{"id":10162,"date":"2016-11-04T17:46:06","date_gmt":"2016-11-04T21:46:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marriagekidsandmoney.com\/?p=328"},"modified":"2020-08-23T21:39:57","modified_gmt":"2020-08-24T01:39:57","slug":"how-to-cut-the-cord-on-cable-tv-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/marriagekidsandmoney.com\/how-to-cut-the-cord-on-cable-tv-2\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Cut the Cord on Cable TV"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Last year, we decided to cut the cord on cable TV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I believe it was the “12-month promotions” that finally pushed us over the edge.  You know the ones I'm talking about, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Comcast gives you cable and internet for $90 for 12-months and then, as soon as the 12-months are over, your bill jumps up by $50<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think they are half expecting people to not look at their bill each month to notice the increase.  Quite deceptive if you ask me!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How We Did It<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

1.  Shop around for internet-only deals<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Do a quick Google search to find out what other internet providers you have in your area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reach out to them and get an understanding of what deals might exist for internet-only plans.  They will be VERY happy to take your call and offer you a great deal to switch over to their service.  Hold off on accepting any offers just yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you have that competitive information, you'll have more negotiating power when you speak with your current cable provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2.  Call Your Cable Provider and Negotiate<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Call up your current provider and tell them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I would like to cancel my cable subscription and keep my internet subscription.  What deal can you offer me today to keep me as a customer?”<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

They will try\u00a0their best to have you keep your cable\u00a0subscription\u00a0– their attempts may frighten you<\/a>. \u00a0Do not fall for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once they relent and give you their offer for internet-only, compare it to the offer you have from the other competing company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the offer from the competing company fits better for your budget, tell them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Your competitor, (COMPANY NAME), is offering me a better deal at (AMOUNT) per month for the same service.  Times are tight.  What can you do to keep me as a customer today?”<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

At this point, you will hopefully get an offer for something more competitive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If not, ask for their “customer retention department”<\/strong> and repeat the same dialogue until you get a deal you are satisfied with. \u00a0Ramit Sehti has an excellent video of this very situation<\/a>\u00a0and the potential savings involved (skip to 1:20).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My wife and I ended up going with AT&T over Comcast since they couldn't match the deal we're getting with AT&T.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3.  Buy an HD Antenna<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Worried about not being able to watch big events like the Super Bowl, the Olympics or just Sunday football?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you get an HD antenna, depending on your location you'll still be able to watch all of these major channels.  We live in Metro Detroit and our HD Antenna gets us FOX, ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS and other local channels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shop for a 50-mile range version or higher to ensure your reception is the best it can be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And don't worry, you don't need to climb a ladder and install a huge metal Christmas tree on your roof!  The antenna is shaped like a small square and it can be installed inside your house in less than 5 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4.  Look Into Subscription Services<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The surge of original content on platforms like Netflix has completely changed the game for us lately.  Shows like House of Cards, Orange is the New Black and Jessica Jones have made it that much easier to not have cable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some subscriptions to consider after you've cut the cord on cable:<\/p>\n\n\n\n