Comments on: How to Strong Arm Your Way to a Better Deal

By: Gertrude

Gertrude — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:42:43 +0000

I am paying $160 monthly for four phones for 1400minutes talk and unlimited txt No web. Is there a better deal out there? this is verizon. also, can they still hold you to buying out 2 yr contracts?

By: Danelle

Danelle — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 20:05:54 +0000

I just called Comcast and they had nothing but more expensive triple play crap. I said that my bill has gone from about 110 to 150 in the last couple months, not all at once, and that I needed to see what programs they had available for customers now. They started canceling my HBO and HD without asking me, and seemed startled when I objected. So arrogant on the phone too. I called in the wrong time of day and got macho crap. Will be calling later.

How long do I have to cancel for before I qualify as a new customer anyway? I can skip this summer….

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 16:33:50 +0000

I just called comcast and the only package they had to offer me actually cost more than my current package… jerks. Just got a flier for Direct TV in the mail so I figure that I’ll call back and get a different CSR in a couple of hours and see what happens…

By: Funny about Money

Funny about Money — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 03:00:22 +0000

This really organized approach is great!

It’s amazing how many service providers and retailers will come down on their price if you just quietly ask. Some years ago, I learned this about furniture stores: often they’ll reduce the price on pieces offered at regular price, and sometimes they’ll even come down on a sale price. More to the point, LOTS of retailers, including grocery stores, will give you a deal if you ask nicely enough. A$k and ye shall receive.

By: elisa@Thrive

elisa@Thrive — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:28:59 +0000

I did this with Time Warner in Astoria, New York.

I firmly told them that I would cancel my internet service ($50 a month!) unless they matched an offer I read in the Metro by Sprint (half the price).

The operator laughed and told me that in my area, Time Warner was the only provider, but that I was welcome to cancel.

I didn’t cancel.

By: thomas

thomas — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 04:47:54 +0000

I loved calling comcast and telling them to lower my bill. I posted about this exact thing last month and have added a few other bill lowering tips.

With the economy failing, the opportunities to get discounts and deals will go up.

By: tom

tom — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 02:47:10 +0000

MissMartha, you bring up a great point, it is so simple and people don’t do it.

Just ask, stop assuming, because if you do you make an ASS of U and ME

By: SimplyForties

SimplyForties — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:14:08 +0000

Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of competition for services where I live. One thing I do that usually works, is I call AT&T whenever I see a sign-up offer for new subscribers that is cheaper than what I pay and ask them to extend that rate to me, their loyal customer. So far, they have always agreed.

By: MissMartha

MissMartha — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 19:57:55 +0000

One thing that I always recommend to my friends is it “just ask.” I have found that if I have a problem with my bill or my service that a call to a CSR (customer service representative) can be very helpful. When I was job searching and placing many daytime calls my phone bill ended up being $200 (normally $60). I quickly called my provider, with a little help from the CSR I got another 200 minutes/month for free and that plan added to my current bill so I only had to pay $80 instead of the $200! If you are nice, and explain the situation most people will try to be helpful. If you don’t get what you want, you can always call back at another time and try again. It never hurts to ask!

By: tom

tom — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:56:21 +0000

It’s interesting you bring this up.

This is like people complaining they don’t get paid enough. It’s not that the company doesn’t have enough, or pay enough.

They pay others more, they just pay you less. Why don’t you ask how you can make more.

By: the weakonomist

the weakonomist — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:40:37 +0000

I’ve got Time Warner down south and I get them to cut their rates by threatening to move to Dish. I don’t bully them, but when service gets spotty on something that is supposed to be reliable and burried under ground, I want to be compensated for missed uptime.

I might be moving to an area that comcastrates you, so I hope I have the same luck. It sounds like I will.

My best story though was in buying my car last year. I got a 2008 Accord below invoice. I could probably get it for cheaper today, but I needed a car back then and I’ve already paid it off. Today it is at the dealership getting the $15k service. They asked me to come in promising a 50% discount, but I told them I wanted my car washed too so they obliged.

Now I’ll have a clean car and everything inspected for a nice road trip that starts tomorrow.

By: Start-Up

Start-Up — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:06:20 +0000

I’ve heard stories about calling your cable provider and getting free premium channels added to your deal in addition to reducing the fee. It’s always worth your time to call and see if they can reduce your bill or add something extra. They want to keep you as a customer.

By: The Happy Rock

The Happy Rock — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:51:42 +0000

I have always had great luck with Comcast. I could always drop the bill from like $120 to about $80 without fail for 6-122 months. I have since cut back on my TV and purchases, but they just raised my rate back to $100 a month for internet, phone, and cable, so they are due a call again.

One company that never treated me well in this respect was Verizon. They were never helpful.

By: jb

jb — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:50:56 +0000

Love the idea, and this works well in a market with a few different competitors. But most recurring bills that many of us face have no competition (electricity, gas, water, cable for those in an apartment, internet for those with only DSL available).

Any ideas of other areas where you can do this? I’ve been thinking of trying to do this with my apartment after my lease is up (I’m sure they’d rather have me stay than try to get a new tenant). Problem is you have to be willing to make the switch if they call you’re bluff.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:44:55 +0000

That’s true, everything’s worth a shot.