🚀 go-pugleaf

I have had a cable modem with AT&T for a couple of years here in the SF
Bay Area, paying over $40/month for most of that period.  Recently they
lowered my monthly cost  a little and I have my own modem.  But then
they started advertising $20/month to new subscribers.  I gritted my
teeth, but knew it was just a temporary promotion.

Today they called and said that the price would be going up by almost
$15/month in the near future, but they would keep it the same if I
signed up for their basic cable TV at $5/month.  Of course I am
suspicious and start asking a some probing questions.

I ask how do I know they won't threaten to raise my cable modem rate
again real soon?  The guy says the price is guaranteed to stay the
same.  Oh yeah? for how long?  He says isn't sure about that.  I tell
him to call me back when he's sure.  "...but, uh... this is a limited
time offer and uh... it may be..."  I ask him what the limit actually is
on this offer.  He isn't sure about that.  I tell him to call me back
when he can give me some real answers.

In the meantime, I tell him that there is an other cable company in town
with lower rates and I will switch my cable modem and cable TV to
service to them if they really try to raise my rates.

This strategy of sucking people in with low promotional prices then
threatening them with higher prices if they don't add on additional
services -- is this even legal?  Slimey to say the least. I'm really
glad there's a local alternative in this area because I plan on
switching just to get away from the big corporate monster!