How to get the best price

Check rates, then check again

Scour the provider's Web site for the best deals, and ask a customer rep if the price you've been given is the company's absolute best offer. Then consider checking again because we found that rates could change, seemingly by the representative who took the call.

Negotiate

It can pay off, particularly in areas where there's competition between a cable provider and a traditional telephone company, and when your promotional rate is expiring. Ask for a reduced price or free extras, such as installation or a premium channel at no cost. If you do get freebies, make sure you won't automatically be billed to continue them when the introductory period ends.

Ask for sample bills

Before you finalize a deal, ask for a summary of all charges for the first and subsequent months. Confirm that the figures include all taxes and fees, and one-time expenses such as a charge to keep your existing phone number. Try to get the information in writing. Check the figures later against the actual bills.

Fine-tune the extras

The usual 5 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 1 Mbps upload speeds with Internet service are fine for most people, and cable and fiber are sometimes beating those speeds anyway. As a rule, don't pay more for higher-speed service unless you often download or share a lot of lengthy videos or other very large files.

Most VoIP and fiber-based phone plans include caller ID, answering service, and unlimited local and long-distance calling in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, and sometimes other countries. Check that those features don't disappear or don't increase your bill when the promotional period ends. If you'll frequently call countries outside that plan, weigh adding an international calling plan.