Best Internet Deals of the Week: May 18–22

Well, it finally happened. We weren’t able to track down a single new deal worth your time this week, but we aren’t ready to give up just yet. In lieu of our usual deals line-up, we’ve taken a methodical approach with the aim of equipping you with all the information you need to curate your own deal. To give you a head start, we also narrowed down our favorite affordable fiber pick so you know exactly where to look for high-speed savings.

If your internet bill has been creeping upwards, you don’t just have to deal with a higher price. For this week’s deals, the best discount on the market might actually come from having a conversation with your current provider. It’s a common misconception that customers will not notice or question rate hikes, but a short conversation can easily cut $20 to $50 from a monthly bill. When on the prowl for the best rate, consumers have three main ways to easily connect with a provider.

We believe calling to be the most effective method because it can connect consumers directly to a company’s customer retention department. If you’re put in contact with this team, they typically have the authority to hand out significant promo discounts to keep accounts from being canceled.

For a more convenient option, consider using a provider’s online messaging feature. Usually found in a readily accessible corner of a provider’s homepage, this option allows customers to multitask and easily copy and paste their talking points. We do suggest that customers who take the digital route keep or request a chat transcript at the end of their session to keep track of any important conversation points or offers.

Finally, the sometimes dreaded (but underutilized) secret weapon for deals: walking into your local brick and mortar store. Retail employees generally face strict sales quotas and will do their best to apply regional or widely available sales promotions. On occasion, they may even be able to waive fees or offer equipment credits that phone agents don’t always have access to.

No matter which of these routes you choose to take, checking a competitor’s intro pricing first can give you some meaty leverage to use in your discussion. If you’re not sure how to get the ball rolling, we put together an easy-to-follow script.

Customer: “Hi, I am reviewing my current monthly expenses and noticed my bill has been steadily increasing. I have been a loyal customer with you for some time, but my price has only gone up, and it is no longer fitting my budget. Is there a better price or promotion currently available for my account?”

Depending on their answer, this is where you get to put your research to use and bring out the big guns.

Customer: “I would really prefer to stay with you than go through the hassle of switching, but I did find another competitor that is offering new customers a similar speed tier for less per month. As a long-term customer who pays on time, I would appreciate it if we could find a way to match that value. If you’re unable to help me lower this rate, could you please transfer me to the customer loyalty or retention team?”

Adding specific details and providing information on the competing providers you were able to find will strengthen your case, but it really can be as easy as asking.

Last week’s deals

Last week, we took a deep dive into the world of 300Mbps internet plans. Finding the perfect amount of speed for the best possible savings. The best part? These plans are just run-of-the-mill affordable internet plans. No fancy bells or whistles needed. Just head on over to a provider’s site to check availability and start saving. Here’s our standout plan from last week:

• T-Mobile Fiber 300

Check out last week’s deals roundup to see what you missed!

FAQ about deals

We found these strategies by looking at how internet providers structure their pricing tiers and raise rates once introductory contracts end. To find the best way to lower your bill, we looked at which customer service channels are likely to be the most receptive to customers looking to lower their costs. We determined that phone calls and in-person visits are likely to work best because those specific teams may have the administrative authority to offer you credits to avoid cancellation and maintain retention rates. Our $20 to $50 savings estimate is based on the typical gap between standard ongoing rates and the promotional prices offered to new customers.

We selected the GFiber plan as our standout “deal of the week” due to it completely eliminating the need for negotiation. Based on our research, it offers a straightforward, flat monthly rate with no hidden fees, data caps, or scheduled rate increases.

Plans disclaimers