Whether you have cable TV, satellite TV, a landline phone or a cellular phone, you can save money by negotiating with your current provider or shopping around for another.
Tips to get a better deal:
- Look carefully at your bill.
- Is it accurate?
- Are there services you pay for that you rarely or never use?
- When was the last time you used your home FAX? Are you still paying for it?
- Are there channels you never watch that you're paying extra for?
- Negotiate a better deal.
- Have an example of a competitor’s lower prices and call the company’s consumer retention department and be prepared to end your contract if you can't get a better deal.
- Record the name of the person you’re speaking with and note the date and time you called. These details will increase your credibility if you need to follow up later.
- Before you agree to any deal, ensure the new plan price includes any equipment you need to install.
- Ask about bundling packages. If you get your phone, Internet, and television from the same provider you’re likely to get a better price.
- Ask how much of a discount will you receive if you buy more than one service.
- Is the rate they're offering only an introductory rate? How long will it last?
- Is there an installation fee? What kind of equipment is involved?
- If I don’t want all the features listed with your bundled services plan, will you deduct the amount of those features?
- Will the installation involved any digging/wiring on my property?
- Is there a penalty for early cancellation of all the services?
- Keeping the deal
- Check your bill every month to make sure the deal you negotiated doesn’t suddenly disappear.