The Negotiation Board » Personal

Negotiating an Insurance Claim

lisa — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 20:19:30 +0000

You never saw it coming, that SUV running the red light. And now you have a totaled car, a stiff neck and mounting medical bills. Then, the letter comes: The insurance settlement letter. And let’s face it, it’s low.

What do you do now? What can you do? There are some things to keep in mind while negotiating with an insurance adjuster.

HAVE A REASONABLE AMOUNT IN MIND

What do I mean by reasonable? If you totaled your Mazda and are asking to replace it with a Mercedes, that’s what I would call unreasonable. On the other hand, if you sustained an injury that left you out of work for 3 weeks, then tally the amount of lost income and include that in your price. They consider it fraud if you ask for an ungodly amount that is obviously not right. And you don’t want to be transferred to the fraudulent claim department.

ITEMIZE THE PRICE

Once you have a price, break it down. Write down exactly what you are asking reprieve for. And have receipts, documents, doctor’s bills etc. All of this adds ammunition to your counter offer. And you can make copies and send in with the letter. The adjuster will know that you are serious and well organized.

WRITE THE DEMAND LETTER

With all this in hand, write your demand letter. Be sure to ask for an amount a bit above your desired price (to give you wiggle room). Put all the info you gathered into it, justifying your price. Don’t be scared to include an emotional justification too (especially if you had kids in the car, your grandmother or a pet).

ASK AWAY

When you receive a counter offer, don’t be scared to ask the adjuster to justify their offer. And make note of it. There might be reasons you are unaware of that make the price a bit lower. It doesn’t mean you have to give in, but you could lower your fixed price a smidgen, therefore bringing you both closer to settling.

KNOW THE LIMITS

Every policy has payout limits. Know them and you may ask to receive the limits (especially if your desired number is close to them). Or the adjuster may offer you the Policy Limits. Once you accept, though, the other policyholder is then released of any further claims.

HIT A WALL

If the negotiations have hit a wall, it may be time to move into mediation, arbitration or litigation. Sometimes you can’t come to agreement and need outside help.

KNOW THE LAW

The Statute of Limitations varies upon states, but most have a 1-3 year time period to either settle or sue. After that time, the claim is dead. So you want to settle quickly.

*You both want the same thing: to settle for a reasonable amount. It can help to point that out right away to the adjuster to set the atmosphere of collaboration. After all, you have enough to deal with and ensuring a smooth process means one less stressful thing on your plate.

How To Negotiate On Craigslist

lisa — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:38:13 +0000

You’d have to be living under a rock (or in Amish country) to never have heard of Craigslist. Craigslist is a great platform to find jobs, houses, people and buy/sell items. Especially now, when times are tough, getting a deal is incredibly important. And with an estimated 40.8 million users every month, there’s really no better place to peruse.

So how do you negotiate with an unseen seller? There are many ways to go about it. Think of it as a 3-phase process.

Phase 1- Before The Offer

*Do your research. See what other people are offering your desired item for. This gives you great ammunition when bargaining.

*Have a strict budget. Even taking out a set amount of cash means you are less likely to waiver on your price.

*Look for ‘By Owner’ sales instead of ‘Dealers’. Your odds of negotiating down a price are greater.

*Find ads that say ‘Moving Sale’. These people are likely more desperate to get rid of their stuff and therefore more likely to take a lower price.

*You can take a risk and wait a few days after the ad is first posted. If it’s still available, there’s a good chance they are getting antsy to get rid of it.

Phase 2- Make The Offer

*Start by writing the seller an email expressing interest and asking a few questions about the item. And be friendly. Many times, if their item doesn’t sell, they will remember your email and offer it to you at a greatly discounted price.

*If the item is what you want, make an offer. But make sure to offer 10-20% lower than your max price. This will give you some wiggle room to negotiate with.

*Offer Cash. Many people require cash only but always indicate in your offer that you will be paying with cash.

*Be available to pick up. If, in our offer, you indicate that you can pick up the item you can potentially beat out a higher offer that does not have the means to pick up. Especially on larger items that require a truck. It’s less hassle for the seller.

*If they counter back, let them know that there are several other similar items you are looking at that are lower priced. And if you can, include links to them. This gives your offer more weight.

Phase 3- Waiting……..

*Give them a day or so after your offer. If you don’t hear back, send a nice email inquiring if the item is still available.

*Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Find other options and make offers on them too. If all say yes, then you pick and choose which is best.

Negotiating on Craigslist can be fun and something to master. A lot of people don’t think they can succeed, but you can! As long as you avoid scammers and keep in mind there are thousands of things for sale, the whole process can be enlightening and beneficial to your wallet.

How To Negotiate Your Dental Bill

lisa — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:24:13 +0000

It is estimated that over 30% of Americans do not have dental insurance. That’s more than 100 million people! With unemployment high, inflation up and an economy in crisis, dental insurance can tend to be at the bottom of the priority list. But you can only put off seeing one for so long. And when your tooth gets infected or your son has a painful cavity, there isn’t much choice but to make an appointment.

Is it possible to negotiate the price of your visit? Yes! One study found that only 10% of Americans negotiate their dental bill. And of those, 64% are successful. So how do they do it? Most likely they are uninsured. Dentists already take a cut from insurance companies and are less likely to give you a discount. But if you’re uninsured, you have some wiggle room. And make sure to ask these things before your visit, when you can still take your business elsewhere.

ASK FOR AN INSURED PATIENT’S PRICE

You have every right to ask for the same price that the dentist gets from the insurance company, which is usually 10-15% less. Try asking, you may be surprised what they say.

PAYMENT PLAN

Ask your dentist if they will give you a 12 month payment plan, interest free. They will still be getting a full price for the work but you can split it up, easing the burden on your wallet.

PAY IN FULL= DISCOUNT

Many dentists will give you up to 25% off the bill if you pay in full at the time of the visit. If you have the ability to pay up front, it can save you cash in the long run.

REFERALLS

Ask your dentist if they’d be willing to give you a discount or ‘credits’ for referrals. This works really well if your dentist is just starting out and trying to build up their practice.

BARTER

Maybe you have a flooring business or are a painter. Try asking for a trade. “I’ll redo the floor in your office for a new crown.” This happens a lot among friends and can certainly be applied to the medical field.

All of these methods have worked. But if negotiating with your dentist makes your stomach hurt, consider going to a dental school. They are always cheaper and the students are supervised by a superior. Either way, saving money is certainly a reason to smile.

Negotiating with……the ‘Terrible 4′s’

lisa — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:33:12 +0000

Phew. You made it through the toddler years. Although there were many tantrums, sticky situations, clogged toilets, chunks of hair missing and strange singing and dancing creatures, there were also many moments of joy and laughter and discovery. But now you’re on to better horizons! Your little one is growing up quick. They have reached the ripe old age of 4. Gone are the days of embarrassing outbursts at the grocery store, coloring on newly painted walls and tirelessly potty training. Things should be smooth sail– wait. Hold on. Who is this kid?

Nobody talks about it. I’m not sure why. Maybe it’d scare too many people off from having kids. Regardless, you’re neck deep in the 4’s. It’s sound a bit ridiculous at first. I mean how much grief could a pint size kid give you? You quickly find out. At the age of 4, children have developed enough speech skills to communicate what they want, and don’t want.

Suddenly your child, who used cry when they were unhappy and could be consoled with a hug or a time out, can talk back. Those looks you’ve mastered are now falling onto blind eyes. They are defiant, testing and smart! Books say that children at this age should be testing boundaries. And boy they aren’t just a whistling Dixie.

So how do you get through this next stage and keep your sanity? While I don’t know if that’s entirely possible, you can utilize your child’s emerging sense of self and entitlement and apply basic negotiation techniques.

Stay Calm. I know everyone says it. And it’s one of the hardest things to do. Mastering it in any situation is a feat, let alone parenting. If you can picture your anger and frustration as a physical material that you are throwing at your child, it will change the way you see it. Trust me. And kids do feel your anger.

Ask Them. Kids are pretty savvy these days, even 4 year old ones. Next time, in an adult voice, ask them what’s wrong. And tell them to use their words. You’ll be surprised at what they say.

Chill Out Technique. In much the same way you need a ‘happy place’ to go to when you’re upset, kids need one too. Let them know it’s ok to feel that way and there’s a better way to deal with it.

Follow Through. One of the hardest parts to punishing your child is actually following through with it. But how are they to learn from their mistakes if there aren’t repercussions? If they know they’ll go into time out when they talk back, they’ll think twice about it.

