I signed up for cable 3 years ago and I was paying $75 a month and had every premium channle available. About 6 months ago I checked my bill and noticed that I was paying $130 a month, but I was only getting HBO. Basically, I was paying $55 a month more for less service. As a result, I paid my bill and then cancelled my service. I also turned in my receivers and made an appointment for the cable company to come out and disconnect the service from my home.
Shortly after cancelling, my 8yr old son hooked the cable directly to the tv in his room and we found out we still have cable. It has been about 5 months now and we watch it for free.
My wife says that I am stealing cable and she wants me to call the company (again) and schedule another appointment for them to come out and disconnect the service. Is she right? Am I really stealing cable? Should I call the company? Please respond bc we have both decided to let public opinion settle our differences in opinion.
2007-03-07 08:35:34 · 11 answers · asked by michigangrad02 1 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Other - Electronics
I wouldn't call them.Their rates are outrageously high. You called them and told them, you turned in your recievers. Its not your fault. I would keep watching it. I watched free cable for over a year. They have no clue. I wouldn't tell everyone about it though. But you got to think about being a good person and being honest. Then you would have to call, but I bet you could call and still nothing would change. Me personally though Id keep watching it. Have you ever been stuck in the winter months watching only locals? Sucks, exspecially for kids! So, think for your son! Let him keep it hooked in his room!!!!!
2007-03-07 08:41:51 · answer #1 · answered by beaches 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had this happen when I was in college. My roommate and I canceled the cable but it never went off. We called and the cable company said to not worry about it because we were on their list to get disconnected and they would get to it some time soon. It took them 8 years (I stayed there after I graduated college)!
Later, I had a cable modem connected along with the lowest tier of cable TV (for about $2 more per month). However, when the cable installers checked out their final setup, they found that they hadn't turned off the rest of the channels. They let it go -- it took another 8 years for the cable company to figure that out and turn them off. Obviously, I had full cable for another 8 years (through no actions of my own) -- and never got charged at the full cable rate.
Don't worry about it -- you have given them proper notification and not modified any of their equipment to receive the signal (right?). If they choose not to disconnect it to your house, it is their choice to let you have free cable.
If you went out to their box and connected a cable, then you would be liable. Since you didn't, it should be fine. Don't be surprised if they decide to do the final disconnect the week before a big sporting event or the last week of a sweeps month, though!
2007-03-08 07:06:34 · answer #2 · answered by sd_ducksoup 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no, its not stealing. Many times when you move the basic cable will still be hooked up, from my experience from moving alot. The cable guy probably just didn't feel like disconnecting it. You can't get in any legal trouble for watching it. Don't worry about the cable company b/c it doesn't actually cost them anything to let you have free service.
2007-03-07 16:40:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
screw them. They had been price gouging your family with no concern about how badly they had swindled you for their services. You did what you needed to do from your end to have the cable disconnected. It is simply that they have such poor customer service that they have not honored yet another commitment of their service which includes the discontinuation of it. So i say enjoy it until they do. If you are not watching it through a cable box then they have no way of knowing you still have it unless they audit their system. If they do you have complete deniability of service as you couldn't possibly watch it without their proprietary hardware. I have no sense of guilt when it comes to getting something back from the corporations that financially gouge the American family day in and out without regulation.
2007-03-07 16:48:47 · answer #4 · answered by caryh30 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Unless they credited you for the months that you payed more than you expected, which does not seem to be the case, then you are stealing cable.
2007-03-07 16:45:26 · answer #5 · answered by Bryan H 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Technically, yes, even if you told them to disconnect, but they didn't. Your excuse wouldn't hold up in court if the cable company chose to prosecute you... but I wouldn't expect them to take it that far.
2007-03-07 19:30:54 · answer #6 · answered by Rando 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes you are stealing cable, and heres your first clue- YOUR NOT PAYING ANYONE FOR IT!!....and if you call the company to come out and disconnect it, well ill loose faith in mankind and kill myself~~
p.s. - im a proud cable thief now for the past 6 yrs, ive even passed intensive counter-cable investigations by the cable company and their croonies trying to catch me..
2007-03-07 16:39:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Well it sounds to me that "what goes around comes around" thing is happening to you.
they ripped you off for 6 mths and now it is your turn.
i would keep doing it until they catch you.
when it comes down to it if you made the appointment to cancel and someone there did not do there job well lucky you
2007-03-07 16:44:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you called them to cancel and they have not then that is there fault. I would keep watching it until they disconnect it.
2007-03-07 16:39:40 · answer #9 · answered by Jenny K 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
not your fault they didn't shut it off. cable companies rip people off every day. enjoy the free cable. you won't get in trouble b/c you aren't intentionally hooking up the cable to steal it-it's their fault.
2007-03-07 16:45:07 · answer #10 · answered by HelenKeller 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