I saved £264 a year on my broadband bill just by asking – here’s how

A VIRGIN Media customer has shared how they slashed their broadband bill my hundreds of pounds – simply by asking.

The tip comes just days after the telecoms company announced it will hike prices for millions of broadband, TV and phone customers.

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The bill rise is the latest blow for households facing a cost of living crisis, and will add £56 a year to outgoings for customers.

Energy bills are already rising and experts predict they could climb by another £600 this April for millions of Brits.

Meanwhile food prices are rising which could add nearly £200 a week to grocery bills.

That means it’s more important than ever to save where you can – and one bill payer has done just that.

The anonymous customer shared how they called up Virgin Media to haggle their bill and came away £22 a month better off.

And it was much easier than they expected.

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Sharing the win on Reddit, they said they also managed to double their broadband speed at the same time.

Posting under the username @super_jobby they said: “Ringing up expecting to pull teeth out haggling with Virgin Media, first person I spoke to doubled my broadband speed and bill is £22 a month cheaper.”

The customer didn’t share the price they were paying before and after, or if they had phone and TV services too.

But a £22 a month cut to their bill adds up to £264 a year.

They recommended that it’s worth a try adding: “Suspiciously easy… anyone else thinking of renewing, call today!!”

Anyone unhappy about the incoming Virgin Media bill rise, which is set to come in from March 1, should try haggling.

Martyn James, consumer expert at Resolver, said: “Cold, hard economics talks, so if you want a big discount from a business and you don’t mind staying with them, threaten to walk rather than make a complaint.

“Businesses often allow their ‘customer retention teams’ much more leeway to offer discounts – much more than you’ll ever get if you make a complaint.”

How to haggle a discount on your bills

And you can try the same with any broadband, TV or phone provider, including mobile networks.

You could try it with insurance and breakdown cover too – after all, the worst they can say is no.

If you’re not happy with what you’re paying and are not offered a discount you can always move to another provider.

But check first that there are no exit fees. Virgin Media customers unhappy about the bill rise have the right to cancel mid-contract without a fee, within 30 days of being notified about the change.

Before you call your provider, it’s worth thinking about what could make you stay.

Martyn said: “Even if you don’t get any cash off, what can the firm ‘throw in’ to keep your custom? That could be extra channels on a TV deal, for example.

It’s worth checking what’s available from other providers as well as what your current provider is offering new customers.

You can then use this information to ask for a certain price or package, and check if what they are offering is competitive.

If they can’t match the best deal you can always switch.

It’s also worth checking that you’re not paying for a service or channel that you don’t actually use.

We spoke to a serial haggler who saves thousands of pounds a year haggling.

And one savvy shopper earns thousands from getting cashback every time he renews a contract.

You could even haggle when buying a house – one couple saved £11,000.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk