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Save €19 on Your Internet Bill With a 7-Minute Call: User Repeats Tactic Every Year

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Update on : 25 October 2026

Save €19 on Your Internet Bill With a 7-Minute Call: User Repeats Tactic Every Year

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A man in France managed to cut his internet bill in half and save €228 a year — and he shared exactly what he told his provider.

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Paying far more for your home internet than the person next door can be frustrating. Between sign-up promotions that are limited to new customers and rates that jump after the first year, this situation is common. And contrary to what many assume, switching providers isn’t always the only way to lower your bill.

Plans from Orange, Free, SFR and Bouygues Telecom change frequently. A contract that looks like a great deal during an introductory period can quickly become expensive once the discount ends. Still, some ISPs will reconsider pricing in order to keep a subscriber rather than lose them.

That’s what one French internet user discovered and described on Reddit. He had been paying SFR €20 per month instead of the regular €38 thanks to a one-year promotion, and that discount was about to expire. After spotting a rival offer for €19 per month, he called SFR — not initially to beg for a price cut, but to find out how to cancel. When the customer service agent asked why he wanted to leave, he replied something along the lines of, “I’ll be paying twice as much next month when I can get a cheaper offer elsewhere.” The rep asked what the competitor was charging and came back with a counteroffer of €25 per month. He stood firm, repeated that he could get a better deal elsewhere and intended to cancel, and after another short hold they agreed to match the €19 price. His takeaway: seven minutes on the phone and €19 saved every month. He adds that this tactic has worked for him over the past three years. Keep in mind, though, that providers don’t always respond the same way — it’s not guaranteed.

To improve your chances, prepare before you call. Check your bill and the date your current commitment ends in your online account. Compare two or three competing plans, taking into account the post-promotion price, the internet speed offered, and which services are included. If you can point to an equivalent plan for €25 while you’re paying €40, that’s a much stronger bargaining position than simply saying, “It’s too expensive.” And if the rep offers you a better rate, ask for written confirmation of the new price so you have proof if you need it later.