Call at the right time: Choosing the right time to call a credit card company is one of the simplest, yet most effective negotiation tactics. Call them early in the morning, as this is the time when people are in the best mood and more likely to be supportive to your case. Don't call at the end of the day, when everybody is tired and grumpy.
Let them know you will pay back what you owe: Credit card companies are most concerned about people who try to get out of paying their debts altogether using various dirty negotiation tricks. It is important to stress that you do intend to pay them back, all you need is a bit of help from them. You will be surprised at how positive credit card companies can react to this approach. This is a very simple, yet effective negotiation technique.
Take advantage of your first time: If this is the first time to request a lower interest rate or have a late fee waived, be sure the credit card company knows this. These companies show a lot more leniency for first-time offenses as opposed to monthly requests for an extension.
Demonstrate your loyalty: If you are a long-time customer or if you have spent a lot of money with the credit card company for years, try to take advantage of it. After all the long term success of these companies depends on people who spend money on their credit cards.
Ask for a lower interest rate: Unknown to many, credit card interest rates are often negotiable for those with good negotiation skills. If you have had a good payment history, you shouldn't have any problems with requesting for a lower interest rate. Explain that you'll be able to put more money towards paying off your principal balance instead of your interest rate charges.
Get relief from late payment fees: This is a very easy, yet effective bargaining tactic. Late fees, like other fees, can easily be waived if you pay your bill within a few days of the due date. Haggling down fees tends to be much easier than haggling price. A solid credit history can be used as leverage, and may be well worth the effort to make that extra phone call.
Ask to skip a payment: When you are in a situation of financial problems that you think you will be able sort out in the near future, you can try to explain this to the credit card company. If you request to miss one or two payments as an exception, many companies are willing to give you this relief. The downside is of course a likely negative impact on your credit report.
Get to the decision maker as fast as possible: A good negotiation tip is to always attempt to speak to the person who can call the shots. Your initial call will likely be handed to a customer service representative, but you should ask to talk directly to the manager or whoever has the authority to make decisions. Write down the names, titles, contact details and timing for every call you make.
Let them know you will pay back what you owe: Credit card companies are most concerned about people who try to get out of paying their debts altogether using various dirty negotiation tricks. It is important to stress that you do intend to pay them back, all you need is a bit of help from them. You will be surprised at how positive credit card companies can react to this approach. This is a very simple, yet effective negotiation technique.
Take advantage of your first time: If this is the first time to request a lower interest rate or have a late fee waived, be sure the credit card company knows this. These companies show a lot more leniency for first-time offenses as opposed to monthly requests for an extension.
Demonstrate your loyalty: If you are a long-time customer or if you have spent a lot of money with the credit card company for years, try to take advantage of it. After all the long term success of these companies depends on people who spend money on their credit cards.
Ask for a lower interest rate: Unknown to many, credit card interest rates are often negotiable for those with good negotiation skills. If you have had a good payment history, you shouldn't have any problems with requesting for a lower interest rate. Explain that you'll be able to put more money towards paying off your principal balance instead of your interest rate charges.
Get relief from late payment fees: This is a very easy, yet effective bargaining tactic. Late fees, like other fees, can easily be waived if you pay your bill within a few days of the due date. Haggling down fees tends to be much easier than haggling price. A solid credit history can be used as leverage, and may be well worth the effort to make that extra phone call.
Ask to skip a payment: When you are in a situation of financial problems that you think you will be able sort out in the near future, you can try to explain this to the credit card company. If you request to miss one or two payments as an exception, many companies are willing to give you this relief. The downside is of course a likely negative impact on your credit report.
Get to the decision maker as fast as possible: A good negotiation tip is to always attempt to speak to the person who can call the shots. Your initial call will likely be handed to a customer service representative, but you should ask to talk directly to the manager or whoever has the authority to make decisions. Write down the names, titles, contact details and timing for every call you make.
About the Author:
Martin P Collins is a well known negotiation expert at Geneva Education who frequently gives very useful advice in his articles and blog posts. See here to learn how to improve negotiation skills by looking at his best negotiation tactics. Or visit here for more good negotiation tips.
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