Common mistakes you should avoid during the negotiation process

When you call in to negotiate a lower rate with your TV provider, do you actually succeed? If you're having trouble getting what you want from provider, it might be because you're not approaching the request the right way, says Anisha Sekar, a consumer-savings expert at NerdWallet.com.

From timing to the type of questions you ask, there's a right and wrong way to go about negotiating your TV bill. To help you score big savings, experts share common mistakes that you should avoid during the negotiation process.

Mistake #1 - Waiting Too Long to Negotiate Your Bill

The longer you wait to negotiate a bill, the harder it's going to be. This is especially true if your promotional rates have expired and you're already paying a higher price.

Trying to negotiate after your rate has gone up is essentially like trying to get on to a train that's already left the station: the opportunity to get on board is already gone, says Jeff Haynes, editor at consumer-savings site, TechBargains.com.

"At this point, unless you can find a specific service on your bill that you didn't agree to within your contract (such as a new channel package), you'll be stuck," Haynes says.

So, if you're interested in lowering your TV bill, it's always preferable to do this prior to the end of a promotional period, Haynes says.

On top of that, you can potentially negotiate other discounts if you find that there are some items on your bill that simply don't work, such as channel packages you don't watch or that extra DVR you don't really need, he adds.

"Companies expect that to occur during promo and introductory periods, but once the rate goes up or these periods lapse, you're essentially locked in for the the term of your contract," Haynes says.

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Mistake #2 - Taking "No" From Someone Low on the Service Totem Pole

Just because you hear "no" doesn't mean you should give up. In fact, there's a good chance that the person you speak to is low on the service totem pole, according to Jeanette Pavini, household savings expert for Coupons.com.

"They truly might not be authorized to give you a discount or be worried about getting in trouble if they do," says Pavini. She adds that  if they tell you "no," it's okay to ask to speak to their manager and to keep trying.

Pavini says that if it was as simple as asking, "Can I have a discount?" then everyone would do it over and over and companies would make no money. "The key is having a reason," Pavini explains. "Not simply asking for a discount, but telling them why you deserve a discount."

To make your case to providers, Pavini suggests that consumers discuss their loyalty with the company and how they would like to remain a customer. Consumers should follow this up by explaining that a competitor is offering a price they can't refuse. Chances are, they'll say match the competitor price or at least give you a handsome discount, Pavini says.

This is exactly what Rachel Quintero, a Boston resident, did when she called her cable company, and received a "no" to her request for a discount.

"I was actually a little surprised and upset, so I decided to call again the next day," she explains. "Before the person on the phone could give me an answer, I explained I'd been a customer for two years and this was the first time I'd requested a discount." RCN, her cable company, ended up reducing her cable bill from $69.99 to $59.99 for six months. Quintero says she plans on calling again after the six months to see if she can get any other discount.

[Do you want to save on your TV costs? Click to get quotes from multiple providers now.]

Mistake #3 - Forgetting About Other Deals

Getting a lower rate should always be the first thing that comes to mind when you pick up the phone to talk to your TV and Internet provider.

But here's the thing: A lower rate isn’t the only thing available when you negotiate. In fact, the Consumer Reports National Research Center conducted a customer satisfaction survey on in-home telecommunications services and found that 92 percent of respondents who negotiated received lower rates, discounts on equipment, extra channels, and more.

Specifically, of the surveyed respondents who haggled…

• 46 percent received a lower rate (up to $50/month less)

• 44 percent extended their promo rate or received a new promotion

• 33 percent got additional channels

• 16 percent received discounted or free equipment

• 8 percent got nothing from it

So remember: When you haggle, there's more on the line than just your bill. See what other perks or discounts you can get from them.

[Do you want to save on your TV costs? Click to get quotes from multiple providers now.]

Mistake #4 - Purchasing Incompatible Devices

One of the best ways to lower your TV bill is to buy your own devices instead of leasing them from your provider. This works for routers, modems, DVRs, etc.

However, one of the biggest mistakes consumers make during this process is not doing enough research and buying incompatible equipment.

"If you don't check to see if it's compatible with your cable company's network, you'll waste a lot of time purchasing, attempting to install, and returning the device," Haynes says.

To make sure your savings strategy doesn't cost you in the long run, Haynes suggests calling the company directly to ask what type of equipment works with their system.

What's more, you'll also want to evaluate whether the eventual savings will outweigh the initial cost of the equipment you purchase. One way to do this to evaluate how long you plan to stick with your provider, Sekar explains.

She gives the example of a cable modem costing $20 a month to rent and $100 to buy outright.

In this case, if you plan to stay with your cable provider for at least five months, purchasing a modem makes sense. Sekar says. But if you plan to switch to another provider before the breakeven point, it doesn't make sense to buy your own equipment.

[Click to compare packages and get quotes form providers in your area now.]

Mistake #5 - Using an "Apples to Oranges" Comparison with Competitors

Sure, chances are you'd like to cut your cable bill in half - but that's very unlikely to happen. That's why it's important to do your research and be realistic when it comes time to ask for a discount, says Sekar.

She adds that "you probably won't be able to lower your bill from $200 a month to $50 a month," but that doesn't mean you can't get a decent discount anyway.

The key to getting a significant discount? Researching prices for similar products, Sekar says. Saying a competitor is offering a $50 package means nothing if their package is a basic one and you want all the bells and whistles, according to Sekar.

Instead, see what similar packages to yours cost with a different company. Then Sekar says you should call and say something like: "Company X if offering me the same service for $50 less. I'd like to stay a customer of yours, but I don't want to pay extra for the same package."

By mentioning the competitor's price, your provider will know you've done your research and will realize they may actually lose you as a customer.

"Your cable company doesn't want the competition to get your business and if they see you've done your research and have found a viable alternative to their service, then they're going to be more likely to listen to what you have to say," Haynes explains.

[Do you want to save on your TV costs? Click to get quotes from multiple providers now.]