Despite a lot of alternatives to Cable TV service flooding the market, people still go for the latter as it has a number of advantages compared to its substitutes. Cable TV’s staunch connectivity during toughest of the weather, its bundling offers that comes with convenience of all-in-one services, additional premium and on-demand options, makes it better and fairly inexpensive than the other services. 

In case you feel it isn’t inexpensive, you can make it with a bit of smart negotiation. The trouble with cable TV service is that it usually has hidden costs that you see in the final bill or the price drives up in the second year, and you have to sacrifice your freedom with a contract for discounted offers.

To avoid all that pricing hassle, consider using some of these tricks when purchasing your next plan:

More than a dozen packages are offered by a single provider so you could choose the one suiting your needs and budget. While you are using the TV service, every month try to evaluate your usage level. You might discover that the pricier plan with so many perks such as fastest download speed and huge premium channel lineup is after all redundant. 

TV packages with extensive channel lineup tend to be more expensive. If you are not watching all these channels, there is no use paying for them. Hence, opt for a low-tier package.

If you are a fan of streaming services and don’t want to lose out on those TV shows, opt for a low-tiered cable tv plan. Then include your favorite feature such as a video streaming service — preferably an inexpensive feature — in the low-tiered package.  

Usually, providers offer you a basic cable package, which upon bundling with other services such as the internet, phone, or both, offer a great value of money. Therefore, you can opt for a bundle with your provider, and separately go for your preferred streaming service i.e. Netflix, HBO, DIRECTV NOW, or Hulu. 

The combined bill wouldn’t be immense as the streaming options tend to be a lot cheaper.

The price provided on packages is usually not the one in the final bill. The final bill is always huge, courtesy of not so obvious equipment charges, rentals, premium channels, etc. 

Open your eyes and dig deeper into your provider’s website, then find out which features you don’t need for and can drop from your plan. 

Dropping a premium channel like HBO or STARZ can save you anywhere between $1 to $20. Moreover, extra cable boxes could top your bill from $3 to $12 every month. If you have no use for additional equipment decorating different rooms in your house, drop them. 

Do you really need that DVR when you can watch your favorite show On Demand the very next day? Ditch a DVR for a standard digital receiver and save around $10 from your bill. 

No Cable TV provider wants to lose its customer at the end of a contract to another provider. So simply call your provider, negotiate prices and ask for a discount. Spectrum TV customer service is particularly popular for its amazing offers. 

So try and talk to a sales rep over what they can offer you. Whether this tip works or not, depends on your sales rep’s temperament. But no worries, remain persistent and call back the next time, you might find a different sales rep. 

Remember to be courteous in your dealings and do thorough research of your options by the provider and its competitor before calling, and bring up competitors in your conversation.

Your provider’s competition may vary across locations, so prepare for some digging. Many sites offer the convenience of inputting your zip code and determining the available providers in your area. 

If all of your efforts prove to be fruitless, it’s okay to switch to a different provider, who will offer you a better deal. Most providers offer considerable discounts in the first year of the tenure. Be cautious so that you don’t get trapped in a long-term contract, which rips you off later. 

It’s better to go with providers, who don’t restrict you with any contracts such as Charter Spectrum™.