Tag Team. Sometimes, you’re just at your wits end and you need to give yourself a break. And that’s understandable. It’s paramount that you have someone who can come in and take over when you’ve run out of rope. It gives you time to defuse and come back refreshed. Whether it’s your spouse, partner, mother or grandmother, it’s important to have help.

Reward System. I swear by this. It helped me through a very tumultuous year with my 4 year old. Make up a calendar and tape it to their bedroom door. Every day that they behave (with minimal tantrums) they get a sticker on that day. At the end of the week, if they have at least 5 stickers, they get a treat. If at the end of the month they have at least 20 stickers, they get a special ‘fun day’ with you. This way, they have visual motivation to behave.

Strike a Deal. Nobody’s perfect, including you. And when your child is acting up a lot and constantly getting scolded, it can wear on them too. Try to make a deal with them. For example: “Alex, if you will try your best not to throw a fit today, I will try my best to help you with what you need.” Make it a partnership between the two of you.

There is no exact science to raising kids. And every one is different. But if you can use your child’s development as a tool to bargain with them, and in turn teaching them important life lessons, you will have a much better relationship. Not to mention a happier nervous system.

Bargaining in Foreign Lands

lisa — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 19:38:30 +0000

Your bags are packed, the cat’s taken care of and you’ve been watching what you eat. It’s time to bust out that bikini (or speedo) and relax in one of the most traveled-to destinations; Mexico. It’s reported that Mexico brings in $13.3 billion in U.S. dollar travel spending per year. And with beautiful ruins, warm waters, and margaritas it’s easy to see why.

For newbies and seasoned travelers alike, discovering Mexico is an exhilarating experience. And one of the most interesting aspects is that almost everything is negotiable. For some people this is exciting. The thrill of bargaining and knowing that you can get that necklace for cheaper is just plain fun. For others, it can be daunting. Especially since in the U.S. items sold at a market or store are generally not negotiable. But before you start pounding antacids, check out these basic tips on how to get what you want for the price you want. And enjoy doing it.

Bring Cash

If you have a limited amount of money to spend, you will be more apt to stick to your guns on prices. With a credit card, well sky’s the limit and it’s easier to give in to a higher price.

Ditch The Bling

Don’t wear expensive jewelry or anything that gives the shop owners the idea that you have a lot of money. It weakens your bargaining power.

Sidewalk Welcomers

Start by finding a shop that has a friendly worker out front trying to drive traffic inside. They are more likely to engage in bargaining. Shops with closed doors generally have a more fixed price.

Play Coy

Never let the sales person know how much you want something. If you show mild interest, they’re more likely to lower the price to entice you.

Shop Around

There is almost always the exact or very similar item at another nearby shop. It pays to investigate and get a good idea of what others are asking.

Low Ball It

Have your price in mind, and give yourself plenty of negotiating room. Start with an offer well below your actual ideal price. You need wiggle room. They do too and that’s why the marked price is generally quite a bit higher than they’d actually take.

Don’t Be Afraid to Walk Away

A lot of times, if you decline and go to leave after negotiating, the salesperson will follow you out to keep bargaining. And they usually will be offering a lower price.

If All Else Fails, Call In A Friend

If all this feels like too much pressure, have your companion do it for you. Tell them the price you want and offer them a margarita if they can get it for you.

Negotiating in Mexico can take some work. But the payoff is well worth it when you come home with goodies and trinkets that you purchased for a steal of a price. Out with the antacids and in with the guacamole!

No related posts.

My Family vs. Your Family: Thanksgiving.

lisa — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 19:12:58 +0000

Your family loves you and they don’t see you enough. (Especially Uncle Bob and Aunt Genie who see you once a year when they come up for Thanksgiving.) And maybe it has a little bit to do with your famous pecan pie or homemade stuffing with walnuts and bacon, but they count on you to come. Thanksgiving is a great time to reconnect with family and stuff yourself to the max. Problem? Your significant other has a family too. Suddenly, it becomes a battle of who’s is more important. Or, and let’s be honest, who’s family will be the least hurt if you don’t make it this year.

Negotiating family holidays is a daunting task. You can find yourself arguing with your spouse over ridiculous things, such as “we see your family at least once a month” and “you’re one of 5 kids. They have plenty of people coming. They won’t miss us.” Usually one of you gives in, leaving you in a bad mood when you should really be enjoying yourself and giving thanks.

