The FIOS Ripoff And How Can You Get Away With Such A Price Difference

     Saturday I called Verizon on behalf of my mother to reduce some of the services to lower her bill. I had also called them on Saturday the 18th and spoke to someone in the wake of reading that Verizon was coming out with a customized deal to pick a few packages. the lady I talked to said she did not have the details yet but would be available on the 19th. 
     So Saturday the 25th I get on their website and attempt to build a suitable plan. The basic plan (the new Custom Plan) starts out at $74.99.
This includes a 30 channel base and a pick of two packages of six available. Unlimited home phone and their base 25/25 Internet package. Just about what she would be happy with. 
     The plan my parents (parent) has now is $212 a month now. They have four TVs on FIOS. Two DVR machines (which they have never used), a home phone, Internet and a cell phone. 
      So I punch in the changes, two TVs, home phone and basic Internet. The total comes to $102.99. Plus taxes, equipment (which I already added to the base price with a router (which they already have). So the only adds should be taxes, fees and the cell phone. I checked on a basic cell phone plan with 700 minutes and it came to $25. 
     The time before that I called I was informed that the principal of the account would have to be spoken to. I explained that it would difficult since he died and that I would be calling in behalf of my mother. She said that any ultimate changes would have to handled by her. I said that I understand. They were also offering a $300 prepaid Visa for new customers. One problem was that they would loose the phone number they had for 25 years. 
     Now the plot thickens a bit. To keep the same phone number they would have to transfer the account. Resulting in a new two year contract. You do not get the $300 Visa since you are an existing customer. 
     In that spirit the grant total for dropping two TVs and DVRs adding in the cell phone, loosing 200 channels come to $228 with a two year contract. I mean, really. I may have been born in West Virginia, lived in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, but am I that dumb? 
     Just to get a total price my mother had to give her Social Security Number (which I do not have) and her birth date and income information. Just to this horrible conclusion. By the time I came back to the phone The lady on the phone was getting short. I asked what the termination fee is. She said $140. 
     At this juncture I thanked her for her time and said to leave everything as is for now. 
        I asked Mom, Do you really need this stuff?