Comcast’s Kryptonite Discovered
How to Cut your Comcast Bill
I was 0-for-2 in previous attempts with Comcast to get a break on my cable bill. I had no leverage. Comcast knows that they’re the only cable provider game in town, which doesn’t give you much in the way of price negotiation power. Well, it some locales, that’s not true anymore.
Recently, AT&T has rolled out their U-Verse cable service in my area. I decided to do some price comparisons. I found out that I could get an equivalent plan through U-Verse for about $20 cheaper than what I was paying with Comcast. A very similar service at a cheaper price – that’s Comcast kryptonite! Here’s how I got my cable bill lowered and how you can too.
1. Research Comcast & Competitor Deals
You want to know exactly how much your current plan would cost with other providers. This is your leverage. You can try the nice and charming route or raise your hands and scream and shout, but if you don’t have pricing leverage, you won’t get anywhere.
2. Ask for a Comcast ‘Retention Specialist’
These are the guys/gals who have the power to cut you a deal. A regular customer service rep. won’t do anything for you. This is the problem that I ran into before.
3. Tell Comcast that you want to Cancel
Be resolute. You’re not ‘considering canceling’. You are switching to their competitor because they have lower prices.
4. Get Ready for the Negotiations
Since, I was already half way out the door, I was offered a $15/mo. discount immediately, the next highest tier of service, and Showtime. Not bad for starters.
5. Watch out for Comcast Add-Ons
You will probably get offered something you don’t want (i.e. Showtime). Realize that this is just an add on masquerading as part of a package deal. It’s not. If you don’t want an add-on, be adamant about it. I was given another $5 off. I didn’t fight the higher tier because there were a few channels I wanted.
6. The End Result: I Save Money on Comcast!
The end result was $20 off and more service. I was happy with that.
7. If at First you don’t Succeed, Try Again
This was my third attempt before success. The good news if you don’t succeed is that you can always try back again later, with more experience and knowledge about the objections you will get. A little competition in the marketplace is always a good thing.
Comcast Bill Discussion:
- Have you had success in negotiating with Comcast or a similar cable provider?
- Have you given up cable completely due to their rigid price structure?
- Have you switched to U-Verse, or will you at first opportunity?
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My Review of the Budget Slimming Ooma VOIP System
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Review of Net10: How to Save on your Cell Phone
I switched to U-Verse over a year ago, as my monthly bill including cable and Internet was more than $30 less than with Comcast. Not only that, but the included DVR is great, the service includes 3 receivers, whole home DVR (watch recorded programs from any receiver), tons of HD channels, 4 recordings at once (including 2 HD), and I could go on. Competition is a great thing!
This techique works…. I’ve tried it with DirecTV with similar results… lower rates for a period of time, increased programming, free DVR reciever. You just have to be willing to walk.
Also, trying more than one rep and getting to the retention specialist is key. I’ve often found when dealing with a customer service rep that it’s easier to end the call and try again than to argue with a rep. I’ve ended a call as soon as the rep says hello because I can sense an attitude in their voice.
Treating it like a game is the only way to win.
@ Philip – let’s hope they just aren’t ‘introductory’ rates used to steal Comcast subscribers.
@ Do you – I think it’s kind of fun, actually. Most people hate any sort of negotiation though.
I just tried to get out of a contract with DirecTV. I called and canceled my service of $75/mo. They called back and said they’d give me free movie channels for 6 months at a price of $45/mo. I was happy, but when the bill arrived yesterday it was still at $75 a month. Needless to say I’m furious.
I had a similar experience while negotiating with Comcast but the difference was they are still the only provider in my area.
http://www.emoneylog.com/negotiation/my-comcast-negotiating-experience/
I am stuck with no cable option outside comcast (satellite is available but I don’t like satellite). I have gotten some introductory offers a couple times. I am sure it is coming up time that it will end again. Things is I am willing to cut off all television down to super basic 10 channels, but I must have my internet. They are ridiculous for just internet service alone!
AWESOME. I called to change from Comcast internet yesterday ($40/month? I think not) but had to hang up before I was done. Glad I stumbled across this today. They shall feel my wrath.
Success. I got another 6 months on my promotional rate and gave the “Retention Specialist” a commission in the process. A good day was had by all.
I’ll just flat out cancel Comcast, becoming an internet HoBo. If I really need TV, broadcast has gone digital.
I’ve tried twice in the past few months to negotiate my Comcast bill. I have the Triple Play package which runs me $150/month. Today, just randomly, I decided I was wasting money with my home phone (I only get wrong numbers and everyone calls my cell anyway) so I called up Comcast to drop that service. Didn’t expect any big changes but the rep was EXTREMELY helpful and looked up different pricing options for me and offered me $97/month for cable and internet (I still get all my channels and HBO) and am locked in for 2 years. I’m so psyched I’m saving around $50/month! I didn’t even plan on trying to negotiate my bill again but it just worked out in my favor this time!
Nice, useful site. Thanks. Several years ago when I switched from Comcast to Dish to save $$, I called Comcast to cancel and they switched me to what I later learned was a “retention specialist.” She offered me deal slightly better than what I’d just negotiated with Dish. But deal was done, so I stayed with Dish for a year, then switched back to Comcast. After the first year of promotional rate on cable with all the goodies at $47, I had to do it again, but got a retention specialist in a good mood (or with a retention quota) who upped the price to $53 but added more movies and a critical sports channel. Now I’m about to go into the trenches again. Wish me luck.
Cancellation is the best way to do. I use it once and it very work.
You should try on.
Just kidding with “Since, I was already half way out the door, I was offered a $15/mo. discount immediately, the next highest tier of service, and Showtime. Not bad for starters.”
Bui Thi Xuan, Marie Curie, Nghe Nhin, Article Directory,
Yeah, @number 7, try again! Success doesn’t happen overnight! lol
I called Cox Cable a long time ago cause I was paying $130 a month. Complained and even had the service cancelled! But they called me back the next day and offered me the same thing for $75 a month (cable service AND internet).
When you call Comcast, make sure to choose the phone menu option for cancellation – You will often get to a human being on the first ring! I always bluff and tell them I’m switching to fios even though it hasn’t made it to my neighborhood yet [although it is about 300 yards from here]. Most of the promotions only last 6mo so you have to call twice a year. If you forget to call after 6mo, make sure they make the change retroactive to the time of your previous bill.
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