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OT - Verizon Fios Strike - Monmouth County

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gmay8

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Nov 29, 2005
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I posted a few weeks (months?) back about moving down to Monmouth County. We found a house, offered, accepted, closed, and everything has been moving along great. We moved all of our stuff in yesterday, and were excited to have Fios installed in the house this morning, between 8-12. We had Fios on the calendar for at least 3 weeks.... until they emailed last night, and had to cancel the installation because of this strike. Apparently, there are just no technicians available to install the service. The next potential installation date they gave us is May 17th... or 3 weeks from now!

I had my heart set on Fios. Everything I've read is that Verizon is the best way to go in Monmouth County, and better than Comcast. I'm coming here to ask if everyone agrees with this, or if I should just go with Comcast and expedite the process. Does anyone have any other tips to get service installed sooner, or know if this stupid strike will end anytime soon? It's going to suck moving into a new house, with a brand new tv, and no cable or internet for more than 3 weeks. Does anyone have Comcast, and think it's good enough to use instead of Verizon?
 
Why doesn't Verizon just hire sub co tractors to do their installs? Doesn't seem like a very smart move to be turning down business. Unless of course, the goal is to make workers look bad and sway public opinion.
 
IMO, don't do Comcast. We live in the town next to you, and FIOS is awesome. If you go to Home Depot, and get a 3 mile long Coax, I'll loan you a box and you can run the wire down River Road to your house.
Personally, I would suck it up and wait. But I really hate Comcast.
Don't you have a lot of unpacking and other move-in lists to complete?
 
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I moved yesterday too. Manasquan to Brick for 4 months till my house is lifted and remodeled.

I went from Cablevision to Fios. Fortunately I had cable/internet set up before the strike. I was supposed to move a month ago but delays meant I could stay in my home a little while longer.
 
FWIW, I moved to an area that doesn't have FIOS (southern Hunterdon County) and went with Comcast, albeit kicking and screaming along the way. Thankfully, it's been a year and a half and haven't had a single issue yet.
 
Had Comcast in the past at another location. Would not recommend unless it has improved tremendously over the past several years.
 
Get Comcast and when the promotional period ends and your rate goes up, switch to Fios and get their promotional rates. This way you can double the time you are on the discounted rates. ESPN is ESPN on either service.
 
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If you were to go with DirectTV, they don't do the internet right? Who would I use for the internet provider?

I have plenty of unpacking to do, and would easily fill the days getting the house pulled together without TV... but I don't think it's 3 hours worth of unpacking, and with my wife and one year at home, having the TV/internet would be a helpful distraction I'm sure.
 
IL Lusciato said:
why not optimum? Its pretty big in the Freehold area. not sure what part of Monmouth you live in
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I do sales for Comcast. If you are interested, please message me. We can do the set up very quickly with new customer pricing. You can go into a plan without a contract and switch when you feel like. Plus you get 30 days to cancel if you want.
 
If your set on Verizon, you may want to just get a hotspot device in the meantime. Verizon has them too so you can probably roll over your service once you get the full install.
 
I was due installation on April 13 and then the 25th. They don't even call to say they can't make it.
 
If they offer a no contract package and quick install, what do you have to lose? The strike is not over, so that date may not stick either. You might end up buying a modem you won't need later

FIOS installer complained that they were supposed to send a guy out to dig a trench. He could use a spade to put the cable a couple inches underground, or I could wait for a new date.
 
Comcast is horrid. I had them in Jersey City. I lost internet service for several days. They couldn't decide whether they needed to be inside or outside to fix the problem, and then refused to credit my account for no service and tried to say it was an "inside" problem after I had a guy outside my building repairing wires. My rates also about tripled over a three year period.

I think I had to call Fios support once- they wouldn't take my credit card at first, when I moved a couple of blocks within JC.

I would not leave Fios unless I was forced.
 
I think DirecTV is great. I even kept them after I moved because it was very simple to stop service for a bit and get it installed at the new house. When I moved, they weren't tied into AT+T so I got FIOS for internet. Now, they're trying to get you to bundle your phone/internet through AT+T if you sign up. Not sure about the pricing though.
 
