Comments on: How to Negotiate and Lower Your Bills http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/04/28/how-to-negotiate-and-lower-your-bills-gpt/ personal finance tips, tricks, and commentary Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:49:32 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Matt Jabs http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/04/28/how-to-negotiate-and-lower-your-bills-gpt/comment-page-1/#comment-131128 Matt Jabs Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:17:57 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3312#comment-131128 A very successful tactic I have not heard mentioned is to <strong>create & maintain separation between the CSR and the company itself</strong>. Basically you want to create a distinction between the CSR and the company they work for. This allows you to voice your displeasure with the company, while not attributing any of the displeasure to the person you are dealing with on the phone. For example instead of saying, "<em><strong>You</strong> are charging me too much for Internet</em>", say something like…"<em>I am just really unhappy with how much <strong>Comcast</strong> is charging me for service, especially with all the other options out there.</em>" A very successful tactic I have not heard mentioned is to create & maintain separation between the CSR and the company itself.

Basically you want to create a distinction between the CSR and the company they work for. This allows you to voice your displeasure with the company, while not attributing any of the displeasure to the person you are dealing with on the phone. For example instead of saying, “You are charging me too much for Internet“, say something like…”I am just really unhappy with how much Comcast is charging me for service, especially with all the other options out there.“

]]> By: DebtGoal http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/04/28/how-to-negotiate-and-lower-your-bills-gpt/comment-page-1/#comment-131119 DebtGoal Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:05:02 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3312#comment-131119 The RECAP approach sounds like great advice. Consider combining it with BATNA - the best alternative to a negotiated agreement. To create better outcomes from discussions, focus hard on increasing the value of your alternatives to not reaching an agreement. This approach can be applied to situations ranging from credit card interest rate reduction talks with your lender, to discussions on having the terms of your mortgage contract improved, to business relationships. The RECAP approach sounds like great advice. Consider combining it with BATNA – the best alternative to a negotiated agreement. To create better outcomes from discussions, focus hard on increasing the value of your alternatives to not reaching an agreement. This approach can be applied to situations ranging from credit card interest rate reduction talks with your lender, to discussions on having the terms of your mortgage contract improved, to business relationships.

]]> By: Laura http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/04/28/how-to-negotiate-and-lower-your-bills-gpt/comment-page-1/#comment-131118 Laura Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:17:30 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3312#comment-131118 Hey I'm impressed with how well you guys are able to cut expenses. Thank you also for sharing your tips. We're in this together and you better believe I'm trying your suggestions when we shop for a better deal on renter's insurance. I'm on my lunch beak, so my apoogies if my comments seem a bit rushed. @Stacey: That's a great point about upgrade deals. We had that when we first moved in to our apartments and it saved a lot of money. @Baker: Never tried that technique with a CSR, so I'll let you know on Twitter how that goes. :) @OblivousInvestor That's fantastic! I'm glad you were able to save some money. You're right; that's a pretty good hourly rate. :D Hey I’m impressed with how well you guys are able to cut expenses. Thank you also for sharing your tips. We’re in this together and you better believe I’m trying your suggestions when we shop for a better deal on renter’s insurance.

I’m on my lunch beak, so my apoogies if my comments seem a bit rushed.

@Stacey: That’s a great point about upgrade deals. We had that when we first moved in to our apartments and it saved a lot of money.

@Baker: Never tried that technique with a CSR, so I’ll let you know on Twitter how that goes. :)

@OblivousInvestor That’s fantastic! I’m glad you were able to save some money. You’re right; that’s a pretty good hourly rate. :D

]]> By: OblivousInvestor http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/04/28/how-to-negotiate-and-lower-your-bills-gpt/comment-page-1/#comment-131117 OblivousInvestor Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:39:15 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3312#comment-131117 So, I've been reading a lot about doing this lately. After reading this article, I actually went ahead and tried it this morning. Took 48 minutes grand total. (no fun!) But I got our internet bill lowered by $25/month. Wow! That's not a bad hourly rate for work. So, I’ve been reading a lot about doing this lately. After reading this article, I actually went ahead and tried it this morning.

