So many times people stick too long to their broadband or phone network provider and end up paying more than what is necessary. The chances are that you could be overpaying up to £250 in a year if you fail to negotiate a better deal by haggling with the big companies. You may not have the time or just don’t realise, but one 10-minute phone call could actually save you hundreds of pounds a year.
There are many ways to get a good deal from broadband providers as new client or old ones. Switching from your provider to another is not the only way of getting a better deal. For those that don’t want to go through the stress of switching your provider from A to provider B, you can negotiate a good deal from your existing broadband provider through haggling.
Often individuals find it difficult to haggle, but that shouldn’t be the case. Maintaining broadband does not come cheap; don’t be deceived by the low prices that headline the adverts that you see the cost of maintaining it on a monthly basis can be very significant. However, new customers are always treated differently from the loyal clients that have stuck with their providers. They seem to offer more juicy deals to new customers as a way of attracting them, but on the long term, the prices you pay makes your bank lighter monthly. People may be reluctant to haggle a deal out of companies but at the end of the day if you can save hundreds of pounds, why shouldn’t you?
Haggling is the best way old customers of these broadband providers can negotiate a better deal on their contract. If you are willing to take the challenge to haggle with your broadband provider, you could slash your phone, TV, and broadband bills. There is no guarantee that you will get a hundred percent success rate when you haggle with your provider, but if you don’t want to be taken for granted, it is better to take the challenge.
If you have been a long-term customer of these companies, it will be much easier to get a reduced rate. EE are known to provide a discount on their contracts and even provide you with a larger internet deal. Calling up to say that you are not happy with the service that they are providing and threatening to leave will most of the time lead them to give you a better deal. But you must be patient, when you are ready to give your provider a call, be prepared. Do your research, when you call up tell them why they should provide you with a better deal. They are looking to keep you as a customer as providers see you as a £ sign.
Sky, with their numerous bundling packages, are best known for giving juicy deals to retain their customers, or to keep all the packages they’ve been taking. This does not mean that they are the only provider with a high level of success with haggling, or that other TV, broadband and phone providers are not doing the same thing. TalkTalk will most times offer to match prices when they understand that their customers are looking for better deals from other providers or packages. Virgin Media also have a huge customer retentions department, so there is a high possibility of cutting your cost with them. The fact that these companies have departments to ensure that they keep their customers, shows that the likelihood of negotiating a better deal is high.
What To Remember When Hunting For a Better Deal
1. Prepare Yourself
Think about what you are about to say when you call up the provider. Having a quick look on other deals on the market may give you some leverage by showing them that there is no reason to stay. At this point they will find ways to keep you, this means offering you a discount or added package.
2. Stay Polite and Build a Rapport
If you call up angry and distasteful, you are less likely to receive any deals. They have every right to turn you away as you do to leave. So make sure you build a rapport with them on the phone, should be easy as they will be doing the same to you.
3. Leverage
This is where you have the upper hand, express your disappointment at the companies inability to provide the service that they promised you. Whether that be poor speed broadband or terrible phone network, voice your concerns and make it clear that you have looked at other deals and are thinking of abandoning ship.
4. Don’t Go Over The Top
You should know at what point to stop, getting carried away with asking for ludicrous requests will not get you anywhere.
5. The Offer
At this point, they are about to make you an offer that you ‘can’t refuse’, well you’re going to do just that. Don’t accept the first offer that they give you, sound displeased and start fishing for some add-ons to see where that gets you.
6. Congratulations
You just got yourself a great deal, it’s time to sit back open a bottle of champagne and watch your new Sky Sports package.