Winning tips when negotiating with your TV and Internet provider

If you want to score a lower deal with your current TV provider, here's something to keep in mind: You have a lot of leverage.

"[TV providers] spend tremendous amounts of money on customer acquisition, and the last thing they want is to see you walk away and go to one of their competitors - because of how much they've invested to get you, and how long it takes for that investment to actually pay off," says Sid Savara, a software engineer in Honolulu, Hawaii, who used to work for one of the largest television providers in the country.

Savara says consumers need to understand that they are very valuable to any cable or satellite TV company.

Pair this knowledge with the negotiation strategies below and you just might be able to get the lower rate you want.

Call Your TV Provider Before Promotions/Discounts are Set to Expire

When you signed up with your TV provider, you were likely given a low introductory rate or a discount on premium channels for a set period of time. If you'd like to extend these promotions and avoid a rate increase, your best bet is to call your provider before the promotional period ends.

"I think it's best to call just before the promotional period ends for two main reasons," says Matt Becker, the founder of the financial planning practice, Mom and Dad Money, in Boston, Massachusetts.

"First of all, they don't know yet that you're willing to stay on past the promotional period. That gives you some important leverage in the negotiation," says Becker.

Plus, Becker warns that if you wait until after the promotional period ends, then you'll have to pay at least one month's bill at the regular price, whereas being proactive can help you save money.

Financial counselor, Adam Hagerman, agrees with this strategy.

"You have a higher probability for success if you attempt to negotiate before the rate goes up," says Hagerman. "If your rate goes up and you make a couple of payments at that higher amount, it gives the provider a slight upper hand."

Hagerman says that once you've established a pattern of paying a higher rate, your provider may think you can afford the new payment amount and don't need a rate reduction.

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

Ask Open-Ended Questions

When you call to negotiate a rate with your TV or Internet provider, make sure you phrase your questions and requests in a way that gives you options.

"Always ask the provider open-ended questions, such as 'How can you help lower my bill?' instead of asking yes/no questions," says Becker. "The problem with a yes/no question is that 'no' is an incredibly easy response and it closes off any possibility for negotiation."

On the other hand, Becker says, "When you ask an open-ended question such as 'How can you help me?' you're framing the situation as a team effort in which you're both working together to find a solution."

He concludes, "It becomes a mutual dialogue rather than a me versus you conflict, and this greatly improves your chances of a successful result."

[Click to compare TV plans and get quotes from providers now.]

Avoid Being Too Aggressive

When it comes to negotiation, many consumers are under the impression that they have to be aggressive in order to get what they want. But that's not the case. It really comes down to simply being smart about what you want.

For example, "It's not a good idea to start the conversation saying, 'I want to cancel,'" says Hagerman. "They may take that to mean that you've already made up your mind about leaving."

Instead, Hagerman recommends a smarter, less aggressive approach.

"You want to say something like, 'I've been an awesome customer for X months/years and I just got a flyer in the mail from one of your competitors. They're offering this amazing deal. Can you match it? If not, I think I might switch over to them."

Kyle James, founder of rather-be-shopping.com, a consumer-savings website that finds and posts coupons, says it's smart for consumers to do their research before calling the provider.

"Find out what the competition is offering as that will be your main ammunition to get your provider to extend the promotional period. Have all the information at your fingertips when you place the call," says James.

[Do you want to save on your TV bill? Click to get quotes from providers in your area now.]

Don't Accept the First Offer

Now that we've established that you don't want to be too aggressive when negotiating, it's important to note that you also don't want to be too passive.

That's because many providers may try to give you a weaker deal than you deserve, so you'll need to stand your ground until you get the discount you want.

"The first tactic they'll try to use is to upgrade your package without discounting the price," says David Bakke, a personal finance blogger for the financial fitness website, moneycrashers.com. "If that's OK with you, then take it. But if what you really want is a lower bill, explain that to them and you will usually get the discount reinstated."

Becker agrees, adding that "A lot of times they'll offer to add in services for the same price, but unless you specifically set out to get those services then you should push back against that."

Becker adds that there's not much you can lose by saying "no" or negotiating their first offer.

"You can thank them for the offer but say that you were hoping for something a little bit better. You can even give them a specific number." He says they may or may not improve your offer, but the worst that can happen is that you accept the original offer.

[Want to save money on your TV service?  Click to get quotes from providers in your area now.]