I switched to FIOS from Comcast since they were available in my area, so about 8-9 some odd years now. I've been satisfied with the service during that time. The first time I've had an issue with them was this past winter regarding an equipment/billing thing but other than that it's been okay during my "tenure" with them.

I don't know how long the strike will go. They do have replacement workers but I'm sure not enough and they're probably behind schedule. I suppose it depends on how badly you want the service. Also how likely is it that it could even be pushed further out than 3 weeks. Maybe don't go under contract with Comcast just get internet from them for about a month and if you have AppleTV, Netflix or some other streaming service just stick with that for now.
 
Proud NJ Sports Fan said:
FIOS or Optimum, pros and cons
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Can't speak to FIOS. I have Optimum's fastest service and generally get around 110 to 119 Mb/s down and about 40 Mb/s up. I've had it for a few years or so and only recall it being down maybe twice or three times and never for more than maybe 15 minutes. Every once in a while, the service slows up (like maybe 3-4 times per year) but it never lasts very long (like a handful of hours max, usually much less than that).

Haven't required service for internet, but have for cable TV and it's been great every time and cost me nothing every time.
 
Live in Monmouth county and have directv. I like it, however they keep upping the cost after the "rebates" expire. You need to call them every few months, threaten to drop to lower packages and hopefully get $$ off. Other than that, I like it. I get my internet through Verizon.

If you end up doing directv, do not sign a long term contract. If you want to get some extra $$ off, let me know and both you and I get a referral bonus.
 
I live in Monmouth County & had Comcast for many years & hated it, switched to FIOS about 6 years ago & will never go back to comcast
 
rutgersguy1 said:
I switched to FIOS from Comcast since they were available in my area, so about 8-9 some odd years now. I've been satisfied with the service during that time. The first time I've had an issue with them was this past winter regarding an equipment/billing thing but other than that it's been okay during my "tenure" with them.

I don't know how long the strike will go. They do have replacement workers but I'm sure not enough and they're probably behind schedule. I suppose it depends on how badly you want the service. Also how likely is it that it could even be pushed further out than 3 weeks. Maybe don't go under contract with Comcast just get internet from them for about a month and if you have AppleTV, Netflix or some other streaming service just stick with that for now.
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The equipment/billing thing this winter wouldn't happen to be that they sent you a Canary Home Security device that you didn't order and billed you $200 for it was it? Cuz that's what happened to me from Fios this winter and its the only issue I had in 2 years. They sent me an RMA, i sent the Canary back, they credited me the $200 so not a huge issue but an annoyance. Also my 2-year contract ends in 2 months and they just extended all my discounts for another year keeping my rate exactly the same for a full year after I'm out of contract. Overall, I love FIOS, so much better than when I had Cablevision, but I have no experience with Comcast so I can't speak as to them.
 
As I said I had cablevision in Manasquan and found them to be ok. I did have an issue where my phone and internet would drop for hours at a time. It took them 3 visits to resolve the issue. They replaced the line from the pole, modem, and splitters to no avail. It turned out to be a short in the phone line. As I understand they could have charges me as it was an old Verison line but they didn't because they took 3 visits over 2 weeks to find the problem.

I now have Fios at my temporary residence. I called them about billing. When I told the rep I had been delayed moving in they took 1/3 off my first bill because I hadn't used the service. After 1day they're ok in my book so far.
 
Direct tv and use your phone for internet until it's settled. I've had direct tv for about 7 years and love it.
 
rufanpops said:
The equipment/billing thing this winter wouldn't happen to be that they sent you a Canary Home Security device that you didn't order and billed you $200 for it was it? Cuz that's what happened to me from Fios this winter and its the only issue I had in 2 years. They sent me an RMA, i sent the Canary back, they credited me the $200 so not a huge issue but an annoyance. Also my 2-year contract ends in 2 months and they just extended all my discounts for another year keeping my rate exactly the same for a full year after I'm out of contract. Overall, I love FIOS, so much better than when I had Cablevision, but I have no experience with Comcast so I can't speak as to them.
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No it was when I was adding a STB and they unexpectedly messed with a pricing plan that I had been on. They also started charging me for equipment that I had been given at inception and was never suppose to be charged. The equipment never even showed up on a bill in 8 years, forget about being charged for it. None of which was mentioned to me when I added the box. I just added a simple STB and was expecting the increased fee for it, not them messing around with the plan I had been on since inception. It took a couple phone calls and a bit of time on the phone but it did get straightened out to a degree eventually. I was upset about having to deal with that for such a simple thing but like I said it was the first issue for me in 8 years or so as a customer. So hopefully, nothing like that happens again and on balance I'm still fine with FIOS service.
 
