FYI, for anyone who may not have gotten the email from Daybreak HOA today:

QUOTE:
QWEST UPDATES & INFORMATION

* RESULTS ARE IN - DAYBREAK HIGH SPEED INTERNET SURVEY

We would like to thank each of you that participated in the Daybreak High Speed Internet Survey. We received over 700 responses, which are summarized as follows:

Results................Totals................Percentage
Option 1 - Bulk...............689.................. 94.25%
Option 2 - Non-Bulk.........30................... 4.10%
Neither...............................12................... 1.64%

In addition to the preference for continuing with Qwest bulk service, the comments and recommendations that were provided by the respondents will be used to shape our ongoing discussions with Qwest. Your participation and comments play an important part in the Board's decision and the future of the Community's internet service.

Based on this feedback the Board of Directors has determined that we will continue negotiations with Qwest with the goal of reaching an extension to the bulk bill agreement on the terms outlined in Option 1, and incorporating much of the homeowner feedback we received in the survey. We anticipate this will be concluded before October 1, 2010, prior to the extended expiration date of the current agreement. Additional communication will be forthcoming as soon as information is available.

In the meantime, Qwest will be in contact with each homeowner directly to schedule a time to replace the equipment on the side of the home and install a new router with a new battery back up. The upgraded equipment and router will be installed in waves starting mid, October, 2010 to Spring, 2011 at no cost to owners.

WhooHoo!!!! 5 more years of being locked into a substandard service from an incapable provider. I can't wait for them to come in my home to install new equipment and screw up what it's taken 5 years to get right.

I must be lucky, to me the service is great. I never have problems. It is 5Xs faster than my office system back in CA and theirs cost twice as much.

My thoughts on all of this:

You have people in this community that have lost their jobs (I know of a lot here in Daybreak) and whats the first thing you cut off when financial crisis happens....the "non" needs. Unfortunately, you can't do that with this option.

Why does Qwest/Daybreak not make this optional. If it's such a great deal and such wonderful service, why would anyone pass it up? So what are they worried about? Those that choose to use Qwest and pay through the HOA can and then there can be the few that opt out. Why make this mandatory?

I think that Qwest has such a monopoly going on here, they can afford to lose the few that choose another service due to "bad service" or choose to have no service at all.

And I like to think ahead at the resale value. When you are selling your home, having to sell an HOA fee that is this high makes it a harder sell. But if it was optional, that fee would drop considerably and your home would look a lot more financially appealing.

Deep thoughts by Bamazalea.............

Bamazalea,

Your thoughts are entirely too logical to play well in the magical land of Daybreak. But hang in there, someone has to remind folks that fiscal reality is an option.

bamazalea wrote:

QUOTE:
My thoughts on all of this:

You have people in this community that have lost their jobs (I know of a lot here in Daybreak) and whats the first thing you cut off when financial crisis happens....the "non" needs. Unfortunately, you can't do that with this option.

Why does Qwest/Daybreak not make this optional. If it's such a great deal and such wonderful service, why would anyone pass it up? So what are they worried about? Those that choose to use Qwest and pay through the HOA can and then there can be the few that opt out. Why make this mandatory?

I think that Qwest has such a monopoly going on here, they can afford to lose the few that choose another service due to "bad service" or choose to have no service at all.

And I like to think ahead at the resale value. When you are selling your home, having to sell an HOA fee that is this high makes it a harder sell. But if it was optional, that fee would drop considerably and your home would look a lot more financially appealing.

Deep thoughts by Bamazalea.............

I can certainly sympathize with the thought that it would be nice to be able to "cut" internet if times get tough, but I think you're missing something here.

Why do you think Qwest gives us such a screaming deal? It's precisely because it's in EVERY home. It's precisely because it's mandatory. What incentive would they have to give us a better deal than the general public if people could opt out and either choose no service, or one of their competitors? Bulk pricing is no different with internet than it is at Costco... it's cheaper because it's being offered in huge amounts. They're getting a deal out of this, and in return, we are too.

I'm very glad that the HOA gave us all a chance to vote, though. Sure, it turned out in the way that I personally hoped it would, but even if it hadn't, I would happily go along with what the community majority wanted. I knew what I was getting into when I bought into an HOA.

Deep thoughts by lemonjenny.