You can haggle, but can you haggle on the haggle!

lemon80

Hi,

I've read this article a few weeks ago: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/negotiate-with-service-providers

It's good advice and I've taken notes, thanks. I phoned the company a few weeks ago, but as I wasn't due to cancel/renew for another few weeks, they told me to phone back on the renewal date. This bugs me though, as I don't want to leave it until the final day to haggle. The above article doesn't say anything about this, but to me this is an issue. It's an issue because I'd rather haggle/cancel/renew on a day I feel on form, and for one reason or another I may not be in the zone on that particular day (and have to live with the consequences for a year).

I tried to haggle with the company advisor about cancelling there and then, but no no, it had to be on that specific date (at least according to him (was he lying?), but is this really non-haggable (can that word even exist?) which I've had to keep in mind/set alarms for (or live with the consequences for a year! (did I already say that?) You get the point). I think I should at least get a few days or a week in which to cancel.

I got an amazing deal last year with this company, virtually got everything and more for free. I'm not quite sure how I did it, but it did include some of the points in the above linked article. However much of it was just thrown at me without me even asking for it. What I do remember is feeling inspired that day.

I guess what I'm saying is that despite all the preparation, the note taking, the haggle there and then, sometimes today's just not the day for that super brilliant awesome deal (and I always want the super deal, we are money saving 'experts' after all), but if you can only haggle on a certain day then, fundamentally, aren't we a little bit stumped?

Here's to freedom!

Tr@cker

lemon80 wrote: »

Hi,

I've read this article a few weeks ago: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/negotiate-with-service-providers

It's good advice and I've taken notes, thanks. I phoned the company a few weeks ago, but as I wasn't due to cancel/renew for another few weeks, they told me to phone back on the renewal date. This bugs me though, as I don't want to leave it until the final day to haggle. The above article doesn't say anything about this, but to me this is an issue. It's an issue because I'd rather haggle/cancel/renew on a day I feel on form, and for one reason or another I may not be in the zone on that particular day (and have to live with the consequences for a year).

I tried to haggle with the company advisor about cancelling there and then, but no no, it had to be on that specific date (at least according to him (was he lying?), but is this really non-haggable (can that word even exist?) which I've had to keep in mind/set alarms for (or live with the consequences for a year! (did I already say that?) You get the point). I think I should at least get a few days or a week in which to cancel.

I got an amazing deal last year with this company, virtually got everything and more for free. I'm not quite sure how I did it, but it did include some of the points in the above linked article. However much of it was just thrown at me without me even asking for it. What I do remember is feeling inspired that day.

I guess what I'm saying is that despite all the preparation, the note taking, the haggle there and then, sometimes today's just not the day for that super brilliant awesome deal (and I always want the super deal, we are money saving 'experts' after all), but if you can only haggle on a certain day then, fundamentally, aren't we a little bit stumped?

Here's to freedom!

I suggest ' hagglable ' (or would it be haggleable ? ) is the correct terminology here.

Haggable rhymes with naggable and is more appropriate to moaning old women (hags)

I know what you mean about being more in the mood for haggling on some days than others-wait until somebody puts you in a bad mood, you're feeling mean-then go for it !

Im not too happy with my current deal overall, which is up next week after 12 months.

Only thing is my haggling-on the threat of ditching them- would be a bit of a bluff as my present ISP are one of only two providers who supply a specialist TV channel which is important to me. And the other supplier only provides the channel in a more expensive package.

Good luck !

Quentin

You can still haggle after the expiry date (if you aren't in the mood on that day), thereby doing it when you are in the mood.

Yourt contract won't "die" on the expiry date.

kwikbreaks

Your contract will have a minimum term and also a notice period which is usually 30 days. That means you can phone to notify them that you wish to terminate 30 days before the actual date. If part of the service is broadband you need to get a MAC rather than cancel to avoid charges but they can be submitted up to 30 days (iirc) from the date of issue so you can ask for a MAC and tell them you are terminating the other services on the date the minimum term is up. That will leave you free to select alternate services although the odds are there will be some overlap.

I'm pretty much certain that as soon as you do that they will be prepared to haggle immediately...

lemon80

Thanks guys,

Tr@cker wrote: »

I know what you mean about being more in the mood for haggling on some days than others-wait until somebody puts you in a bad mood, you're feeling mean-then go for it !

I'm thinking I more want to be in a good feeling mood than a bad one, but I know what you mean, sometimes you need that go getta tough business head attitude. Well I'd rather it not be necessary, but it's handy to have in the armoury.

Tr@cker wrote: »

Only thing is my haggling-on the threat of ditching them- would be a bit of a bluff as my present ISP are one of only two providers who supply a specialist TV channel which is important to me. And the other supplier only provides the channel in a more expensive package.

