How to Lower Your Cable and Internet Bills

With record-high inflation eating away at our finances, consumers are looking for ways to reduce costs. Now might be a great time to call your cable and internet service provider to request a lower monthly payment.

It takes some skill and patience to negotiate with a customer service representative, but as surveys of CR members have confirmed time and again, it pays to haggle. And right now, as service providers face sharp competition and an increase in cord-cutters, the odds of scoring a better cable and internet deal may be in your favor.

Ben Kurland, a co-founder of the negotiating service BillFixers, says that if you’re thinking about asking for a discount, now’s the time to do it.

“Most of what goes into getting a discount is just asking for it,” he says. He points out that you’re not really negotiating with a company but with an individual, and he or she may be likely to relate to your financial worries. “We’re all facing economic uncertainties, including the customer service representative on the other end of the line,” he says.

And in the coming weeks and months, as the economic picture becomes more clear, there may be official recession-related deals being offered by service providers in order to prevent sharper declines in their customer base, Kurland says.

“Cable companies aren’t famous for their charity, but that said, everyone is worried about recession and protecting revenues and we’re likely to see a push for customer retention.”

For those who are ready to make the call to their cable company, here are his expert tips.