Regardless of where you live or which cable provider you choose to do business with, you probably feel like you’re paying too much and that your cable company is taking advantage of you.
You can find various ways to lower your monthly bill, such as by avoiding hidden fees or even canceling your cable service altogether! If that’s not an option, and you’ve already eliminated hidden fees, then there are three more ways to reduce your bill, just by asking.
Here are three discounts your cable company can give you, but won’t unless you ask:
1. Service Discount — No matter which cable company you work with, your biggest expense is going to be directly related to the service. For example, I used to pay about $75 per month for the basic package and a couple of sports upgrades.
After discussing my options with a customer service rep and asking for a discount, I learned that they could give me a service discount of $5.99 per month. Over the course of a year, this small discount goes a long way and helps make my cable bill more manageable.
Also keep in mind that your cable company will offer service promotions from time to time. This could be anything from small discounts to six months of a free channel package. Keep an eye out for these promotions and, of course, ask about them.
2. Equipment Discount — In addition to the service fees that you pay, you are also being charged for the equipment that you use on a monthly basis. This is the area in which you can potentially save the most money.
My cable bill includes charges for two cable boxes and an Internet modem. I recently realized that I was paying more than $30 per month for this equipment alone. By speaking with a Comcast supervisor, I was granted a $14.99 waiver for one of my cable boxes. This is only going to last one year, but for the time being it is saving me quite a bit.
Another tip for saving money on equipment: instead of calling your cable company, go to a local “hub” and speak with somebody in person. The last time I did this, a supervisor gave me the newest DVR box with all the bells and whistles.
3. Free Upgrades — This doesn’t actually lower your bill, but it will get you more for your money. I have found that this is the easiest of the three to receive since it’s free to your cable provider, and makes customers happy. Not to mention the fact that there is a good chance you will continue to pay for the upgrade after your trial period expires. Some of the free upgrades that I have received include: cable packages (sports channels and premium channels), higher internet speed, and free On-Demand movies.
Final Word
Don’t expect your cable company to give you discounts and free upgrades just for being a good, loyal customer. While this may happen once in a blue moon, you should not rely on it. If you want to receive the discounts and upgrades detailed above, you need to get on the phone, ask for a supervisor, and explain your situation. You may be surprised to find that you qualify for these discounts and many others. There’s no harm in asking!
(photo credit: JVCAmerica)
{ 14 comments }
There is only one cable provider in my area. To get only local channels and VH1 (a requirement) is 45.00 a month, but in order to get that price you have to bundle in internet and phone. Bringing your monthly total to 119.99!
Simply for the fact that they refuse to allow me to chose what services I get, I do not have cable, phone, or internet in my home. My cell phone provider gives me unlimited internet for only 30.00 a month and allows me to turn my phone into a hot spot.
Basically my cell phone is my internet, phone, and cable. All for the price of 30.00 a month! What’s better than that?
I once heard a podcaster say that he called about getting cable and said something like, “So, can I get that special?” The rep, confused, asked him what special he was talking about. He replied, “You know, that special you give to new customers.”
The rep said, “Oh, you mean…” and went on to describe a deep discount.
Which he actually never knew existed, but figured it was probably there if he just asked.
OMG, why didn’t I think of this before. Next time I call up my cable company, I’m doing this.
I have to do this song and dance every year with my cable provider, but the 10 to 15 minutes on the phone saves me a boatload all year. I could save more if my old lady wasn’t addicted to Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire and the movies on HBO! But I’m guilty of loving all the HD channels and the DVR.
Its so funny I stumbled across this post. I just got an HDTV Receiver that I installed and when I called to activate it I asked her about special HD channels. She gave me a package of 25 free channels for 6 months for being a new customer!
My cable bill is one expense that seems to rise almost every single month. I’ve dropped cinemax, cut out one of the sports teir packages, and my bill is still over $140 for cable and internet.
It always seems like there are new miscellaneous charges or fees added on.
Time warner actually tried to charge me a $3 cancellation fee to drop cinemax. I said there was no way in the world that i would pay it and they dropped it pretty fast.
You can do this with your ISP provider, too.
After reading your article, I called my sat. co. and recieved more features with a 40.00 monthly discount with the latest equipment being shipped. is that cool or what??
Kyle,
You’ve definitely had better luck getting a live person than we have- with either cable company! We have had issues with both, and chose the lesser of two evils because we like football and other shows too, and we have kids so cable is a must. However, I am going to try your idea of calling up for a discount on our services or equipment, maybe I just need to be more assertive?
great idea, I have been too hopeless about discounts given, yes some do offer discounts, but I’m more up to free upgrades and platinum membership they are a little expensive for me.
Thanks for the tips, I pay over $100 per month to the cable company. I am going to try and get some free options.
This is really a great idea, we haven’t thing on that, now i got realized that we can save good amount on it. Normally we used to ignore such small thing but now i got realized that we have missed lot. I am sure that this is going to work and harm to try for it.
Thanks for sharing great idea
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