Saving Ca$h....

Ok, so this post isn't exactly home decor/organizing related, but it IS about SAVING MONEY!  Who doesn't love that?  I just got a marketing letter in the mail, as per the typical monthly custom, from Verizon.  We currently have Verizon FIOS internet service, and they're absolutely dying to have us also switch to Verizon FIOS for cable service (we currently have Direct TV).  Their offer was so tempting (basically, I would save $75/month from what I'm paying now for the first 6 months, and $65/month after that - for the next 2 years - oh, and they would also throw in a $100 prepaid Visa card!), that I just had to call Direct TV to see 1) whether I would face cancellation charges if I were to cancel my service and switch to Verizon and 2) how hard they would work to keep me as a customer.

So, after getting through to an account specialist (sidebar - Direct TV has some of the best customer service I've encountered in awhile!), I explained to him my predicament.  He listened closely, and then clues me in to a few "top secret" TV packages that they don't advertise online.  By comparing the channel package to what we have now, I think that the only channel that I may miss watching is Bravo (but I'm kind of over The Real Housewives anyway.....).  By switching channel packages, I save $13/month.  Additionally, I had him deactivate one of our receivers that we don't really use, thereby saving $5/month.  Additionally, because we are enrolled in auto bill pay, he was authorized to also give us an additional $10/month discount!

Even better, I was able to get all of these discounts WITHOUT having to commit to a new service contract - which is great, because I still may just switch to Verizon to save even more.  But in the meantime, I'm going to enjoy the extra $28 a month savings :-)

So, in conclusion, with just one 20 minute phone call, I just slashed my monthly cable bill by close to $30 a month!  I wonder what else I can negotiate.....?

Anyone out there have similar stories to share? I'd love to hear them!