Actually, no. The phone company didn’t do that. I set up my phone service few years ago; basic phone service, unlimited long distance (every single member of our family lives “long distance” away) and an internet/DSL package.

And then I promptly forgot about it.

Every six months or so, we do a quick tally of our monthly bills. The phone bill has been enough the same that I open the bills every quarter or so, sending the same amount from my online account every 28 days or so.

When I opened it this month, it had gone up about $10. A few new fees, some of this, some of that. It couldn’t hurt to try and renegotiate, right? But before I called them I did my homework.

Using their website, I put together a cheaper plan. Basic phone, Unlimited long distance, cheaper DSL. I could save $20 a month!

So I started dialing. First I verified our current coverage; it turned out I had our DSL set too low: only a $15 savings a month. I changed our long distance plan to the lower-priced service listed online. I asked to downgrade the basic phone charge - but my price was already lower. They offered to upgrade me on DSL by putting me in a re-bundle package “not listed on the webpage” that includes caller ID and call waiting. We ran the numbers, and that brought my bill down $33 a month, with no set up fees, change fees, or expiration. Now when the phone rings, it announces the phone number of the party calling. Kind of creepy.

Other than that new development, it’s all fine by me. My cost was around 20 minutes of time on the phone, but well worth it. I guess basic phone services aren’t so “set it and forget it” after all.

I wonder what the water company would do for me …