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How to Lower Your Monthly Tech Bills
Simply Ask for a Better Rate
We know it's hard to believe, but simply picking up the phone and asking your cable or cell phone provider for a price break actually works most of the time. Of course, you can always cut back on channels or media plans, but if you really can't part with them, you'll first want to research rates at competing providers in the area as well as any other deals your current company is advertising. Once you've got an idea of the offers available in your area, pick up the phone, call the cable or phone company, and ask if they can match any of the lower rates you've found. You may only be able to save $10-$30 a month, but we'd be thrilled to have an extra $120 at the end of the year.
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Comments
9
Subscribe to commentsRachelAug 25th 2009 10:08AM
I've tried talking and sending a letter to my cable company and all they tell me is I have a 2 year contract and it would cost $150 to break. They didn't even acknowledge my letter I sent.
plu5000Aug 25th 2009 10:17AM
Same with my cell phone co.
MelodyAug 25th 2009 10:53AM
Same here. They just laugh at me. You have a two year contract, we can't help.
Until I went in person to the AT&T Store. I went looking for a new phone since my battery kept dying on the one that I just purchased, not only did I get a new phone, but the sales person actually help me cut my bill. He saved me over $191.00 for the two year contract, that to me is a big savings.
The electric company partically laughed in my face. I am going to try my mortgage company next. Who knows that might work.
sethyjames2Aug 26th 2009 9:35AM
ough'' me too i call sprint to cut my contract. you heard right. but i need 200 dollars to divorce.everybory wants your money.and every one wants to bite you. god protect us of this ripoffs. .mf
DONNA GILBERTAug 25th 2009 12:25PM
What really gets me is all the low low introductory rates being offered while the long time customers are never offered a special discount
KimAug 25th 2009 12:30PM
This used to work with the cable company but not anymore. I was informed that the "special rate" I was receiving will expire in October and my bill will go up $30 a month. I was basically told too bad when I told them I would look else where.
stephrobbins925Aug 25th 2009 1:05PM
Ok, I work at a cable company - this doesn't work. We will only give you a small discount once per year, and we don't price match. If you threaten to disconnect and there is nothing we can do, then we hate to say it but do what you have to do.
collierfamilynewsFeb 17th 2010 10:07AM
I have successfully made this request three times over the past three years. I never threatened to leave just said I needed to lower my bills and asked what options there were to do that and continue my current level of service. Each time my bill was discounted anywhere from $7 to $12 per month. I only tried this because I saw it on a news special..but it definitely worked. Most recently I have been given HD cable for the same price as basic (including them adding a cable box and remote) with no increase in price.
LunaFeb 28th 2011 4:15PM
Ok, so I've seen tons of articles saying "just call your cell phone company and ask for a lower rate" and whatnot, so I figured I'd give it a try. I was with a major carrier, and that approach didn't work for me, even though I was very polite on the phone. I was sick of feeling like a number, so I switched to a prepaid company. Now I have Straight Talk, and I pay $30 a month for 1000 minutes, texts, and 30mb of data. It's perfect for me because I'm not on my phone all that much. And by only paying $30 I have more money for other important things... like shoes!