Maybe you were upsold options over your cable? I moved from cable to it and it was cheaper. I had a no frills cable package with no movies or sports with internet and phone which they required I had phone for the bundle discount (Time Warner-Austin).
I move to ATT internet and cable with movie channels like HBO, Cinemax and a bunch more without having to get phone services (we use cell phones) and it's actually slightly cheaper (about $15/mo). Who needs a home phone when a cell is just as cheap and mobile?
On top of that ATT Uverse has a much better user interface to record and surf with. Changing channels is instant vs the ~2-3 sec delay for it to start the media after changing with cable. Also, I love that I can pause something I'm watching and go upstairs to another TV and continue it from where I stopped it.
It's only negative issue is you can only have a max of 2 HD channels and 2 regular going at once (4 total). So if you're recording 2 HD movies at the same time and 2 different TVs watching live video from another channel you need to watch non-HD which I've never actually had a problem with, but in thearly it's a drawback.
If you don't like them just switch back, there are no contracts or anything. If the salesman BSd you, report him to his superiors.
