In one of our recent neighborhood social gatherings, one of my neighbors mentioned an experience they had with Comcast. They noted that their monthly Comcast bill had increased from December to January. However, they had not changed their level of service or purchased any optional services during the month.
They called Comcast and were informed of a rate increase and charges for digital boxes that were previously free. My neighbor was transferred to a customer loyalty solutions expert at Comcast, and after considerable discussion they received a reduced rate for a period of time. After that period of time, my neighbor would have to call again to negotiate a reduced rate. I am also a Comcast subscriber and experienced that same rate increase this month. I later called Comcast, and after being on hold for 45 minutes, I had a similar discussion and received a comparable reduction in my monthly charges.
During our social gathering, our group discussed the frustration of continual rate increases and the inconvenience of repeatedly having to spend time negotiating lower rates. Our guess was that over half the residents of Sun City probably have Comcast as a provider of cable, phone, or internet services. We wondered if there was an opportunity for obtaining a “Sun City Package” deal that would give us all a reduced rate for our loyalty to the provider.
I subsequently contacted the office of the Huntley Village Manager. In my communication to the village manager, I applauded the village’s recent success in reducing our electric bills through the electric utility aggregation agreement they completed this past year. I inquired if it were possible to create a similar arrangement with other utilities such as phone, internet, and cable services.
I was informed that “by Illinois law, municipal aggregation is only allowed for electricity at this time; and no date for future consideration of other utilities has been established.” I then wondered if we residents of Sun City might be able to obtain reduced rates as a group. I contacted Bill Pennock, Wentworth Management executive director, who said that discussions along these lines had not been held previously.
Pennock said he had recently experienced the same type of increase with his Comcast account. I would like to hear from readers on what you think. What if we proposed to our association directors that we add a position to the association for a community liaison with service providers of Sun City residents? The liaison could negotiate Sun City package rates or discounts with a variety of vendors, recognizing our large number of homes and our customer loyalty.
Of course, as seniors, we already enjoy a variety of senior discounts. But “Sun City discounts” could be above and beyond those. The liaison could start with Comcast, AT&T, Uverse, Dish and other phone, cable, and internet providers, but why stop there? Why not add providers of products as well as services – Home Depot, Menards, Jewel, Walmart, Culvers, and other Huntley/regional establishments? The potential savings to our residents would more than cover the liaison position.
Well, what do you think, readers?
Send your questions and ideas to: Sun Day, Frugal Forum Column, P.O. Box 7505, Algonquin, IL 60102, or, by email to: thefrugalforum@gmail.com
