Buzz
Loyalty to your cable company might not benefit you financially. Consumerist found that loyal customers are typically paying $10-$20 more per month. A quick call to your provider could help you land a better price.
Consumerist has analyzed several bills from actual customers of seven cable providers. They’ve uncovered some intriguing insights, particularly about the impact of customer loyalty:
A common pattern that emerged: new customers receive better packages for less money than existing ones. When comparing similar bundles, new customers were often offered the same or superior services for $10-$20 less. One case even showed a ten-year Charter customer paying around $75 more than a brand-new customer in their area, for nearly identical service.
It’s fascinating to observe the price customers pay for their loyalty. Although Consumerist focused on cable bills, it's likely that the same trend applies to other service providers offering incentives to new customers.
Even if you don’t have many options for providers, it's still worth reaching out to yours and asking for a lower rate. Compare prices online to see if new customers are getting a better deal, then request the same for yourself. If it's been a while since you last negotiated with your provider, Consumerist's findings are a good reminder to make that call.
Photo by Kai Chan Vong.
