Kip Tips
Haggling May Help Lower Bills
Don't be afraid to challenge a rate increase.
By Cameron Huddleston, Contributing Editor, Kiplinger.com
January 5, 2010
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The company that provides my cable, Internet and phone service hit me with a nice little New Year's surprise: It jacked up my rates.
My balance due this month jumped by $10 over the December bill. So I called to find out why my rates had increased. The customer service representative said something about system upgrades and the increased cost of cable channel offerings. I said, "But my cable bill hasn't risen -- just the amounts for phone and Internet service." A lengthy pause, then ... "let's see what we can do to lower your rates."
The customer service rep told me that she could "rebundle" my services to knock $5 off the phone service charge. "Go for it," I said. So I didn't eliminate the $10 monthly increase, but I did save $60 this year by making one phone call.
Share your stories of successful efforts to get your rates lowered in the reader comments box below.
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Reader Comments (2)
Posted by: Matt at 01/06/2010 12:21:28 AM
My former cable company decreased the channel offerings, but my rate stayed the same. When I called to ask why, they said it was too expensive to keep those channels. I switched to Direct TV and saved a bunch of money by bundling with Qwest internet. The former cable company said they would lower my rates for 12 months to keep me as a customer. I declined.
Posted by: David at 01/07/2010 11:45:37 PM
Comcast offered a deal for phone and high speed Internet in June 2009 for around $39 per month for 1 year. In January 2010, they increased my Internet by over $20 per month. It turns out the fine print said that only the phone deal was for a full year. When I suggested I would cancel, they reduced the monthly charges back to a few dollars more than the original deal. I accepted but will be looking at other options in 6 months when this deal expires.