W
Wanker
Guest
When I first talked to Karim Sunderami in January, there was reproach in his voice as we discussed the joys of my $40 TV antenna.
Twenty-plus free channels, no more monthly cable bill, great picture quality. Sure, not a setup the hardcore viewer or sports fanatic wants, but when combined with a streaming service like Netflix, good enough for me.
Sunderami is an IT guy who turned a hobby into a business 10 years ago. He takes free TV seriously and for him it’s about more than a knockoff antenna.
I was too cheap by half, he said. He says consumers are kidding themselves if they think they can throw up a coat hangar (which does work) and get the reception and selection they want.
In October, 2012, I cut the cord, joining about 1 million Canadians who are pulling down free signals. I invested $56 all-in for an aluminum antenna, two 50-foot lengths of cable and the retailer threw in an antenna mount. A friend and I installed it in a few hours and the setup pulls in 22 stations. I’ve had no problems with the antenna.
Sunderami agreed my solution worked, but predicted it wouldn’t last. He asked pointedly why I didn’t get a better setup since I was saving $60 to $100 a month. Do it properly. For many in the GTA, (though not me as it turns out), that is as little as $100, he said.
“Spend a little more, but spend it once, not twice, or three times,” he advised when we met at the Mississauga store he runs with his wife Grace. “How many times do you want to climb onto your roof?”
I was taking up his old antenna rebate offer made in January, when I last wrote about over-the-air TV. Bring in the old antenna and get $20 off a new one.
https://www.thestar.com/business/pe...bye-to-cable-4-things-to-consider-mayers.html
