Wildblue Satellite

Do companies care if they have your business or not?  I no longer think so. 

I switched from Hughesnet to Wildblue Satellite in 2010 for two reasons.  One a new satellite was to be launched making Wildblue better and two, everyone I talk to (so far) is in the US.  When I have problems,  I no longer have to talk to Majabar in God only knows what country whom I can barely understand.

Today I got a call from Viacom which is part of Wildblue to tell me they are making appointments to change out the satellite dish and modem.  The cost to me....$249.00 installation fee.  Another $20.00 added to an already $70.00 a month fee.  I balked at the new fee and the representative told me they would waive $10.00 a month for 12 months.  I told the representative I would let them know.  

I came and looked on the internet.  I find Excede.  They are part of Viacom but they advertise a $149.00 installation fee.  I can buy a lifetime lease for $219.99 instead of paying $10.00 a month so I called and guess what...they are all a part of Wildblue.  So...I called Wildblue back and asked about Excede.  They told me that price was for new customers only.  I told them it seems to me that they would want to keep their current customers happy instead of trying to rip them off for $100.00 for installation and $20.00 extra a month because they failed to tell me that I could buy a life time lease on the equipment.  When my contract is up in September, I will have paid $240.00 for leasing.

When you live in the country you are punished.  Our electricity cost more, I have to pay almost $90.00 a month for 200 channels to be able to have about 10 channels we actually watch on TV.  Now the internet if I want any kind of speed will be $90.00 a month.  Almost $200.00 a month to stay connected to the world...Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it.