I need to convince my parents to get cable. any way to do that?

[wedweterger342]

I'm moving next week, and I want my parents to get cable internet instead of satellite internet again, which we currently have. My ISP is Dish, which we only got that because we had Dish satellite TV, and it was the only thing around. Now we're going to have cable internet options, which is far better than satellite. My dad doesn't even watch TV, but my mom wants to still be able to keep the channels she has, which she can. So keep the good Dish TV, but don't get their satellite internet service to save $10 a month. it would actually be cheaper on a separate TV and internet bill. So how do I convince them? Really my dad just wants to make my mom happy with her TV show. Just get Hulu save $100 a month.

Mod Edit for Language

 

[Wolfshadw]

1) Watch the language.
2) Come up with valid reasons for going with Cable over Satellite (same channels, lower cost, better Internet speeds).
3) Discuss it with them respectfully and like an adult.
4) If you're old enough, get a job and offer to help pay for your choice of ISP.

Wolfshadw
Moderator

 

[wedweterger342]

1) Watch the language.
2) Come up with valid reasons for going with Cable over Satellite (same channels, lower cost, better Internet speeds).
3) Discuss it with them respectfully and like an adult.
4) If you're old enough, get a job and offer to help pay for your choice of ISP.

Wolfshadw
Moderator

Like they'd actually listen to me about something like this though. They think I don' know what i'm talking about.; ping, mbps, latency, packet loss, i know all about this stuff. And here I am helping my dad open a gmail. They're always asking ME about all the tech related stuff, but this is one thing they think I don't know what I'm talking about, but I know about prices, added up fees, and which plan is best for our needs.

 

[drbones8472]

Best reason to get cable internet over Satalite internet is that a cable connection works when there are clouds in the sky. Or when it is raining. Or when it is snowing. Or when the sun is out.

 

[jankerson]

Best reason to get cable internet over Satalite internet is that a cable connection works when there are clouds in the sky. Or when it is raining. Or when it is snowing. Or when the sun is out.

Yeah, there is never a good reason to choose Satellite over Cable Internet if both are available.

Or Satellite over Cable TV.

 

[Wolfshadw]

1) Watch the language.
2) Come up with valid reasons for going with Cable over Satellite (same channels, lower cost, better Internet speeds).
3) Discuss it with them respectfully and like an adult.
4) If you're old enough, get a job and offer to help pay for your choice of ISP.

Wolfshadw
Moderator

Like they'd actually listen to me about something like this though. They think I don' know what i'm talking about.; ping, mbps, latency, packet loss, i know all about this stuff. And here I am helping my dad open a gmail. They're always asking ME about all the tech related stuff, but this is one thing they think I don't know what I'm talking about, but I know about prices, added up fees, and which plan is best for our needs.

If Dad pays the bill and he's all about pleasing Mom, then you need to show Mom that she can get the same shows she wants on cable just as easily as on satellite.

-Wolf sends

 

[wedweterger342]

1) Watch the language.
2) Come up with valid reasons for going with Cable over Satellite (same channels, lower cost, better Internet speeds).
3) Discuss it with them respectfully and like an adult.
4) If you're old enough, get a job and offer to help pay for your choice of ISP.

Wolfshadw
Moderator

Like they'd actually listen to me about something like this though. They think I don' know what i'm talking about.; ping, mbps, latency, packet loss, i know all about this stuff. And here I am helping my dad open a gmail. They're always asking ME about all the tech related stuff, but this is one thing they think I don't know what I'm talking about, but I know about prices, added up fees, and which plan is best for our needs.

If Dad pays the bill and he's all about pleasing Mom, then you need to show Mom that she can get the same shows she wants on cable just as easily as on satellite.

-Wolf sends

Well there's always hulu, super cheap, save lots of money. $30/month, internet 60$/month instead of tv $135/month and crappy wifi $50/month

 

[jpe1701]

I'm with Wolf, just talk to them like an adult. I'm sure if you took the time to print out your research and showed them just how much thought you have put in to this and explained why it is important to you they would listen. I don't know how old you are but if you took the initiative to maybe pay for Hulu or put money towards the internet bill it would really send a very positive message and show you were invested in the situation.

 

[xPhaze]

As more and more people are "cutting the cord" (ie. stopping paying asinine amounts of money for cable TV), more and more companies are coming out with internet-based streaming TV packages. These act just the same as cable TV but for a fraction of the cost, even down to having commercials and everything just like TV (good for people who turn on the TV for background noise). Plus, you often get to customize your channel packages a lot more.

For example, I recently got someone to switch from Charter TV (over $150/month) to SlingTV (~$35/month including some extra packages) and get most of the same exact channels they did. It's just a matter of shopping around and making sure all the needed channels are offered.

So to start, talk to your mother and ask her to give you a list of channels she frequently watches. Then go check out SlingTV (https://www.sling.com/), Spectrum TV Stream (https://www.spectrum.com/streamtv.html), YoutubeTV (https://tv.youtube.com/welcome/), or check out this list here: http://clark.com/technology/best-cable-satellite-tv-alternatives/

Once you find a service that includes all or most of the channels she watches, plot it down on paper, all the cost savings. Make it seem like a no-brainer. All that's required beyond that is an internet connection and a device such as a Roku. Sling gives away a cheaper Roku for free or you can save $50 off a better one. Some other services do the same. I wouldn't recommend the smaller Rokus because they can be slow.

Finally, as far as I know, cable Internet much more reliable and faster than satellite. Make that clear to them as well; they wouldn't want their TV service interrupted because it's cloudy outside...

Good luck!