Do not use automatic debit with any utility. They'll eventually bill you with some phony charges and steal money from you. It can be bogus "disconnect" charges, lost equipment charges for stuff you've turned in, bills after you cut off the service, "honest" mistakes, unauthorized charges, etc.

It's a heck of a lot easier to deal with them when they are telling you that you owe them money than it is when they have stolen cash from your bank account and you're trying to get a refund. Even when you get them to admit that they owe you money, you may have a hell of a time getting a refund.

One trick with Time Warner. They're pretty liberal about you bringing in a piece of equipment and exchanging it for a different box. I know someone who had several cases where their internet went out, call service, spend half an hour doing stuff you've already done, wait 3 days for the technician, stay home all afternoon, guy shows up late, switches the modem, and you're fixed. Save yourself the trouble and do it yourself. Then you can call them if it doesn't work.

I've heard that you can just show up at their office with your box and ask for an exchange. They may not argue about whether it's broken or not. Face it, it's cheaper for them to exchange the box than to send out a guy in a truck.