Is now the time to trim that whopping cable bill?
Looking for a strategy to talk your way to lower cable or satellite bills? Just ask, says John Ogilvie, a professor of management at the University of Hartford.
"Many things are negotiable," he says. “But people just assume they don't have that possibility.”
If you notice that Rogers is offering a special promotion to new subscribers, for instance, see if you, as a loyal customer, can get the same deal.
Find out what new competitors like Netflix and Hulu (still blocked here for the moment) are charging and get your provider to justify its prices. Media companies here are feeling threatened and want these new entrants to be subject to the same rules as Canada-based companies.
According to Ogilvie, assuming you’re actually more willing to walk away from a deal than the guy across the table, these are three tactics to consider before entering into any negotiation:
Set an anchor: Know the price point you're aiming for. This way, all discussions can center on that point. Be sure that your anchor is reasonable, though. Asking to pay $25 for cable service that normally costs $100 is just a waste of time.
Throw in a nibble: If you're close to reaching an agreement with your provider, ask them to throw in one last thing. Maybe that's a reduced price on a PVR or an additional premium channel. Most adversaries, if they think that a deal is at hand, won’t walk away over one small item.
Finish with a crunch: This is the demand. Something along the lines of "You've got to do better!" Certainly not the best tactic right out of the gate, but if you've got a stubborn agent on the line, this may work best in the end. Still getting nowhere? Ask to speak to someone else, specifically a supervisor, and be prepared to start all over again.
Have you been able to trim your cable bill recently? What did you learn in the process?
By Gordon Powers, MSN Money
* Follow Gordon on Twitter here.
Posted by: Jeff | Apr 20, 2021 3:02:26 PM
Most, if not all, cable and other companies have a customer retention department that can give you a matching, or close to matching deal that is being offered to new subscribers or by competitors. I was able to get a 6 month reduction in my phone and internet as well as a 12 month reduction in cable by talking to a rep and not getting carried away with what I was asking for.
Posted by: colin | Apr 21, 2021 6:44:53 AM
For the second time over three years I have been successful in negociating a better price with Rogers. I found in both cases that you have to be prepared to carry out what you said you were going to. When at first they wouldn't move from their price points I began to ask them to cancell services that I had (premium channels etc). I had mentioned that I was considering going to their competitor (Bell) and suddenly I got a deal that I could live with and that was reasonable. The "crying" will start in 24 months when the current pricing expires.
Posted by: Jamie | Apr 21, 2021 8:30:25 AM
I always get a 30% discount on my rogers internet bill. I have everything else with Bell, so I called and reminded them that switching would save me a lot of money in bundle pricing etc. and that 30% off would get me to stay. I asked politely, and they lowered it. Period. After a year when it expired, I called back for an extension and they honoured it. Period. All you have to do is ask, and if they say no (which some reps will do) I call back and get a different agent. Some are more lenient than others with the rules :) Bottom line: NEVER EVER yell at or be rude to a call centre agent. They keep notes on what you say and if you're rude everyone you talk to in future will know it! I worked in the cell phone industry in management for 5 years, and I have never once given a discount to a screamer, but have helped many "polite askers" along the way. :)
Posted by: Jim | Apr 21, 2021 1:15:02 PM
I built a very good indoor ant. that I mounted inside my window and can receive 6 HD local channels for free - what I don't get I can watch on the computer.
PS. The HD quality is better than Cable - Probably because of the larger Bandwidth
Posted by: Jen | Apr 21, 2021 2:49:02 PM
In December 2010 I called Shaw Cable and politely asked for a discount on my cable since I had found out that friends got a deal when they moved into their new house. Shaw said there was nothing they could do so I cancelled. I don't regret it at all. My laptop hooks up to my HDTV so I can watch pretty much anything. I also have Netflix and bought an indoor antenna. I get about 4 channels in HD (depends on the weather some days!) and never complain. Screw cable companies! That's why libraries have all the latest season's of TV shows and that's why we have the internet!
Posted by: Joe MacKenzie | Apr 21, 2021 5:20:48 PM
Just called up Rogers yesterday and canceled my cable tv subscription. They offered to reduce the price, but I had to sign up for 2 years. I declined and canceled instead. I my view, cable tv is a time vampire... The more I sit in front of the tv, the less other things get done.
Posted by: Dan | Apr 21, 2021 8:17:58 PM
I had the same experience with Shaw - they would absolutely not budge on the cable bill I just received, now increased to $51.95/month, purely for high speed internet. Despite the fact that Telus just came by the door and offered a package for 3 years of high speed for $39/month. Instead I just said "I'm a student", and they immediately gave me a higher speed connection for one year at $23/month.
I'm definitely a little confused over why they were so willing to give me a much cheaper student deal for 12 months but were not willing to give me a small discount on our internet connection.
Posted by: Jim | Apr 21, 2021 10:40:37 PM
I live in Kirkland, a suburb of Montreal.
Have only Videotron cable in this area.
Hear Bell is going to have a cable service soon.
Does anyone have any info.on the Bell Cable?
Sick and tired of the Videotron Cable monopoly.
I am not a big fan of the Sat. dish.
Posted by: Nimesh | Apr 24, 2021 3:57:27 PM
The only thing you get free from BIG players is high blood pressure and wait time. They always try to get you in some contract and then.......
I have a very good bundle price ($67) for homephone (including international long distance) and high speed internet with unlimited downloads. If you are paying $40 for only news channels.......everything is available on internet