Just last month, I considered adding FiOS TV to my voice & internet 'Double Play', to make it a 'Triple Play'. At that time, the site allowed my to select CableCard in lieu of renting a box.
Back in March, I chose not to go with the Triple Play, but now I want to do so. Unfortunately, the functionality to select CableCard has now been removed!
I chatted with Support and, well, if you've ever had a tough go at it with Verizon's (or any company's) chat support folks, you can imagine. The solution that was provided to me was, "just subscribe with a box". Then, after I politely repeated that I want to do CableCard, and the reason for my preference, the solution was, "just subscribe with a box, and then call Customer Service and tell them you don't want the box and you want a CableCard and you can ship it back".
What? That's the professional advice/solution I receive?
Could I probably hike to a Verizon store and get a CableCard (though that was not a solution the chat assistant proposed)? Maybe?. But what is going on? Why omit this functionality from the ordering process? Making CableCard readily available to customers is an FCC requirement, and a longstanding one. Sure, CableCard generates a bit less revenue compared to set-top box rental, but providers have a legal obligation -- and a moral obligation to not make this such a poor experience. Long-time customer, deeply disappointed.