Sometimes, negotiating does pay off!
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (42684)
April 10, 2025 6:51pm CST
For those of us who used to have cable TV, or maybe you still have it, you know that most of these companies are rather sneaky--they raise the bill constantly unless you have negotiated for a better price and have managed to snare one. I did that for awhile, when I had cable TV. Which thankfully, I ditched quite some time ago.
I have Mediacom/Exfinity for my internet provider. Lately the bill was starting to climb for that--and since I have streaming for television, I need internet. I mean, who doesn't need internet now? The other options that are available for my area, are not reliable and cost more than Exfinity does.
So, I called the other night to talk to an IT about the internet being down. I thought it was down everywhere, but it wasn't, just my area of the city. The IT tech was beyond nice, and he said that I was eligible for a special price for a year, with the same speeds, etc. because I have been a customer for so long. Seriously?? I was skeptical. They do this now? In the past, it was always special price for the new customers only, not for us that have stuck with them. After some discussion, he shaved my bill down by $40 per month!!
Since of course this IT guy was in another country (Phillipines) I was a tad leary, but hey...we never get anyone who lives in the US when we call, so I went with the bargain he quoted. He said I will get that discount for a year! Then I can, of course, I can negotiate for myself and hopefully they will continue this loyalty thing.
It might seem small to some. But in a year, that's a savings of $480.00., so that's no small deal to me!
If you haven't tried to bargain with your internet provider, try it! Maybe you can save some money, too. 
16 people like this
15 responses
@JudyEv (350708)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Apr
@MarieCoyle Oh dear. Sometimes people just can't win, can they? 
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (42684)
•
11 Apr
Some businesses are not allowed to ask ''are you a senior?'' Reason being many people get very angry if you ask them that, and they aren't a senior yet. They spout off ''Do I look that old to you?'' and it can get ugly.
3 people like this
@kaylachan (76831)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
11 Apr
If you can, sometimes it is worth it.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (42684)
•
11 Apr
I would say this was definitely one of those times! $480 is a big deal to me!
3 people like this
@kaylachan (76831)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
11 Apr
@MarieCoyle Yeah, prices are out of control, take the breaks where you can get it.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (42684)
•
11 Apr
@kaylachan
Yes, most of us try to be very careful, and any breaks in overpaying are appreciated.
@Juliaacv (53032)
• Canada
11 Apr
You did negotiate a much better overall price for your services.
I am currently on hold for the loyalty department for Bell Canada, as I am after the same thing.
Our internet, which is fiber optic and quite fast, is $111/month.
Fingers crossed that the loyalty dept. can offer me a reduction, even though I already have a $35/monthly reduction on the fee currently.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (53032)
• Canada
12 Apr
@MarieCoyle I was probably 35 minutes on the phone, but I did negotiate a much better price.
Although we do not have a home phone line, I do not know of anyone that does today, we have 2 cellphones and mine is only a couple of weeks old and on a new plan due to that. The new device indicates loyalty, which worked out in my favour.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (42684)
•
12 Apr
In my quest for a lower price, I discovered that if a person has full cable TV, AND internet service, the bill would now be close to $350 per month! No, thanks!!
I hope you get to hear from them soon, Julia.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (42684)
•
12 Apr
@Juliaacv
I don't know hardly anyone at all that has a home phone anymore. I haven't had one in many years, and I do not miss it.
I am so glad you have a better price, that's great.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (472777)
• Switzerland
12 Apr
@MarieCoyle - I had to shop around for electricity, phone, internet, but we are all set now.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (42684)
•
12 Apr
@LadyDuck
It's always such a pain to have to do all of that on top of a move and packing and unpacking.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (42684)
•
11 Apr
I am glad you got a good deal, Anna. I know that you have had to make a lot of changes with the move to Italy.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (225377)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Apr
@MarieCoyle Their nefarious ways caused me to cancel my TV services. Some day I will be off the grid. You will recognize me by my long beard, small caber rifle, and collection of good guitars.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (42684)
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12 Apr
@TheHorse
I have 2 friends who live off the grid. They are very happy with the lifestyle they chose. You've had a big taste of isolation in that cabin, so you will know how to manage and what your needs are, I'm sure.
@MarieCoyle (42684)
•
11 Apr
Exfinity was built on cable TV services, which as we know, have taken a huge hit from streaming services and is predicted to continue to lose customers. I think they may be changing some of their ways in hopes of building back clientele, but that's just a guess on my part.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (186538)
• United States
12 Apr
Spectrum never cut me any deals until I called to cancel. Kinetic/Windstream is already taking a $7.50 per month increase.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (42684)
•
12 Apr
That Kinetic outfit needs to offer you a free year or something. What they did was ridiculous. They have no idea what customer service even is.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (186538)
• United States
12 Apr
@MarieCoyle Spectrum was to blame as well.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (42684)
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12 Apr
@LindaOHio
Wasn’t it like 6months before it was actually fixed? Whoever was at fault, that’s horrible customer service.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (187708)
• United States
11 Apr
Very nice, lucky you! I am thrilled with mine. It is about 40 dollars cheaper than the satellite internet was, and faster too. It isn't perfect, but hey I;ll take it. It never goes down either for no reason like the satellite was prone to do. Its not perfect, but a vast improvement as to what was before.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (187708)
• United States
11 Apr
@MarieCoyle Most are apprehensive about what the future holds
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (42684)
•
11 Apr
For some reason, I had just never thought about negotiating for a better price for internet. But then it started going up. We do have several other options, but none of them are as good or as fast as what I have, so I didn't want to change it. I was very happy to have this option! Between helping my son, etc. and managing life in general, every penny counts! But I know right now, most of us are in the same boat.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (42684)
•
11 Apr
@snowy22315
That statement pretty much covers just about everyone I know!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (42684)
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12 Apr
Whenever I actually find a bargain similar to this one, I try to share the info in case it helps someone else.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (114471)
• Marion, Ohio
12 Apr
@MarieCoyle I did good at the auction today.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (83878)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
11 Apr
Our Internet has been fairly steady here with not problems,
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (42684)
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12 Apr
I truly don't have issues and I love the high speed of this company. I just wasn't impressed with the price!
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (108592)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
11 Apr
Thank you for sharing the idea of negotiating a better deal with an internet provider.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (42684)
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12 Apr
You're welcome, George. I was just surprised it was even a doable thing, but it sure was.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (16964)
• Raurkela, India
11 Apr
I have the jio internet along with the TV package. The price is reasonable still now.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (16964)
• Raurkela, India
14 Apr
@MarieCoyle Yes, I am and hope they don't increase it much.
1 person likes this
@holdoors (2532)
• Malaysia
11 Apr
It’s not every day you hear about someone actually getting a good deal from their internet provider—especially without having to fight for it. That $40 a month is no joke, it really adds up over the year.
Totally agree—most of us don’t even think to call and ask, assuming we won’t get anything. But clearly, it’s worth a shot. Thanks for the heads-up!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (42684)
•
11 Apr
I used to do that about once a year back when I still had cable. I had no idea whatsoever that I could negotiate a better price for my internet service, but OH, I was glad I asked!! And you're welcome, for sure.
@MarieCoyle (42684)
•
12 Apr
Supposedly, we do as well. But in some cases, there are special offers, etc. that might work to save a person some money.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (20395)
• United States
15 Apr
Nice. Our internet is tied to our phones. My mother told me that we could get some dollars shaved off the bill by playing mobile games. I didn't believe her until I saw a text about it. I installed the app and played some of the games and got 5 dollars off the bill.
