Customer Service
They don't run their own website, they don't advertise their internal customer service number and they try to screw you into thinking you're getting a discount when you use their coupons. Do you really want to buy sporting goods from a store like this? Check out the link below where our friends at Consumerist divulge the details. The more you know, the better off you are!
Shout-out: consumerist.com
I have done this twice so far -- it works for persistent people. Call Comcast customer service and ask to be transferred to the department that cancels accounts. When you get a person on the line kindly tell them that Verizon is offering you [fill in the blank with a Verizon offer] and that since it is so much cheaper, unfortunately, you are going to have to cancel your internet access with Comcast. The customer service people are paid bonuses to retain customers and will generally drop the bill price for a year by $10 a month. That's a $120 a year! Remember to be nice! I work in customer service (not for Comcast) and if you are rude or arrogant I can assure you the bonus for keeping you isn't worth the aggravation. You'll get more flies with honey than vinegar on this tip!
Suggested by: Randall Gooding
Need to get off an annoying phone call? Is a relative, co-worker, telemarketer or ex talking your ear off? Use one of the free downloadable clips at SorryGottaGo.com to plan your escape. A very useful site with hundreds of reasons for you to end your painful phone call. Talk to you later -- Click!
Suggested by: Helen
Unlike most corporations, Enterprise actually cares about customer service, and more importantly, your satisfaction. Their agents bend over backwards to make sure you're happy with your rental car every step of the way. Whether you: go over your mileage limit; return the car a few hours late; find a better deal online after you already made a reservation; or simply want a better car (free upgrade) -- just ask and Enterprise will do anything they can to make you happy. Drive Safe!
Redcoats are your best friend when flying Continental Airlines (assuming you are already at the airport). They have the power to do just about anything you need done IF you are nice to them. Whether you need to cut the check-in line, relay a message to the gate agent to hold the plane, switch to a later or earlier flight on a Continental / Partner Airline or pretty much any other annoying customer service request... Redcoats can take care of you. The trick isn't finding them, it's getting them to do what you want them to do. Be very nice and don't raise your voice or pressure them with your problems. Simply walk up to the desk and tell the person that you were just on the phone with a Continental representative and they asked you to speak with a Redcoat at the airport. Now that you are "in the know" don't mess it up!
Threaten to stop using your cell phone company for service and let them know exactly why you are unhappy. Some examples: cell phone company B is offering me [fill in the blank], I don't want to pay for text messages or my phone is acting up a lot. Nine times out of ten you'll get transferred to a salesperson in the retention department who has the ability adjust pricing and create a "custom" plan --all this just to keep your business!
Note: This really works best when your not under contract.
Suggested by: Dave
These two numbers are far from the same -- especially when you are trying to figure out the status of your flight. Normally, when you check your flight status online or on the phone with a customer service agent you will rarely get accurate/timely information using the flight number because the flight status isn't updated until the last minute. However, if you call in and get the aircraft number, you can use this to pin-point the specific location of the plane. Chances are if your flight from New York to Austin is in 45 min and the plane is still in Florida, you're going to be delayed. Now you can stop yelling at the cab driver!
Said another way, threaten to quit and get a discount! This is a trick that works with most of monthly subscriptions. If you feel you're paying too much, call and ask what you have to do to cancel your account. More often than not, instead of immediately canceling your subscription, they'll give you a better offer. Another version of this loophole is complaining politely about how much money you're spending on a particular monthly service. For instance, I recently complained about how I was paying $60 a month for Internet access alone; my cable company now charges me $45 a month for the same service. Some times complaining is really just bargaining!
Suggested by: Brent B.
When a company misleads you or messes up inadvertently, call them out on the mistake. Over the weekend Verizon accidentally rolled back the clock a day early for daylight savings time and numerous people received a $10-20 credit and/or additional minutes for the inconvenience (when they called to complain). Remember you are paying good money every month for your cable, electricity, water, cell phone, internet connection, newspaper / magazine publications, etc. If the services aren't up to par, your savings are a simple phone call away. Most people assume nothing can be done, which is incorrect. Don't be lazy, voice your opinion and get your money's worth!
Shout-out: fatwallet.com
Tired of talking to a computer every time you call customer service? Dial-a-human is here to get you out of automated phone-system hell. They have taken the time to figure out what keys to hit in order to get an actual human being on the phone the fastest. Look up the company, follow the simple instructions and you'll be talking to a person in a jiffy.
Shout-out: dialahuman.com
