thats a good idea... something about it doesn't feel right, though. I mean, if I am able to pay my bill, something feels unethical about asking for a lower bill on the pretense that I'm suffering... of course, if you ARE suffering then thats another story... - Shawn Duffy from twhirl

Well, that might work now, but when the economy comes back up, will you allow the companies to raise your bill again? I mean, if you want it one way, you have to accept it when it goes the other way. - Wizetux

it's always worth calling phone/web/cable companies and asking them about the rate they are charging you, especially if the price/features mix has not changed in a while - also look at all the deals they are offering new clients - Joelle Nebbe (iphigenie)

I don't mind paying a bit more when times are good, but I'm definitely cutting back on everything right now. If companies are willing to help out to keep me as a good customer (I always pay my bills on time and have been with both companies for many years) then I don't see anything wrong with asking for lower fees. The worst that can happen is they'll say no. - Thomas Hawk

In a free market, prices are a reflection of demand (usually). Companies raise prices all the time, but how often do they proactively reduce them? In short, if a company you're doing business with is willing to lower the price for you, chances are they aren't seeing as much demand for their product. - Kevin Pedraja

@Joelle, and don't forget to look at their competitors. Most companies will give you a deal if they feel that you are strongly looking at going to another company. - Wizetux

Now, if only I could do this with my apartment complex, especially when it comes to renewals. - Wizetux

This won't help me with Verizon. I'm in a 1 or 2 year contract for FiOS. - Alex Scoble

How much for FiOS, Alex? - Josh Haley

Wizetux, I have a hunch that rental properties are one of the few economic areas where demand is going to go up... - FFing Enigma (aka Tina)

I'm paying $140 a month for phone, TV and internet service through them. - Alex Scoble

Tina, was talking to my friend in Seattle about this and he's noticing that cost of renting is going down right now right along with the cost of housing. - Alex Scoble

@Stupid Blogger, actually in the Seattle area, many of the properties are concerned because their occupancy is sitting around 83%. That is very bad compared to the past two years. This is due to the fact that home prices have dropped to the point that many people are buying homes rather than renting, or more people can not afford to live in the area. - Wizetux

Alex, I would imagine right now it's due to the glut of empty unsold houses on the market that are currently being rented (very common with condos and townhomes in our area). However, once the housing prices start to bottom out a lot of those temporary rentals will be back on the housing market and there will likely be fewer rental units. - FFing Enigma (aka Tina)

Jeez, I wish our landlord in Seattle would decide to drop the rent. I think the chances of Nader being elected are about a billion times what the chances of the rent being decreased are, though. - Rochelle

@Rochelle, from what I have seen, the only way to get your rate lowered, right now, is to move to a new complex. Many of them are only giving lower rates to the new residents, but doing nothing for their current ones. They are betting on the fact that in this economy, many of the renters do not have the money to move, and thus the complexes don't really have to lower your rent. - Wizetux

www.behindtheleasingdesk.com is a good blog about the Seattle rental market and some of the major complex companies. - Wizetux

Wizetux, we're in a rented house owned by a lady. No complex or management company or anything. That's the problem, I think! - Rochelle

@Rochelle, that could be, but you could still have some pull. My parents are landlords, and I know that most private owners would rather keep good tenants in their homes rather than dealing with getting new ones that might not pay on time or destroy the property. So I would look around at other places, and their prices. Then talk with your landlord. - Wizetux

During hte last downturn, people were negotiating cheaper rents all over SF, it was the new table talk - anna sauce

I do this regularly anyway. About once a year, call up and say you want to cancel. They'll immediately offer whatever deal they're running for new customers, or some kind of discount. - Eric P

Plus, every day that their rentals sit empty, are days that the landlord is losing money. Also, the cost of getting a home ready to be re-rented is much more than the lost of rent that the landlord will incur by lowering your rent. So you do have some pull. You just need to be informed about the other options and present them to the landlord rather than just saying I want my rent lowered. - Wizetux

alright lets squeeze those corporate fees!~ - Susan Beebe

Considering how many renters were losing their homes because the owners weren't paying, I think it's time that landlords had to submit to credit checks! - MiniMage TKDteacher of FF

Good suggestion. - kamla bhatt