Buzz
Cable companies make it incredibly hard to cancel your service. One of the most frustrating parts of the process is the need to personally return the cable box. You have to take time off work, stand in line, and even when your turn finally comes, it can still be a hassle. Finance expert Libby Kane has an easy fix: pay someone to handle it for you.
Kane shares how she delegated the job:
This might seem obvious to some, but it never crossed my mind. It felt like a brilliant idea when I discovered that for just $20, I could hire a TaskRabbit to pick up and return my cable box (plus the old one I had forgotten to return when it was upgraded). It only took 10 minutes to arrange, and I received a $20 off coupon for booking my first task, meaning it ended up costing me nothing.
Your experience may vary. For example, if there's a long wait (I've had times when it took more than an hour), the person you hire might charge extra. Cable companies are clearly aware of the hassle they create, but if you can outsource the task, it's definitely worth considering.
In a similar situation, I recently changed my Internet provider. Initially, they told me I had to return the equipment in person, but I firmly requested an address to mail it to. After a few attempts, they agreed. I had to pay for shipping, but it was a small price to avoid the dreaded wait time at the store.
For more details, check out Kane’s full article at the link below.
Photo by Mike Mozart.
