How to Negotiate Your Internet Bill
by Donna Wright
These days, reliable internet service is something we can’t live without. Here’s how to negotiate and lower your internet bill without it feeling like a Wild West standoff.
Talk With Your Internet Company to Lower Your Bill
Fast, reliable internet is not an optional monthly expense but instead a necessity. That’s why it’s important to manage the cost of your internet bill so it fits in your monthly budget. I almost gasped last month when my payment jumped up $18.00 to a total of $73.00. I had no idea that my introductory offer had expired.
Have you also noticed a fee increase when you glanced at your latest Internet bill? Rest assured, we’re not alone and there are ways to fix this. Negotiating with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) is one proven method to lower your bill.
How Much Should Your Internet Bill Be?
While internet service cost does depend on many factors such as which internet service providers are available in your location, service type, and internet speed, no one should have to pay exorbitant fees for reliable internet. But, before you begin any negotiation with your current internet provider, examine your monthly budget to determine how much you can afford.
According to Forbes, a reasonable and reliable home internet cost is somewhere between $50 and $75 per month with ample speed for streaming, work, and everyday browsing. Of course, you can pay less than that or more than those average costs based on local availability, connection type, and perhaps even a generous promotional offer that you received as a new customer.
Based on my experience and success with lowering my Internet bill, below you’ll find some of my favorite negotiation tactics.
Assess Your Current Internet Plan or Contract Terms
While most internet service providers don’t require contracts for internet service, you should still check to see if you signed up with a contract. If so, pay close attention to the price and terms that you agreed to and most importantly, what date that the contract will end. If the only way to lessen your Internet bill is to cancel, you’ll typically have to pay an early termination fee to break the original contract. Consider whether it’s more advantageous to allow the contract to expire before negotiating.
If you don’t have an internet contract, in your negotiation you can play up the fact that you’re a long-term customer in good standing. Reminding the company that you have been loyal and always paid your bills on time shows your value as a good customer that no internet company will want to lose.
If you’ve had any internet service issues, you can point out those issues and the impact it had on your family’s work or school productivity. More than one time during internet bill negotiations I’ve said, “I don’t really want to leave your company but with spotty service and an increase in my monthly bill, I may have no other choice.” Yes, that wording was successful for me.
Do Research and Know Competitor Options
While an internet service provider typically negotiates with a customer to save business, you must show the representative that you know what other options and types of services are available in your area. That’s why a little bit of research could be the difference between success or failure to negotiate a discounted payment.
In addition to doing an online search to learn about all of the providers in your area, also be sure to ask family, friends, and neighbors for a recommendation. Make a list of potential new internet providers and make a few phone calls to see what each is offering for the monthly price. As I’ve experienced in the past, you will most likely be offered a strong sign-up deal that gives you negotiating and bargaining power with your current provider.
The best result would be for your current provider to take the competitor discount seriously and match the deal. Just be sure that the two plans match internet speeds so you don’t risk reliability and productivity just to save a few dollars.
Negotiate Via a Phone Call, Not an Online Chat or Email
Calling and speaking with a real person is more powerful than stating your negotiation through a chat or an email. A verbal dialogue gives you immediate feedback and you can support your case until you’re offered a reduced monthly internet rate.
Make sure you allow for at least an hour of uninterrupted phone time to negotiate. The phone representative will place you on hold multiple times to “see if the manager can do anything to reduce your internet fees.” You may even be transferred to a “retention specialist” that works to retain customers and keep them happy. It’s a game but I’ve found success by standing my ground and being patient for a favorable outcome.
I will warn you that while you’re negotiating, the representative is working off a script that typically includes upselling additional services. Do what you can to keep the conversation focused on the issue at hand, to reduce your monthly bill. And if the person that you’re talking to is not helping, politely end the call and call back another time so you can speak to a different rep.
Before You Call, Prepare a Phone Script
As I mentioned, the phone representative will be speaking from a script. You can do the same based on the research you do ahead of the call. Preparing what you want to say ahead of time helps you keep the conversation smoothly progressing in your favor as you present your argument for a lower monthly internet cost with confidence.
Consider these talking points:
- Present the increase in your bill from sign-up to current day
- Highlight customer loyalty and on-time payments
- Mention any connection issues faced with service
- Discuss that you’re considering cancellation
- Leverage with competitor deals and potential sign-up bonuses
- Demonstrate knowledge of all local internet providers in your area
Change Your Current Plan and Consider Bundling
Review your current internet billing statement to see if there are unnecessary services that you’re paying for. If you’re paying for services you don’t need, a few minor adjustments could immediately lessen your monthly bill. This includes the internet speed and usage amount. Perhaps the speed is high and you could get away with slower speeds without affecting productivity.
You can also look into bundling your internet service with your mobile plan or cable services. About a decade ago, most of us “cut the cable” out of our households. However, internet companies typically offer fiber optic services with new bundling options and special bundling prices. It may be worth your while to save $20 and even more per month.
Buy Your Own Modem and Router and Return Rented Equipment
Look on your current internet bill and see if you’re currently renting the modem and router from the internet company. Determine whether removing that cost would reduce your monthly payment down to an affordable rate. If yes, consider purchasing the equipment so you’ll own it outright.
For example, I noticed that I was paying an extra $15.00 per month in rental fees and in one year that adds up to $180 annually. I bought a router on Amazon for $79.88. Yes, it cost more money up front but I was happy to see the rental fee removed from my bill. And if you decide to do so, be sure to return the internet provider’s equipment as soon as possible following the instructions they provide you. Failing to do so will cost you an “unreturned equipment fee.”
Takeaways: Don’t Give Up Until Your Bill is Lowered
- If negotiation fails on your first attempt, try again another day.
- Negotiating may take a little hard work, but it will be worth it.
- Internet companies don’t want to risk losing you as a customer.
- Do an online search with your zip code to explore providers in the area.
- Compare plans to find service/price that works for you.
- Negotiating on a call is stronger than a chat or sending an email.
- Get internet recommendations from local friends and family.
- Remove unnecessary services from your plan and consider bundling.
- Consider purchasing your own modem and router rather than rent.
- Be ready to cancel and walk away from your current provider.
Author Bio: Donna Wright is a personal finance blogger for MoolaStakes.com, who enjoys researching, fact-checking, and expressing complex subjects in understandable terms. As a single parent, she knows the pitfalls of poor money management but also knows the satisfaction of improving finances. Her mission is to provide accurate, unbiased money management insights to money-conscious folks, just like her.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Readers should verify all details independently and use their own judgment when following these practices.