While there is no sure fire way to make sure feelings stay cheery and rosy, there are some tips to making the whole thing go smoother.

Trade off every year. This year, you see your family. Next year, you go to theirs. This is the simplest and most fair way to split it up.
Split the day up. Go to his family’s house for dinner and head out to yours for dessert. This works especially well if your family eats early. But it can be a bit stressful trying to break away or if they live far apart.
Have a ‘2^nd’ Thanksgiving with the family you didn’t see the following day. It might be a dose of serious turkey coma, but at least you’d get to see both families this year.
Assign holidays. “Ok, we’ll go to your parents for Thanksgiving but we’ll go to mine for Christmas day.” You can kill two birds with one stone, so to speak!
Or- and this is my personal favorite- you have Thanksgiving at your house and invite both families. Whoever makes it, great! And you don’t have to feel guilty.

Make sure the indigestion you’re feeling is from too much cranberry sauce and not anxiety over the holidays. Your significant other (and stomach) will thank you!

Negotiating the Holidays

5 Tips to Negotiating to Buy a House

jennifer — Tue, 31 May 2011 23:22:33 +0000

If you are looking to buy a house, and have the budget to do so, strike while the iron is hot. Now is a great time to buy. According to Standard & Poor’s, U.S. housing prices fell 4.2% in the first quarter of 2011 and are now at levels last seen in mid-2002. It is estimated that housing prices may still fall, while the interest rates are expected to rise and the market may not rebound until 2014. So even though the market may have not yet bottomed-out, buy while money is cheap, take advantage of this market and get the best deal with these real estate negotiation tips:

1. Have Other Options If you are thinking of putting an offer on a house without a back up plan, or best alternative to no agreement (BATNA), take a step back. This is an essential piece to a successful negotiation. Maybe you have already sold your house, moved to a new city for a job, or your “dream house” just came on the market. No matter what your excuse, you should have another option before opening the table for negotiations. Find a couple of other houses that are in the running, just in case your plan to offer the 10% below listed price, doesn’t go as you’ve hoped. It is also smart to tactfully slip that you have your eye on other homes in the area.

2. Keep Your Cards Close The basics of negotiation teach us never to reveal your position. One way to successfully do this is to use an experienced buyer’s agent. They will effectively act as your hidden table and emotions about the property will be unknown. Make sure that the agent you hire is one that you can trust and will work for your best interest, no matter what. Be aware that the more that you buy a house for, the larger the commission check they will receive, since they are paid a percentage of the purchase price.

3. Check Title History The title will normally tell you the outstanding loans against a property. This can give you a good indication of a seller’s bottom line, or what they can sell you the house for without walking away actually owning money. Keep in mind that if a seller has a private loan through friend or family member, the outstanding loan may not be reflected. Also remember that the seller will also having to pay closing costs which average 4%-7% of the purchase price.

4. Check Comparable Properties Do your market research to reflect your offer based on what has sold in the last three to six months in the neighborhood, not what is currently listed on the market. You may be pleasantly surprised that houses which have recently sold in many parts of the country are much lower than actively listed comparable properties. What this means is that sellers are receiving offers much lower than their listed prices and accepting them. Don’t be afraid to lowball in this extreme buyer’s market.

5. Leave Your Ego at the Door Ultimately you want to buy the house and the sellers want to sell it to you. If you find the house you like, the market value is appropriate, and it is within your budget, don’t let the negotiation over a couple thousand dollars get in your way. Some real estate buyers get so caught up in the negotiation game they may miss out on the opportunity to owning their dream house because they want to “beat” the seller. If you find your pride swelling during negotiations, take the time to look at the big picture. Would you really want to lose the house just to win the game?

Negotiating Banks Fees and Charges

jennifer — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:03:57 +0000

I recently had an encounter with my bank, the grand ol’ Bank of America, regarding surprise bank fees on my statement. Unlike a party, this surprise was not welcome. The account in question had a balance of $5.00 for over three years and no activity. Now all of a sudden I owe them seventeen bucks and need to pay up NOW or suffer the consequences (more eloquently put, of course). Well I was not about to pay for something in which I was receiving no benefits whatsoever, and had been meaning to cancel anyway.

You may have encountered a similar situation yourself recently. Banks have been inventing new fees left and right to keep the money flowing. They need to do something to stay afloat during this financially tumultuous time. I don’t begrudge their efforts. Like so many Americans in my shoes, I just don’t want to be the one to pay for it!

