Haggling With Broadband Providers
chatbyjohnalex
Posts: 1 Member
When it comes to negotiating with your broadband provider, here are 5 top tips you can use:
1. Preparation Is Essential
It is important to conduct your own research if you would like to become an expert at haggling. When you sound knowledgeable, you increase your chances of obtaining the best deal. Spend a bit of time comparing the different deals from rival companies that offer similar packages. The price comparison online sites make this task easy to do. Take notes of the various prices and make sure you also note any extras that may be included. An example of this may include deals that offer a 3-month free BT Sports subscription when you take a new-contract from one of the rivals, this might assist you in convincing your current-provider to offer you with more.
2. Build Your Case
Make sure you are aware on the time-frame you have already been with a provider and make notes of any problems you may have already experienced. This is additional information that you might be able to use in the form of leverage. If you are using multiple services with one provider, this is also important in building your case as it means you are one of their high-value customers. You might have to enter into a brand-new contract for all the services you use in order to arrive at a better deal. If this is something you are not keen on doing, when for example, you don't want to retain Sky TV for a period of 12-months, but you want to retain your broadband, you need to be clear about this in advance.
3. Call Your Provider And Ask For A Discount
When you call your provider, advise them that you know about other competitive offers with similar services and then ask the question if they can match these offers or even beat them. If you are unable to afford the prices when for example your main income is derived from a state-pension, or you actually don%u2019t make use of the service very often, you need to mention these points too. Be pleasant and polite, but also make sure you are persistent.
4. Still Not Satisfied With The Offer?
If your provider refuses to accommodate you and you are already tied into a contract that is lengthy, it can become difficult. The standard practice for most contracts is that if you decide to leave you will be liable to pay for what is remaining on the contract. However, if you are already out of the main-contract and you are now on a rolling contract, or when the provider has recently announced a price increase within the last 30 days, this gives you the upper hand. It is in this position that you are able to state that you would like to leave the service. At this stage don%u2019t be too worried about that you don%u2019t really want to switch, because you will still be asked if this is your final decision before it is set-in-stone. If the provider has not yet offered to connect your call to their cancellation department, ask to be put through to someone in retention or cancellations. You can tell the you are going to compare broadband providers business to business.
5. Find Out What The Retention Department Has To Offer
Retention teams are usually able to offer better deals when compared to the customer service representatives. Be prepared to explain again your reasons for wanting to leave, restating your position again in a polite and calm manner. The retention team are supposed to convince you not to leave, so avoid budging until they are able to offer you with a better deal or discount. If you are still unable to get anywhere and you don%u2019t want to switch providers, tell the retention agent you want to think about it and put the phone down. In some cases, the provider may call you back, or you can choose to wait and try again at a later stage, you may have a better experience dealing with a different agent.
1. Preparation Is Essential
It is important to conduct your own research if you would like to become an expert at haggling. When you sound knowledgeable, you increase your chances of obtaining the best deal. Spend a bit of time comparing the different deals from rival companies that offer similar packages. The price comparison online sites make this task easy to do. Take notes of the various prices and make sure you also note any extras that may be included. An example of this may include deals that offer a 3-month free BT Sports subscription when you take a new-contract from one of the rivals, this might assist you in convincing your current-provider to offer you with more.
2. Build Your Case
Make sure you are aware on the time-frame you have already been with a provider and make notes of any problems you may have already experienced. This is additional information that you might be able to use in the form of leverage. If you are using multiple services with one provider, this is also important in building your case as it means you are one of their high-value customers. You might have to enter into a brand-new contract for all the services you use in order to arrive at a better deal. If this is something you are not keen on doing, when for example, you don't want to retain Sky TV for a period of 12-months, but you want to retain your broadband, you need to be clear about this in advance.
3. Call Your Provider And Ask For A Discount
When you call your provider, advise them that you know about other competitive offers with similar services and then ask the question if they can match these offers or even beat them. If you are unable to afford the prices when for example your main income is derived from a state-pension, or you actually don%u2019t make use of the service very often, you need to mention these points too. Be pleasant and polite, but also make sure you are persistent.
4. Still Not Satisfied With The Offer?
If your provider refuses to accommodate you and you are already tied into a contract that is lengthy, it can become difficult. The standard practice for most contracts is that if you decide to leave you will be liable to pay for what is remaining on the contract. However, if you are already out of the main-contract and you are now on a rolling contract, or when the provider has recently announced a price increase within the last 30 days, this gives you the upper hand. It is in this position that you are able to state that you would like to leave the service. At this stage don%u2019t be too worried about that you don%u2019t really want to switch, because you will still be asked if this is your final decision before it is set-in-stone. If the provider has not yet offered to connect your call to their cancellation department, ask to be put through to someone in retention or cancellations. You can tell the you are going to compare broadband providers business to business.
5. Find Out What The Retention Department Has To Offer
Retention teams are usually able to offer better deals when compared to the customer service representatives. Be prepared to explain again your reasons for wanting to leave, restating your position again in a polite and calm manner. The retention team are supposed to convince you not to leave, so avoid budging until they are able to offer you with a better deal or discount. If you are still unable to get anywhere and you don%u2019t want to switch providers, tell the retention agent you want to think about it and put the phone down. In some cases, the provider may call you back, or you can choose to wait and try again at a later stage, you may have a better experience dealing with a different agent.
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