Comments on: How To Negotiate Your Phone and Cable Bill and Save Thousands of Dollars http://www.erica.biz/2009/negotiate-your-phone-bill/ Erica Douglass, "temporarily retired" after selling a successful business at age 26, writes thought-provoking blog entries challenging you to change your life and daring you to become more successful. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:43:34 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Aaron http://www.erica.biz/2009/negotiate-your-phone-bill/comment-page-2/#comment-2981 Aaron Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:25:16 +0000 http://www.erica.biz/?p=737#comment-2981 Hi Aram. You can use a wireless adapater, plugged into the back USB port. I recommend getting the TiVo-branded one, as it definitely works, but you can also just use a generic one (although I would verify that it works with TiVo by Googling it). Hi Aram. You can use a wireless adapater, plugged into the back USB port. I recommend getting the TiVo-branded one, as it definitely works, but you can also just use a generic one (although I would verify that it works with TiVo by Googling it).

]]> By: Brion http://www.erica.biz/2009/negotiate-your-phone-bill/comment-page-2/#comment-2878 Brion Sat, 13 Feb 2010 00:06:34 +0000 http://www.erica.biz/?p=737#comment-2878 I tried this with Time-Warner, and they did not offer me a lower rate, they just set up the cancellation! I had to call back and un-cancel. I was shocked and embarrased! I tried this with Time-Warner, and they did not offer me a lower rate, they just set up the cancellation! I had to call back and un-cancel. I was shocked and embarrased!

]]> By: greg cryns http://www.erica.biz/2009/negotiate-your-phone-bill/comment-page-2/#comment-2705 greg cryns Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:37:15 +0000 http://www.erica.biz/?p=737#comment-2705 Erica, Truly, this is a brilliant post. (I hate when people make statements like this, but that is how I feel) I've been through the mill of negtiation with credit card companies, lawyers, bankers, Charter (phone, internet, cable TV bundle). Caution: I made what I thought was a good deal with Charter. What I found out about 3 months later is that the rep just cancelled most of the channels on my cable TV. I think she knew it would take a while for the dust to settle but it was a bit strange since she worked for the company. Maybe she made a bonus for customer retention and screwed the rules? Erica,

Truly, this is a brilliant post. (I hate when people make statements like this, but that is how I feel)

I’ve been through the mill of negtiation with credit card companies, lawyers, bankers, Charter (phone, internet, cable TV bundle).

Caution: I made what I thought was a good deal with Charter. What I found out about 3 months later is that the rep just cancelled most of the channels on my cable TV. I think she knew it would take a while for the dust to settle but it was a bit strange since she worked for the company. Maybe she made a bonus for customer retention and screwed the rules?

]]> By: Michelle http://www.erica.biz/2009/negotiate-your-phone-bill/comment-page-2/#comment-2589 Michelle Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:58:25 +0000 http://www.erica.biz/?p=737#comment-2589 First let me say Thank You Erica for sharing this information with us!! I followed your advice exactly step by step and it WORKED great. Somehow my bill had gotten to $175/mo for triple service ---after using your negotiating tips my bill will now be $135/mo! $40.00/mo SAVED! Here is how it went when I called: In a depressed voice I told the Verizon representative I had to cancel my service since I couldn't afford it anymore. The representative immediately said "let me see what I can do for you". She first came up with a package offer that would save me $10 a month; I thanked her but said that just wouldn't do it for me. Her second offer was to not charge me for my set top boxes and to give me a $15 discount per month for 1 year. In total this would save me over $30/mo! I was amazed and thrilled but didn't let on. I said in a hopeful voice "oh, that sounds SO good, thank you; but I really need my monthly bill to be around $135/mo". Can we do that somehow? I knew I was pushing it and I held my breath... After much typing sounds on her end she responded "well, I see you have been a valued customer for many years; I can get your bill to $135 per/mo if I give you a $20 discount per month for one year -that is the most I can offer you" I happily accepted and thanked her repeatedly. I made sure to ask her to document this information on my account in the "notes" & "discount" records and got the confirmation number from her!! Oh, and she also gave me free HBO & Cinemax for three months! The whole transaction took only 30 mins! First let me say Thank You Erica for sharing this information with us!!
I followed your advice exactly step by step and it WORKED great.
Somehow my bill had gotten to $175/mo for triple service —after using your negotiating tips my bill will now be $135/mo! $40.00/mo SAVED!

Here is how it went when I called:
In a depressed voice I told the Verizon representative I had to cancel my service since I couldn’t afford it anymore. The representative immediately said “let me see what I can do for you”. She first came up with a package offer that would save me $10 a month; I thanked her but said that just wouldn’t do it for me. Her second offer was to not charge me for my set top boxes and to give me a $15 discount per month for 1 year. In total this would save me over $30/mo!

