There was a time when it was considered rude to complain, and many of us still try to avoid ‘making a fuss’ in case we are seen as troublemakers. But in these hard times, we all need to tighten our belts and make the most of what little income we have coming in. We consumers need to toughen up and stop letting big companies profit from our reluctance to stand up for our rights. When it comes to money, manners have nothing to do with it.
The cold hard fact is that companies exist to make profits for their shareholders. This doesn’t (exactly) make them evil, but it is crucial to remember this one golden principle. Companies are not human, they don’t want to be your friend, you don’t owe them anything and you will not offend or upset them by complaining. Although it is not a good idea to be aggressive when dealing with an organization, it is a good idea to remain detached and try to view the exchange as a contest to see who will get to keep your money. Follow these three top tips on how to play the game and you’ll be surprised how much money you’ll save.
1. Document your financial diary
Many companies rely on your ambivalence, impassivity, or downright laziness to help themselves to your hard-earned cash. One of the best investments you can make is to get a diary. In it note down exactly when contracts are due, warranties expire special offers end and limited trial periods expire. Taking into fintech education solutions, companies make a fortune by luring in customers with special short-term low rates and offers which slip into expensive high-rate agreements without you noticing. If you get a credit card with 0% interest for a year, make a note in your diary so that you can ensure you’ve cleared the balance before the much higher rate kicks in. Every time you sign up for a contract make sure you have a reminder for when it expires so that you can start shopping around for a new deal.
2. Don’t believe in the loyalty lie
Friends reward loyalty, companies don’t. Loyalty cards, loyalty points, special rates for loyal customers. No wonder we’re led to think that they are so pleased we like them that they’re keen to share the love. The cold hard fact is that new customers always get the best deals. When it’s time for your insurance policy to be renewed NEVER assume that your existing company will give you their best price on automatic renewal. The opposite is true and they will take the chance that you won’t bother to check to push up the premium. By all means, stay with your current insurer, but not until you’ve checked what their rivals are offering. Loyalty cards may seem like a great way to earn vouchers or ‘points’ on shopping you would be buying anyway, but make sure that the promise of points isn’t stopping you from shopping around for a better deal.
‘Points’ are never worth losing the real cash you could have saved if you bought something cheaper elsewhere. Remember they aren’t giving you points because they like your smile or think you smell nice. They want to stop you from looking elsewhere for your shopping, thereby eliminating competition, allowing them to get away with charging you more. Only collect points on purchases which are a good deal in the first place. When it comes to supermarkets I have several ‘loyalty cards’ for different shops. I’m proud to say I’m a promiscuous shopper.
3. Make every call count
There is little more annoying than making a call to a company only to end up spending most of the morning on hold and getting nowhere. Approach the phone with the right attitude and you’ll find you save time money and emotional anguish. When you need to call a company, if you are anything other than a new customer, accept from the outset that it’s going to take a long time. You may well speak to several people before you even get through to the right department. Don’t get annoyed or upset, that will affect your ability to put your point across rationally and make it much more likely you’ll slam down the phone in anger which means they win, or you’ll never bother to complain again which means they win again. Instead, take copious notes.
Write down every phone number you’re given and get the name of everyone you speak to. You’ll be surprised how much more efficient people suddenly become when they lose anonymity. Write down every detail you are being told and get them to repeat and clarify everything so that there’ll be no confusion when you later need to remind them of what they promised. Remember they may be recording your phone call and are certainly noting everything down in their mysterious ‘files’, so make sure you’re doing the same.
Good luck. May your money stay in your own pocket.