O.K. here's my beef.  I have been a Time Warner customer for 20+ years. I am also living single and always looking to save money cause I have this dream of retiring someday.  So when I heard the guy come in and say this is not a promotional price but a low everyday offer I called to change my plan to the $14.99 for my internet, let the fun begin.

Now first I did some more digging on-line to be sure it was for real and found a November 2013 release by Time Warner which states:

Time Warner Cable said Thursday it is offering a new option to customers in the Capital Region and nationwide, Internet service with download speeds of up to two megabits per second and upload speeds up to one megabit per second, for $14.99 a month.

The new service replaces Time Warner’s “lite” Internet tier that had one megabit download and upload speeds and cost $34.99 a month, spokesman Scott Pryzwansky said Thursday afternoon.

“Our goal is simply to offer the widest range of Internet” products, he said, when asked whether there was concern about customers trading down to less expensive plans. He said many customers are on promotional plans that offer discounts from retail prices. The $14.99 offering is the retail price, not an introductory or promotional price, he added.

Switching to the new plan won’t require a visit by a technician, Pryzwansky said.

“We’re confident that customers looking for a quality online connection for casual use will find that our Everyday Low Price Internet provides by far the best experience at the best value,” said Terence Rafferty, regional vice president of operations, Time Warner Cable.

I can switch it says and since the commercial plays here in Bangor 100 times a day. Great I thought so I called the 800 number but I was told that the $14.99 was promotion for new customers only.  I said that isn't what the commercial or press release said but got nowhere. I was told if I wanted to add service they might be able to get me that price. I said no thanks I just want the internet for $14.99 and I was told no.

So thinking I must have heard the TV commercial wrong I went on YouTube and found it.  Sure enough it said exactly what I thought it said.  So I got into a live chat with Clyde from Time Warner and was told that the name of the product is everyday low priced internet but they don't mean that literally.  SERIOUSLY!?

And just when I started to write the attorney general my co-worker asked if there was a disclaimer on the screen? There is and here is what it says in a nut shell that the 14.99 expires and is available to new internet customers only.  All in  teensy print that goes by in about 10 second that unless you sit with you nose on your TV you'd never be able to read.

So I guess here is my question. If it is only for a limited time and only for new customers why are they allowed legally to write a script that says it is an everyday low price and not a promotion.  Seem wrong to me. And that's not all putting a micro text at the end of the commercial that tells you the commercial just lied seems even stranger.

I have still sent my concerns to Maine's Attorney General.

 

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