Swapping out a Comcast router

[biosurfer1]

Originally Posted by 72doug2,2S

I got a Motorola combo modem/router for $130 at best buy. It works well with my Comcast cable. The only thing I don't like about it is the internal antenna. It has a limited range and I can't plug in an external antenna.

If you have any old wifi routers hanging around, look into using them as dummy access points. Basically you can turn them into "repeaters" to extend the WiFi signals. I do this with one so I get decent signal in my garage.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Got the modem set up easily enough, extremely happy.

Called Comcast, got a really nice supervisor, he credited me 13 months of service fee, $168.35.

Can't ask for more than that.

[gacook]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

The last time I called them Guy, years ago, they said I couldn't use my own router. So I figure I've paid in well over $500 for a $70 router.

Ouch. That's a bitter pill to swallow. Stuff like that immediately makes me want to switch companies (even though, to be honest, it's "your fault" for not knowing).

**Edit** Hadn't read your latest post. That's pretty decent customer service there. Glad it worked out.

[gacook]

Originally Posted by pcardude

Yes you can. Cable modems are about 100 bucks at bestbuy then u need a rooter for another 100ish

You don't need 2. These days (for many years now), you can buy a modem/router combo for under $100. Many different brands and capability levels. Take your pick.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by gacook

Ouch. That's a bitter pill to swallow. Stuff like that immediately makes me want to switch companies (even though, to be honest, it's "your fault" for not knowing).

**Edit** Hadn't read your latest post. That's pretty decent customer service there. Glad it worked out.

This became a stroll down memory lane.

We signed up in October of 2013, so it actually wasn't that long ago. But the real issue was the chirpy Comcast sales teen Caitlin either didn't know or lied when she set us up. I had asked if we could use our own boxes, she said no. That was over the phone. Larry, the supervisor I talked with, very good guy, said if she's still working at Comcast, he didn't think she'd admit to it if he pressed the issue. We got a chuckle out of that. He did some checking and came back with Comcast changed their policy in September of 2013 and that Caitlin may not have known about that change, so he couldn't say one way or the other if she lied or just didn't know. It was a decent enough olive branch, and I didn't have anything in email, so the 13 months was fine by me.

I remember talking with Caitlin on the phone back then, she could have passed for 10 years old.