I called Direct TV yesterday planning to downgrade our service. Instead of doing that they offered to continue the plan that we have for $4 more than the next lowest priced plan for the next 6 months. Then the woman said that at the end of this 6 month period I could call and ask what special discounts were they offering at that time and get it. The only hitch is that they don't notify you that this is available, you have to call and ask. This is like begging to me and I told her so, but we need to cut costs everywhere we can, so I will do it. If things keep costing more and more we will have to go to their cheapest plan or just cut out TV altogether. As far as I could tell this is available for all customers, but she did say it was because we had been customers for 11 years. I never can tell what is a sales pitch and what is real - and what will change with another customer rep or just another day. Just thought I would pass this along in case anyone is interested.

Those sales people can be tricky and pretty convincing! I totally understand the need to cut back. It's getting to everyone. I just don't want it to affect my quilting addiction!

I understand what you mean about cutting TV. Our cable went up $20 the beginning of this month. I ask my husband if he is ready to cut cable, he said not yet! We also got a notice that our water rates had gone up. I have been on a strict budget this year, so far am still on budget but worried about future rising prices.

i just downgraded my cable TV. [it's not bad enough that i spend too much time on QB, but i also spent too much time watching movies :) ]. they had previously convinced me to rent their modem [there are advantages]. however, when the credits just came through, with taxes etc., that came to $9.25 per month! I bought my own modem. I now have just basic TV, somewhat similar to when I was a kid, and I don't miss the other cable that much. I can't do without my internet though. So my $146/mo. bill was reduced with the downgrade to $65.

about 6 years ago- we had a local cable company- had been with them for 5+ years- we were constantly receiving phone calls offering (new-customer) deals---which we did not qualify for because we were old customers-
i called and complained about the daily telemarketing calls-and about the (deal) for the new customers-while good established long-term customers were being punished- and having it rubbed in our faces-
they did look-make a couple changes and give us a better price for 6 months-at the end of that 6 months our bill TRIPLED! (you will know when your 6 months are up!)
i cancelled their service- and would go without tv before i ever went back to them.
we now have direct tv- and i just really look over every bill- when there is any increase i am on the phone finding out why-and what i can do about it-

it is a sign of the times- my hubby works for a propane company- so many customers sign up for gas- at the new customer rates for a year- the next year they simply switch to a different company with a new (new customer deal)every couple years they are back to him again-
its sad that good reliable customers have to do this to stay above water- and big corporations just can not see past their stock portfolios--they do not care---they gripe and threaten about loosing customers- but will not take steps to keep existing ones---

I know what you mean. We have DTV too. Now they are offering the NFL pkg for free to new customers! I think they should offer it to the existing people for being loyal!!!!!

We get the same line with u verse. We were paying $178. every month(tv,phone,internet) .I called and they lowered it to $128.00 for next 6 mo. Then they tell me we will upgrade you internet service. If you don't call back in 6 months your bill will go higher than 178. due to the upgrade in my internet service. Sneaky people.So I made a note on the calendar.

I know this might sound stupid to some but if you do alot of laundry make your own laundry soap. It saves alot of money.
Judy

I haven't had cable in over 3 years, and I honestly don't miss it much. We live near enough to Indianapolis that we get all the major networks and PBS over the antenna, and for movies and entertainment we use Netflix. Maybe if we lived out far enough that we didn't even get antenna TV, we'd consider a dish, but until then, nada.

We are an antenna and Netflix only house, too. Between our paid Nextflix subscription, free HULU and all those shows the networks put up for free on their websites, I get all the TV I can stand.