Latest news with #negotiation
CNET
3 hours ago
- Business
- CNET
My Simple Steps for Negotiating a Better Deal for Your Home Internet
Internet service isn't cheap, with the average monthly internet bill coming to around $78. And that often doesn't include equipment rental fees. On top of that, a recent CNET survey revealed that 63% of US adults are paying more for internet than they did last year. Yet, much of what we do -- including remote work, school, telehealth and staying connected with family -- relies on having a solid internet connection, so it's a necessary expense many of us just accept. But what happens when your bill starts creeping up and you don't qualify for low-income internet programs like Lifeline? One way to fight back is by negotiating with your provider, an old-school tactic that can still save you money. My wife is the champion negotiator and dealmaker of our household. Before we met, she'd already crushed significant life moments, including buying a house, hammering out a great deal on a new car and getting the best possible salary offer for a new job. So when it came time to gathering guidance for negotiating with your internet service provider, you'd better believe I started with her. "Kindness is key," she said. "Always be friendly and courteous." Why? Because the person on the other end of the phone (or online chat, as the case may be) is much more likely to work with you if met with decency and patience. Your customer service rep isn't doing an easy job and they want to help, so why not start off on the right foot? I could fill an entire column with my wife's negotiating tips and tricks, but I've also sought professional advice from internet insiders. As you might imagine, some gave me standard company lines about how every customer gets the same high-value offers or how each agent works tirelessly to ensure everyone gets the best possible price daily. You know the drill. Locating local internet providers We all know that's not 100% true, or providers wouldn't constantly be changing their promotions and deals. So, after sifting through the best ideas from the pros, here are five steps you should take when negotiating with your internet service provider. 1. Do your research "I think the first thing is to try to be knowledgeable before you make the call," according to EarthLink CEO Glenn Goad. From his perspective, most people aren't familiar enough with their options when contacting an ISP. That puts them at a disadvantage and can lead to getting roped into add-ons or more speed than they actually need. Here's how you can avoid pitfalls like that. Look in the mirror Spend part of your preparation building a case for yourself as a desirable customer. How long have you been with your ISP? If you're two months into a 24-month contract, you're less likely to get any traction on carving out a better deal: Providers often collect an early termination fee if you bail on your existing contract. On the other hand, if you've been with the same ISP for several years, there's a much better chance of finding a flexible attitude. In that case, the provider should be much more motivated to keep you as a subscriber because there's no financial benefit claimed from your loss. Either way, having this basic information handy will help you better make your claim. You can also do yourself a favor and set the stage for a more profitable exchange by paying your bills on time. Once you've built up months or years of steady, on-time payments, the sales agent will likely see you as a valuable customer and one worth keeping happy. Decide what you actually need Don't be an impulsive internet shopper. Before negotiating with your ISP, determine your goals for the call. Keep in mind it's not always just about cutting a deal for a lower monthly bill. Yes, knocking a few bucks off each month's bill is great, but it might not ultimately be the best approach to your household internet needs. For instance, many of us discovered that our previous internet plan was insufficient for increased work-from-home or remote schooling duties during the pandemic. To keep more people (and devices) online simultaneously, a faster internet option is the way to go. An AT&T spokesperson said she advises customers to turn to a fiber network if possible to deal with bandwidth-heavy applications. "However, when fiber isn't available, we recommend choosing the fastest option available based on the customer's need," she said. "With the average number of connected devices continuing to grow, most households would benefit from fast and more reliable speeds." Keep in mind that, according to findings from OpenVault, the average household uses more than 500Mbps a month. If you signed up for a plan with less speed than that, but you have a fair number of devices and moderate internet users in the house, you should consider an upgrade. Guidance like this CNET speed test tutorial can help determine how much internet speed you really need, so start there. Perhaps when you signed on with your provider, you chose a starter plan with 100Mbps download speed, but now your family needs much more than that. Focus on securing a faster speed -- maybe more like 300Mbps -- and aim to get more for your money and decrease your cost per Mbps. A plan with faster speeds may boost your network capabilities, and if you consider cost per