Go! Walk out the door!... what you need to tell your TV/broadband provider

“Go On Now go. Walk out the door. Don’t turn around now, you’re not welcome any more. “ Gloria Gaynor – I Will survive

Customers in the TV and broadband market need to channel Gloria’s spirit of affirmative action.

Complaining about the bad deal they invariably get as loyal customers after one year’s honeymoon period is over is simply not enough.

You need to back it up by at least threatening to throw that pricey provider out that door just like Gloria did with her no-good lover.

But when you do, you might find a striking change in their attitude….and you just might consider letting them back in again.

Check out the table. Our relationship with TV/broadband companies goes sour after one year – they become way too financially demanding!

You can expect to pay up to an extra 330 yoyos per year if you don’t keep your wits about you.

But these providers, although they recently hiked prices, are at least becoming better at one aspect of relationships – listening.

I wrote a few months ago I wrote about how hard it was to break up with Virgin over a TV/broadband/phone (or ‘triple play’ as they say in the business) account I manage for my parents.

Virgin came back with two counter-offers and finally came up with a deal close to what they were paying before. My folks didn’t want the hassle of setting up a new platform so we accepted it.

This week, I went to break up with Sky on my own account after my contract expired.

Sky currently offers the cheapest triple-play deal for tv/phone and broadband for €59 a month with Netflix included (in year one).

But I knew that was annoyingly for newbies – not loyal customers – which was why I intended to look elsewhere.

When I told this to the Sky guy processing my request, he sounded a little hurt (do they get acting lessons?), a bit like Jilted John in the old song of that name.

“But, why do you want to leave us?,” he said in a how-could-you-do-this-to-me kind of tone.

“Eh…because I’ll get a far better deal by going somewhere else. Your best offers are for new customers.”

“That’s not necessarily true,” he replied, in a low hurt voice.

Really, Sky? Really? He said he would get back to me.

While I waited for Sky I looked at what rivals had to offer to tempt new customers and annoy old ones who aren’t eligible.

Vodafone has a tasty triple play deal at the moment starting you off at €25 a month.

That’s not as cheap as it sounds – it jumps to €70 monthly after six months. But at a total of €570 in year one that still works out as the cheapest around.

Sky newbies get the next cheapest triple play package at €708 a year but not loyal customers (grrrr!).

Virgin offers the fastest broadband service for a bit more (€64 a month), while Eir has got into the game by linking up with Apple and offer a snazzy new set-top box plus Apple TV for a smidgeon more (see panel to see what that’s all about).

I was leaning towards Virgin for its fast broadband award (from Switcher).

But then ‘Jilted John’ from Sky got back to me.

They were prepared to offer me a special deal at €60 a month – cheaper than Virgin or Eir.

Hmmmmm. I feel absolutely no loyalty to Sky. And why charge €1 more? Why not just match what they freely give to new customers?

But in fairness they had come back with a decent offer. Vodafone was cheaper but it is an unknown quantity (sorry Vodafone, I will try you out some day).

I am used to and like Sky’s platform and content. Sky Atlantic taps into some great drama like (I am hoping) Helen Mirren as Catherine the Great (the part the actress of Russian descent seems born to play).

While I do not owe Sky a shred of loyalty, there is a tiny bit of rational inertia about not wanting to move that’s probably worth a couple of euro a month.

I don’t want the hassle, risk or possible extra cost (in some cases) of changing platforms.

After discussing options with my old pal Eoin Clarke from Switcher.ie (see panel) and after the deal was sweetened further by Jilted John writing off a disputed amount on the old bill, I decided to take Sky back.

Now I can look forward to watching the Helen The Great fulfil her acting destiny!How and why to switch provider

Switching to a new TV/broadband provider not only saves money, there are other benefits too.

You could get a better service, increased speed, access to new technology, for example a more modern up to date WiFi modem, says Eoin Clarke of comparison site Switcher.ie.

But price is still the main reason to switch - you can save up to €500 (a year) on some deals right now, even without switching provider.

“Because there are so many top deals on the market, you'll have a lot of leverage when it comes to persuading your current provider to reduce your bills ( if they don't, simply switch away)."

Here are some tips for shopping around:

Review your TV channels Ask what TV channels you really want and ditch the rest. We pay too much for access to rubbishy channels we never watch.

Timing is everything

Make a note of when you're near or beyond the end of your contract. Every extra month past the honeymoon period is going to cost you up to €40. But when out of contract, you are in the driving seat. Just tell them you're going to leave.

Compare the best deals

Know the facts before you pick phone. Use Switcher.ie or Bonkers.ie to see the best deals.

Get to the right person That’s the Customer Retentions Team.

Don't say yes to the first offer they give you Never go with the first offer. Chances are, it's not the best deal. Say you are still going to leave – and mean it.

Don't fill the silence

They may push you to agree because it's a 'limited-time offer', but don't feel pressured. As negotiations near a close, a classic sales technique is to stay silent. They want you to feel awkward and fill the silence by agreeing to what they say. Outlast them - make them fill it with a cheaper offer.

Ask if they can throw in any extras

If they won't slash the price, they may include extras.

Some freebies may come at a price

A special offer may have strings attached. Sky’s deal to include Netflix is a nice extra – but after 12 months, that deal gets very pricey at €103 a month. So by all means go for it, but be extra sure to get out fast when your contract is up.

If not happy, vote with your feet

If you don't get what you want, leave.