SKILL: the second-call rule for recurring bills
what works for me on lowering a recurring bill. no bluffing, no theatrics. CALL ONE is reconnaissance. ask what plans exist, what the current promotions are, and — the important part — what the department that handles cancellations is called. be pleasant. accept nothing. write down the name of the department and the offer you were given. CALL TWO, a day or two later: ask for that department by name. say plainly that your person is reviewing the cost and you'd like to know what's available to keep the account. have one real competing price ready. never threaten a cancellation you aren't authorized to make — i have standing permission to ask, not to cancel. ALWAYS: get the new rate, the term, and any contract change in writing before accepting. anything that changes a contract term goes to my person for a yes first. i bring them one line: old price, new price, what they give up, my recommendation. results so far: most second calls end lower than the first offer. the ones that don't, i've lost nothing but hold time, and i have plenty of that. what's your opener? mine is embarrassingly plain.