(This post assumes you live in a location where you can actually change your internet service provider. If you don't, sadly you are at the mercy of that provider. You can always request the competition to provide services in your area, but due to the lack of real competition, this takes forever... but you should still read it, as it offers a solution for you as well)
Don't you hate it that every year your internet provider takes advantage on your laziness to switch to a new provider and capitalizes on that by raising your monthly payment?
If so, this post is for you!
After I join as a new customer to an internet service provider, the price is "locked in" for a year. After a year, they increase the price by a bit (to test your tolerance for price increase) and after 2 years, I am paying full price.
They usually do not offer promotions for existing customers. Not sure why, but it's a bad business practice. They spend so much money on ads to get new customers, so why not spend just a bit to keep them?
What can you do against that price hike?
I acknowledge that laziness is a major factor in reasons why we are not saving, so I am assuming 90% of the people (including me) won't do anything after the 1st price hike. That's ok. I don't recommend fighting with your provider every year. Every other year is good enough, not to be marked as a problematic customer. (Not even sure if this mark is an actual thing...)
I will try to help you save on that horrible 2nd price hike.
This is the most cost effective effort to save $$$.
You can be passive on the 1st year. If you want to save, you cannot be passive on the end of the 2nd year.
What can you do?
Call the competition and learn about their current prices and promotions. Sometimes if you add a service (TV for example) the price will actually drop. So even if you don't watch TV or use the phone, be open to bundling in order to save, even with no intent to use the added service.
After knowing what the market has to offer, call your own provider and haggle. Tell them you have other promotions from competitors and they might lose you.
Sometimes you need to call again to get a different representative. If sales didn't help, try customer support. If it didn't help, try customer preservation department.
Your friends or people in your network might have already haggled and got a good price with your provider. Ask them how much they are paying. If they have a deal you want, note their surf speed and monthly payment.
If you are successful with #4, call again, and mention that price. DO NOT mention your friends' name, but being honest goes a long way. They will try to match the price and speed. They might even upgrade you to a faster speed than your friend's for free (happened to me)
If you are married, and everything else fails, let your spouse join as a new customer. It's not illegal. After the spouse gains internet access, feel free to deactivate your account.
Sometimes it's cheaper to buy a compatible modem than to rent it. Check with your provider what modems they approve in order to not be getting rental deductions monthly.
Hope this helps!
Let me know in the comments if it helped, or if you have tips of your own.