Forum Discussion

SueJohnson's avatar
SueJohnson
New Contributor II
9 days ago

What is the catch on the offer to save on my internet

I received a letter from Cox saying I could save on my current speed $80 for 2 years or upgraded speed for $60 for 2 years. I currently pay $90. What is the catch?

  • If I understand Her correctly ! She got the Same letter I got from Cox Saying: If I wanted a two year deal for about a penny more I could have it. If I wanted to go up  to the next level speed I could lock it in for X dollars more and lock it in for two years all Deals with Unlimited Data. I am say that if She had a previous deal from cox that this one from cox would override it. I THINK !

  • WiderMouthOpen's avatar
    WiderMouthOpen
    Esteemed Contributor

    No. It means if you cancel before the 2 year contract is up, you get charged all/some of the ETF. I think they have a rolling ETF that gets less depending on how much time in the contract is left. See here for more info. The price will go up after the contract though. What it goes to depends on the general pricing at the time.

  • WiderMouthOpen's avatar
    WiderMouthOpen
    Esteemed Contributor

    The catch is usually the early termination fee(ETF). Putting you in a contract means they get money from you for 2 years. Not sure why faster speed would be cheaper though. Would need to see the details of the deal exactly.

    • SueJohnson's avatar
      SueJohnson
      New Contributor II

      Your mention the early termination fee. Does that mean  at the end of 2 years when I go back to $90/month I would have to pay an early termination fee?

  • Glenee's avatar
    Glenee
    Contributor II

    No. It just means if you were under contract on a previous deal you could have to pay a ETF. I don't see them doing that, it would be the ultimate Bad Business Move. That would not be very good from any outside Business Rating company.

    • WiderMouthOpen's avatar
      WiderMouthOpen
      Esteemed Contributor

      You don't see them doing what? Charging a ETF? That happens every day. ETFs make contracts possible because it decreases the risk the ISP has to take. If the contract saves you 10$ a month for 24 months, if you cancel your contract, they want that money back that they didn't charge you.

  • Glenee's avatar
    Glenee
    Contributor II

    You are so right WMO, no disagreement here . I was just making reference to it being inside the same company, and their the ones that made the offer.  I could be wrong, but that would just look like a set-up. By the way I am a WMO Fan .

    • WiderMouthOpen's avatar
      WiderMouthOpen
      Esteemed Contributor

      And I am a Glenee fan. 😊

      Not trying to argue, but I still don't know what you mean. What are you against Cox doing exactly? I am not a Cox fan boy. I think they do some things wrong. Like how they are acting with the "click to cancel" thing. But they and other ISP have been doing contracts with ETF for a while now. It's pretty much the industry norm. For people who move in and sign a lease with their landlord to stay there for a while anyway, it makes sense to sign a contract and save some money. Otherwise you can get a price lock instead, which doesn't have the obligations of a contract or a ETF. Just doesn't save you as much money.

  • Glenee's avatar
    Glenee
    Contributor II

    If I understand Her correctly ! She got the Same letter I got from Cox Saying: If I wanted a two year deal for about a penny more I could have it. If I wanted to go up  to the next level speed I could lock it in for X dollars more and lock it in for two years all Deals with Unlimited Data. I am say that if She had a previous deal from cox that this one from cox would override it. I THINK !

    • SueJohnson's avatar
      SueJohnson
      New Contributor II

      The letter was addressed to my name or current resident and I just realized looking at the letter more carefully when you mentioned data that it was for phone service which I don't have with Cox. I thought it was for my internet. So I can ignore it. 😀