We've been paying $31.24 for our Internet service with Hawaiian Telcom and another $27.02 for our basic land line with no frills. Works out to $58.26. We've been watching all these ads for Internet service for $24.99, etc. Hawaiian Telcom is in competition with Road Runner and I don't know who else. When we bought into our service for the $31.24 (for life) price we thought we were getting a good deal. I wanted to call to see if we could get the better price, but I saw someplace that the better price was not applicable for those who were already signed up. I gave up disappointed.
This weekend, my brother and sister-in-law mentioned that they were getting a great Bundle deal where they were going to pay about $100. for phone, Internet and cable.
Then I saw an ad on line from Hawaiian Telcom about the Bundling deal. That clinched it! I decided to call and ask them if I could better our monthly charges or should I switch to another carrier and then try to come back.
I called 643-0812 expecting to be unhappy, but wanting to give it a shot. I spoke to a very friendly, cheerful fellow named JC. He told me that I was presently paying for an ala carte service. However, for the speed of Internet service I was getting plus the phone I could Bundle them and pay $56.80. Ooooookaaay.... So that's only a $1.46 savings, but what the heck! It's still a savings!
"But wait!" says JC. "Not only do you get your Internet and phone service, but now you ALSO get call waiting and caller ID and....."
"OK, sign us up," I tried to tell him.
"But wait!" chuckles JC. "You also get unlimited 411 (Information) calls." JC said we don't get the cable bundle in our area yet, but it'll be coming. I told him about our antennae in the attic. He was ummm... a little surprised.
One problem. We don't have a phone with the Caller ID feature so we're going to have to go get one. "Just go to the garage sales," said JC. "You can find them for cheap."
Turns out we get 13 additional calling features from the basic plan we had before. He's going to send me a booklet explaining what they are.
One thing I learned from this experience is that you should always check with your utility companies to see if you can get a better price. It never hurts to ask.
You might meet someone like JC.
But wait... Doggone it! I forgot to ask if they give Senior discounts. Juuust kidding.
Then I saw an ad on line from Hawaiian Telcom about the Bundling deal. That clinched it! I decided to call and ask them if I could better our monthly charges or should I switch to another carrier and then try to come back.
I called 643-0812 expecting to be unhappy, but wanting to give it a shot. I spoke to a very friendly, cheerful fellow named JC. He told me that I was presently paying for an ala carte service. However, for the speed of Internet service I was getting plus the phone I could Bundle them and pay $56.80. Ooooookaaay.... So that's only a $1.46 savings, but what the heck! It's still a savings!
"But wait!" says JC. "Not only do you get your Internet and phone service, but now you ALSO get call waiting and caller ID and....."
"OK, sign us up," I tried to tell him.
"But wait!" chuckles JC. "You also get unlimited 411 (Information) calls." JC said we don't get the cable bundle in our area yet, but it'll be coming. I told him about our antennae in the attic. He was ummm... a little surprised.
One problem. We don't have a phone with the Caller ID feature so we're going to have to go get one. "Just go to the garage sales," said JC. "You can find them for cheap."
Turns out we get 13 additional calling features from the basic plan we had before. He's going to send me a booklet explaining what they are.
One thing I learned from this experience is that you should always check with your utility companies to see if you can get a better price. It never hurts to ask.
You might meet someone like JC.
But wait... Doggone it! I forgot to ask if they give Senior discounts. Juuust kidding.
With so much competition these days salesmen are usually bending over backwards to accommodate customers. I'm glad you found a good deal finally.
ReplyDeleteI thought everything was more expensive in Hawaii, but not this bundle, for sure! We pay almost $100 for our internet and cable, no phone, and it's an introductory price that will go up $40 next year. Comcast has us over a barrel, since it's the only cable offered anywhere around here.
ReplyDeleteMy husband did that with Time Warner and they gave us $30.00 off!! We have a bundle package too. We gave up our phone land line when we moved and we are saving $75 a month just doing that!! We never used the land line anyway-everyone always calls our cell.
ReplyDeletewhat a bargain hunter...good for you. Be sure and check out Caryn's blog-her link in on my blog under buddies and in the post for today....
ReplyDeleteWe are like DJan above, over a barrel with Comcast. It seems like they have a price increase every time we turn around. We do check with them every few months and get a little break on something but it is still very expensive.
ReplyDeleteIt bothers me a little that they don't automatically give us all the upgrades automatically but I can see their view point. They save the good stuff for those thinking of jumping ship.
ReplyDeleteIt is like calling for a better interest rate with your credit card companies. They only give it to those who ask. The squeeking wheel does get the oil.
Ya done good.
We made a decision not to bundle as we wanted to keep our landline. After 9-11 ion NY, there was no phone service. Here during last years electrical outage, we had phones when most others did not.
ReplyDeleteDuring the earthquake of 2006, we lost cell phones, cable TV and Internet. However, our land line with Hawaiian Tel still worked. This is why we will never bundle with Oceanic Cable even though it would be cheaper. If Hawaiian Tel offers cable and internet in our area, we might switch.
ReplyDeleteMage: We're definitely keeping our landline. Same thing happened here with the earthquake we had several years ago. There was no cell or wireless service, but we had the landline phones still working.
ReplyDeleteGigi: You might check because my brother lives in your area and they're getting the good Bundle. Hmmm... I just remembered JC telling me that when they start offering the cable/phone/Internet bundle in our area we'll be getting a flyer in the mail.
ReplyDeleteThis stuff is all very confusing, glad you are happy with your arrangement.
ReplyDeleteYes, even though we are busy, it always helps to ASK! Don't be afraid, just be polite and let them help you LOL
ReplyDeleteWarm Aloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
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There is a great deal of competition among the variousproviders and telephone providers. I hate that.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit. The last time I skated was 68 years ago. So I don't think I can do it either. Enjoy your weekend.
I also have Hawaiian Tel landline and internet. I don't bundle because I have an old $10 recurring discount, and also because I don't need the extras. We rarely call long distance (for that we use an AT&T credit card 30 min/month free calling benefit) and the only call feature we want is call waiting ($3). Total for the basic line, call waiting and internet including tax and surcharges is $51.10. I'm an OCD frugal saver so I'm always trying to get our living expenses down.
ReplyDeleteL. from W.
BTW, another benefit with Hawaiian Tel internet is a free McAfee subscription for one computer. You can find free after rebate McAfee quite often, but it is still nice not to have to bother with purchase/installation for at least for one computer.
ReplyDeleteL. from W.
I got a reduced price when I called Comcast, but it's only for one year. then I'll call again!
ReplyDeleteMy husband always takes care of all this. I remain blissfully in the dark on these things. This is really not a good thing, but I know he is always calling and getting the best deal he can on everything. We use Comcast.
ReplyDeleteL from W: As you can see, I'm OCD also.
ReplyDeleteOurs is more than that but I love called id...
ReplyDeleteOnce when I called HawnTel to update my name after I get married the cust svc agent said "btw...I noticed that you're paying "x" amount, but we have this bundle package..."
ReplyDeletemaybe it was the same person! =)