Frequently Asked Questions
Billing - Frequent Questions
What is a franchise fee?
A franchise fee is a fee collected and paid directly to the city, village or township in which you live for use of public rights of ways and the community's expenses associated with the regulation and administration of cable TV services. Up to five percent of Windjammer Cable's total revenue goes back to the cities and/or counties.
What is included in the "Fees and Taxes" charge listed on my monthly bill?
The "FCC Fee" represents the payment made to the Federal Communications Commission for the cost of regulating the cable industry.
The "Franchise Fee" is computed on the total monthly service and is paid directly to the city or county in which you live for the use of public rights of way and the administration of cable TV franchises.
"Copyright fees" are paid to the Copyright Office and are primarily related to our use of "distant" television signals from Chicago and Atlanta.
The "local access fee" is collected to provide funds for the operation of local access channels by the city.
The "Sales Tax" is calculated on the total monthly service including fees at the current rate for the city and county in which you live.
What is a "prorated" or "partial" month?
Partial month adjustments called prorations appear if you have made changes in your service during the previous month. The difference between your old and new monthly rate is "broken down" to begin charging or crediting your account as of the day the change was made.
Why is my cable service billed in advance?
Windjammer Cable charges a standard monthly rate for your service that is due at the beginning of your billing cycle. In effect, you pay before you attend the event, just as you do with other forms of entertainment. Cable service charges are not based on usage and therefore are not calculated at the end of your billing period, the way the local utility and telephone companies are able to bill.
Why was my last payment not reflected in my current bill?
If we received your payment after we printed your next month's bill, it will not show up on your current statement, but will show up on the following month's statement.
Is there a fee charged when my payment is late?
Yes. Any balance left unpaid from your previous statement may be charged a late fee. If there wasn't enough money in your bank account to cover your check to Windjammer Cable, the Non-Sufficient Check (NSF) fee is $25. Past due accounts will also be assessed a collection and/or reconnection fee.
When is my payment due?
Payment is due 20 days from mailing. Separate 30-day reminder notices are mailed to accounts that have not been paid within the current month and are then subject to disconnection if payment is not received promptly.
What should I do if I have a problem or question about my cable bill?
Take a look at the billing section of this web site for some general information about our billing practices. Call us directly at 888-495-2881. Notifying us guarantees that we will address your billing problem. In the meantime, please pay all charges except the disputed amount to prevent your account becoming past due.
Why is my bill more (or less) than usual?
If in the past month you made a change in your level of service, ordered a Pay-Per-View movie or event, received a credit, or if your payment was not received before the new bill was printed, your balance may be more or less than your normal monthly rate. If you have questions about a specific charge, call us directly at 888-495-2881.
Is there a charge when I make changes to my service?
Yes. The amount of charges will vary depending on the type of work to be done and whether the changes can be completed over the telephone or require a visit to your home.