If you want to join the fight against fees, read the following guide to get started and liberate yourself, and your money, today!

First, Ask Nicely

Sometimes all you need to do is ask nicely. If you’ve had an uneventful history with your bank, they will want to keep their customer happy and most likely fulfill to your request. Why might they be so apt to readily agree to your request? It generally costs 10X more money to attract a new customer than it does to keep a current customer!

So many people would rather not deal with the headache of calling the bank, waiting on hold, and haggling with the customer service rep that they don’t even bother to get their $5 or $10 back. The bank gets away with this sort of thing all the time. Think again next time you just accept new fees as part of your monthly expenses. Ten dollars a month for a year will cost you $120 and $600 in five years. It is probably worth 15 minutes of your times to get your bank bill corrected.

Persistence Pays

If your bank wants to play hardball, don’t give up. Ask to speak with someone else of higher authority that can help you. If speaking with that person doesn’t do the trick, call back the next day and you may hit an immediate homerun with the first person you reach. At some point the bank must consider what it’s costing them to pay their employees to negotiate with you, and the goodwill they’re losing with a customer in the process.

Bluff Your Way Out

The last thing your bank wants to do is lose your business (assuming you’re a customer worth keeping). If your bank flat out refuses to refund the fees, tell them that you are ready to take your business elsewhere if they do not stop with the charges. Most likely they’ll back down at this point and find a solution to ensure you stay a customer. If you do use the bluff tactic in this situation, be prepared to follow through. Have a reputable bank lined up, or better yet a credit union, to open an account.

Join a Credit Union

I mentioned earlier that I have not used my BOA account in several years. This is because I am now a member of a local credit union. The credit union has so far exceeded my expectations of customer service, without the snarky attitude the employees of corporate banks seem to share. Not to mention fees are virtually nonexistent! You are also able to use member credit union’s ATMs for free. Bonus!!!

If all else fails, there is sure to be another financial institution waiting to welcome you with open arms who will offer all the bells and whistles without the costly fees.

Have you negotiated bank fees with Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Key Bank, or another financial institution lately? What was your experience?

Top 10 Salary Negotiation Tips

jennifer — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:40:16 +0000

There’s no doubt about it. We’re in a TOUGH job market. If you’re in the process of looking for a job, or have one but need a raise, it is your best interest to take the time, before discussing your compensation, to learn the basics of salary negotiation:

1. Do Your Homework!

The very first thing you need to do before approaching any negotiation situation is your research. Cliché as is sounds, when you fail to plan, you plan to fail. You have absolutely no excuse to skip this crucial step. In this internet era, all the information you need is at your fingertips!

2. Stand Out From the Crowd

What catches the gleam in a potential, or current, employer’s eye? Those that make them take a second look, leave a lasting impression, make them want more… If you plan to ask for more than what is offered, you need to show them you will earn it. They will not regret their decision, not even for a second! How can you do this?

· Always Dress to Impress

· Arrive 10 Minutes Early and Stay 10 Minutes Late

· Constructively Contribute to Meetings

· Volunteer to Help Others with Projects

· Be Respectful and Polite to Everyone (Even the Custodian)

· Get a Higher Education

· Take Continuing Education Classes to Further Your Knowledge

· Be a Step Ahead of the Rest

· Work Your Butt Off!

3. Avoid Boxes

If the job you are applying for asks what your last salary was or what you expect to receive at your next job, do not comply! Instead, write N/A (Not Applicable) into these boxes. Leaving this box incomplete will not be a make or break factor when deciding who to interview. If the potential employer really wants to know your range, they will ask during the interview.

When you do comply and complete the form, it almost always affects your position negatively. Either you did not make enough at your previous place of employment, and thus are not worth much. Or they may assume that they can’t afford to hire you because your prior salary was too high. In either case, your best bet is to avoid disclosing this information until absolutely necessary.

4. Don’t Ask Until Offered

If you are on the job hunt, remember to avoid taking numbers until you receive a formal offer. In our culture it is generally considered taboo to ask a potential employer what you will be making before they have even offered you the job. Employer’s can be put off by the question of “What will I be making,” and that could hurt your chance of even being hired. Furthermore, asking them to state the salary range will set the anchor, in their favor, if compensation negotiations take place down the road.

