Best way to negotiate with Shaw Cable

[theikon]

So I think I'm paying too much for my cable and Internet. I want to call Shaw and tell them I'm considering moving to Telus or such. What I'm hoping for is that they'll drop the rate to keep me. What's the best way to go about this and what should I be asking for?

[polak]

Definitely by yelling and belittling them.

[DownInFlames]

Having an air of entitlement helps too.

[drPepper1]

I just call my buddy who works there every now and then to renew my promo. I have full cable tv plus HBO (all hd channels) and some specialty indian channels my parents like to watch. Broadband 50 internet and shaw phone with long distance package, voicemail etc. it's like $80/month

If you don't know anyone there, but there's a student in your house get switched to the student plan.

[bradster57]

I used to call in and threaten to cancel to Telus. They'd usually give me a better rate for a while. Now they're starting to call my bluff. "Go ahead and switch, we offer the better product."

[MrMastodonFarm]

Tell them you're going to cancel your service.

Be serious about it and be willing to actually go through with it.

[bizaro86]

I've cancelled my tv in the summer a couple of times, they always call back with a wicked promo within 6-8 weeks.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

I've cancelled my tv in the summer a couple of times, they always call back with a wicked promo within 6-8 weeks.

Ditto. And 2 out of the last 4 times, my cable wasn't disconnected for the summer.

[GGG]

I usually ask some questions firstabout how much notice I need to switch. Eventually they ask why and I tell them I got an offer from Telus and what my bill total would be for the promotion and after.

Then I say how I really have liked shaws service and technology but given the price difference I think it might be worth trying telus out. This discussion goes back and fourth and eventually they offer you the promo rate. Either for six months or a year. When i go back to the regular rate I wait the same amount of time on the full price rate before phoning up shaw again for a deal.

I have currently just finished my third term of the promo rate.

[Minnie]

We were just in there today. Just told them we wanted a better rate and the girl at the desk went to work and figured some stuff out. She also put a note on our account, giving us a discount when we decide to upgrade our PVR box.

We've never said we'd leave for Telus because frankly, there's no way in hell that we would. We've been with Shaw for 12 years, and they've always dealt very fairly with us. They screwed up a couple of times and owned it immediately, fixed it quickly and credited our account/replaced hardware/gave us some free movies, that sort of thing.

[malcolmk14]

When I called and said I got a good offer from Telus and was going to try them out they said go ahead. So I did. Telus is pretty good, been with them for about a year and a half now.

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by drPepper1

I just call my buddy who works there every now and then to renew my promo. I have full cable tv plus HBO (all hd channels) and some specialty indian channels my parents like to watch. Broadband 50 internet and shaw phone with long distance package, voicemail etc. it's like $80/month

If you don't know anyone there, but there's a student in your house get switched to the student plan.

Please provide us with your buddy's name as I would like this deal.

[Rapidfire999]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

Please provide us with your buddy's name as I would like this deal.

me too, please =)

[Rathji]

I suggest calling Telus and getting a comparable quote, then calling Shaw and getting them to match.

If they won't, then cancel and they will likely send you some promo in the next few months. If they don't then you can call in and at the very least get whatever new customer promos they are offering.

[Huntingwhale]

Pretend to have a thick east-indian accent and just ramble on about nonsense so that they can't understand you. Eventually they will get so tired of listening to you and trying to process what you are saying, that they will offer you whatever you want just so you shut up.

Works every time.

[Northendzone]

Call up and drop a bunch of f-bombs.......

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by bradster57

I used to call in and threaten to cancel to Telus. They'd usually give me a better rate for a while. Now they're starting to call my bluff. "Go ahead and switch, we offer the better product."

Tell them their Exo PVR is a POS and I dont think they will tell you they have a superior product. My fiance wanted to get her mother a PVR to record dancing with the Stars. She hooked up the EXO and for 2 weeks I heard nothing but complaining, I went over to see what all the fuss was about and wow, what garbage.

But as others have said, be prepared to cancel. TBQH I think the TV is a wash at this point, the only difference being Shaw has slightly faster download speeds depending on your area but the difference is minute especially if you are technologically savvy and dont need to call into tech support to fix every little thing. I have 25mbps (23.7 speed test) down with Telus TV with a few bundles and phone and I pay under $85/month with call display, fwding, and vm.

I am with Telus and I have had no problems and the odd time I call in for support especially on the TV portion but also on the Internet I get what I would consider to be fantastic service. For me the big thing is disable the provided Wireless device and plug in your own.

[Stay Golden]

Ask them if there are any plans for a all serial killer network. Tell them you demand lower rates have a gun and know where they all live. Usually goes over pretty well.

[OnTheFly]

If it's a girl you are talking too... Ask her what she's wearing.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by drPepper1

I just call my buddy who works there every now and then to renew my promo. I have full cable tv plus HBO (all hd channels) and some specialty indian channels my parents like to watch. Broadband 50 internet and shaw phone with long distance package, voicemail etc. it's like $80/month

If you don't know anyone there, but there's a student in your house get switched to the student plan.

Must be nice. I pay $40 more a month than you for just basic cable and the sports package.