The numbers are in – a recent study found that the average American spends $61 on their internet plan each month. While this does not seem like a lot, it can cost you hundreds of dollars over the life of a two-year contract. We’ve listed a few tried-and-tested tips to help you negotiate with your internet service provider (ISP) and slash your monthly costs.
Do Some Research on Your Current Service to See how It Stacks up Against the Competition
Stuck in a long-term contract with your ISP? Don’t despair. You can still shop around for a better deal. Take a speed test to check your download speeds. Find out whether you get a bundled TV service and the number of channels you get.
You can use this research to negotiate a lower price if your provider is not delivering the download speeds, performance, and perks you were promised.
Be Ready to Cancel Your Service if Necessary
Let your ISP know that you mean business and are willing to switch providers if they’re not open to negotiating.
Make a List of Competing Internet Providers in Your Area and What They Charge
Ask around and do some basic research to see what other internet providers in your area are charging for a plan with the same or similar download speeds. Then, make your choice based on this information. Even if your ISP is the only provider in town, you could still switch to satellite internet or your cell phone’s 4G LTE service to get your Netflix fix. Because your ISP doesn’t make money when you cancel, they might offer you a good deal to stay.
Contact Your ISP’s Retentions Department to Discuss This Issue
These people can help you get the best offer on your plan, so when you talk to them, use the information you’ve been gathering to get them to lower your bill without reducing the quality of your service.
Make Sure You Are Polite to The Customer Service Representative
Some people say that customer service representatives can’t (or won’t) give a better offer to “irate” customers. So don’t get angry on the phone if you want the best deal.
Be Clear About Your Needs and The Competitor’s Offer
It’s okay to ask your customer service representative if the offer on the table is the best one he or she can do. If it’s not what you want, don’t take the deal. Thank them for their efforts and call back another day.
