What Is AT&T Internet Air? And How to Get It
AT&T Internet Air is a wireless, 5G internet service that can provide reliable speeds with simple, affordable pricing. The service is currently available in limited markets.
Questions to Ask Your Cable TV Provider
You don’t have to be trained in the art of negotiation to be able to talk to your cable TV provider. You actually only need to call them with the right questions in mind. Otherwise, the customer service representative you’re working with may not fully understand what you’re looking for. This resource supplies you with questions to get you started.
Table of Contents
- Talking to Your Cable TV Company
- What to Ask When You Want New Cable TV Services
- How to Ask for a Change in Your Cable TV Fees or Plan
- Questions to Consider When You Want to Cancel Cable TV Services
- FAQ
Summary
If you’re in a position where calling your cable TV provider is finally necessary, this post is for you. This resource contains question samples for situations when you may be interested in starting, upgrading or cancelling your cable TV services. No matter what your needs are when you call your cable TV company, you’ll want to have a set of questions ready.
Talking to Your Cable TV Company
Talking to your cable TV company does not have to be a big deal. You should not have to mentally prepare for a week so you can have a showdown over the phone about the services you want. All you need to do is come armed with the right questions and a bit of prior research. Really.
This post contains a list of questions and brief explanations to help you find the words to work with your cable TV provider to get what you need. You might be looking for new cable TV services, trying to upgrade your channel access or preparing to cut the cord. No matter what your relationship is with cable TV today, we’ve got some sample questions to get you started.
What to Ask When You Want New Cable TV Services
If you’re interested in finding a cable TV provider in your area, you can use National Broadband’s deal database to compare the best available deals. Once you discover which companies can provide service to you, it’s time to do some light detective work. Online reviews, for example, can really help you see how other current customers are responding to the services they pay that company for. If you can, ask your neighbors what they do for their cable TV service. They might know something about service quality to your specific location, which might be helpful.
Once you settle on a provider or two that has a reputation for quality service, you can start thinking about what you need from your prospective plan. Consider which channels are non-negotiable for you. Which channels offer you the movies, shows or sports you must have in order to be happy with your service? Naturally, you should also consider your budget. What is your budget, and what do cable TV packages typically look like for that price point?
| Question(s) | Reason for Asking |
|---|---|
| What other services do you offer? Can I get a discount if I bundle? | Some providers lower your monthly rate per service if you continue to choose them for multiple services. |
| Do you offer customer support? | You’ll want to know if you'll get the help you need if things go wrong. Hopefully your research on consumer reviews supports a strong customer service response from the provider. |
| What are the different tiers you offer? What is the difference between each of those tiers? | Make sure you’re getting the tier that’s right for you. Try to avoid overpaying for a plan that offers more than you really need. |
| What channels do you offer? Are local channels included? Are these channels available in HD? | If you have any specific channel needs from your package, now is the time to ask. |
| Are there any other promotions going on right now for your services? | You can just ask! At worst, they say no. At best, the customer rep can roll out a nice promotion for you. |
How to Ask for a Change in Your Cable TV Fees or Plan
At this point, you could check out what other services are out there to see how your desired cable TV package matches up with that of any competitor services. Maybe you’ll find material you can use to negotiate—or maybe you’ll find an even better deal. Either way, finding comparative deals can only be beneficial. You might be able to use that information as leverage to see if they can help you find a better package that matches your needs. What you do in that situation depends on whether or not you’re comfortable with switching away from your current provider.
Additionally, sometimes agents are allowed to offer extra perks to help retain customers who are close to cancelling. A great time to start talking to your cable TV provider, then, is right around the conclusion of your contract if you have one. When you do call, it may be helpful to remember that the folks who are in a position to give back to customers are usually either managers or customer retention representatives. Regular customer service agents may have a script that they are required to stick to. Don’t be afraid to call back and try again with a customer service rep who is more open to working with you! But, of course, being a little extra kind to the employee on the other end of your call can’t hurt.
