Call at a good time: One of the simplest yet most effective negotiation tactics is to choose the right time to call a credit card company. Call first thing in the morning, as people are more likely to be pleasant and willing to help you out. If you call at the end of the day, people tend to be tired and cranky.
Let them know you will pay back your debt: What concerns credit card companies most are people who are trying all sorts of dirty negotiation tricks to get out of paying their debts altogether. It is crucial that you explain to them that you do intend to pay back your debt. What you are asking is some small help. If you do this nicely, you may be surprised how understanding credit card companies can be! This is a very simple, yet effective negotiation technique.
Take advantage of your first time: If you have not asked for a lower interest rate or to have a late fee waived with this credit card company before, make sure you tell them. These companies are usually much more generous with first time offenders than with those asking for extensions on a monthly basis.
Show them you are a loyal customer: If you've been a long-time customer or a big spender for several years, use this to your advantage. By reminding a company of your loyalty, you'll find that they will be more willing to renegotiate your credit card debt because they don't want to lose your business.
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.
Have late fees waived: This is a simple, yet very 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. A solid credit history can be used as leverage, and may be well worth the effort to make that extra phone call.
Ask to miss a payment: If you are experiencing a momentary financial setback but expect to get your finances in order in the near future, explain your situation to the credit card company and respectfully ask if you would be allowed to miss one or two payments. Take note, however, that these skipped payments may reflect negatively on your credit report.
Speak to the decision maker: A good negotiation tip is to talk to the person in charge as soon as you can. When you first call, you will probably be diverted straight to a customer service representative. If this is the case, request to talk directly to the manager or another person who can make decisions. Don't forget to write down all the names, designations, and contact details of everyone you talk to, as well as the time, day, and details of the discussions.
Let them know you will pay back your debt: What concerns credit card companies most are people who are trying all sorts of dirty negotiation tricks to get out of paying their debts altogether. It is crucial that you explain to them that you do intend to pay back your debt. What you are asking is some small help. If you do this nicely, you may be surprised how understanding credit card companies can be! This is a very simple, yet effective negotiation technique.
Take advantage of your first time: If you have not asked for a lower interest rate or to have a late fee waived with this credit card company before, make sure you tell them. These companies are usually much more generous with first time offenders than with those asking for extensions on a monthly basis.
Show them you are a loyal customer: If you've been a long-time customer or a big spender for several years, use this to your advantage. By reminding a company of your loyalty, you'll find that they will be more willing to renegotiate your credit card debt because they don't want to lose your business.
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.
Have late fees waived: This is a simple, yet very 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. A solid credit history can be used as leverage, and may be well worth the effort to make that extra phone call.
Ask to miss a payment: If you are experiencing a momentary financial setback but expect to get your finances in order in the near future, explain your situation to the credit card company and respectfully ask if you would be allowed to miss one or two payments. Take note, however, that these skipped payments may reflect negatively on your credit report.
Speak to the decision maker: A good negotiation tip is to talk to the person in charge as soon as you can. When you first call, you will probably be diverted straight to a customer service representative. If this is the case, request to talk directly to the manager or another person who can make decisions. Don't forget to write down all the names, designations, and contact details of everyone you talk to, as well as the time, day, and details of the discussions.
About the Author:
Martin P R Collins is a negotiation expert at Geneva Education who frequently gives excellent advice in his articles and blog posts. Look here to learn 20 effective negotiation techniques. Or visit Geneva Education on LinkedIn for further negotiation tactics.
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