Took 48 minutes grand total. (no fun!) But I got our internet bill lowered by $25/month. Wow! That’s not a bad hourly rate for work.

]]> By: Jeff@StretchyDollar http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/04/28/how-to-negotiate-and-lower-your-bills-gpt/comment-page-1/#comment-131115 Jeff@StretchyDollar Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:22:23 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3312#comment-131115 I haven't used any of these techniques yet, but "REACH" sounds like a good approach, something I'll have to evaluate. Thanks for the tips! I haven’t used any of these techniques yet, but “REACH” sounds like a good approach, something I’ll have to evaluate. Thanks for the tips!

]]> By: Kelly http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/04/28/how-to-negotiate-and-lower-your-bills-gpt/comment-page-1/#comment-131114 Kelly Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:24:22 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3312#comment-131114 We have saved a ton using similar techniques. I did an expense audit when we first started getting serious about paying off debt, and again 3 months later. I'm due for another shortly. We're saving $17,000 this year! We have saved a ton using similar techniques.
I did an expense audit when we first started getting serious about paying off debt, and again 3 months later. I’m due for another shortly.

We’re saving $17,000 this year!

]]> By: Baker @ ManVsDebt http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/04/28/how-to-negotiate-and-lower-your-bills-gpt/comment-page-1/#comment-131112 Baker @ ManVsDebt Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:51:28 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3312#comment-131112 One technique I like to use, as well, is to ask the rep what they would do if they were in your shoes. I've gotten amazing responses from this. They seem to someone come up with some creative options. I've asked a credit card company before, "I've gotten a couple 0% offers in the mail... Honestly, what would you do in my situation?" That's a tough question for someone to be able to answer! Great read! I think anyone can benefit from the tips you provide throughout this. One technique I like to use, as well, is to ask the rep what they would do if they were in your shoes.

I’ve gotten amazing responses from this. They seem to someone come up with some creative options. I’ve asked a credit card company before, “I’ve gotten a couple 0% offers in the mail… Honestly, what would you do in my situation?” That’s a tough question for someone to be able to answer!

Great read! I think anyone can benefit from the tips you provide throughout this.

]]> By: Stacey http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/04/28/how-to-negotiate-and-lower-your-bills-gpt/comment-page-1/#comment-131111 Stacey Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:39:02 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3312#comment-131111 We've saved $15 per month on our internet bill. They're always offering some special for current customers - all I have to do is ask for the special for *new* customers, and they give me the current customers' special. It's usually pretty similar. Don't be afraid to upgrade if it costs less - we're paying $15 less for going from G1 to G5 internet speed. At the end of the 12 month special, we'll call again and see what specials are available. Worst case scenerio, we simply downgrade to our old, less expensive package! We’ve saved $15 per month on our internet bill. They’re always offering some special for current customers – all I have to do is ask for the special for *new* customers, and they give me the current customers’ special. It’s usually pretty similar.

Don’t be afraid to upgrade if it costs less – we’re paying $15 less for going from G1 to G5 internet speed. At the end of the 12 month special, we’ll call again and see what specials are available. Worst case scenerio, we simply downgrade to our old, less expensive package!

]]> By: DDFD at DivorcedDadFrugalDad http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/04/28/how-to-negotiate-and-lower-your-bills-gpt/comment-page-1/#comment-131110 DDFD at DivorcedDadFrugalDad Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:32:13 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3312#comment-131110 Great post! If you want to improve the quality of your life . . . Ask. It never hurts to ask for more or better. Fear of rejection is a dream killer and a roadblock for many people. Their lives would improve dramatically if the only asked for something else. Great post!

If you want to improve the quality of your life . . . Ask. It never hurts to ask for more or better. Fear of rejection is a dream killer and a roadblock for many people. Their lives would improve dramatically if the only asked for something else.

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