Does it ever stop? (Bill increases)

[Parrothead]

 We moved into our current home about three years ago. Unfortunately, i have not been diligent in watching our costs since so many things are "out of site/out of mind" thanks in part to auto draft and paperless billing. Today, i started looking at our invoices and i was shocked.

 

Directv; Pretty basic package. Currently paying $140 per month. I compared this against Comcast and Charter and found we were paying way too much for the service provided. Called them and asked to renegotiate our agreement since we are now out of contract. Now, with taxes we are paying $70 for the same service. Annual savings of $840. Also have a paper bill coming to the house each month.

 

Centruy Link; 10mbps internet service. Currently paying $70 per month. Again--way too much considering the competition. Contacted Century link and they refused to offer a competitive rate. Charter will be here Thursday to install 60mbps service for $39 per month (tax included). Annual savings of $408

 

ADT; notified me of a $3.97 cent raise which would push our bill over $50 per month. Contacted them and we are at $39 after taxes moving forward. Annual savings of $132

 

So with three phone calls, we put $1,380 back in our pocket for 2016. 

 

So i say all that to say this, if you haven't reviewed your bills lately, it is worth your time. Providers seem pretty desperate to keep customers. Don't fall a victim to auto drafts and "paperless" invoices which end up in the junk mail folder of you email. You might be pissing away enough cash to add a new 1911 to the safe in 2016.....

[FUJIMO]

After many years we just switched insurance providers. Saved hundreds!!

+1 on keep your chit in check !

[runco]

It pays not to be complacent. 

[none]

 
Directv; Pretty basic package. Currently paying $140 per month. I compared this against Comcast and Charter and found we were paying way too much for the service provided. Called them and asked to renegotiate our agreement since we are now out of contract. Now, with taxes we are paying $70 for the same service. Annual savings of $840. Also have a paper bill coming to the house each month.

We had Directv for some time no contract when they refused to negotiate rates we sent them to the curb. Been three years now haven't missed them in the least.

Good for you for looking into it and getting a better value.

Ps I do here that 1911 far out performs ADT with out the recurring expense every month

[NextExit]

 

You might be pissing away enough cash to add a new 1911 to the safe in 2016.....

No... you might be pissing away enough cash to offset the 2016 Obamacare rate increase. :surrender:

[Omega]

 
Directv; Pretty basic package. Currently paying $140 per month. I compared this against Comcast and Charter and found we were paying way too much for the service provided. Called them and asked to renegotiate our agreement since we are now out of contract. Now, with taxes we are paying $70 for the same service. Annual savings of $840. Also have a paper bill coming to the house each month.

We had Directv for some time no contract when they refused to negotiate rates we sent them to the curb. Been three years now haven't missed them in the least.

Good for you for looking into it and getting a better value.

Ps I do here that 1911 far out performs ADT with out the recurring expense every month

My wife got direct TV to get the NFL package, worst service ever, and even worse support.  We had U-Verse but when we heard they merged we figured they could offer the NFL package, but nooo.  First, they installed an older model genie which we later found out they knew it had issues.  Then, when we reported the issues they said they would send the newer model, but it never arrived, and on a follow up call they told my wife they would not send out a new one until the older ones were gone, they have warehouses full.  Three times we tried, being told the other guy was wrong, but after the third time when they sent an old box, I had enough and cancelled.  They tried to charge me a cancellation fee, but I told them we had been trying to get them to live up to their end of the contract since the first week, and considered them in breach.  The supervisor agreed, so now we're back to U-Verse and will miss my Broncos game this weekend.

[tartanphantom]

Unfortunately for me, Comcast has no concept of customer retention whatsoever. Their strategy is to lure you in with a discount package, and then bend you over without even kissing you once the introductory period expires. I find it difficult to believe that DirectTV is any worse than the checkbook rapists at Comcast.

[MP5_Rizzo]

I had a Rollins system that sold out to ADT. That's when the headaches started. ADT's service was horrible at least in my case and seemed they didn't care. I had issues with with smoke / fire detector sending false alarms. They came out several times to repair and then they just disable it. After several months of no sign they were going to do anything about it I quit paying the bill. When I received passed due notices I called them to explain why I wasn't paying and they said sorry but payment was due. They threatened to turn it over to a collection agency and also raised my monitoring fees in the months of dispute with my non working system. Finally went with another company. Better system and very reasonable monitoring fees.

[E4 No More]

After many years we just switched insurance providers. Saved hundreds!!

+1 on keep your chit in check !

We left Liberty Mutual for Erie insurance on our house, car, truck, and fifth wheel. Annual savings is $2,048. :)

[gregintenn]

I called my insurance agent about a month ago, ant told him I simply wasn't going to buy homeowner's insurance any longer due to the cost. He called back shortly with a policy from another company that has better coverage for less than half the cost.

 

You're correct. It pays to be proactive in these things.