Help me get free stuff from Verizon, LOL... negotiating question

We are definitely leaving Cablevision to switch to Fios... I got a mailer that's advertising TV, phone and Internet for $99/month and free DVR for life. That's $30 less than what I pay Cablevision, and I have no DVR. So it's a good deal anyway.

Here's my question: I'm always hearing people say that they got Verizon/Cablevision down to $80/month, or have free movie channels, or whatever. How do people do this? Do they haggle? Negotiate? Ask? I have no idea. How do you get this stuff from these companies?

I'm really bad at this kind of thing, so please help me learn to play hardball to get free stuff!! What do you say?

Re: Help me get free stuff from Verizon, LOL... negotiating question

we had some chick come to our door to get us to switch from comcast (internet) and vonage (phone); we told them we were paying $75 combined and wanted to keep it at that.

let me tell you..if another verizon worker comes to my door, they will be sorry. they signed me up on a plan that was worse than comcast. it was their 3/1 plan which is basically DSL speeds. I had no clue b/c all they told me was Verizon owns the lines, its so much better, blah blah blah.

My computer was working ok..DH's was getting terrible speeds. So we called to figure out what was going on and they do a speed test and the guy on the phone was shocked at how bad it was. he said that is speeds from like 4 years ago. after an hour of phone calls and talking to supervisors they upgraded us to the highest Fios plan for $60mo + taxes. thats for phone and internet. i have direct tv.

ask them what they will give you for switching. they will give you a good introductory rate.

so my point to you is, make SURE you get the 15/5 plan which is the highest FIOS speed plan I believe. (or here in PA thats what it is for us). b/c anything else will be crapola.