If you’re thinking about cutting the cord with your cable TV company, you may also be dreading the conversation with your local cable company representative. You fear that the instant you indicate that you want to drop your TV service, the battle is on.
The truth is, there’s nothing to fight about as the decision is yours.
Follow these 3 easy steps to ensure a happy transition from cable to OTA TV for your family, and a frustration-free cancellation of your cable TV service for you.
Use the script provided to practice the anticipated (and often dreaded) conversation with your cable TV customer service rep, and you’ll be well prepared to painlessly cut the cord.
I. Try Broadcast TV
Unhook your cable box and connect your Mohu antenna to your HDTV. Scan for channels.
Assuming you get the channels you expected to get over air, commit to trying out over air TV for a week before you cancel your cable TV service. This way the whole family gets the cord cutting experience, without fear of losing the channels they’ve become accustomed to watching.
Keep a journal during this time and have everyone write down what they are watching, when they are watching it and feelings about the experience. Sit down with your family and evaluate the entries in the journal at the end of the week. If you are all happy with what over air TV and streaming media entertainment have to offer, then you’re ready to cut the cord.
II. Purchase Additional Equipment If Needed
When you decide to cut the cord you may need to purchase more than one antenna; one for each HDTV, or you can add Sky 60 HDTV Attic-Outdoor Antenna with a Jolt 4-Way Antenna Amplifier to send OTA signals to up to 4 TVs in your house. The initial equipment cost is nothing by comparison to monthly cable TV costs, and with no monthly cable bills, you quickly recoup your investment and start saving!
III. Turn In Your Equipment and Cancel TV Service
When you finally pack up your cable TV box and walk into the office to cut the cord remember, you’re in charge. You are paying for a service, and if that service isn’t what you want it to be you have every right to cancel your service. Don’t allow the customer service rep to shame you into submission or plant the seeds of self doubt. You’ve done your homework and are ready to make a change. State your purpose and minimize chatter, and soon you’ll be cable free.
The Script: How to Cut the Cord with Your Cable TV Provider
Having worked for a major tech corporation in customer service I’m familiar with how customer service representatives are trained, and how the goals of the company come into play when interacting with customers.
Using my experience I’ve written a general script to assist would-be cord cutters, who may be a tad nervous about talking face to face with cable company representatives and cancelling their cable TV service.
Feel free to use this guide to role play with friends a family before you go in. Practicing what to say before you go in will give you confidence and empower you to effectively cut the cord.
Cable Customer Service Rep:
How can I help you today?
You (with cable bill in hand):
Hi, my name is… and I want to return my equipment and cancel my cable TV subscription effective immediately.
Customer Service Rep:
May I ask why you want to do this? Is there something we can do to better improve your service and retain you as a customer?
This is where you can begin to feel nervous and uncertain, but by keeping your responses short and to the point, you’ll stay on task. Remember that you’re not required to explain your actions or apologize. Keep things polite and to the point and you’ll quickly be past the minor discomfort this moment may present.
You:
I’ve decided to cut the cord with cable TV and no longer require your company’s services. I’m returning all my equipment today and paying any outstanding balance to settle my account.
This is good because you are clearly stating the reason you are in the office and what your expectations are to the company representative. At this point they will either shrug and do what you asked, or attempt to dissuade you by offering a deal.
Customer Service Rep:
After looking at your account I see you’ve been an excellent customer. I’d like to offer you a special promotion that includes… how does that sound?
The offer of a deal can definitely be tempting, but don’t bite unless you want to stay tied to a monthly cable TV bill. Also be aware that the promo pricing offered to you may be revoked or changed without notice.
You:
No thanks, I’m happy with my decision to cut the cord. I just want to cancel my service today.
If you refuse the deal you may be in store for some unsolicited advice from the rep on the perceived downfalls of over the air TV and how much you’ll be missing out on by not having cable TV service. Feel free to smile and nod. Silence speaks volumes and they really can’t do much with it.
Keep in mind that going in, you have the upper hand. If you are good with your decision and clearly state your expectations, there’s no reason you won’t be able to successfully cancel your cable TV subscription quickly and easily no matter who you meet sitting behind the cable company desk.
Andrea Polk hails from Oregon and is a wife, mother, writer, Amazon Top 50 Reviewer, and more. She’s also the author of the Simple Guide to Over-the-Air Free TV and the Simple Guide to Sling TV as well as the avid deal-seeker behind SavvySleuth.com, where she scours the web for the best online deals.
