Practice Management

Broadband is everything to a Third Wave attorney.  We literally live off the pipe.  Telephone.  TV.  Internet access.  It is not just part of the bundle of things we use, it is the bundle of things we need to thrive.  By yesterday's standards it is cheap.  By today's standards it is getting more expensive every single day.

Now, the Wall Street Journal / Tech is reporting that it might just be possible to get your current provider to discount the bill -- at least for a while.  Or, from my experience you can change services for real savings and better quaility.

It seems like Comcast and AT&T U-verse have discovered in these trying economic times that they actually have customers that need to be satisfied.  Before, I can tell you from experience, speaking to these companies has been like talking to brick wall.  (And, that statement might be geneous).  But, with a bad economy there has also come more competition.  I switched from GOD AWFUL Comcast to AT&T U-verse about a year ago.  As for TV quality you cannot even imagine what HD looks like compared to Comcast.  I did not even know what bad service Comcast was providing me until I changed services.  The other services are comparable except they do not go down every week and they cost less.

Please do not get me wrong.  It is true that I had finally come to the conclusion that Comcast was the Antichrist with which I was stuck for all eternity to live and work, but I do not doubt that AT&T would not be any better if it were not for the competition.  After all AT&T has a long glorious history of bad service to generations of Americans.

The WSJ reports on an AT&T customer that contacted AT&T shortly before Christmas to ask for a discount of 10% or so.  AT&T actually cut his bill voluntarily by almost 50% for a year.  Under intense pressure from Wall Street to keep subscribers as the economy sags and competition intensifies, many carriers are bent on retaining customers even if it means offering big price breaks.  Although on the surface cable and broadband companies are raising rates, behind the scenes the providers are much more accommodating. Many are offering steep discounts to keep, win or win back customers.  Negotiating with cable and phone companies may result in cost savings as these providers are often happy to make deals with customers -- particularly if that allows them to poach them from rivals.

I had not thought about it, but the WSJ reports that broadband providers have been hurt by the battered housing market, and this is leading to new deals for customers.  And, the steepest breaks seem to come from those purchasing triple-play bundles of TV, Internet and voice service, since customers pay the most for subscribing to all three.

Might as well give it a try.