Dear Consumerist,
Overheard a couple guys at work talking about phone service, and it reminded me that it's been a while since I checked for lower prices. I am currently paying 19.95 for the lowest speed DSL and $21.46 for basic service, unlimited local calling w/caller ID (number only, no name).
Online ATT offers $14.99 for the same internet service I currently have, and also offers a basic home service for $21 that includes unlimited local clg, caller ID w/name, and call waiting. I see an opportunity to save $5.46 and add services.
I call the internet services number (877-722-3755) and the first guy I talk to has to verify my # (even tho I entered it already), then the last 4 of my SSN. He says he has to xfr me to someone else for my request. that person asks for the same info (ph#, last 4 SSN). Still can't help me, offer apparently for new customers only (which to me does NOT reward loyalty), says she can see what options are available with a contract. Says she will transfer me to a diff dept, gave me # in case disconnected (877-722-3755, SAME # I called first). I am put on hold there, so I hang up.
I call back to the internet svc number, this time hit 0-0-0-0-0-0-0. Shortly, I speak with a rep, explain that my cable co. has offered me a price of 14.95 for basic internet, can ATT match? He transfers me to a guy in Billing, I repeat myself, he transfers me to Retention group at 800-288-2020. ( I used the magic words, "thinking of canceling, have better offer elsewhere"
There, I speak with a very helpful lady who says she can definitely take care of both of my requests. She is very quick and efficient, we spend a few minutes while she works her magic with my account, and I end up saving $5 and walk away with more services than I started with.
All thanks to Consumerist tips I read every day.
Thank you! Have a great day!
Always keep an eye out for other advertised deals from other vendors and if you see something better, don't be afraid of calling up your provider and saying you're thinking about cancelling unless they can pricematch.
]]>Just make sure that if you're going to tell your current provider about an offer, that it really exists. I work in retention for a small wireless company, and all too often, people will say that another company is offering this or that, and then when I check their website, it's not there, and the customer can't fax this amazing deal to us to match - some things are too good to be true, and the company most likely won't make an offer for something that will ultimately lose them moeny.
]]>I called 1-888-649-9500 and simply told them if they were going to raise my price at the same time my contract was up I would go somewhere else. I think I was transferred to their customer care area and was offered that $25 price for a year.
]]>Been using this with LoL to get FREE internet.
Been using this with Craptastic to get the 19.99 with the 8Mbps upgrade
I have "lite" cable internet for $15/month, "basic" cable TV for $15/month (channels 1-20), a prepaid cell that rarely costs me more than $10-15/month (100-150 minutes worth), so all my communication needs together cost less than some people pay for just a cell phone.
]]>Previously, I had voice mail, caller ID, high-speed DSL, and a unlimited regional calling. My monthly bill was over $80 so this is a huge savings for me. I've been a customer for over 10 years, so that may have had an impact.
]]>@johnnya2: Keep in mind that the low tier DSL many people have have low monthly upload/download caps, and VOIP could put them over. It's actually cheaper for me to have a landline than to upgrade my DSL.
]]>After reading these stories on Consumerist so much, I'm about to do this with Time Warner Cable. My bill for internet & cable is $93.80 every month. That's $1,125.60 every year. What I'm going to do is tell them about the mailer I got from AT&T including, phone, TV and internet for $90 a month for a year and say I'm switching to AT&T and see what they offer me. I was waiting until after the election so that if they tell me good riddance I can make good on the threat.
]]>I called today that said I would cancel if it went up and would find something else. They offered me $25 a month for the same download speed for another year.
It's a combination of being nice on the phone and paying your bills on time. If you are a good customer, and are nice when asking for a continued discounted rate you usually get what you ask for.
]]>@benbell: Nice! I should try that. I have basic cable and I think their mid-range internet. comes out to $50 a month, but it used to be $35 before the internet went up.
]]>Wait, so did he save $5 or $65?
Interesting story nonetheless, it seems to work in most companies though. Rentention is there for a reason. (Sometimes!)
]]>When my promotional rate for Comcast was up I called them up and explained that because I was now paying more I want to cut down on the services that I have. The lady transferred me to retentions and the guy ended up giving me back my promotional rate and pro-rated the 1/2 month I was paying too much. In the end I was playing less than I would have even with the cancelled services.
]]>I'm glad that worked for you, it didn't for me. I was with Verizon, and they were screwing me from the beginning. When we moved, I called to transfer service only to find out it would take them 8 weeks to come and activate my DSL line. I said I'd think about it, called comcast, and they said they'd be there within two weeks. When I called back, Verizon basically told me 8 weeks was the best they could do, so I cancelled. I didn't even get transferred to a retention line, they just let me cancel. It was nice to to have someone sweet talk me into staying, but at the same time I felt let down like they weren't even going to try and do something more reasonable.
I have been completely happy with comcast since!.
]]>My latest venture was with DirecTV. We were one of the first customers to ever sign up so we had to purchase our equipment up front all those years ago, now, they call us to re-start...with a low intro rate...but they also want to charge me for new equipment and a rental fee...I can't just start my old equipment because that is not the special. All they needed to do, which I asked customer service, retention and cancellation departments all to do was give me the going rate for new customers and I would stay. They would only offer me $10 off per month and that was just not enough when new customers were paying $30 to my $50 including discount.
I have just flat out cancelled and after 9 months of no satellite TV, I am jonesing for some TCM and HGTV. Other than that...I enjoy the savings.
]]>RE: Darth Vader and AT&T's logo...
I call it, "The Sphere O' Fear". The "Deathticle"?
]]>That's landline service we're talking about and if they drop the ball, it turns into a giant hammer that lands on their toes, HARD!
It pays to sit down with a cup of joe and read the telcom rules and regulations your PUC lays out for the telecoms to obey. Even politics are hard pressed to suppress blatant violations of regs.
]]>Hopefully they won't pull a Sprint and have you discounts magically disappear and no one can do anything about it because none of the agents left any account notations.
Oh wait, that's just me.
Kudos to getting more for less! That's the mantra that business are using on us (food shrink ray, anyone?) and it's about time we pay them back.
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