Yes it happens every year!
Just got off the phone to the AA about my insurance renewal and, as usual, got them to reduce my fully comp, legal protection, monthly payment interest, loan car, low excesses, etc, etc, premium by £80 over the year to actually better (allowing for the "extra" benefits gained) quotes via Confused.com.
I never have to go into full argument mode as the AA staff listen, treat me like a valued customer, and give me quickly what I am looking for.
It's just frustrating that you should have to contact them at all. I understand how business works, and every business is there to make money, but to prey on those who do not have technology at their fingertips (to check things like comparison websites) is just nasty.
Yes, as with the World of services and retailing now it is assumed (or just accepted as oh well' tough that some are not!!) that everyone is online. It is also a fact that with the service industry it is common for a market place ideology to rule where the potential customer has to ask for the best price.
Comes to think about it, the retail industry has done, in a different form, this since RPM disappeared 50 years ago. Multiple retail stores all offer basically the same products and expect the potential customer to walk / drive around to find the cheapest price.
Yes, with both industries (as with all business) it is ALL about making a profit and trusting that a fair proportion of the public to not bother to search out the best price, or even best service.