all in and I can sell my old PVRs for about $500, for both.

[Shaw Guru]

Quick question for you. Did Telus mention how many TVs can be connected with their TV Anywhere? I was under the assumtion you can only have 2 TVs connected and only 1 HD and 1 SD due to bandwidth limitations. Is this still the case?

[s40]

You have the option of buying the Telus PVR as well, then no contract either (they tried to get me to switch from Shaw when I offered that I didn't want to have a contract).

[wlee15]

Originally Posted by Shaw Guru

Quick question for you. Did Telus mention how many TVs can be connected with their TV Anywhere? I was under the assumtion you can only have 2 TVs connected and only 1 HD and 1 SD due to bandwidth limitations. Is this still the case?

The new Mediaroom system allows for 2HD and 1 SD stream incoming, and the PVR can record all three stream at the same time. Also up to five STBs can access the content on the PVR.

[Crash7]

I just tried out Shaw's Online Chat for the first time and it was a great experience. I'm not big on talking on the phone so the chat is right up my alley. I was able to ask questions and schedule an appointment. Thumbs up to the online chat.

[babybunnies]

First level CSRs at most organizations are minimum wage people who are trained to read answers off a monitor after searching for your question.

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What a stupid quote. I'll bet that CSRs at Shaw make more money than a lot of folks on here.

[hugh]

babybunnies, please see Shaw Guru's signature. As per the rules of the forum, if you are going to post in the Shaw Cable forum or any competitors forum then you must identify the fact that you are a Shaw employee.

[vjose78]

babybunnies didn't say they were an employee of Shaw's or anyone else from what I read.

[queerasmoi]

I'm a Shaw Internet-only customer. I took over the account from my ex-roommate.

Last November while it was still his account they offered us a "Digital TV" promo with a free decoder box. It was a crappy standard-definition box on our beautiful HDTV. The quality of everything was terrible. I routinely disconnected it to go back to my beautiful free over-the-air HD signal. When he left in January Shaw took back the box.

This week Shaw called me and again offered me a "Digital TV" promo. I reamed them out. You can't even buy standard-definition TVs in stores anymore. More and more customers are bringing home widescreen TVs capable of such great pictures. Why is Shaw still calling people and hawking outdated technology that gives an inferior picture?

Of course, as I always do, I asked if she had a promo for me that involves HDTV. Silence, nope, nothing available. Great, have a nice day, please don't call me again.