Was forced into Optimum when I moved to Hoboken a couple years ago. Had Fios in NYC, before that had RCN and TWC. I was extremely annoyed I couldn't have Fios anymore but Optimum has actually been much better than I expected. Is Fios still using the hard drive for its DVR? I hated that I would only get about 20 hours of HD on that so I was always managing the capacity. Optimum allows probably 100 hours, maybe more as I've never had an issue.
 
Local Shill said:
That might be the first time I've ever hear someone say they love Cablevision. Are you related to Jim Dolan?
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i've never had a problem with them at all nor does anyone i know who also has cablevision aka optimum... hear sh!t all the time about comcast though
 
Standard Operating Procedure during a strike used to be: temporary workers were put on repair crews, and new installs were lower priority than repairs & customer service. Customer retention trumped customer acquisition during a strike.
 
mildone said:
Can't speak to FIOS. I have Optimum's fastest service and generally get around 110 to 119 Mb/s down and about 40 Mb/s up. I've had it for a few years or so and only recall it being down maybe twice or three times and never for more than maybe 15 minutes. Every once in a while, the service slows up (like maybe 3-4 times per year) but it never lasts very long (like a handful of hours max, usually much less than that).

Haven't required service for internet, but have for cable TV and it's been great every time and cost me nothing every time.
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It handles the large quantity of porn streaming you require?
 
Local Shill said:
That might be the first time I've ever hear someone say they love Cablevision. Are you related to Jim Dolan?
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Optimum (aka Cablevision) has been pretty great for me over the years. I realize others have had less worse experiences with them.
 
RBS05 said:
Was forced into Optimum when I moved to Hoboken a couple years ago. Had Fios in NYC, before that had RCN and TWC. I was extremely annoyed I couldn't have Fios anymore but Optimum has actually been much better than I expected. Is Fios still using the hard drive for its DVR? I hated that I would only get about 20 hours of HD on that so I was always managing the capacity. Optimum allows probably 100 hours, maybe more as I've never had an issue.
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I think FIOS has a quantum service you have to pay for that stores your programs remotely but I have the multi room dvr that stores it locally on a hard drive. I had an older version of the multi room that probably had somewhere around the 20 hours you mentioned but recently switched it out to a newer version multi room dvr and that probably stores around 100 hours of HD programming. It still only allows recording of 2 programs simultaneously (think quantum allows 6, maybe more even) but the hard drive capacity is much larger.
 
Have Comcast , town doesn't have fios. I haven't had any problems with them , except not getting the Yankees . I listen on the radio , which I kind of like actually.
 
RBS05 said:
Was forced into Optimum when I moved to Hoboken a couple years ago. Had Fios in NYC, before that had RCN and TWC. I was extremely annoyed I couldn't have Fios anymore but Optimum has actually been much better than I expected. Is Fios still using the hard drive for its DVR? I hated that I would only get about 20 hours of HD on that so I was always managing the capacity. Optimum allows probably 100 hours, maybe more as I've never had an issue.
Click to expand...

I think I owe Optimum a call. I have their dvr in hoboken and only get approx 20 something hours.
 
I've heard from coworkers that deal with verizon that they have been forcing workers to learn the technician side of the business so they can go out and work on calls even if their jobs had nothing to do with that beforehand. This includes sending them off to random cities to work for extended periods of time.
 
I'm in Belmar (Monmouth County) and I've had FIOS for years and been with Verizon since the early days of DSL. Works great for me (although it has been a bit poor during the strike, coincidence maybe?)

I don't have the fastest internet package, but I just tested and had:
123 up
101 down

I think they have packages that do as much as double that speed.

TV has been fine for me. I get stations that my parents in Red Bank do not get standard with cable. I'd wait if I was you. Directv is good, but the internet is the question. FIOS internet is among the best imo.
 
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