Skip to main content

Kill Your TV

I did it. I called my cable company and canceled my subscription. I sat looking at my bill for a couple of minutes before I made the call wondering whether I should or not. In a way it's like cutting myself off from the world - except the world I was experiencing was reality TV and sitcoms. I think I'll spend a little more time in my own reality. I'll have to find new ways to get my news - NPR, the newspaper - but I'm sure I'll be ok. Anyway, it's better not to hear all the negative anyway.

I almost balked again when I finally got to a human customer service rep. My conversation with "Wendy" went as follows.

Me: I'd like to turn off my cable.

Wendy: (Surprised) Are you sure? What about the News? You want the local News don't you?

Me: No, that's OK.

Wendy: But why? Are you switching providers?

Me: No. I just don't need it anymore.

Wendy: It's only $17 a month. (Wendy sounded like she was panicking at this point) Would it help if I threw in a month for free?

Me: No, thank you.

Wendy: (Now resigned to the inevitable) When would you like it shut off?

At the beginning of the conversation I had heart palpitations like I was going into withdrawal or something. No! Don't take away my News! Why are you doing this to yourself?! It is only $17 a month... But then as Wendy kept talking it felt more like I was leaving a cult. I broke away! I have killed my TV! Now I can give away the crappy TV/VCR combo I have been lugging around since college.

Moral of the story: Don't let Wendy convince you you need cable. But if you'd like a free month of it, call and threaten to cancel your subscription.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Here's a secret dredged up from the 50s.... TVs still do work with anetnnas, and the broadcasts are 100% FREE! Go to antennaweb.org and see what you'd be able to pick up that way...
10:56 AM
Sassy Pants said…
Thanks for the suggestion. I checked into it (if you go there you only have to type in your zipcode. Don't be conned into including your address). I can get 2 stations with one type of antenna and 3 stations with another. I have a feeling I'd have reception issues because I live right next to a power thingy. And the antenna have to be roftop. I'm in an apartment and even though I can walk out onto a rooftop, I don't think my landlord would be happy.
12:59 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mycology*

A Phone Conversation: Me: "In the spirit of full disclosure, I should let you know I am signed up to auction myself off at a batchelor/batchelorette auction next month." Friendster Guy: "How much does a single girl go for these days? Will I have to bring my checkbook?" Right thing to say Friendster Guy. Right thing to say. Also, today is Compliment Day. According to this site , this day was created in 1998 by Kathy Chamberlin, of Hopkinton, NH. and Debby Hoffman, of Concord, NH. Sad that it took until 1998 to have a Compliment Day while National Pie Day began in 1986 (thanks American Pie Council and Crisco), and National Handwriting Day started way back in 1977. Spread the love today. Compliment 5 people. By the way, you're fabulous. * Mycology = the study of fungus
125 comments
Read more

Gone by the wayside

I have no idea if anyone is reading this anymore. If you have been loyally checking back now and again I applaud you. At one point this blog was a therapeutic outlet for me. I'm glad to have a chronicle of my experiences during this time of my life. Now, however, instead of a creative outlet it's more of a nagging reminder that I should be posting and this girl does not need one more thing on her "To Do" list. I'd love for you to explore the archives if you so chose. If you have already done so, here's a brief update: Friendster Guy and I are still together and co-habitating. We are in domestic, but still unwedded, bliss (that status could be a post or two in and of itself, but, as I've just said, I'm done with that.) We're so domesticated we're in the market for granite countertops. We also just returned from an Aussie/New Zealand vacation and if 8 days in a tiny RV won't solidify (or destroy) a relationship nothing will. We're stronge...
24 comments
Read more

TMI re: Nuvaring

Let's just state right up front that this post is going to contain too much information. It's about birth control, the prescription kind. Any modern straight gal must think about it unless they like playing russian roulette with their ovaries. (Thanks N for correcting my previously heterocentric sentence.) There is nothing fun about birth control except that you can kind of have sex without freaking out that you may get pregnant. Of course you may get pregnant anyway (joy! rapture!) simply because the gods are not smiling upon you and you are the one in 100 for whom the statistics suck. Pros of birth control: You are less likely to get pregnant. Sometimes your skin clears up. Less severe cramping. You have control of your own destiny, sort of. Cons of birth control: If you are on the pill you have to remember to take it every day. Sometimes, as in my case, it can make you think you are bipolar, even at a low dose. It's just a general pain in the rear end that makes you par...
26 comments
Read more