Hmm, I'd be careful. I guess it helps to play down the importance of things. You kinda gotta put yourself in some suspended state of mind where you act like it doesn't matter to you, otherwise they may be able to tell. For me I'm going to use a sense of perspective, which is what works for me. I tell myself "If I don't get this deal, so what, there's more to life". I think of all the things I do have, regardless of whether I get this deal or not. I even write out the advantages of not getting the deal, and mean it! I think this sense of perspective helps. People often say to me I'm a materialist because I have a lot of 'things' but while I enjoy them I'm actually not as bothered about these things as they who don't have them seem to be. I always find that ironic.
Anyway getting back to the important question I need clarification on about the cancellation date.

Quentin wrote: »

You can still haggle after the expiry date (if you aren't in the mood on that day), thereby doing it when you are in the mood.Yourt contract won't "die" on the expiry date.

kwikbreaks wrote: »

Your contract will have a minimum term and also a notice period which is usually 30 days. That means you can phone to notify them that you wish to terminate 30 days before the actual date. If part of the service is broadband you need to get a MAC rather than cancel to avoid charges but they can be submitted up to 30 days (iirc) from the date of issue so you can ask for a MAC and tell them you are terminating the other services on the date the minimum term is up. That will leave you free to select alternate services although the odds are there will be some overlap.

I'm pretty much certain that as soon as you do that they will be prepared to haggle immediately...

Sorry for being dumb guys but I don't completely follow, but let me just state in my own words what I think you've said, and if it's correct then give us a nod. I really do need clarification on this and I just haven't yet.
Ok so my expiry date is less than a week from now, and my actual termination date I was told by the advisor (should I cancel on the expiry date) be sometime in June. So the way I believe it to be is, as kwikbreaks said, I can ask for my MAC code right now! This has answered my question about haggling before the date the service provider told me to I had to haggle on. If so that's good advice. Kwikbreaks, when you say "the date the minimum term is up" do you mean the expiry date as I put it, in that the date the service provider gave me and told me I must cancel on that date and that date alone (minus the MAC trick you suggest, thanks again, awesome!). Or do you mean the minimum term is just you gotta be with a company for 30 days before they switch you over or something. Anyway explanations would be helpful as not everyone understands these things.
Quentin says I can haggle after the expiry date, but I am not willing to take that chance. Ahh, this is a bit confusing. I reckon what I'll do is call my service provider tomorrow or Monday and ask/demand for my MAC code, and see if I can stir them into a haggle there and then. Waiting around for a time of the service providers determination somehow makes me feel less inspired. I realise now that feeling inspired is derived from doing things on your own terms, and information is key to that.

Thanks.

kwikbreaks

I don't know where you got the idea of "expiry date" from unless you have already cancelled.

The way these contracts work is you sign up for some deal or other - maybe a pick and mix of phone line, call package, tv, broadband. That will come with some minimum term - usually 12 or 18 months. You'd normally expect some new customer offer such as half price broadband for 6 months for instance. If you terminate inside that minimum term you would have to pay early termination fees. If you don't then once that period is up you will fall into a rolling 30 day contract meaning you can terminate at any time but have to give 30 days notice or atleast pay for those 30 days even if you getservices elsewhere earlier.

You can call in 30 days before the minimum term is up because at that point you can (if you wish) give 30 days notice and leave without penalty. If you do so most providers will haggle to keep yourbusiness.

Never cancel broadband always ask for a MAC to avoid Openreach termination charges and a probable gap before you can get BB again if the new service needs Openreach to connect it (just about all apart from cable).

The rep you spoke too is talking BS and fobbing you off. Decide if you'dlike to move or just want a better price. If you want to move find a service provider and ask for a MAC. If you are just looking to haggle then tell them you are considering a new provider but want to know what they will offer for you to stay with them. If the offer is poor then ask for a MAC. They may immediately make a better offer or maybe not either way getting the MAC allows you to shop around and doesn't commit you to leaving.

If you do move on use a cashback site and sign up to the new provider through that.

A.Penny.Saved

Look around for deals that appeal to you. If you know of a provider which offers you what you want at a better price then that gives you bargaining power rather just sounding like you are just trying to get the price down. Mention it and they will have to at least beat it or risk losing your business!

lemon80

kwikbreaks wrote: »

I don't know where you got the idea of "expiry date" from

Ok ok ok ok ok. I rang my service provider a month ago. I told them I wanted to cancel my contract (this is before I knew the MAC trick) hoping to get them haggling. The advisor told me that my contract (12 month contract) ends in June. He told me that if I wish to cancel, the only date I can cancel on is 30 days before my contract ends. Are you saying (please just say yes or no to this if you can) that it is 30 days and beyond up until the end of contract (and by end of contract I mean, if I cancel (not early, see it through) then that's the last day I use my service on). You know what I might be best just phoning them tomorrow and asking the advisor myself to be honest, not sure if I'll get a clear answer here, but we'll continue, let's not get lost in translation here!
Soz you've given some good advice but if I'm still not as clear as I wwant to be.

