Utility bills keep rising, due to inflation, increased costs by your utility company, as well as due to a pricing tactic many utilities use to maximize profits, which usually means they claim the subscription fee is a lot higher, then offer you the first few months (or years) at a discount.
One such bill is your cable bill, particularly for cable internet (or fiber internet).
Negotiating your cable internet subscription fees can be a great way to save money for your monthly budget. Here are some tips and strategies for successfully negotiating with your cable provider:
Do your research
Before you call your cable provider, take some time to research the prices and packages offered by other providers in your area. This will give you a good idea of what is a fair and reasonable price for your area and will also help you to negotiate with your provider from a position of knowledge.
Know what you want
Before you call, have a clear idea of what you want in terms of speed, data usage, and other features. This will help you to be more specific and assertive when negotiating with your provider.
Be prepared to walk away
Cable providers know that most customers don’t want to go through the hassle of switching providers, so they may not be willing to negotiate unless you are prepared to do so. Let your provider know that you are considering switching to another provider if they can’t offer you a better deal.
Be polite and professional
When negotiating with your provider, it’s important to be courteous and professional. Avoid getting angry or aggressive, as this will only make the situation worse. Instead, stay calm and focused, and be prepared to explain your position clearly and logically. In the end, the person you are speaking with is just an employee, and their job is to keep you at the highest price point possible.
Research promotions
Many cable providers offer promotions and discounts to new customers, so if you’ve been a customer for a long time, you may be able to negotiate a better deal by threatening to cancel your service and sign up as a new customer.
Bundle your services
Many cable providers offer discounts for bundling services such as internet, cable TV, and home phone. If you’re not currently taking advantage of these discounts, it may be worth inquiring about them when you negotiate your internet subscription fees.
Ask for a loyalty discount
If you’ve been a customer for a long time, it doesn’t hurt to ask for a loyalty discount. This could be an easy way to save money on your monthly bill.
Ask to speak with the retention department
If your initial negotiation with customer service doesn’t yield the results you want, try asking to speak with the retention department. You can reach the retention department usually by informing the customer service representative you want to cancel. This department is responsible for retaining customers and they may have more flexibility to offer you a better deal.
Consider new customer workarounds
Some providers occasionally offer you this themselves, but most will not. You may be able to get the savings by canceling and asking a roommate to sign up as a new customer instead.
Follow-up
After your negotiation, make sure to follow up with your provider to ensure that the new rate or package is applied to your account. You could ask for this through an email confirmation. Also, if your state allows it, it may be worth recording the conversation and asking the agent to confirm verbally each change they are applying to your account so you ensure they made the right ones.
By following these tips and strategies, you should be able to successfully negotiate your cable internet subscription fees and save money on your monthly bill. Remember to be prepared, stay calm and polite, and to be willing to walk away if your provider isn’t willing to give you a fair deal.
