By Team TCP

(Click here to see real pictures of malfunction below)

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One malfunctions - they all stop working!

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Many companies today try to sell people bundle services. A bundle is when a company puts several products together and sells them as one big package typically claiming it will be a lower cost if you bundle the items as compared to grouping more than one product. For example, you may see a bundle that includes internet, TV, and phone service. Or you may see a bundle for video-streaming, music, and cloud storage. At first, these bundles can look like a great deal. They often have big, colorful ads that say “Save Money!” or “Best Value!” But when you take a closer look, bundles are not always as good as they seem. In fact, they can cost you more money and give you things you do not even need.  Plus, when one of the items malfunctions, all the items are not working for you. See a current post of outage during a holiday here...

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It share’s 5 different post of the matter from outage to restart (This was during the Thanksgiving 2025 holiday):

Part 1: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19UpjN4i5u/

Part 2: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GPKjhKoo1/

Part 3: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14UaADqP4zj/

Part 4: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16cskRvtXz/

Part 5: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HBKMQLtFk/

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Bundles can also make it harder to switch companies. If all your services come from one place, stopping or changing one part of the bundle can be stressful. You might have to pay extra “cancellation fees” or agree to long-term contracts. Companies use bundles to keep customers locked in so they cannot easily go somewhere else. When this happens, you lose the freedom to choose services that better fit your budget or your lifestyle.

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Additionally, bundle service quality is not always balanced. For example, the internet part of the bundle may average but the TV service may be extra slow or not have the shows you like. You end up stuck with things you do not enjoy because they are part of the package. Companies know that if they can hook you with one good part of the bundle, you will accept the weaker parts. When you choose each service separately, you can make sure you are getting the best from each company and no outage for all as compared to one.  You can stay informed about  real-time status and outage information for thousands of companies by reviewing TCP’s article, “You Are Not Alone, Or Are You?”.

Bundled services also make budgeting harder. When many services are grouped into one bill, it is difficult to see what each part actually costs. You may think the bundle is saving you money, but without clear prices, it is almost impossible to know for sure. Having separate services means you can adjust your spending more easily. You can cut out things you do not need and keep the ones you do. This helps you stay in control of your money.

The good news is that there are better, more economical alternatives to bundles. One smart option is to choose only the services you actually need. Many companies now offer simple, stand-alone plans. For example, you can buy basic internet without TV or phone service. You can also buy just one streaming service at a time, instead of paying for four or five. Taking the time to look at your habits can help you decide what is truly useful.

Another great alternative is to compare different providers. Instead of getting everything from one company, look around and see who has the best price for each service. One company might have great internet prices, while another has the best deal for streaming or cloud storage. Mixing and matching gives you more control and can save you money. You are not tied down to a single provider, and you can change one service without messing up the rest.

You can also try free or low-cost options. For example, many libraries offer free movies, music, and digital books. Some streaming services have free versions with ads. Many apps for budgeting, cloud storage, or communication have free tiers that may work perfectly for your needs. Using free options first can help you avoid paying for expensive bundles that give you too much.  For free streaming platforms see TCP’s article, “17 Free Streaming Services".

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An additional helpful strategy is to review your subscriptions regularly. Every few months, check what you are actually using. Did you watch that extra streaming service? Are you still using that cloud storage plan? If not, cancel them. Doing this often helps you stay aware of your spending. It also prevents old, forgotten subscriptions from draining your wallet.

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In the end, bundle services can sound convenient, but they are often more expensive and less flexible than they appear. They may frustratingly falter during a holiday of all days to do so, hide real costs, lock you into contracts, or make it hard to switch companies. They can also confuse your budget and sneak in extra charges. By choosing only what you need, comparing companies, using free options, reviewing your subscriptions, and setting a budget, you can save money and stay in control of your services.

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Making smart choices with your money is an important skill and avoiding bundles is one simple way to do that. When you take the time to pick your services carefully, you get better quality, better value, and more freedom. Before buying any bundle, stop and ask yourself: “Do I really need everything in this package?” If the answer is no, then choose a smarter, more economical option that works for you.

Real pictures of malfunction.  Look at the date of pictures as this outage has occurred two holidays in a row (This is the Halloween 2025 holiday):