| Question(s) | Reason for Asking |
|---|---|
| Can I bundle my cable TV with another service to get a lower price? | If you’re not already using a multi-service package from your provider, now is a good time to investigate your options for bundling services. Many providers offer lower rates for each service you add to your bundle. |
| Are there any free perks or services that can add value to my plan? Are there any promotions that I qualify for? | Again, you have nothing to lose by asking. If you are speaking with someone in a position to dole out some perks, then speaking up is in your best interest. |
| Does my history of on-time payments qualify me for any discounts? | Some providers will go the extra mile to keep loyal customers who haven’t been any trouble. Ask to see if your service provider is willing to do that for you. |
| If I sign a contract, can I upgrade for a lower price? | Some providers may also be open to reducing your monthly rates if you pay up front or commit to a contract with them. This win-win scenario offers you a lower price and gives them some revenue they can continue receiving for a while. |
| If I upgrade or downgrade my plan, are activation and installation services free or included with the switch? | If they are not free, you might also consider asking if that can be negotiated if you choose to stay with them. |
If you choose to continue with your current provider, hopefully you can maximize your plan’s savings and value. If not, you can refer to the previous section on this page about new cable TV service questions to start anew.
Questions to Consider When You Want to Cancel Cable TV Services
This list of questions is directed more towards you, the customer. Maximizing on the potential success of your phone call will require you to decide what your end goal is before you call your cable TV provider. These questions are therefore a part of your pre-call prep process if you’re in this situation. If you’re sure that you want to keep your cable TV services but you’re unhappy with your current plan, please refer to the previous section about questions you can ask when you’re reconsidering your charges or plan. If you decide to eliminate your cable TV services, however, there may be nothing that a company can offer you to persuade you to keep them. If that’s the case, then you can call and let them know that you want to cancel. It’ll be much simpler if you haven’t signed a contract, because having a contract means that you may need to prepare for a wait or a complex separation process. If you’re still on the fence about whether or not you want to cut the cord, use this list of questions to consider your own needs.
| Question(s) | Reasons to Consider |
|---|---|
| Is your internet fast enough for you to depend on it entirely for your entertainment needs? | If you stop receiving cable TV services, then that’s one fewer source of media in your home. If you weren’t using it much anyway, then the answer is of course less complicated. |
| Are your favorite cable shows available elsewhere? What about the live programs you enjoy? | If you know there are a few shows you really don’t want to say goodbye to, see if they are offered through another service or platform. |
| Will accidental spoilers ruin your viewing experience? | Streaming services generally don’t release films or show episodes on the day that they air, so you’ll have to wait days, weeks, months or even years to see your show once your cable TV alternative releases it. Some cable tv services offer on demand options so you can still see things before they get to streaming services. That might be worth checking out. |
| Will your selected cable alternative require extra devices? Will you be able to set up those extra devices? | If you’re looking at cable TV alternatives, consider the addition of any other required equipment. That might include cords, boxes, adapters and more. How much do they cost? How difficult are they to set up? |
| Would you consider it a loss to miss a live show or event? | If you’re the kind of viewer who gets a thrill out of seeing live sports or entertainment, then you may want to keep your cable TV service. Watching live videos on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram or TikTok may not be enough. |
| Will you actually save money? | Will you need premium subscription add-ons for extra content or multiple services to get what everything you want? If so, you may want to do the math to see if cancelling your cable TV service will actually save you money. |
| Do you love surfing channels? | Streaming services do not always include channels that you can flip through just to “see what’s on.” Although there are still many options to search through on a streaming platform, cable TV might still be your best option if you’re the type of person who enjoys spending time channel surfing. |
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to do to successfully negotiate with my cable TV provider?
All you need is a little research and some specifically selected questions. You can pick the questions you care most about from the lists on this page.
How do I select a cable TV package?
Consider how many channels you’re looking for and the budget for how much you’ll be able to pay for it. Shop around a bit to see which providers offer services in your area and how much they tend to charge. National Broadband’s price comparison tool can help. Make sure to select a package that includes what you need at the price you can afford.
How can I find deals on my cable TV package?
You can do a bit of research to see what promotions are available for the provider you’re considering. You can check our deal database to easily see what’s available. You can also just ask the customer representative once you’re on the phone with them. Sometimes all you have to do is ask!
Written by Sarah Solomon
Edited by Henry St. Pierre
