PSA: Save money on cable/internet bill by renegotiating package

[KingGheedora]

I've been a customer with Time Warner NYC for 3-4 years now and have been paying the same prices for a while. I called them today and asked what promotions they had right now and the representative was awesome, she checked everything and came back with a combination of current promotions that I could switch to. I ended up having the same services and channels, but paying about $23 less per month.

I did have to sign up for these new prices on a new 2 year contract though, but no big deal. The only reason I would want to cancel is if I were moving, and if that were the case I think they let you cancel.

 

[Bignate603]

I called up cox a while ago and threatened to switch to another company. They cut $36 off my monthly bill. Not too shabby.

 

[boomerang]

I don't know if that would work for me or not. We have only one choice for HS Internet here - Comcast.

 

[scott916]

Originally posted by: boomerang
I don't know if that would work for me or not. We have only once choice for HS Internet here - Comcast.

Yeah it works. Threaten to change, they'll usually knock your price down.

 

[KingGheedora]

I didn't threaten to change. I just told them I was interested in reducing my monthly bill, and wanted to know if there were any bundles I could switch to that would be cheaper than what I was paying for at the time.

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: scott916

Originally posted by: boomerang
I don't know if that would work for me or not. We have only one choice for HS Internet here - Comcast.

Yeah it works. Threaten to change, they'll usually knock your price down.

Change to what?

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: boomerang

Originally posted by: scott916

Originally posted by: boomerang
I don't know if that would work for me or not. We have only one choice for HS Internet here - Comcast.

Yeah it works. Threaten to change, they'll usually knock your price down.

Change to what?

Most areas have only two choices for 'high speed' Internet in the US. DSL or Cable.

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: Bateluer

Originally posted by: boomerang

Originally posted by: scott916

Originally posted by: boomerang
I don't know if that would work for me or not. We have only one choice for HS Internet here - Comcast.

Yeah it works. Threaten to change, they'll usually knock your price down.

Change to what?

Most areas have only two choices for 'high speed' Internet in the US. DSL or Cable.

Well, as I said, I only have one choice.

I'll call and plead poverty and see what happens.

 

[ultimatebob]

Heh... the last time I called Comcast for a better deal, they told me that I already had the better discount package than most of their existing customers had and that my rate would go UP if I tried to change it.

Funny... $60 a month for digital cable with the DVR and HD package add-ons doesn't seem like a great "deal" to me, considering that I can get Dish network for $40 a month now.

 

[erub]

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
Heh... the last time I called Comcast for a better deal, they told me that I already had the better discount package than most of their existing customers had and that my rate would go UP if I tried to change it.

Funny... $60 a month for digital cable with the DVR and HD package add-ons doesn't seem like a great "deal" to me, considering that I can get Dish network for $40 a month now.

So switch..

 

[ultimatebob]

Originally posted by: erub

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
Heh... the last time I called Comcast for a better deal, they told me that I already had the better discount package than most of their existing customers had and that my rate would go UP if I tried to change it.

Funny... $60 a month for digital cable with the DVR and HD package add-ons doesn't seem like a great "deal" to me, considering that I can get Dish network for $40 a month now.

So switch..

Nah... I live in a condo complex, and getting permission to get a dish is a pain in the ass.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: ultimatebob

Originally posted by: erub

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
Heh... the last time I called Comcast for a better deal, they told me that I already had the better discount package than most of their existing customers had and that my rate would go UP if I tried to change it.

Funny... $60 a month for digital cable with the DVR and HD package add-ons doesn't seem like a great "deal" to me, considering that I can get Dish network for $40 a month now.

So switch..

Nah... I live in a condo complex, and getting permission to get a dish is a pain in the ass.

they don't know that. merely threatening to switch by saying "ok i'm sorry then, i would like to cancel my cable" magically new offers appear. i do this every 6 months and my cable + internet stays at $80 vs $120.

 

[ShockwaveVT]

Originally posted by: KingGheedora
I didn't threaten to change. I just told them I was interested in reducing my monthly bill, and wanted to know if there were any bundles I could switch to that would be cheaper than what I was paying for at the time.

Yeah, no threatening, you just locked yourself into a 2 year contract in exchange for the lower prices. Might not be a big deal to you, but for others it could be.

 

[Kev]

1. Call comcast
2. Say "DirectTV"
3. ...
4. Profit!

 

[Skeeedunt]

Originally posted by: boomerang
I don't know if that would work for me or not. We have only one choice for HS Internet here - Comcast.

Threaten to switch to dial up, or to cancel completely. Threaten is a bad choice of words really... just nicely point out that you're not sure if you can afford the monthly price, but you'd rather stick with them, so you just wanted to see if they had any discounts that might apply.

It's all pretty hit or miss either way. I'm sure they take into account that there's not much legitimate competition in the area, but with the shitty economy I'm sure they're losing customers anyway and might be willing to work with you.

Anyway, good PSA. It's amazing how many people know/bother.

 

[rudeguy]

The most important part of this is to choose the option to cancel your service when you call in. Those people are paid to keep your business. If you mash buttons and get a sales person, you are not going to get nearly as much.

I am NOT speaking as a representative of any cable company.

 

[Kirby]

Charter just bumped me up 4 Mbps for no extra cost, so I'm a satisfied customer.