September 21, 2023 | Allison Robertson

Mastering the Art of Negotiation: Strategies For Lowering Your Monthly Bills


Mastering the Art of Negotiation: Strategies For Lowering Your Monthly Bills

Cash in hand and confused man split image

Ever notice how the cost of monthly bills can sneak up on you? It's a drag, but good news—you’ve got the power to change things. 

Let's get down to business with some savvy strategies to slash those bills. Whether it's your internet, cable, or electricity, a bit of negotiation can do wonders for your wallet.

Research First

ResearchAdobe

In the world of negotiation, knowledge is power.

Before you engage with your service providers, arm yourself with data. Understand the market rates for the services you're subscribed to.

Compare packages and offerings from different companies. If your current rates seem exorbitantly high, you have a solid starting point for negotiation.

Stay Polite and Patient

NegotiatingAdobe

Negotiations can often feel like treading a thin line.

You need to be assertive but respectful. Staying patient, even when the discussion gets protracted or heated, is key.

 A positive attitude, politeness, and persistence are your best friends in this journey. It can sway the person on the other end of the line to help you.

Ask for a Supervisor

SupervisorAdobe

Customer service representatives often have limited authority when it comes to granting discounts.

If your negotiation seems to be hitting a dead-end, it's perfectly all right to request to speak with a supervisor or someone higher up in the chain of command.

Their decision-making power may be just what you need to get that bill lowered.

Advertisement

Start High, Then Gradually Concede

NegotiatingAdobe

Negotiation is an art, and sometimes asking for more than what you want can work to your advantage.

When you aim high, you leave room for compromise. This strategy allows you to gradually back down to what you really wanted in the first place, making the other party feel like they've won a concession.

It's a psychological tactic that can often result in successful negotiations.

Remember, it's essential to be realistic and fair in your negotiations. Asking for too high a discount might result in an outright refusal and hamper the negotiation process. Aim high, but stay within reason.

Be Prepared to Switch Providers

NegotiatingAdobe

Customer loyalty is laudable but not always financially rewarding. Service providers often lure new customers with attractive deals, forgetting their long-standing patrons.

If your current provider is resistant to negotiations, don't hesitate to consider these better-priced alternatives. The prospect of losing a customer might just make your current provider more flexible.

Leverage Customer Loyalty

NegotiatingAdobe

However, loyalty can sometimes play in your favor. If you've stuck around with a service provider for years, make sure they know it.

Businesses spend a lot on acquiring new customers, and they often prefer to retain existing ones than go hunting for new ones. Make your loyalty known, and it might fetch you a discount.

Consider Bundle Offers

Bundle ServicesAdobe

Service providers often offer discounts for bundling services.

For instance, if you have your internet and cable TV from two different providers, you might find it cheaper to bundle them with the same company.

These bundled packages can often cost less than individual services, giving you more room to negotiate.

Have a Backup Solution: Added Value over Discount

NegotiatingAdobe

Sometimes, despite your best negotiation efforts, a service provider may simply be unable to reduce your bill.

But that doesn't mean the negotiation has failed!

You can shift your strategy from seeking a discount to looking for additional services at no extra cost. This approach is all about securing added value.

For instance, if your cable provider can't reduce your monthly subscription fee, ask for additional channels or an upgraded package at the same price. 

If you're negotiating with your internet provider, perhaps they could increase your data limit or improve your internet speed without additional charges.

In essence, a backup solution allows you to walk away with an improved deal, even if it's not the discount you initially sought.


READ MORE

successful

Successful People Share Their 'Easy Money' Secrets

Having a little extra cash at the end of the day is never a bad thing, right? Successful people answer “What is your way of making ‘easy money’?"
April 7, 2021 Eul Basa
112

Rich People Share The Easiest Way To Make Over $100K a Year

While many people live pay-check to pay-check, there are those who are able to earn over over $100K a year. Here are their stories.
May 21, 2019 Eul Basa
1

Dishonest People Confess The Most Unethical Way They've Made Money

We searched the web for the most unethical ways people have made money and the answers have been both hilarious and frightful.
April 7, 2021 Eul Basa
123123123

Regretful People Share The Most Expensive Mistake They've Ever Made

Often the biggest mistakes we make are the ones that end up teaching us the most. We ask the Internet, “What's the most expensive mistake you've ever made?”
September 16, 2018 Eul Basa
easymoney

The Biggest Money Mistakes People Are Making, As Told By Successful Savers

Whether we step in or not, watching other people make silly money mistakes can be frustrating, especially if you've made those same mistakes. 
August 25, 2018 Eul Basa



Dear reader,


It’s true what they say: money makes the world go round. In order to succeed in this life, you need to have a good grasp of key financial concepts. That’s where Moneymade comes in. Our mission is to provide you with the best financial advice and information to help you navigate this ever-changing world. Sometimes, generating wealth just requires common sense. Don’t max out your credit card if you can’t afford the interest payments. Don’t overspend on Christmas shopping. When ordering gifts on Amazon, make sure you factor in taxes and shipping costs. If you need a new car, consider a model that’s easy to repair instead of an expensive BMW or Mercedes. Sometimes you dream vacation to Hawaii or the Bahamas just isn’t in the budget, but there may be more affordable all-inclusive hotels if you know where to look.


Looking for a new home? Make sure you get a mortgage rate that works for you. That means understanding the difference between fixed and variable interest rates. Whether you’re looking to learn how to make money, save money, or invest your money, our well-researched and insightful content will set you on the path to financial success. Passionate about mortgage rates, real estate, investing, saving, or anything money-related? Looking to learn how to generate wealth? Improve your life today with Moneymade. If you have any feedback for the MoneyMade team, please reach out to [email protected]. Thanks for your help!


Warmest regards,

The Moneymade team