A financial expert has shared his “secret” word for getting the best deals on many of your bills. Using this phrase could open up a number of discounts and offers to you when “haggling” on the phone.
But there are some lesser-known tricks that can also work.
Martin said: “Do you want to know the secret to haggling with call centres? We’re talking breakdown, cover mobile phones, digital TV, insurance companies and more.”
According to Martin, using a certain word could help get you these deals. He continued: “It’s one of language.”
Firstly, you will need to let the company known that you’re not happy with your current service, or that you are thinking of leaving. You then want to be transferred to a department known as customer disconnections as this is where some of the “best deals” are.
He said: “What really happens is when they say to us, ‘Okay, I’ll put you through to customer disconnections’ if you say, ‘I’m going to leave.’ In reality, they’re putting you through to customer retentions.
“That’s the place where they have the people who have got the power and authority to keep you as a customer and give you the best deals and discounts.”
Martin explained: “So if you first go through to call centre staff and you’re politely talking with them and they’re not giving you what you want, then again, with a smile on your face, because we must use charm to get the best deals, ask to be put through to disconnections.
“And then you may get a much better deal.” On the MSE website, it offered further advice on speaking to disconnections.
It revealed that timing is key. “Haggling works best when you’re near or beyond the end of your contract,” MSE said.
There are also certain phrases that can work. MSE said: “You may find that your customer service rep will only offer a small discount at first, but if you don’t agree with the price, try phrases like:
- I’ve worked out my budget, and my absolute max is £[insert price here] a month
- [EE/O2/Three/Vodafone] can do it for less
- I need to think about it
- My husband/wife won’t be impressed if I pay that
- It’s still a lot of money
- What’s the very best you can do?”
It added: “Don’t say yes to the first offer they give. You should never go with the first offer. Chances are, it’s not the best deal they can do. Remember, be firm.”
For more information, visit the MSE website here.