There are several ways to cut your telecom bill, and bargaining is one of the best.
"Seven out of ten people we polled who bundle their services didn't bargain before signing up. But of those that did, more than ninety percent got some sort of deal," says Rosalind Tordesillas of Consumer Reports.
Of those who tried negotiating for lower rates, 40% saw their bills cut as much as $50 a month. Others had fees waived or were offered free premium services for a period of time.
But, do remember when those freebies expire, so you don't end up getting billed for them.
"Some companies are now tracking what discounts you've already gotten. So, you may have to press harder. If asking for a lower rate doesn't work, let them know you're thinking of cutting some services or switching providers."
Providers may be more willing to deal if you make it clear you're serious about dropping them.
"One of our staffers called and asked how to disconnect her service. She actually got thirty dollars knocked off her monthly bill and an upgrade as well."
One final word of warning: You might think you'll save money by getting rid of one of your services -- say by dropping your home landline altogether. But, Consumer Reports says that may not be the case, because if you "un-bundle" your services, your rates for the remaining services may increase and you could end up paying more for less.
