By John<\/p>\n
The average American household\u2019s monthly cable bill is reckoned to be $75. With costs rising by at least 5% annually (outstripping inflation), it won\u2019t be long before it reaches $100 per month<\/b>. No wonder people who are already looking for ways to save money are increasingly wondering how to reduce their monthly cable bill. The trouble is, cable is mostly provided by a few big companies who to a large extent are able to dictate their own terms. They may say they are being squeezed by their partners but that is little comfort to us, the consumers.<\/p>\n
Click here to compare money-saving offers and lower your monthly bills by hundreds of dollars. Save on credit cards, phone bills, cell phone, long distance, Internet access, mortgages, insurance, and so much more. Free comparison tools.<\/a><\/p>\n Most people have a triple play cable package, comprising telephone, high-speed internet and TV services. Of these, TV is usually by far the most expensive component. This is obviously the main area where you should be looking for a reduction, and there are 3 ways to approach it that we recommend.<\/p>\n Ask For A Better Deal<\/b><\/p>\n The cable provision business is highly competitive and companies have devised multiple different plans, schemes, packages and promos to attract new customers. Having attracted customers they are keen to hold onto them. They have dedicated loyalty or retention departments devoted to this, whose staff have a wide degree of discretion over what reductions they may agree to. So if you call your cable company to ask for a better deal, make sure you get the right department. Before calling, be clear in your own mind what you want from them and what you are prepared to accept. For instance, can you drop some of your extra channels to reduce the bill, or would you accept an extra channel or two for free? (If you do, make sure you know how long the arrangement will last for.) Discuss your billing in detail, as there may be line items on there that you were not aware of and can do without.<\/p>\n Depending on how this works out, you may need to get a little tougher in your negotiating. Bear in mind that the company is possibly keener to keep you as a customer than you are to remain one. Ultimately, of course, you unleash your ultimate weapon \u2013 threaten to drop the TV component altogether (assuming that you are happy with the internet and phone service and want to continue these). If that doesn\u2019t produce the solution you are seeking, then drop it. You have alternative options.<\/p>\n