SubscribeEvery Time Warner Cable division has different policies for installations, service calls, and disconnect requests. Some charge for technician visits, some do not. In southern California, Time Warner Cable is trying to reduce the expense of “truck rolls” — technicians visiting customer homes, to handle Road Runner installations.
The company announced Wednesday it would provide free Easy Connect self-install kits for broadband service. Mailed at no cost to customer homes within 24-48 hours, the kit contains a cable modem, connectors, and instructions on how to set up and configure Road Runner service.
Time Warner Cable technicians will continue to install Road Runner for a $19.95 installation fee. Company officials believe many customers will be able to hook up service themselves, which will ultimately save the company time and money assigning a technician to do the installation.
Well, I was able to hook up DSL with no issue when I first ordered it from Verizon (Frontier sent a tech out with a modem to hook up the Frontier line) and it was pretty easy (of course as I’m technically savvy). Insert filters on the line, plug in the modem, power it on, run the CD/use your web browser, create an account and then configure the modem, all done in under 20 minutes. I’m sure Roadrunner is just as easy to hook up, possibly easier, given people don’t trash their signal with too many splitters or putting it… Read more »
The first time I got Time Warner RoadRunner in 2000 (I think) they had to come in and “install” it. When the tech saw I wasn’t running Windows he asked if I would be good on my own from there. I said yes, think that he didn’t need to show up at all really except to run a line from to pole to my house. Self-install kits make a lot of sense, but gouging someone who wants your service but may not be tech savvy just to recoup a couple bucks is pretty low. Are they trying to tell me… Read more »
Hi Brion: I don’t think $19.95 is that bad. I think you and I know a lot of people that can’t get it right no matter how simple. That being said if they want a full paying customer it should not be an extra expense. Like you and me and most here we have seen it all something as simple as shutting down a computer can be a mass mess for them. Their idea just turn the switch on the power strip off. Not a good idea. Any good installer has to connect to the computer and maybe insert any… Read more »
I just consider it part of the service that shouldn’t be an extra fee. If they want to give me a $20 credit for not having to come out that’s fine by me. Consider people who buy DirecTV or DishNetwork – they come out to your house, install the dish, run the coax, hook up your box(es) and check the signal to make sure everything is working fine so when they leave you can start using it immediately. How many people would sign up for satellite if they charged an extra fee for the installation service? Satellite companies used to… Read more »
I did agree with you. Anybody that wants $40+ a month for the rest of my life better not be looking for an install fee. If they are loosing on the TV end of things That is their problem and I do not want to support cable TV where 99 percent of the channels are junk filler. I never saw it but im sure watching a bunch of cows taking a dump every 10 minutes would sure turn me on….not
Y’all are lucky. I’m in Comcast territory and an internet installation is $100. Then again, I didn’t have TV, which I’m assuming the RR starter kit works with.
Ian it would have to be based on the fact that the wires for tv were
already there and where the computer is located. BUY what happens if you tv is on the first story and your
computer is on the second story. Time to run out and buy some compatible
coax some splitters and a cordless drill ladder and caulking. Can you picture that?
Drilling back outside you house, running the wire along the gutter or
somewhere then drilling a new hole back inside the house.