Negotiating Household Bills - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 05-28-2015, 04:30 PM

My husband and I have had an ADT Security System for 15 years. Over the years, the price has skyrocketed 100%. We've been getting calls and letters from other companies that offer much lower prices. There's even an infomercial on tv with a $15 monthly price. It's hard seeing these ads when our bill is almost $40 a month.

My husband called ADT's billing department yesterday. He told them about the ads we see and that our three-year contract with ADT is up in September, and we won't be renewing with them. I don't know what else he said, but he had good news when he hung up. Our new bill with ADT will be $50 every three months.

I researched negotiating bills, and was amazed at how many people do it. Next up is my Comcast bill which is off the rails. I've read that many people have had success getting a new rate.

Have you ever negotiated a new bill?

Zoneboy · 05-28-2015, 06:58 PM

Telling them about the other ads and deciding not to renew obviously did the trick. No doubt they quickly decided that charging a lower fee would be better than losing you entirely.

ponytail · 05-29-2015, 05:53 AM

We got CenturyLink to lower our bundle and they switched the cost of the cable box to dvr. So we now get to record stuff without paying extra. But every year we have to negotiate with them. But it does help. Another thing we stopped doing it over the phone. That led to nothing. Instead we go directly to the Centurylink store in town.

AB · 05-29-2015, 05:49 PM

We negotiate the cable tv/internet bill every time they increase the rate. We can usually get one of their promotions which lowers the bill. It certainly doesn't hurt to ask about it.

mets82 · 05-29-2015, 05:51 PM

I had the same problem with my cable bill. I told them that it was too expensive and wanted to leave but it didnt do any good. Sometimes, with bill collectors, you can only pay them just so much. You do have other obligations.

Family Ties Forever! · 05-29-2015, 09:37 PM

That's great that your ADT bill will be lower. Everything is so expensive. Every little bit helps. That's cool that it was cut by more than 50%.

OH Nuts! · 06-02-2015, 07:23 AM

I wish I could negotiate my wireless internet bill. Frig***g $76 a month with Times Warner. I'm going to call them and see if I can get something better. If not, then maybe to he** with having internet at home. I'll just use my work computer for bills and the library for regular surfing. Perhaps it might be a good thing and get me back to the old days where entertainment was watching DVDS, taking a walk in the park, visiting friends more etc.

mets82 · 06-02-2015, 04:23 PM

Everything is just so damn expensive.

You literally have a job just for the bills. How is this fair? Your trying to keep your head above water, so you dont entertain or buy clothes or even go out to eat. I'd like to know how much more sacrificing can all of us do?

JamesG · 06-03-2015, 11:20 AM

My parents heard through one of their friends that she lowered her cable bill (Time Warner) by saying she was a senior.

Some companies offer senior rates but you have to tell them you're a senior before they offer it to you.

mets82 · 06-03-2015, 04:41 PM

But shouldnt the cable company know your a senior already? I dont think you should have to tell them as I think they would have the person's name, address and birthday on file. If they don't, then thats an interesting idea.

dakert · 06-03-2015, 10:46 PM

I asked Atlantic Broadband here in Altoona PA why the bill was so high ($185.00 bundle per month) when we were longtime loyal customers? She said the company likes money. I did appreciate her honesty <sigh>
We now have Atlantic internet for 40.00, AT&T landline phone for 25.00 and Dish for 30.00.
I would love to see the cable companies go under!

Coffeecup · 06-04-2015, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mets82

But shouldnt the cable company know your a senior already? I dont think you should have to tell them as I think they would have the person's name, address and birthday on file. If they don't, then thats an interesting idea.

Didn't know they know your birthday. I don't think Comcast knows mine. I did have my bill go up to $196. a month in January and I haggled them down to $170. I have the triple bundle packet. I find you have to be slightly pushy. They aren't going to offer you a discount. It's like the old phase. They may say NO but least you tried.

05-28-2015, 04:30 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Negotiating Household Bills My husband and I have had an ADT Security System for 15 years. Over the years, the price has skyrocketed 100%. We've been getting calls and letters from other companies that offer much lower prices. There's even an infomercial on tv with a $15 monthly price. It's hard seeing these ads when our bill is almost $40 a month. My husband called ADT's billing department yesterday. He told them about the ads we see and that our three-year contract with ADT is up in September, and we won't be renewing with them. I don't know what else he said, but he had good news when he hung up. Our new bill with ADT will be $50 every three months. I researched negotiating bills, and was amazed at how many people do it. Next up is my Comcast bill which is off the rails. I've read that many people have had success getting a new rate. Have you ever negotiated a new bill?

05-28-2015, 06:58 PM	#2
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,552	Telling them about the other ads and deciding not to renew obviously did the trick. No doubt they quickly decided that charging a lower fee would be better than losing you entirely.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

05-29-2015, 05:51 PM	#5
mets82 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 14, 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,063	I had the same problem with my cable bill. I told them that it was too expensive and wanted to leave but it didnt do any good. Sometimes, with bill collectors, you can only pay them just so much. You do have other obligations.
	__________________ http://www.superbowlgreatness.blogspot.com/ Please check out my blog. I vent on all things. TV, sports etc. you name it. Its also a work in progress. Check out and see what you think.

05-29-2015, 09:37 PM	#6
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Star Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,216	That's great that your ADT bill will be lower. Everything is so expensive. Every little bit helps. That's cool that it was cut by more than 50%.
	__________________ Jenny

05-29-2015, 05:53 AM	#3
ponytail Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 20, 2004 Location: In Happy, Healthy, Wealthyville Posts: 4,275	We got CenturyLink to lower our bundle and they switched the cost of the cable box to dvr. So we now get to record stuff without paying extra. But every year we have to negotiate with them. But it does help. Another thing we stopped doing it over the phone. That led to nothing. Instead we go directly to the Centurylink store in town.

05-29-2015, 05:49 PM	#4
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,429	We negotiate the cable tv/internet bill every time they increase the rate. We can usually get one of their promotions which lowers the bill. It certainly doesn't hurt to ask about it.

06-02-2015, 07:23 AM	#7
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	I wish I could negotiate my wireless internet bill. Frig*g $76 a month with Times Warner. I'm going to call them and see if I can get something better. If not, then maybe to he with having internet at home. I'll just use my work computer for bills and the library for regular surfing. Perhaps it might be a good thing and get me back to the old days where entertainment was watching DVDS, taking a walk in the park, visiting friends more etc.

06-02-2015, 04:23 PM	#8
mets82 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 14, 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,063	Everything is just so damn expensive. You literally have a job just for the bills. How is this fair? Your trying to keep your head above water, so you dont entertain or buy clothes or even go out to eat. I'd like to know how much more sacrificing can all of us do?

06-03-2015, 11:20 AM	#9
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,334	My parents heard through one of their friends that she lowered her cable bill (Time Warner) by saying she was a senior. Some companies offer senior rates but you have to tell them you're a senior before they offer it to you.

06-03-2015, 04:41 PM	#10
mets82 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 14, 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,063	But shouldnt the cable company know your a senior already? I dont think you should have to tell them as I think they would have the person's name, address and birthday on file. If they don't, then thats an interesting idea.

06-03-2015, 10:46 PM	#11
dakert Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: Altoona PA Posts: 3,411	I asked Atlantic Broadband here in Altoona PA why the bill was so high ($185.00 bundle per month) when we were longtime loyal customers? She said the company likes money. I did appreciate her honesty <sigh> We now have Atlantic internet for 40.00, AT&T landline phone for 25.00 and Dish for 30.00. I would love to see the cable companies go under!