Connect Me to the Disconnect Department

I received a comment yesterday asking how to save money on a data package. I don't know much about that but I did stumble upon the Disconnect Department of Verizon when I was calling about another problem.

Now in "real" life I hate confrontation but there is something about "phone confrontation" that I love. Maybe the not looking into their eyes gives me a boldness I don't normally have. Anyway, as I was "discussing" my problem, they transferred me to the Disconnect Department. I told them I had no intention of disconnecting my services - yikes - having to get new cell phones packages, cable, land line and Internet - no thank you! But the woman began offering me promotional discounts that far outweighed my pain and suffering. I asked her how she was able to do this and she said they regularly offer promotions to customers and you just needed to call and ask about them. She told me when I was eligible to call back again and I happily hung up -
 Ka-Ching.

I have used this technique numerous times not only with Verizon but with my car insurance, PECO, trash removal, landlords,etc. I explain what a loyal customer I am and if I am getting the best deal from them. Sometimes I am successful and sometimes not, but if you don't ask, the answer is always no.

The other thing I do is to look over every bill - yes - every bill. Recently I found a 3rd party charge on our phone bill. When I called to ask about it, they said companies do this through the Internet and you agree to a monthly charge simply by taking a survey or logging onto a website - SNEAKY!! So they removed the charge and blocked it from happening again.Then I called the company and got taken off their list -never to be put on again - thank you very much. They agreed to refund my money also and when I told them Verizon already did that, they said it was their policy to do it to.

Ka-Ching again!

Now I know that this takes time. But if I am going to be the best steward of what God has blessed me with, I need to take that time. So I put the annoying wait music on speaker phone, get dinner started (not the best time to call) and be assertive. I have also made my kids make these calls when they have bought a defective product, or had their cell phone stolen. It's great to hear them calmly explaining the problem and asking what your company is going to do about it.

Now doesn't that make cents!