Save money on your cable bill
First, let me set this up for you.
Last week, I called Comcast to ask them how much it would be to increase my Basic Digital cable package to the Preferred package. I'm embarrassed to say that I wanted to bump it up solely because I wanted to watch the new season of General Hospital Night Shift on Soapnet, and my basic package didn't include Soapnet.
Anyways, the CS rep said it would be $18 more a month. $18! I said no. Then I saw the previews of Night Shift and saw that Antonio Sabato Jr would be rejoining the cast, and I gave in and called back and added it. I know, I'm weak. And there's something wrong with me. I have an addiction to General Hospital.
When I called to upgrade my package, I asked the CS rep if there was any promotion or anything that would make it any cheaper, she checked for what seemed like forever and said that no, sadly there was not.
Ok, now fast forward to today. I was perusing SlickDeals, and came across this thread, talking about a promotion for pre-existing customers, available only online through talking to someone on the website's chat feature.
I didn't think it would work, but hey, I'll spend a few minutes in an online chat to at least try (while eating my lunch and feeding my four-month-old a bottle - beats talking to them on the phone!).
So I went to the online chat through this link. And below is my actual conversation, the only part I edited was my SSN and account number. I'm posting it to show you that it was really that easy.
Not only did he take off the cost of one of my DVRs, but both of them. My cable package (including two DVRs, NOT including internet) was $107 before. Now it's $48! My internet was $27.95, now it's $24. My total bill last month was $143.90. Ugh, I know. So to drop down to $80 is awesome. I imagine with tax and surcharges and whatnot it'll be close to $100, but still, that's almost $50 less per month. Just by spending a few minutes chatting online.
I was almost doing cartwheels in my living room! Almost.
Last week, I called Comcast to ask them how much it would be to increase my Basic Digital cable package to the Preferred package. I'm embarrassed to say that I wanted to bump it up solely because I wanted to watch the new season of General Hospital Night Shift on Soapnet, and my basic package didn't include Soapnet.
Anyways, the CS rep said it would be $18 more a month. $18! I said no. Then I saw the previews of Night Shift and saw that Antonio Sabato Jr would be rejoining the cast, and I gave in and called back and added it. I know, I'm weak. And there's something wrong with me. I have an addiction to General Hospital.
When I called to upgrade my package, I asked the CS rep if there was any promotion or anything that would make it any cheaper, she checked for what seemed like forever and said that no, sadly there was not.
Ok, now fast forward to today. I was perusing SlickDeals, and came across this thread, talking about a promotion for pre-existing customers, available only online through talking to someone on the website's chat feature.
I didn't think it would work, but hey, I'll spend a few minutes in an online chat to at least try (while eating my lunch and feeding my four-month-old a bottle - beats talking to them on the phone!).
So I went to the online chat through this link. And below is my actual conversation, the only part I edited was my SSN and account number. I'm posting it to show you that it was really that easy.
Marco.19602(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:10:27 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
Hello Lavonne_, Thank you for contacting Comcast Live Chat Support. My name is Marco.19602. Please give me one moment to review your information.
Marco.19602(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:10:32 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
I will be happy to assist you with your questions today.
Marco.19602(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:11:00 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
For identification, could you please verify the last 4 digits of the Social Security Number listed on the account?
Lavonne_(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:14:47 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
last 4 digits are ****
Marco.19602(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:15:29 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
Thank you.
Marco.19602(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:15:38 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
For account identification can you please provide your account number?
Lavonne_(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:15:53 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
yes, just a minute while I get it
Marco.19602(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:16:21 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
Sure.
Marco.19602(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:16:22 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
Thank you.
Lavonne_(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:16:52 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
my account number is *******************
Marco.19602(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:17:13 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
Thank you for that information.
Marco.19602(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:17:16 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
While I am looking up your information can you please tell me more about your issue today?
Lavonne_(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:18:47 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
A friend of mine just changed her plan to a lower rate, I guess it's a new promotion, and she said it was available to pre-existing customers. I am hoping to get the same rate that she just switched to
Marco.19602(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:19:55 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
You mean you want an upgrade?