5. Identify Your BATNA

Knowing your BATNA (Best Alternative to No Agreement) is important when entering into any negotiation. Having your BATNA clearly defined before a salary negotiation is absolutely necessary. Your livelihood depends upon the decisions you will need to make.

For example, if you are making $60,000 at your current job, all other considerations being equal, your BATNA would be to not accept any offer lower than that amount.

Another example may be that you have been out of a job for three months, the prospects are looking dim, but the unemployment check of $1500/month covers the bare essentials. Your BATNA would then be to accept any job paying more than $1500/month.

6. Leverage Opportunities

When defining your BATNA, don’t forget to consider the leveraging power of other opportunities. If negotiating with a current employer for a raise, you can tactfully mention that you have received many other offers from competing companies (only if true, of course). Simialrly, when working out the details of an offer with a potential employer, reveal that you have already received offers for employment from respected firms. This shows them you are a high demand asset of human capital.

7. Never Accept the First Offer

What is the number one rule of negotiation? Never accept the first offer! If the employer is the one who sets the anchor point, always assume that they have offered you less than they are authorized to give. You can bet that they’ll want to give themselves a little wiggle room and therefore will suggest a number in the low range. They may do this to see what they can get away with, while saving the company or themselves some major cashola.

8. The Benefits Bonus

So many people focus on the final cash income they receive that they forget to consider the value of benefits. Health and Life Insurance, PTO, 401K’s, Retirement Planning, Wellness Programs, along with many others are important assets to remember when negotiating your compensation package.

9. Get it in Writing

No matter how successful the company you will be working for, or already work with, get your compensation agreement in writing! No if’s, and’s, or but’s! Even those with the best reputation can justify going back on their word if there isn’t evidence to back-up what was said.

10. Why Win-Win Works

Principled negotiation, more widely known as the win-win strategy, is not always the right direction to take when negotiating. BUT, when you are in the midst of finalizing a contract for employment with a potential or current employer it is in your best interest to utilize this strategy. Ensure that your conduct is fair, honest, and collaborative. Work with your employer to find a compensation package that meets your needs and falls within their budget.

Canceling a Sprint Wireless Contract

Jonathan — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:11:26 +0000

We all know what a challenge it can be to get out of a wireless contract. Especially if you want to avoid the ETF or early termination fee. We have had several posts about different methods depending on your ethical line and current situation. I will link out to some of these methods later. Here is one method

Taking Sprint/Nextel to the Cleaners

If you are not interested in exploiting the “no service in my area” loop hole, then this is the tactic for you. The wireless carrier industry is extremely competitive. Other than the phones and coverage areas the only way companies can differentiate themselves is through customer service. Several of the companies used to be known for absolutely horrible customer service. Sprint being one of them.

Personally I have sprint and like them (I wish there was a Sprint iPhone.) They work just fine for me. But I have learned a few things about negotiating with Sprint/Nextel over the 10 years I have used them. Several years ago Sprint wanted to clean up their bad customer service image. They wanted to increase the “positive” responses given from their customer service reps. I have heard (No proof, just my experience) that every Sprint customer has a “secret account.” This account has a sum of money in it that customer service reps can draw from to make you happy.

Thats right, Sprint will buy your happiness! I am perfectly fine with that. In my experience the account is around $150-$200. Again I have no proof of this, it is just the amounts that I have been able to get them to credit me over the years. If I have ever gone over my minutes or had other overages that have exceeded my normal bill, they have taken them off. I just call and politely ask for their help and they happily take care of it.

Once when I bought a phone early and didn’t qualify for the “rebate” I called and they gave it to me anyways. When I called and explained to them that I didn’t understand why I couldn’t get the rebate the rep just offered it to me and explained why. The key to negotiating with Sprint is to be polite. If that doesn’t work then politely ask for someone who can help you. They will move you up the line and eventually break into that secret account for you.

So if you are going to cancel your Sprint wireless contract and eat the ETF then be sure to take advantage of the secret account before you do. Find something to complain about, you are switching for a reason aren’t you. Then put a dollar amount $150-$200 on the table as the cost of what you are complaining about. Take them money and then cancel. The secret account and the early termination fee will be close to a wash.

We have talked about a few other ways to get out of a cell phone contract in other posts: Getting out of a Verizon Wireless Contract and Getting out of a Sprint Wireless Contract and I am sure we will have more to come, so stay tuned.