Beat the Credit Crunch At Its Own Game
I got a call the other day from my mobile phone (cell phone) provider telling me I was a “super-duper” great customer (his words) and that I deserved a fantastic deal.
Really? Why? What’s the catch?
After a 30 minute conversation it suddenly occurred to me that as an average-Joe consumer and their “valued” customer I had some considerable power over the simpler purchasing transactions you and I make but are either too small or routine necessities that we just don’t think twice about them. You see, I need a cellphone (mobile phone) to keep in touch with all and sundry and maybe show off to my friends if I happen to be holding the latest piece next to my ear, but this is something I really do not think about too much – it’s routine. To them (the network) I (along with a few million others) represent their life-line, their business and all important profits which can mean make-or-break to their business particularly in these rough times. Every time I am up for renewal they hold their breath; will I stay or will I go with their many rivals? Think about this over a few million of us average-Joe customers! That’s a lot of breaths held! You thinking one everyday? I am thinking at least one every hour!
Cut a long story short, they need you and I more than you and I need them – period. Just so happens we are in a recession so let’s use this to our utmost advantage. Here’s how…
DISCLAIMER
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This suggestion or tip is not to ask you to cheat your providers but merely intended as a way or means to utilise your consumer powers to the fullest.
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Let me take you back to my mobile phone / cell phone situation.
It turned out that from a monthly basic bill of £36 plus extras (and they were expensive extras), they could now offer me ONLY £15 plus extras per month!
Really? Where were you when I missed a payment or two and had to go without my phone for weeks ’cause you cut me off?
OK cut the drama.
I found out that the owners/managers/shareholders/directors figured it cost them an average of £200 for every customer they got. They figured it cost them that much to get me in the first place but instead of spending another £200 to get me again they could use their budget to share that said £200 with ME and retain my account hence the big discount on my bill. Apparently this is normal practice in business. Further to that they actually run an affiliate program where they pay £125 commissions to anyone that can refer business their way hence saving a bit from the said £200 acquisition budget. I Googled them quickly and sure enough I could be an affiliate and sign myself up at a cheap rate as a returning customer and still get £125 commission too! I did it quickly.
Now, as I mentioned before, this is not to suggest that you cheat your providers. You MUST ask if you can do this so you stay above board. I asked and they let me. So I did it.
But it goes beyond mobile phones or cellphones. It applies to everything you encounter in life. Utilities, Car Insurance, pet insurance, major appliances, airline travel and tourism, your football club season tickets, online groceries, Christmas (or other) gift suppliers, you name it – it applies!
Bottom line is; if they have a client retention program or an affiliate program, best YOU benefit from your own business than some disgruntled agent in a call centre in the middle of nowhere that was rude to you last time you called in (not to mention the LONG waiting times). Simply ask and YOU could save quite a bit! On everything!
Like I said; Times are rough. Times are hard. Save every little bit you can. It’s not what you make but what you save! So, like Starsky and Hutch just “do it, do it”.
