There are so many companies out there with same products, same services, but differing rates for differing products and customers. So with all of this familiarity and similarity going on guess what’s in the air? Cutthroating! Yeah. That’s right. Cutthroat competition is everywhere, especially with companies that offer our most important commodities, such as cable or cell phone plans.

The art of haggling has left the car dealerships and ran, full-speed, to the credit card companies, the communication, and entertainment companies. There is no better way to snag a deal than with a little convincing. The best times to negotiate is when your current company is offering an amazing deal on a cell phone, or cable service, that is meant for new customers. These deals can easily be transferred to your account just as if you were a new customer, but the manager/supervisors have to give an ok. Normally this goes unnoticed by current customers because they didn’t know that they had the right to ask…Well, You do! So go out there and snag a deal that is meant for a newbie. You, being a loyal customer, are a better commodity to their company than a new, “ify” customer. So play that hand in your favor and get a better rate with a little haggling.

There are also other tricks that can be used when dissatisfaction comes into play. If you have been with a telecommunication company for a while, and you notice that you are not receiving the best treatment possible there are a few ways that you can get some satisfaction without switching companies and paying an early termination fee. The point of these companies to satisfaction (hence all of the aggravating surveys); they want you to be satisfied so you don’t go running away to a competitor and telling all of your friends how terrible their service is. So in order to continue your full satisfaction, these companies have specific departments called “Save” or “Loss Prevention”. When you call ‘customer service’ with a complaint they are forced to deal with you in their own way until the moment that you say “I am thinking of switching companies”. At that time you then become an “at risk customer” and you must be transferred to the “save” department where the hidden treasures await. The ‘save’ and ‘loss prevention’ departments are authorized to offer you promotions, discounts, and hidden deals that no other area of the company can offer you. So when you find yourself upset and needing a little help, just remember the magic words!