Ok, example (not actual real dates):

{My contract ends/mimimum term on June 24th 2014
The date I can cancel from/have to cancel on? is 25th May (30 days from end of contract)
My contract term started on June 24th 2013}

Questions based on the above example:
Can I phone them on 28th May 2014 and still cancel? or will it be too late? and my contract will run for another 12 months until June 24th 2015.
If I phone them on 15th May 2014 and ask for my MAC code, they must give it to me? correct?

kwikbreaks wrote: »

If part of the service is broadband you need to get a MAC rather than cancel to avoid charges but they can be submitted up to 30 days (iirc) from the date of issue so you can ask for a MAC and tell them you are terminating the other services on the date the minimum term is up.

Just out of curiosity, is the 'date of issue', June 24th 2013 (above example)? So on August 5th 2013 I could have phoned them and asked for my MAC code that early? If so this is good stuff as I can haggle much earlier from now on.
For my sake can you just answer the above q's as briefly as you can as I have more qu's but cannot ask them before I know the above answers.
Thanks!!!

kwikbreaks

As I said in an earlier post normally contracts have a minimum term and then revert to a 30 day rolling contract. Once you are at or inside 30 days of the end of the minimum term you can give 30 days notice and not suffer any penalties because you will be past the minimum term when the 30 day notice completes.

You will only enter a new minimum term if you agree to that by accepting some deal or other.

If you cancel a broadband contract Openreach will disconnect your tie pair and charge for that. The ISP will pass on that charge - it will be mentioned in the contract. You will also suffer a break in service waiting for the new connection. If you swap using a MAC there will only be any physical change at all if either provider is LLU. If they are both resold BT products there will only be a routing change.

The "date of issue" I mentioned was the date of issue of the MAC - it can be given to an ISP to use to get your service change up to 30 days after it was produced. It has nothing to do with your contract.

You can cancel a contract or ask for a MAC at any time. If the termination date comes to less than the minimum term you will be charged early termination fees.

You can call and haggle any time but you are unlikely to be offered anything until you are able to leave without penalty - ie with 30 days of the end on minimum term or any time after that. As mentioned it would help if you had some other deal you could quote although in that case you may well be better moving because a new deal will bring some new customer offer plus money via a cashback site.

You seem to be making something complicated out of something very simple.

Quentin

lemon80 wrote: »

{My contract ends/mimimum term on June 24th 2014
The date I can cancel from/have to cancel on? is 25th May (30 days from end of contract)
My contract term started on June 24th 2013}

Questions based on the above example:
Can I phone them on 28th May 2014 and still cancel? or will it be too late? and my contract will run for another 12 months until June 24th 2015.
If I phone them on 15th May 2014 and ask for my MAC code, they must give it to me? correct?


Just out of curiosity, is the 'date of issue', June 24th 2013 (above example)? So on August 5th 2013 I could have phoned them and asked for my MAC code that early? If so this is good stuff as I can haggle much earlier from now on.
For my sake can you just answer the above q's as briefly as you can as I have more qu's but cannot ask them before I know the above answers.
Thanks!!!

You can cancel the contract at any time and ask for a MAC.

If you cancel before the end of the minimum period there will be an early termination fee to pay.

Once the minimum period is up you can leave without penalty by giving 30 days notice.

Once the minimum period is up the contract continues on a rolling monthly basis unless you agree a new minimum period (in exchange for a deal)

So you can phone on 28 May and give notice without any penalty. You won't be in any minimum term

You can ask for a MAC on 15 MAy but will have an early termination fee to pay.

lemon80

Quentin wrote: »

Once the minimum period is up the contract continues on a rolling monthly basis unless you agree a new minimum period (in exchange for a deal)

Well the thing is I am already on an awesome deal, yeah I could push for more but to be honest if I continued on the one I have I'd be happy. Will that original deal just roll on then????? (Need an answer, please!) I didn't realise that. If so I don't have to do anything. Thing is, I got a free TV subscription with my broadband (don't wish to mention my provider), plus only line rental for BB and basically my aim is to keep that (or even better it!). I know I could easily get the BB at a lower cost, that's easy, even for a simpleton like me. The 'problem' is, getting the TV subscription again, as of course it is not BB and was an added extra to entice me to the company.

{My contract ends/mimimum term on June 24th 2014
The date I can cancel from/have to cancel on? is 25th May (30 days from end of contract)
My contract term started on June 24th 2013}

Using the above example again, if I ask for the MAC code on 25th May 2014, then does my current provider continue until I give the MAC code to another provider??? Basically could I ask for my MAC code off my current provider on 25th May and then order BB from another provider and give them the MAC code and tell them to start the service on June 24th, so I have no down time. Do I have that crystal clear now??? Or am I overcomplificating it???

Sorry that I wasn't born knowing all these answers, and for my simplicity, and thanks again for the help!

PS: I am a member of topcashback website, so I will check out the deals. Anyone know of any awesome BB deals please let me know.

Thanks!