Internet charge



We're in an area with Comcast for cable and AT&T for DSL.  We have AT&T DSL for our internet, currently at about $25/mo for 3MB(I think).  It's a promotional price, available "only" to new customers.  In reality, it's also available to current customers who threaten to leave for the competition.

So every 6-12 months (depending on the duration of the promotion), I call up AT&T's customer service, and say something along these lines: "Hi, I'm a current DSL customer, and we're on a promotional discount.  The promotion is about to end, and I'm wondering if you have any specials you can offer to keep us as a customer."  The CSRs have always been quite helpful and friendly.  They can't put you on the same promotion twice in a row, so we alternate between a $15/mo discount (regular price is $47 or so) and the 50% off discount.  It's a 5-minute phone call every six months or so, which makes the hourly rate quite impressive.

I don't know if Comcast work in a similar manner, but I would not be surprised if they can get you a longer (or new) promotional period if you ask nicely.