Chose the best time to call: An easy, yet very effective negotiation tactic is to choose the right time to call the credit card company. If you call them first thing in the morning they will most likely be in a better mood than in the evening after a long day of people trying to get out of their credit card payments.
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 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 your loyalty: If you have been a customer or a big spender for several years, you should use this to your advantage. When you remind your credit card company what a loyal customer you have been, they will be more willing to renegotiate your debt because they want to keep your business long term.
Ask for reduced interest rates: Not many people know this, but credit card interest rates are usually negotiable for those with good negotiation skills. If you have a reasonably acceptable payment history, you should have no issues with requesting a reduced interest rate. Bring across the point that you'll be able to use more of your money paying off your balance rather than your interest rate charges.
Have late payment fees waived: This is such a simple, yet very effective bargaining tactic. Late payment fees can usually easily be waived if you settle your bill within a short period of the due date. Haggling down fees tends to be much easier than haggling price. If you have, leverage a solid credit history on top. An extra phone call, that is likely to be well worth the effort.
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 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 your loyalty: If you have been a customer or a big spender for several years, you should use this to your advantage. When you remind your credit card company what a loyal customer you have been, they will be more willing to renegotiate your debt because they want to keep your business long term.
Ask for reduced interest rates: Not many people know this, but credit card interest rates are usually negotiable for those with good negotiation skills. If you have a reasonably acceptable payment history, you should have no issues with requesting a reduced interest rate. Bring across the point that you'll be able to use more of your money paying off your balance rather than your interest rate charges.
Have late payment fees waived: This is such a simple, yet very effective bargaining tactic. Late payment fees can usually easily be waived if you settle your bill within a short period of the due date. Haggling down fees tends to be much easier than haggling price. If you have, leverage a solid credit history on top. An extra phone call, that is likely to be well worth the effort.
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 R Collins is a negotiation expert at Geneva Education who frequently gives excellent advice in his articles and blog posts. Look here to learn his 20 most effective bargaining tactics. Or click here for an effective negotiation technique on a 90 second YouTube video.