Negotiation Tip #2

For this tip I will use mobile phone service as the negotiation example.

If  you are looking to lower your monthly cost for your mobile phone service the first thing you should do is look at the history of your current account to get a base line for where you are and where you need to be. You need to know what you have spent over the last year.
Now that you know your base line spend make a list of all of the services that you require such as free nights and weekends, unlimited week day minutes, call waiting, and etc.

Once you have a clear understanding of your base line spend and your needs start making a list of the companies that offer these things.  Next take the list and start contacting those companies! You may be thinking, I like my current provider, I have no desire to change.  No problem!  Get your offers from several companies and then go back to your current provider and say, listen I love my service from your company; however I can not justify paying xyz% more to stay with you when I can switch and save money.  More than likely they will see things your way and do whatever it takes to keep you as a customer. 

You should know that these companies have retention departments with the sole responsibility of retaining current customers.
Remember, NEVER tell a company what you are currently paying!  You may be paying $200 a month currently and they may be able to offer you $100 a month, but will possibly offer you a plan for $180 with the premise that you are getting a better deal than you currently have...just not the best deal.
Some companies will even pay your early cancellation fees in order to gain your business.  This usually comes in the form of a rebate.

In conclusion, you can use this same strategy with your residentual local and long distance services as well.

Happy negotiating!