BillFixers is an American company that negotiates with television, Internet service providers, and cell and landline companies on behalf of consumers or businesses. It was founded in July 2014 by brothers Ben and Julian Kurland with the goal of lowering household monthly bills from Telecommunications service providers. BillFixers is an Expert as a service or Justice-as-a-service company, which optimizes on work that feels menial to individual consumers. As of February 2020, BillFixers has over 25,000 clients and claims a combined savings of over $5,000,000.
History
Ben and Julian Kurland founded the company in Nashville, Tennessee in July, 2014. Later that year, a customer service call between Comcast and tech entrepreneur/journalist Ryan Blockwent viral. The Kurlands posted on Reddit about their speciality in haggling with Comcast and thus received their first customers. In the first year, the Kurlands and their cousin Peter Zimbicki were the sole negotiators. By 2016, the business had grown to over 1,200 clients and was featured on NBC Nightly News and in The New York Times.
Services
BillFixers works primarily on TV, internet, and phone bills, although their services may extend to satellite radio, home security, and propane bills. They claim a 95% success rate and average savings of $300 per bill.
How it Works
The service operates by hiring experts to negotiate on behalf of consumers. When a client submits their bill, BillFixers calls the provider to seek a lowered rate. Their success is due to industry know-how and expertise on promotional & custom deals. The business generates revenue on a contingency basis, meaning payment is reliant on customer's savings.
Reception
BillFixers was praised by NBC News as an "ingenious idea", and a CNET review reports 100% satisfaction. In September 2015, BillFixers was nominated as the Small Business Innovator of the Year by USA Today. In 2016, A New York Times article questioned the legality of negotiators representing themselves as clients, but found no violation. BillFixers has also received positive feedback from My Money Blog and Debt Departure.