The Importance of Learning How to Haggle

Most of us have learned to accept things at face value. We assume that if we’re given a price for a service or product – that’s the least we can pay for it. However, that’s not always the case, particularly when it comes to things like broadband bills.

If you’re willing to haggle and even consider taking your business elsewhere, you can slash your bills for several monthly essentials. Whether you’re looking for a way to cut the costs of mobile, television subscriptions, or insurance, it all starts with learning how to negotiate. We spoke to the advisers at Broadband Genie for their top tips:

The Truth About Getting a Better Deal

In today’s competitive market, your service providers need you more than you need them. You have countless other companies to choose from. On the other hand, every client a business loses is more money out of its pocket.

That’s why money-saving polls suggest that many people reduce their bills just by haggling. 84% of people who haggled with Sky got a lower price.

So, how do you discover the benefits of haggling for yourself?

How to Haggle: Top Tips to Get You Started

The first step to effective haggling is doing your research. If you want a company to give you a better deal, start by finding out what you can get elsewhere. Comparing your options for things like broadband, electricity, gas, and other utilities will show you if it’s actually possible to pay less than what you’re charged now. Comparison sites are, naturally, a great place to start. Keep a pen and paper to hand to note down competitors prices, deals and bundle offers.

When you’ve done your research, you can approach your provider with clear evidence that it’s possible for them to be charging you less. That starts the conversation with you in a position of power. Other tips to help you get started include:

• Be polite: Explain the situation and tell your provider that you’ve been looking for a better deal online. Say that you don’t want to leave their service, but you will if you must. This will make the service rep feel more inclined to help you.
• Inform them you’re a loyal customer: It doesn’t hurt to remind your provider of your loyalty to them. A good business wants to keep its custom, particularly valuable, long-standing custom. If you’ve been with that provider for years and if you’ve always paid your bills on time, make sure to mention this.
• Present the facts: Tell your service provider that you’ve done your research and found out that you can get the same thing from someone else for cheaper. Give exact numbers, so you seem more credible.
• Remind them that you’re willing to leave: Most service representatives will be allowed to offer deals to customers when necessary. However, they’ll only have the option to do that if you say that you’re going to leave. If the rep says there’s nothing they can do, ask them what the process is for cancelling your account.

What If You Don’t Get a Better Deal?

If haggling with your service provider doesn’t lead to a better deal, and they give you all the information you need to leave the service – then don’t be afraid to take the next step. Switching to a new provider isn’t as complicated as most people think.

If you’ve already taken the time to research better deals for the service that you want to cut costs on, then you can go ahead and switch straight over. Most companies will handle the process of getting you moved to your new service for you!

Remember, it’s also worth calling the new company that you’re thinking of switching to. Ask them if they have any special deals that they can offer if you decide to leave the old company and come to them. This can be an excellent way to access some deals that you can’t find elsewhere. Once you’ve signed up to a new provider, don’t forget to use your new-found haggling skills further down the line to ensure you keep getting the best possible deal.