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I called up TWC to complain as I figure that after 2 years of service they've more than covered the cheap RCA modem they gave me. I was told that some customers

by gav 14y ago

I called up TWC to complain as I figure that after 2 years of service they've more than covered the cheap RCA modem they gave me. I was told that some customers were paying $2.50 and some were paying $0 so they were going to charge $3.95 to make it fair. They also pointed out that sometimes the modems break so they are on the hook to give you a new one, which is why the fee is reasonable. The list of approved modems is here: http://www.timewarnercable.com/en/residential-home/support/topics/internet/buy-your-modem.html http://www.timewarnercable.com/en/residential-home/support/t... Checking today the list is a lot more reasonable, when they first released the news they would only support the SBG6580 (~$135) and SB6141, which nobody seems to carry. The SB6121 is around $80. I'm still confused why they'll lease me a cheap DOCSIS 2 modem but expect me to buy an expensive DOCSIS 3.

pyre 14y ago
> I'm still confused why they'll lease me a cheap > DOCSIS 2 modem but expect me to buy an expensive > DOCSIS 3. It's pretty simple. If the alternatives are all $80+, people will be less likely to buy them, and will just bend over to take the new monthly fees. It's sort of an 'illusion of options.' They'll give you options, but make it as inconvenient as possible in order to discourage too many people from exercising them.
DannyBee 14y ago
This would be a great argument on their part, except for the fact that RCA/et al are probably on the hook for replacing the modems (it's not like time warner is buying them at retail), so time warner loses no real money. If it's service/support cost, they could simply charge a nominal broken modem fee of $5 or whatever and call it a day. There is probably no scenario in which charging an extra 3.95 a month is anything but "profit" for time warner.
wmf 14y ago
I'm still confused why they'll lease me a cheap DOCSIS 2 modem but expect me to buy an expensive DOCSIS 3. From everything I've read this is not the case. If you are on a slower plan you can use a DOCSIS 2 modem. It is interesting that they won't let you buy the same model that they rent to you, though.

by gav 14y ago

pyre 14y ago

> I'm still confused why they'll lease me a cheap > DOCSIS 2 modem but expect me to buy an expensive > DOCSIS 3. It's pretty simple. If the alternatives are all $80+, people will be less likely to buy them, and will just bend over to take the new monthly fees. It's sort of an 'illusion of options.' They'll give you options, but make it as inconvenient as possible in order to discourage too many people from exercising them.

DannyBee 14y ago

This would be a great argument on their part, except for the fact that RCA/et al are probably on the hook for replacing the modems (it's not like time warner is buying them at retail), so time warner loses no real money. If it's service/support cost, they could simply charge a nominal broken modem fee of $5 or whatever and call it a day. There is probably no scenario in which charging an extra 3.95 a month is anything but "profit" for time warner.

wmf 14y ago

I'm still confused why they'll lease me a cheap DOCSIS 2 modem but expect me to buy an expensive DOCSIS 3. From everything I've read this is not the case. If you are on a slower plan you can use a DOCSIS 2 modem. It is interesting that they won't let you buy the same model that they rent to you, though.