How Can I Get Optimum to Lower My Bill?

You are not alone. People ask this question all the time. Here are ideas that have worked for other people.

Pro Tip: Decide if you are willing to put all your telecommunications needs on the table with Optimum to see if you can bundle cell phones, internet, home phone, and internet into one bucket. If you’re not currently locked into a contract with another provider, what do you have to lose by asking Optimum to quote you for all of it? You may be getting one bill that’s lower than your combined bills each month.

Optimum plans start at $30/mo. for 100 Mbps up to $80/mo. for (40 Mbps (1 Gbps). These are new-customer prices. Use them as your starting point as you work through negotiation steps below even as an existing customer.

Pro Tip: Do You Need Top of the Line? Car dealers park the model with all the bells and whistles in the lobby lit up like a rock star. It’s a juggling act as a buyer to know what would be nice vs. what you absolutely need. The same applies with internet and TV service. For example, it’s recommended that you get 10 Mbps of download speed for each active person using the internet. A family of four would need an internet connection with at least 40 Mbps of download speed.

Research Competitor Offers: Before contacting Optimum, research the prices and promotions offered by other service providers in your area. This information will be valuable in negotiations, as you can use it to demonstrate that you have other, more affordable options.

Evaluate Your Current Services: Look at your current plan and identify services you might not need. Sometimes, reducing your plan to a more basic package can lower your bill.

Call Customer Service: Contact Optimum's customer service. Be polite but firm. Explain that you are considering switching providers due to high costs.

Mention Competitor Offers: Inform them about the deals you've found with other providers. Ask if Optimum can match or beat these offers.

Ask for Promotions or Discounts: Sometimes, providers have unadvertised promotions or discounts that you can access simply by asking.

Be Prepared to Negotiate: The first offer you receive might not be the best one they can provide. Don't be afraid to push back a little to see if there's room for further reduction.

Speak to the Retention Department: If the regular customer service representative can't help, ask to be transferred to the customer retention department. They often have more authority to offer better deals to keep customers from leaving.

Be Ready to Walk Away: If Optimum doesn't budge, be prepared to switch to a different provider. Sometimes, the prospect of losing a customer can lead to last-minute offers.

Follow Up: If you agreed on a new deal, make sure your next bill reflects these changes. Errors can happen, and it's important to ensure that the agreed-upon rate is what you're being charged.

Remember, the key to successful negotiation can be summed as the 3 Ps: be polite, persistent, and prepared. Showing that you're informed and serious about your options can often lead to better offers.