Does Verizon realize the permanent damage they cause by gouging their customer for boxes

[aggiebones]

Seriously, $600 for boxes this year ON A RENTAL.

Everybody knows the real cost of the boxes is nominal to Verizon though I'm sure they would never really tell anyone how little they pay per box.  But they just hammer the customers over and over for the length of the relationship.

I've been with Fios for 7-8 months I think.  Frankly, that excessive charge angers me so much that I will switch back to Direct TV solely for that reason.  Not only are they way over priced, they are junk in comparison to both other TV providers that I have used.  What a mistake to switch.  I was so excited to get Fios, but while the product is solid, they are just ripping me off. 

Very disappointed.  We both know my short time with you has already paid for the boxes I use. 

You want to keep customers long term?  Treat them right!  Charge for the services you provide not excessive rentals for a box sitting on my TV.

[Telcoguru]

All cable companies charge for STBs. Verizon is no different. When I was with Directv they were charging me $6 a month per box and I owned them. Now that is gouging.

[tns2]

I left DIsh when it jumped to something like $17 for a OWNED box.

[oldfashioned]

To Telcoguro: Not only that but I wouldn't voluntarily step down from Fios to Comcast.  By renewing my contract every two years, that keeps my monthly bill relatively stable with incentive discounts and without the price hikes from the cable and I see a huge difference in the TV picture quality.  The picture on the Verizon TV is much clearer and sharper than the one on the cable.  I was just staying at hotel which had Time Warner Cable.  The TV picture there was like a "liquid" display on an LG TV but the clarity and sharpness just aren't there and I could just see that it's not the same as Verizon.  My parents have Cablevision and on their TV, I can see more of the shadows on many of the same TV stations that I get.  Not to mention that with the fairly basic package I have, I have access to many more interesting stations that would cost more money to have from Comcast.

Verizon is a better deal overall if you ask me personally.  It's also nice to be able to read an entire detailed synopsis of TV sitcoms and movies and the TV Guide display is far superior and a lot more usable.