Bundling can seem like a great way to get all your communications need under one bill and potentially save money. But is it too good to be true? In this blog, we'll help you get your head around the pros and cons of bundling—and why at Ziply Fiber we don't offer bundled services.
What is bundling?
Bundling is the practice of a company combining services and selling them as a package to customers. Bundles are usually presented as a deal: get more for less or get some kind of bonus or discount by subscribing to more services or products.
The pros of bundling
Bundling can be convenient if you use all the services provided. If you have cable TV and a phone line, then tacking on cable internet can consolidate three bills into one. This also means that tech support and account management live in the same place, which can be helpful. Sometimes product features are linked, and at the very least you may need to remember just one username and password, which goes a long way these days.
New bundling options are emerging as technology changes. You may be able to bundle your cell phone plan with an internet plan now, which could be affordable and convenient. In short, if you use all parts of the package and prefer one-stop shopping, then a bundle might be a good deal.
The cons of bundling
In recent years, bundling has fallen out of favor for a few reasons.
- Consumers are using certain services less, like landlines and even cable television. Do you really need 500 channels? Depending on your lifestyle and your online activity, do you need any channels at all? The answers to these questions are personal and can inform your purchase decisions.
- A bundle is usually enticing because it comes with some kind of bonus, like a promotional rate or a freebie. Eventually (usually after a year) this will fade away and you'll see your bill creep up. That's no fun.
- Some companies make it hard to get out of a bundle, keeping customers locked in with more promotions and discounts even when they don't need or want them. Bundles often come with contracts, making it difficult to virtually impossible to break out without incurring a fee.
Why Ziply Fiber doesn't do bundles
At Ziply Fiber, we believe in customer choice and control. We view bundles as a way to trap customers into services that may not need and locking them into charges they don't need to pay.
We are also serious about transparency, which can get lost in a bundle scheme. Our broadband nutrition label lays out exactly what consumers are getting, including speed, latency and fees.
Read more: Broadband nutrition labels
We also don't offer contracts, so if you need to change ISPs for any reason, you are free to go. Our plans are meant to be affordable, transparent and hassle-free.
Importantly, if you have fiber internet, you really don't need a TV-internet-phone package. You can stream your favorite shows and movies, play videogames and chat without an expensive, elaborate plan. Even with a basic fiber internet plan, you can get most or all your entertainment needs taken care of.
Read more: Stream smart: how to cut the cord and keep your shows
Our hope is that you'll want to stay with us not because you're locked in an agreement, but because your experience with our service and our people is refreshingly great. A bundle might seem like a great deal, but we believe straightforward, transparent service is the best deal.
Check out our plans and find out if we're in your neighborhood.