I was amazed and thrilled but didn’t let on. I said in a hopeful voice “oh, that sounds SO good, thank you; but I really need my monthly bill to be around $135/mo”. Can we do that somehow? I knew I was pushing it and I held my breath… After much typing sounds on her end she responded “well, I see you have been a valued customer for many years; I can get your bill to $135 per/mo if I give you a $20 discount per month for one year -that is the most I can offer you” I happily accepted and thanked her repeatedly.
I made sure to ask her to document this information on my account in the “notes” & “discount” records and got the confirmation number from her!! Oh, and she also gave me free HBO & Cinemax for three months!
The whole transaction took only 30 mins!

]]> By: Aram http://www.erica.biz/2009/negotiate-your-phone-bill/comment-page-2/#comment-2587 Aram Mon, 11 Jan 2010 05:11:36 +0000 http://www.erica.biz/?p=737#comment-2587 Great advice!! I've had a lot of success with these techniques in the past, and tend to call my providers every other year or so to see what I can get. I like how you stress being nice and not telling a big long story. As far as getting rid of your land line, how does your Tivo download the network info it needs without one? Great advice!! I’ve had a lot of success with these techniques in the past, and tend to call my providers every other year or so to see what I can get. I like how you stress being nice and not telling a big long story.

As far as getting rid of your land line, how does your Tivo download the network info it needs without one?

]]> By: chris http://www.erica.biz/2009/negotiate-your-phone-bill/comment-page-2/#comment-2548 chris Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:42:29 +0000 http://www.erica.biz/?p=737#comment-2548 Just used this script with Directv. I was notified that rates are going up in Feb by $3/month. Their first offer was a $5/month reduction. Ended (with quiet rejection of a couple of offers) reducing my bill by $20/month for 12 months. January and February provided at no charge (via $95 credit). No contract changes (I am already off contract - customer for 28 months). Been on direct payment since beginning. Much easier than switching to Dish Network and making another 24 month commitment. No yelling, fist-banging, or threats required. I spoke in the quietest voice I could and reiterated that I called to cancel, not lower my bill. Overall, very pleasant and profitable 30 minutes! Thanks very much! Just used this script with Directv.
I was notified that rates are going up in Feb by $3/month.

Their first offer was a $5/month reduction. Ended (with quiet rejection of a couple of offers) reducing my bill by $20/month for 12 months.
January and February provided at no charge (via $95 credit).
No contract changes (I am already off contract – customer for 28 months). Been on direct payment since beginning.

Much easier than switching to Dish Network and making another 24 month commitment.

No yelling, fist-banging, or threats required. I spoke in the quietest voice I could and reiterated that I called to cancel, not lower my bill. Overall, very pleasant and profitable 30 minutes!

Thanks very much!

]]> By: Natalie http://www.erica.biz/2009/negotiate-your-phone-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-1630 Natalie Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:53:25 +0000 http://www.erica.biz/?p=737#comment-1630 For all those that are unhappy with the outcome of their call; IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED, TRY, TRY AGAIN! I have been doing this with my cable company for years with great success. One time I called, and the girl seemed all to happy to get rid of me!!! I chalk it up to being a lazy employee. I never give up until I'm happy. I just keep calling back. Thank you, Erica. I just learned a few more things I can do, and I will be back on the phone again soon ;-) For all those that are unhappy with the outcome of their call; IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED, TRY, TRY AGAIN! I have been doing this with my cable company for years with great success. One time I called, and the girl seemed all to happy to get rid of me!!! I chalk it up to being a lazy employee. I never give up until I’m happy. I just keep calling back.

Thank you, Erica. I just learned a few more things I can do, and I will be back on the phone again soon ;-)

]]> By: Terri http://www.erica.biz/2009/negotiate-your-phone-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-1629 Terri Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:12:14 +0000 http://www.erica.biz/?p=737#comment-1629 Two phone calls with Verizon, and got nowhere. Their 'loyalty' offer drops my monthly bill by $15/month but also my minutes by 350, and unlimited nights & weekends, and would now have to pay for calls to other Verizon customers. I've been with them for 9 years. Two phone calls with Verizon, and got nowhere. Their ‘loyalty’ offer drops my monthly bill by $15/month but also my minutes by 350, and unlimited nights & weekends, and would now have to pay for calls to other Verizon customers. I’ve been with them for 9 years.

]]> By: Concojones http://www.erica.biz/2009/negotiate-your-phone-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-1628 Concojones Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:10:07 +0000 http://www.erica.biz/?p=737#comment-1628 Hi Erica, What an insightful post (I read it to see how it compared to Ramit's advice on the same topic) - especially for a college drop-out ;-) I assume your business experience helped you a bit, but still I can see the person behind the blog is worth following. So I'll be back. Keep up the good work! Hi Erica,
What an insightful post (I read it to see how it compared to Ramit’s advice on the same topic) – especially for a college drop-out ;-)
I assume your business experience helped you a bit, but still I can see the person behind the blog is worth following. So I’ll be back. Keep up the good work!

]]> By: Greta B http://www.erica.biz/2009/negotiate-your-phone-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-1627 Greta B Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:03:00 +0000 http://www.erica.biz/?p=737#comment-1627 I cannot thank you enough. I just saved 300 dollars a year in a 10-minute phone call! I cannot thank you enough. I just saved 300 dollars a year in a 10-minute phone call!

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