Lavonne_(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:21:11 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
no, I'd like the same package, but there is a promotion for pre-existing customers that would make the cost lower than what I am paying currently
Lavonne_(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:21:15 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
She was able to reduce her internet to $3o for 12 months, and her Digital Preferred service from $68 to $48 for 12 months as well, with a free DVR. Her bill will be $79 for 12 months.
Lavonne_(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:21:39 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
I would like to see if that rate is available to me as well
Marco.19602(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:22:03 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
Let me check.
Lavonne_(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:22:22 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
thank you
Marco.19602(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:22:35 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
You're welcome.
Marco.19602(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:25:51 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
Thank you for waiting, Lavonne. Your internet is at $24 and I have lowered your cable to $48, finishing up with DVRs.
Lavonne_(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:27:48 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
you are awesome. Thank you. We were considering switching to the Dish because we're cutting down on our budget, but I like having the On Demand with Comcast. With the rate you lowered me to, we can stay with Comcast for another year. Thank you
Marco.19602(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:28:17 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
You're most welcome. I am almost done.
Marco.19602(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:29:35 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
Thank you for waiting. Your request is completed.
Marco.19602(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:29:38 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
Is there anything else I can help you with?
Lavonne_(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:30:00 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
can you tell me what my monthly bill will be now?
Marco.19602(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:30:45 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
It is $80.
Lavonne_(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:31:07 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
Thank you very much. I really appreciate it. This is good for 12 months?
Marco.19602(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:31:30 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
Yes, good for 12 months. You're welcome.
Marco.19602(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:31:32 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
Is there anything else I can help you with?
Lavonne_(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:31:40 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
No thank you, have a great day.
Marco.19602(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:32:16 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
Thank you for contacting Comcast, it has been a pleasure assisting you today. Please take a moment to participate in the survey by answering the pop-up questions when you click the "end session" button after this chat. We will greatly appreciate your feedback to help us improve our service.
Marco.19602(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:32:28 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
If you need assistance in the future, please do not hesitate to contact us through Live Chat or E-Mail (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Comcast also offers excellent FAQ and Help forums located at www.comcast.com to help you reach a resolution independently.
Marco.19602(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:32:30 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
Have a great day!
Marco.19602(Tue Aug 05 2008 11:51:38 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
analyst Marco.19602 has left room
user Lavonne_ has left room
Analyst has closed chat and left the room
Not only did he take off the cost of one of my DVRs, but both of them. My cable package (including two DVRs, NOT including internet) was $107 before. Now it's $48! My internet was $27.95, now it's $24. My total bill last month was $143.90. Ugh, I know. So to drop down to $80 is awesome. I imagine with tax and surcharges and whatnot it'll be close to $100, but still, that's almost $50 less per month. Just by spending a few minutes chatting online.
I was almost doing cartwheels in my living room! Almost.
That's really good. I am motivated now to go online and see if my cable company has any promotions going on. I love to here stories like this. Thanks for posting this. I need to look over all my bills to see if I can do something like you did. I would be doing cartwheels in my living room for sure!
You've been in my blog roll on my sidebar for a while and I really enjoy your posts.
Keep sharing those tips on how to save.
That's so awesome! Our 12 month promotional pricing on our internet/cable just ended and I've been bugging DH to call the cable company and threaten to cancel. At least give us the new bundle that they created which is $5 less a month that they conveniently didn't automatically switch us to :)
Thanks for posting this! We have Comcast and I just got $27 off a month for the same package we already have. The offer is good for 1 year. I figure I can call back and barter at that time.
Missy
About 18 months ago, I switched from Wide Open West to Comcast and they gave me a great rate to switch. My total bill is $69.93 for High Speed Internet, HD Digital Cable and 2 DVR/HD boxes! The rate was good for 6 months (that was over a year ago). The customer rep who switched me told me to call back at the end of my promotion period and ask what Comcast will do to keep me as a customer. So, every 6 months when my promo ends, I call them and say that Wide Open West wants me back and ask them what they can do to "keep me as a customer". They usually transfer me to a "customer retention specialist" when I utter the words "keep me as a customer" and they always work great deals. Just name drop a competitor! Also, this works for the home phone too if you have a competitor in your area!