The next cable bill that comes in your mail could contain a belated bad start to 2010 in the form of higher prices.

Not only are new offerings, like 3-D programming, on the way later this year but networks in general want more money for their programming. Fox, for example, threatened to pull its stations from Time Warner unless it was paid more per subscriber, with an undisclosed last minute deal being the only thing that kept New Year’s Day college bowl games on the air in many homes.

What this mean is that cable operators will face higher costs and they will work as hard as they can to pass the additional costs on to the end consumer. The good news is that if you act now you may be able to lock in your current rate for the next few years and price increases for 3-D TV will likely be offered first as a premium rather than an included service in your cable package.

Winegard MS-2002 HDTV ... Best Price: $249.95 (as of 10:05 UTC - Details)

With cable costs already rising 7% at Time Warner and Comcast for the coming year, you should act now to lock in a lower rate.

Thankfully, lowering your bill or just locking in your rate is easy and can even be done online in many cases. When Time Warner increased my cable bill $65 this month, to $177 per month, with no additional services added I was able to renegotiate with an agent of its online chat using the transcript below and lock in a much smaller increase for two years.

Sharmin: Thank you for Contacting Time Warner Cable, My name is Sharmin, How may I help you today?

Josh: Hi Sharmin

Josh: Thanks, I am trying to make my cable bill a bit more affordable today after it increased $65 this month

10,001 Ways to Live La... The Writers of Wise Bread Best Price: $2.05 Buy New $13.50 (as of 10:53 UTC - Details)

Josh: I was just on chat with an analyst named Jeff who offered me Jeff: if you would like to be put in to a price lock guarantee package the price would be 117.80 the first year of service then just a 5.00 increase in the second year of service

Josh: but suggested I call in to the sales number for a better deal since I had been considering dropping a service or switching to U-Verse.

Sharmin: yes, if you call our retention team, they can assist you the best

Sharmin: Our Retention Group can be reached by calling 866-681-9272.

Frugillionaire: 500 Fa... Jay, Francine Best Price: $7.35 Buy New $52.74 (as of 12:50 UTC - Details)

Josh: Unfortunately Retention’s price is higher than chat and they suggested I try here again before shopping around

Sharmin: I can see what I can do for you

Sharmin: seriously

Josh: Thanks Sharmin, I really appreciate the help

Josh: The best retention offered was 127.75 per month

Sharmin: let me have your phone number, I am sorry they keep bouncing you around….i also do retention backup, so I can give you the best rate

Sharmin: thanks, one moment, let me take a look

Josh: OK take your time

Sharmin: I see the two year rate for the $117.80 rate, but it looks like Jeff missed your dvr service code which is $9.95

Read the rest of the article

January 18, 2010

$post_author: WP_User Object
(
    [data] => stdClass Object
        (
            [ID] => 2630
            [user_login] => john-smith
            [user_pass] => ec9e724dc384142e25cc538354fec49a
            [user_nicename] => john-smith
            [user_email] => [email protected]
            [user_url] => 
            [user_registered] => 2012-11-02 09:11:02
            [user_activation_key] => 
            [user_status] => 0
            [display_name] => John Smith
            [type] => wpuser
        )

    [ID] => 2630
    [caps] => Array
        (
            [contributor] => 1
        )

    [cap_key] => wp_capabilities
    [roles] => Array
        (
            [0] => contributor
        )

    [allcaps] => Array
        (
            [edit_posts] => 1
            [read] => 1
            [level_1] => 1
            [level_0] => 1
            [delete_posts] => 1
            [email_single_user] => 1
            [contributor] => 1
        )

    [filter] => 
    [site_id:WP_User:private] => 1
)

get_the_author_meta: 

$bio: 

$bios: Array
(
)