Moving home: Ways to get good deals on services?

[JJanisch]

Hi guys,

 

As I'm moving at the end of the month, are there any suggestions or tricks you can share to reduce the cost (or increase value for money) of services? I've been a member of Sky for years (With HD, Multiroom etc) but it's all in my brothers name as the bill-payer, I know you can save money as an exising customer but what leverege do you recon I would have as an 'unknown' customer?

 

Wondering about energy, TV, landline + broadband, anything you've got.

 

BTW: I'm not looking for spending advice, instead tricks that we all know can be pulled. The 'best price' is a scam and all companies know it can be reduced. You just need to say the right thing...

[featured_spectre]

Haggle, if possible speak to people face to face in shopping centres etc. They are more likely to give the best deals (I managed to nab EVERYTHING available from sky, this includes all packages (sports, movies, 6 entertainment etc), telephone with free calls to landlines at anytime, 10 meg unlimited download cap broadband, and a HD box (with appropriate subscription, free install and free multiroom) for £40 a month for 9 months, then going up to £60 for remaining 3 months. After this, I cancelled the sports and what have you, and now pay £65 a month for the package...all because I spoke to the guy on a stand in a shopping centre and negotiated very hard for the contract.

 

For them it is a sale which generates them a commission, for you it is a bargain.

 

For gas or electricity, I have a sales bod out, and haggle on unit prices as well, currently with Ebico and paying less than half what British Gas/Eon and NPower offered.

 

Face to face...the best way to do it for haggling!

[featured_spectre]

Say you have a budget of £40, do NOT say what the budget is, get them to offer their best price and they say £50, say it is a bit too high, ask for some negotiation room, and offer £25. Meeting in the middle tends to work often, it is a bit under your budget, still gets them a sale, they're happy, you get what you need, at a price below your budget, everyone is happy.

 

Works maybe 7/10 times, just need to negotiate hard and dont be afraid to ask for a deal.

 

Prime example...at pizza express, as I went there, said to the duty manager, I was going to bring a lady with me, wanted to impress her a little bit, so we have a private booth away from general customers, free main meal, and free complimentary drinks on arrival. Booked the date, time, and everyone is happy. Don't ask, don't get.

[CHR1S]

Sky release friends and family codes to employees several times a year, these offer 50% + discounts for new customers.

You can usually pick them up off HUKD, digital spy or MSE.

[JJanisch]

Thanks for all the responses so far guys, I often pass people in shopping centers so I'll have to stop and try my luck next time. Actually I'm going to Curry's to buy white goods this weekend, I'll see what I can produce (not on the goods, but all the naggling sales folk set up around the centers!).

 

I'll also look at those sites, Chr1s.

 

Keep suggestions coming guys Appreciated by me and the lady.

[JJanisch]

Prime example...at pizza express, as I went there, said to the duty manager, I was going to bring a lady with me, wanted to impress her a little bit, so we have a private booth away from general customers, free main meal, and free complimentary drinks on arrival. Booked the date, time, and everyone is happy. Don't ask, don't get.

 

Legendary.

[andrew_91090]

as far as I'm aware, new members get half price for 6 months at the moment at Sky

[hardtailstar]

check comparison sites, find the cheapest, ring them up and haggle a cheaper deal. you may even want to phone a few of the cheaper ones to see what they can offer. but dont tell them their price from it just say the cheapest price on there but not who provided it.

 

This always works when I buy car insurance. i usually knock off a few hundred this way.

[featured_spectre]

If you want legendary...I will message you later with regards to white goods from curry's and comet (managed to walk away with £1800 of white goods for £600)

[JJanisch]

If you want legendary...I will message you later with regards to white goods from curry's and comet (managed to walk away with £1800 of white goods for £600)

 

Well that would be handy (The Curry's one at least, Comet doesn't exist anymore!), I'm going there on Saturday to get the white goods.

Edited March 13, 2013 by JJanisch