• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Get off my LAWN! "Grumpy Old Farts"

Status
Not open for further replies.
#49,462
gtmalone said:
It's that bundle discount to encourage you to buy all their stuff.

Speaking of pricing, I got the renewal notice for the XM in the Honda. 190 friggin' bucks plus taxes. It goes up every year. We have the mostly music package. They will be getting a call so I can express my displeasure. Geez. They gave us 3 yrs at 99/yr for everything on the Corvette including listening online or phone app. I suspect they will lower the price. This might turn into an annual bargaining call.
Click to expand...

I hate this yearly barganing thing for discounts. Most people don't pay the full rate, there seems to be a lot of variation in how much the discounts are. One year I called for my landline phone and they said that I had to wait till it expired. I called back after expiration and they said that I needed to call before it expired. Nothing they could do. That's how they treat clients. I've since dropped the land line and just have the cell now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Polish Thunder, the harp unstrung, gtmalone and 5 others
#49,463
beans-on-toast said:
I called the phone company today and cut the cable service. Nice to save almost a grand a year. Been enjoying the smart TV on the internet. They responded by raising my internet fees by $10 a month. You just can't win.
Click to expand...

Yes, without viable and honest competition, they will get you one way or the other. At least where I am there are at least 3 services to choose from. That helps a little.
 
  • Like
Reactions: the harp unstrung, gtmalone, 12BitSlab and 2 others
#49,464
Now they tell me. :meh:

IMG_20190814_140855.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Polish Thunder, the harp unstrung, ahc and 8 others
#49,465
gtmalone said:
It's that bundle discount to encourage you to buy all their stuff.

Speaking of pricing, I got the renewal notice for the XM in the Honda. 190 friggin' bucks plus taxes. It goes up every year. We have the mostly music package. They will be getting a call so I can express my displeasure. Geez. They gave us 3 yrs at 99/yr for everything on the Corvette including listening online or phone app. I suspect they will lower the price. This might turn into an annual bargaining call.
Click to expand...

It is too bad that these companies, like insurance ones, have adopted the model that once you are a customer, you are willing to get screwed. I will listen to my own music before I pay them for theirs. Annual bargaining is your only hope. Their good deals are reserved for new customers (victims).
 
  • Like
Reactions: ahc, 12BitSlab, beans-on-toast and 2 others
#49,468
beans-on-toast said:
I hate this yearly barganing thing for discounts. Most people don't pay the full rate, there seems to be a lot of variation in how much the discounts are. One year I called for my landline phone and they said that I had to wait till it expired. I called back after expiration and they said that I needed to call before it expired. Nothing they could do. That's how they treat clients. I've since dropped the land line and just have the cell now.
Click to expand...
Me: "Do you offer a senior discount?"
Them: "No."
Me: "How about an AARP discount?"
Them: "Yes."
Me: <facepalm> "Do you offer a veteran's discount?"
Them: "Are you retired?"
Me: "Yes." (Not from the military, though.)
Them: "Yes."
 
  • Like
Reactions: gtmalone, 12BitSlab, beans-on-toast and 2 others
#49,471
SoulReflection said:
It is too bad that these companies, like insurance ones, have adopted the model that once you are a customer, you are willing to get screwed. I will listen to my own music before I pay them for theirs. Annual bargaining is your only hope. Their good deals are reserved for new customers (victims).
Click to expand...
A hint from someone who used to work in the phone industry:
  • Vendors never advise existing customers about subsequent rate reductions or new packages.
  • Regular call center agents don't have access to the good deals.
On the other hand, existing customers are easy money. Between advertising and incentives, it costs a lot of money to acquire a new customer.

The secret, is to position yourself so that they have to treat you like a new customer.

This is war, not a friendly negotation, so don't waste time dickering over pennies. I call my vendor at least once a year (more often if I see a sweetheart deal being offered to new customers). I never ask for a deal- I just tell them that I want to cancel all my accounts.

Call center agents are trained to point out how much it will cost to buy out your old contract. Ignore this tactic. Be firm but polite, and keep telling them that you're willing to pay the extra fees because you just want out.

After a transfer or two, they'll pass you over to the cancellation department. This is transparent BS- what's really happening, is that you're being transferred over to the "save team".

The save team will ask you to be patient while they check over your account. Then they'll magically offer you a bunch of discounts and service improvements to keep you as a customer.

Some of those discounts will be on a timer, going back up to the regular rate after 6 months or so. That's when you call back, rinse, and repeat.

I do this for cellular, internet, and satellite radio. Never fails to work, although I did have to threaten to really quit XM Radio a couple of years ago.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: the harp unstrung, ahc, markwrob and 9 others
#49,472
steve_rolfeca said:
After a transfer or two, they'll pass you over to the cancellation department. This is transparent BS- what's really happening, is that you're being transferred over to the "save team".
Click to expand...
\

"the save team", AKA "Customer Retention". Once you are there, you know that you are close to getting what you deserve. If you are not getting what new customers are being offered and, if it's not good for at least a year, tell them that if its' the best they can offer, you want to cancel and you do not have the time to play silly games.

When AT&T bought out Directv, I knew I was in trouble. Their Customer Service was so out of touch that I finally said screw it and went to Dish. I cancelled their home phone, business, internet and TV services and cannot seeing going back.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: the harp unstrung, markwrob, RodRy and 5 others
#49,473
SoulReflection said:
\

"the save team", AKA "Customer Retention". Once you are there, you know that you are close to getting what you deserve. If you are not getting what new customers are being offered and, if it's not good for at least a year, tell them that if its' the best they can offer, you want to cancel and you do not have the time to play silly games.

When AT&T bought out Directv, I knew I was in trouble. Their Customer Service was so out of touch that I finally said screw it and went to Dish. I cancelled their home phone, business, internet and TV services and cannot seeing going back.
Click to expand...

I loved DirecTV until The Death Star company bought them. Prices increased rapidly and service went down the commode. So glad that I don’t deal with them anymore.
 
  • Like
Reactions: the harp unstrung, markwrob, Winslow and 4 others
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back