Community Chat

[phoenixbrd]

@vermintWe watch about 5 channels of the so called huge number offered (over 100...a lot are offered twice, some in another language, most of no interest).  We think we are all faced with this reality.  Yes, it would be great to pick a dozen that we actually watch.

[Jordan2]

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@CherryHugs wrote:

Two people that I know recently called the cable company  ( Spectrum) and got their cable bill lowered by around $40.

When I called and tried they would not budge!! They said if i get rid of home phone it would lower it around $10.

I wonder WHY they wont lower my bill but others they do lower???

I know for a fact that those that got a lower bill have the same channels I do, DVR, Internet, and they both even have a second cable box and cable channels on it and and I do not.

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@CherryHugs, I have Spectrum and would love to know what they said. I have called numerous times to lower my bill, Spectrum won't budge. They tell me cut some of my services I am now getting, if you threaten to leave, they don't care.

[Goodie2shoes]

I have Spectrum, 4 TV's with 4 boxes.My daughter also has Spectrum and they purchased a ROKU which helped bring their bill down because they were able to take a box off their bill. I bought a ROKU, returned a box and 40 dollars came off my bill. With the ROKU  I can download the Spectrum app.

[on the bay]

We recently "cut the cord" to cable (we had spectrum).

I used to do all those calling things too with retention and everything.

I got Sling tv with a free roku!

I never thought I would like or get used to it but I love this! I can even get everything I loved to watch and not 100's that I don't!

This is a whole new world and I get to watch so many things I never knew about.

Its only $29 a month!

I'm so glad we did this!

[Jordan2]

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@Mz iMac wrote:

Negotiate w/the supervisor.  They are the ones w/the "lowering bill" powers not the CR.

Negotiate w/the Retention Department if the above will not budge.

Getting your bill lowered depends on many factors....

Valuable customer?  - never and/or rarely late paying bill(s)

How many years you have been a customer?

Are you a senior?  All cable companies have senior/disabled discounts (some advertised, most don't.)  Some even have special plans for low income.........You MUST ask about them on your own.  None will volunteer the info.

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@Mz iMac, I have been with Time Warner Cable, now Spectrum for 17 years. I pay my bill in full , on time. TWC would negotiate with the customer, Spectrum has a policy, they will not. Speaking to a supervisor doesn't do any good, they don't care.

[millieshops]

@phoenixbrdSounds as if it would work although not for those who live singly.

Because even a $10/month reduction is worth over $100 a year I do better with that than I'd do chasing after free shipping (I don't buy online often enough to save $100+ in a year.)

But cable bills are obscene -  far more than my electric bills even though I live in an area where I'm pretty sure electricity per kwh is very high.

[phoenixbrd]

@millieshops  True Millie.  I wish there was a way.  You could try talking to a supervision on the phone, although I've not had good experience.  Also, I'm sure you have thought to ask for a senior discount.  Even the least expensive plan is quite a bit for many of our seniors.  Wishing you the best.

[Meowingkitty]

I call Direct TV every year. Ask to speak to a retention specialist. Last time I got $30 off my bill plus free HBO  for 6 months. I don’t care about the HBO but I’ll take it as long as it’s free. 

[Mz iMac]

"you have to be firm but pleasant..."

This is so true when dealing w/cable reps to transfer you to their Retention department.  You have to go through hell & high water to find their separate phone # on the net. 

Verizon FIOS has their Rentention phone # "hidden" in microscopic print on the back of their bill.

"Last month I went into one of their stores"

I live in Comcast country.  They have more stores on corners than 7-11 & Wawa's.  With Comcast, you get the best deals from their stores instead of the TCRs. 

My mother has Comcast.  Every 2 yrs, she walks to a Comcast store to get her discounted package deals.  You do not have to negotiate if you bring them your  bill.

I have been w/Fios for about 25 yrs now.  Always had Triple Play, Preferred HD w/HBO, 3 more FREE premioum channels for 6 months, NEVER a phone bill for my landline, 2 yr contract all for under $100 including taxes.

Recently, I got a notice in the mail that I am getting their fastest internet for FREE and for 48 hours each month FREE premium channels.

Been paying the same amount for 5 yrs now.  I moved 5 yrs ago and when I called them to "disconnect," I advised them I was not sure about getting them again.  I wanted to test the waters again w/Comcast.

A week after I moved, I received a letter from a manager of sales at Verizon FIOS in No. Joisey their headquarters,  I live in South Joisey offering me a deal of a lifetime which I took full advantage of.

Not sure if this is new or not, within the last 2 yrs or so, Verizon FIOS now offers "custom" tv packages, where you pick & chose what channels you want.

[chrystaltree]

Call them back, you might have better luck with a different customer service rep.  Comcast reduced my bill by $40 and gave me another movie channel and I didn't even ask them for it.  I called when my wifi went down, they got it back and asked me if I was happy with them and I joked "I like to pay less" and the customer service rep took me seriously.  She said "let me speak to my supervisor" and when she came back, she took $40 off the bill and gave me another movie channel.  They use their judgement on these things.  It could depend on how long you have had them and whether or not you are ever late paying the bill.