Alright, let’s talk about getting that sports package price sorted out, specifically with Optimum because that’s who I’ve got. My bill started creeping up, you know how it goes, and I figured it was time to take a look and see if I could find a better deal, the optimum price for what I actually watch.
Starting the Hunt
First thing I did was just pull up my current bill. Had to figure out what I was actually paying for the sports stuff versus everything else bundled in. It wasn’t super clear, honestly. Lots of line items, fees, the usual mess. So, I grabbed a notepad, old school style, and tried to break it down.
Then, I went online. Checked out the Optimum site to see what they were advertising for new customers. Big surprise, the deals looked way better than what I was paying as a loyal customer for years. That always stings a bit, doesn’t it?
Comparing Apples and Oranges (Sort Of)
Trying to compare packages felt like a chore. They list channels, sure, but sometimes the sports channels I wanted were split across different tiers. Here’s kinda what I was juggling:
- Which specific sports channels did I absolutely need? (Football, basketball, you know, the essentials for me).
- Were those channels in the basic package, or did I need a specific “sports pack” add-on?
- What was the price after the promo period? That’s the kicker they don’t always shout about.
- Any sneaky equipment fees or regional sports network fees hiding in the small print?
I even looked briefly at what streaming options cost, just to see if cutting the cord entirely made sense for sports. But managing multiple apps and subscriptions felt like trading one headache for another, plus internet costs.
Making the Call
After getting my head around the options, I decided the best bet was to just call Optimum directly. Sometimes talking to a person gets you further than clicking around online. I braced myself for the usual hold music marathon.
Got through to retention, which is usually where you want to end up. I laid it out straight: “My bill’s gone up, I see new customer deals that are much lower, I mostly watch these specific sports channels, what can you do for me?” Didn’t yell or anything, just stated the facts.
We went back and forth a bit. They offered a discount here, suggested a slightly different package there. I kept steering it back to the total monthly cost and the channels I cared about. Had to be firm but polite.
Finding My “Optimum” Deal
In the end, we landed on something workable. Was it the absolute rock-bottom cheapest price possible? Maybe not. But it was a significant reduction from what I was paying, kept all the sports channels I actually watch, and locked in for a year. For me, that felt like the optimum solution right now.
It wasn’t some magic bullet. It took digging into the bill, doing some online research, and then making that phone call to haggle a bit. You gotta put in a little effort, check the details, and be ready to talk to them. That seems to be the way to get closer to that fair price these days.
