Updating your mobile contract takes time and I just spent over an hour with my mobile provider talking to them about what plan I should subscribe to since my contract is up for renewal. I had vowed that
I would never sign another contract for one year or longer ever again. The rates and the level of service I was getting from my mobility provider just were not measuring up to what I was looking for.
In fact I was going to go with a pay per use service, with no contract and freedom to stop the plan or go to another provider without having to break any contracts. When I compared my usage for the past year to prepaid rates, I was actually going to save money compared to what I am currently paying so why would I not go this route.
Well it depends on who you talk to when it comes to negotiating rates and terms at mobile companies. I purchase my cellular service in Canada, so our rates are much more expensive compared to the US, however the concepts that I used during my conversation with my provider, Bell would apply equally to any of the US carriers or even other Canadian mobility providers.
And don’t forget this includes the device that you are planning to use as well as the plan that you may sign up for including voice, text messaging, and data plans. Many people focus in on one or two things, so step back and think about all of the things you are looking for and then contact the company to discuss your needs.
What are your choices when Updating Your Mobile Contract?
Go into the Store
They all have stores in many of the major malls and centers across the country.
You can look at the phones and the standard packages and make a decision regarding what you want. If you are a new customer or are moving from another carrier, this is the place to start. You do not have a lot of negotiating power here other than to compare deals offered by the various carriers. The deals are what they are and it is up to you to decide which package you want to select.
Call Your Mobility Provider Help Desk
This is the next step especially for people who have existing contracts or have 
been with the carrier for some time. When you call into the call center, you will be talking with a rep who has the authority to sell you the basics, in much the same way as the folks at the mobility store do. They may be able to offer you some discounts, however you will need to ask about them regarding what is available. The mobility rep may not tell you about these discounts without prompting.
Ask to Speak to the Retention Desk
These are the mobility reps with the power to cut deals and do what they need 
to keep you as a customer and if possible sign you up as a long term customer. These are the folks that can offer special deals, discounts and special situations can also be negotiated. They are motivated in having you continue as a customer and they will do just about anything to keep you. Here are a few examples of what I was able to negotiate:
- Upgrade fees waived
- Transfer fee for phone book to new phone waived
- New phone provided
- No new fees to begin contract
- Calls to family phones included
- Voice messaging or voice mail included
- Call forwarding, conferencing, display, forwarding included
- Long distance minutes included
- Local minutes for both phones shared
- Text messaging included
- 450 anytime minutes included
- Unlimited evening and weekend minutes included beginning at 6pm
And the best part is that this deal, while providing me with about the same service as previously is 37% cheaper than previously, a huge savings!
To summarize, When Updating Your Mobile Contract
- Ask to speak to the retention desk
- Ask for everything you can think of to be included
- Discuss going to the competition
- Discuss the merits of various plans
- The worst they can say is no, or offer something else which might interest you!
If you have had a similar experience, leave your comments. We all need help in keeping our costs down! For more suggestions on Mobile contracts, click here.