I used to think negotiating bills was something only super aggressive “I want to speak to the manager” types did. Like, I’m a fairly non-confrontational person. The idea of calling a company and asking them to charge me less felt deeply uncomfortable.
Then my internet bill hit $89 a month and I got mad enough to try it.
Spoiler: it worked. Way better than I expected.
Why I Finally Made the Call
I’d been with the same internet provider for like three years at this point. My bill had crept up slowly — started at $55, then $65, then $75, and now $89. The classic boiling frog situation. I kept meaning to do something about it but kept putting it off.
What finally pushed me was seeing a promotion on their website for new customers: the same plan I had, for $49.99/month. The exact same service. Almost half what I was paying.
That’s when I realized: they’re counting on me being too lazy or uncomfortable to call. And honestly? That made me kind of angry.
What I Did to Prepare
I didn’t just call and wing it. Here’s what I did first:
I looked up what competitors were charging in my area. Turns out there were two other providers offering similar speeds for around $50-55/month. Even if I didn’t actually want to switch, this gave me leverage.
I checked my own bill carefully. I found I was paying for some “protection plan” I’d never used and didn’t need. The FCC’s truth-in-billing rules mean they have to explain every charge if you ask, so I made a note to ask about anything that looked weird.
I wrote down what I wanted: match the new customer rate of $49.99, or at least get below $60. I also decided I’d be willing to sign a new contract if needed to get a better rate.
The Actual Conversation
Here’s roughly how it went (and this is where I think a lot of people psych themselves out — it’s really not that bad):
Me: “Hi, I’m calling because I noticed my bill has gone up to $89 and I’d like to discuss options to lower it.”
Them: *pulls up my account* “I see you’ve been a customer since 2022. Let me see what I can do.”
That’s it. That’s the opener. I didn’t have to be aggressive or threaten to cancel. I just stated the facts.
They offered to remove that protection plan I mentioned ($7/month savings) and apply a “loyalty discount” that brought it down to $72. Not bad, but not what I wanted.
Me: “I appreciate that, but I’m seeing the same plan offered to new customers for $49.99. I’ve been a loyal customer for three years — is there any way to get closer to that rate?”
Them: *brief hold* “I can offer you $55/month if you’re willing to do a 12-month agreement.”
Done. I went from $89 to $55. That’s $408 in annual savings for one slightly awkward phone call.
The Script That Seems to Work
Based on this call and a few others I’ve made since (cell phone, insurance), here’s what I’ve learned:
Be polite but direct. You’re not being mean by asking for a better rate. They’d rather keep you at a lower price than lose you entirely.
Reference competitor prices. “I’ve been looking at [competitor] and they’re offering X for the same service.” Even if you don’t actually want to switch, this signals you’ve done your homework.
Mention your loyalty. “I’ve been a customer for X years” matters more than you might think. Acquiring new customers is expensive for these companies.
Ask to speak to the retention department. If the first person can’t help, the retention department usually has more authority to offer discounts. Just say “I’d like to discuss canceling my service” and they’ll transfer you.
The FTC’s guide on managing expenses has some good general advice about reviewing your bills regularly too. It’s amazing what charges can sneak in when you’re not paying attention.
Other Bills I’ve Negotiated
Once I realized this actually worked, I went on a bit of a spree:
Cell phone: Called after seeing a competitor promotion. Got $15/month off by switching to an “unpublished” plan they had. Same service, just cheaper.
Car insurance: Called to ask about discounts I might be missing. Turns out I qualified for a safe driver discount I’d never been given. $180/year savings.
Credit card annual fee: Called and said I was considering canceling because of the fee. They waived it for the year. This doesn’t always work but it’s worth trying.
Not everything is negotiable. I tried with my gym and got nowhere — they said their rates were fixed. Same with streaming services. But for anything involving a contract or long-term service relationship? Usually worth asking.
The Hardest Part
Honestly, the hardest part is just making the call. I still have to psych myself up a little. But then I think about it this way: what’s the worst that can happen? They say no and I’m exactly where I started. What’s the best that can happen? I save hundreds of dollars a year.
If you’re working on cutting expenses anywhere you can, this is honestly one of the highest-return things you can do. One phone call, permanent savings. No coupons to clip, no lifestyle changes required.
Go make the call. Seriously. You’ll probably surprise yourself.