If you’re a Comcast or Xfinity customer, you know how the process works. You start with a great deal. They call it a promotion. It still feels expensive, but they get you hooked on really great shows on channels that you probably never heard of.
But then it happens. Your budget is going strong, and then, you see your Comcast bill increases.
A lot.
Usually, a Comcast increase costs at least $40 more per month. At this point, you’re hooked on The Walking Dead, and it’s the last season, so you know you HAVE to watch it.
What are you going to do? Accept your fate, change your budget, and figure out where that money is going to come from? Or negotiate a deal?
Contents
Negotiate a deal
If you want to keep your balance in check, you’re going to need to negotiate a deal. Comcast employees probably go through training that involves a series of gambling and hostage negotiation tactics to refine their skills at scaring a timid customer. Alas, you are not going to let any anxiety stop you. Follow the tips below to get a Comcast promotion as an existing customer.
Make sure the time is right
Set an alarm for yourself that indicates when your current promotion is up. Typically, Comcast promotions last 2 years. When you are at 22 months, start preparing.
Gather specific details
As part of your preparation, make sure you know how much you pay per month and what discounts you received in the past. Also, check out the specifics of your bill. What are you paying for? Are there added fees or products that could be eliminated? Don’t use this information until it’s necessary.
Make the call
There are tons of jokes and memes about waiting on Comcast’s customer service. They’re almost all true. It takes a while to get through to Comcast’s customer service department, but it’s better to call them than to try to get a deal online. When you call, the representative is going to say their name. Remember it. Then, simply say, “Hi, <<insert their name>>. I need to reduce my bill. What can you do?”
Insert negotiation tactics. The service representative will likely type for the next few minutes with a “hmmm. Let me see what I can do for you.”
Listen
The representative is going to try to throw out some deals that are almost laughable. Don’t laugh. Instead, listen to what options they deliver. Sometimes, you’ll hear, “I have a few deals you are eligible for that I can make happen for you. One option is to….”
At that point, they will likely spout a non-deal. If they say they’re going to give you a few deals, wait until they are done listing your options. As they see you are patient, the deals are going to start getting better. If they ask, “How does that sound?” after a particularly bad option, simply respond with, “What else do you have for me, <<insert their name>>?”
Ask questions
Once you hear some options, ask questions for clarification. Focus your questions on what the new packages bring you. Consider asking:
How long does this package/deal last, <<insert their name>>?
What channels are included, <<insert their name>>?
What’s the estimate of that price with taxes and fees, <<insert their name>>
When you continually use their name, you’re going to bring on a connection and potentially the worry that you’re going to leave a negative review, so keep it up without being obnoxious. Also, avoid asking questions about your current bill until you’re close to settling on a new promotional package.
Hit them with the evidence
Once you have a package, say, “While you’re setting up that new promotional package, I have a few questions, <<insert their name>>.” At that point, ask them:
What other discounts can you offer, <<insert their name>>?
Are there any upcoming promotions, <<insert their name>>, that might be better for me?
Is there anything on my current bill that I can get rid of, <<insert their name>>?
Are there any other ways to reduce my bill, <<insert their name>>?
Avoid telling sob stories about your bills or circumstances. Comcast is a business, and the representatives hear hundreds of stories a day. Your story isn’t any different.
Be polite
The final step in this process is accepting the promotion that works for you. Be polite and let <<insert their name>> know that you appreciate them.
Take the survey
Comcast almost always asks if you’d be willing to take a survey. Take the survey, and if you got a good deal, acknowledge the work that <<insert their name>> did to help you.
Set your alarm
Set your alarm for the end of that promotion in a year or two, so you can go through the entire process again. Sure, it’s a time-consuming process, but if it’s going to save you money in the end, it’s worthwhile.
Other ways to save with Comcast
At DollarSanity, we’re all about helping you save money, so there are a few other ways to save money with Comcast.
Use your own equipment
Purchasing your own equipment saves a significant amount each month. If you rent a modem, router, tv boxes, or remotes, you are incurring fees. We reduced our bill by nearly $100/month by getting rid of all of the rentals. You’ll pay up front for a modem, router, and Roku boxes, which stream Xfinity, but you’ll save that amount in the first year alone.
Bundle your service
We have a house phone that no one uses because it provides us with a $40/month discount. It costs $30/month, so we’re really only saving $10/month. Internet and cable are a must in our house, but we added a landline simply for the discount. (It’s also helpful when I have a kid who is grounded from his/her cell phone to have a landline for emergencies.)
Enroll in services
Two other ways you can save money with Comcast are to enroll in paperless billing and to have your payment directly withdrawn. Each of these adds an additional $5 savings for a total of $10 off your bill.
Streaming services are everywhere these days. Comcast knows that there are other options for your viewing pleasure. Cell phone providers are starting to invade the home internet space, which Comcast knows as well. They want to keep you as a customer if you pay your bill. And I’m sure you don’t want to miss that final season of The Walking Dead.
Martha Warner is a writer, editor, and educator. As a single mom for many years, Martha knows the value of money, how to work hard, and how to hustle. Her freelance career started as a side hustle (to support her love of travel) and quickly grew into the most lucrative career she’s ever had. Martha still teaches at the university as well as other online and in-person courses, including Writing to Make Money, College Scholarship Writing, and Write that Grant. Find out more about her on her website.