The Power of No

I took a look at my internet bill today and noticed that my rate was bumped up $20 per month starting in June.  Then I remember the promotional rate I was given must have ended.  Given everything is negotiable in this country, I would give it a try.  I called my internet company and talked to 3 different people.  The first one said they can upgrade me to a faster service with twice the speed with their affiliated company but I have to pay $10 more per month than what I am paying now.  Not bad, but I would rather pay the same price for the same internet speed. 

I was passed to another department to see if there is a better promotion.  The next one told me there was nothing she could do for me.  She said I was not even qualified for the faster service's promotional rate because I was not a new customer.  So I asked her to transfer me to the cancellation department as there were other options out there for me.  So I talked to a third person who completely understood my situation and researched if there were new promotions available.  Then he told me I would be qualified for the new service at their affiliated company, twice the speed at only $5 more per month for the next 12 months.  I thought that was terrific.  Remember the first lady offered me the same service at $10 more per month.

But then a problem came when he wanted to get my information to open a new account.  He told me the computer could not take one letter for the last name; indeed my last name has only one letter.  I said surely the parent company had no problem before and he should be able to use my existing information.  He said no and asked me if I had another surname. At this point, I was getting late for my train, so I told him no thank you for the new service, I would have to call him back.   He immediately found a way to override the system and miraculously opened the new account for me so that I can have the new service in 4 days. In addition, he even knocked my current bill down by $20.   My lesson learned today is: say No positively and people would respond in a positive way.