Money-saving secrets cable companies don’t want you to know
Think you're overpaying for cable? Good news: We've spoken to a few consumer-savings experts who share some cable industry secrets on how to save.
Ever wonder how your friends and neighbors are scoring such great deals on cable, yet you're left digging through your coin purse to pay for your cable bill?
Well, dig no more. We've spoken to a few consumer-savings experts who share some cable industry secrets on how to save.
Keep reading to uncover potential savings strategies…
For the Most Savings, Switch Providers Annually
Companies are constantly rolling out new specials to entice consumers to switch to their service, says Andrea Woroch, a consumer-savings expert for Kinoli, Inc, a company that creates online and money-saving mobile solutions.
"New client discounts are very common for cable and Internet providers," says Woroch, who adds that discounts can come in the form of lowered monthly rates, special rebates, or free movie channels.
However, these promotions expire after a set period of time. As soon as this happens, you should see what a new provider is willing to offer for your business.
Essentially, the best way to get continued savings is to be a new customer, so make sure you exhaust all the options in your area before sticking with one provider for lengthy period of time.
But what if you're locked into a contract for say, two years?
If you're in this situation and want to end your service early, you should read the fine print on your contract and see what the early termination fee is, says Teri Gault, founder and CEO of The Grocery Game, a money-saving website.
"If you are locked into a plan it might still be worth it to pay the disconnection fee and look for alternatives that will fit your budget," Gault explains. You just have to make sure the savings outweigh the costs.
Another tip? Target companies that are new to your neighborhood first.
"If a provider is new in your area they will be offering some good deals and low-priced packages in order to get more customers signed up and switched over to their company," according to Gault.
[Are you ready to save money by switching cable providers? Compare rates from providers now.]
You Don't Have to be in College to Receive a Student Discount
The end of summer isn't a happy time for many people, especially students. Summer vacation is gone and school is just around the corner. For cable companies, however, this is the ideal time for them to attract new customers with enticing deals.
Who's their target? College students who are setting up shop in their new apartments.
In fact, many cable companies send out specials during late summer or early fall to tempt arriving students to sign up for a package, says Jon Lal, founder and savings expert at BeFrugal.com.
Even if you're not a college student, you still might be able to take advantage of a discount, says Lal.
"Some companies may ask for proof of student status, while others may allow anyone to take advantage," says Lal. That means you might receive discounts in the mail even if no one in the household is going to school.
"One person in our office was able to take advantage by referencing the offer without proving he was a student," says Lal.
[Do you want to save on your cable bill? Click to compare rates from companies in your area now.]
Companies are Willing to Match a Competitor's Price
As any smart shopper knows, comparing prices is essential when it comes to saving money.
"Just as you compare prices among brands selling the same type of product at the grocery store, you should compare offers among cable companies in your area to make sure you get the lowest price," Woroch says.
Woroch explains that cable companies are always competing for your business, which means you're sitting in a very favorable position once you decide to switch providers.
"I can't tell you how many times I receive a new offer from one of the competitors in my mailbox with tempting deals," Woroch says.
With those offers in hand, Woroch says she usually calls her cable provider to let them know what the competition is offering and that she's thinking about switching.
The result: Woroch says you're likely to end up receiving a generous offer from your current provider to match what other companies are offering. If not, it's time to make the switch and partake in new customer discounts.