Mbps, it may also be a better value. Google/CNET On the flip side, perhaps you signed up for a multi-gigabit speed plan because your ISP touted it as the fastest residential plan available. But do you and the rest of your household really use that much? You might find significant savings by downgrading to a plan that lets you do all the same activities without any discernible difference in performance. For instance, many homes won't notice much difference between a gigabit plan and 500Mbps. 2. Don't always splurge for the speediest plan While download speed is undoubtedly essential in figuring out what type of plan best fits you, it's not the only factor. An Xfinity spokesperson said it's best to look into the total value of an internet service rather than simply stopping at speed. Can you get mobile service included? How about access to Wi-Fi hotspots? Value can come in multiple ways, not just in your download speed. The AT&T spokesperson agreed. "What discounts or special offers are available to you? There may be discount offers for qualifying customers that you should inquire about. Some providers may also offer subscriptions for streaming and other services that could make a package more enticing," she said. You can help yourself out by putting in just a little work before the call. For instance, look beyond download speed and consider your data usage. Are you paying extra for unlimited data and not using it? Or, perhaps more commonly, do you tend to exceed your data limit and incur additional charges? Consider if there's an unlimited add-on option that'll save you money in the long run. Also, gather your facts about what you're currently paying. Do you already have a promo rate? Are there any deals you're taking advantage of right now? You can check out our round-up of some of the best deals, TV bundles and mobile bundles for internet customers. Don't get caught flat-footed, or you'll risk losing a reasonable price in the hunt for a better bargain. If you're not taking advantage of any deals or offers, look up the promotional discounts offered to new customers and ask your ISP to match that. It's also worthwhile to check for online-only deals so you can ask for the equivalent for your existing account. 3. Know your options before you call Sorry to mix metaphors, but if you plan on playing hardball, don't bluff if you have no hand. Before you threaten to cancel your subscription, ensure your address is serviceable for other providers by using tools like the FCC broadband coverage map to see what internet options are available at your address. Otherwise, your ISP will know that you don't have other options. On the other hand, you can politely but squarely use this to your advantage if you do have options. At face value, you might have a cheaper plan than what you found on a competitor's site. But as you consider that alternative option, you might discover it's a fiber connection with much faster upload and download speeds. You could get a faster, better online experience at a lower cost per Mbps for just slightly more per month. But such a pivot might not be available to all. In addition to serviceability, you also have to answer another question. Is switching to another ISP even an option? For instance, if you live in an apartment complex, does your leasing company have an exclusivity agreement with your provider? My wife and I learned this the hard way. When we moved to the Charlotte area, we were excited about ditching our old ISP, but our hopes were dashed when we learned that our housing development had a contract with the same provider, so we didn't have the same range of choices as other city residents. Consider the different internet connection types available at your address. Is satellite internet an option? It's often cast as the only viable alternative for rural or suburban customers. But be aware of satellite dish installation regulations in your area, set by your homeowners association or in your lease rules. Lastly, is 5G home internet an option at your address? Verizon and T-Mobile are aggressively expanding the coverage areas for their respective services and looking to lure new customers. These services offer better download speeds than satellite and much more affordable rates. (Unlike satellite services, there are no equipment rental or purchase fees to add to your monthly costs.) Slow internet? We've got tips to speed it up Slow internet? We've got tips to speed it up Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 1:32 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 1:32 Share Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Ask for what you want before you give up You've researched, collected your facts and jotted down your goals for the call. Preparation is the key to success, but now it's time to seal the deal. To get the best deal for your budget, you need to call and ask for what you want. "Any customer has the right to seek changes to their plan if they choose to do so," the AT&T spokesperson said. "There's not really a specific time of year for deals, but customers should check ISPs' websites regularly for any new updates or offers they can take advantage of." Goad offered that moving season from May to October is a prime time to find offers, incentives and promotions. That said, it's also a time when your customer experience might not be as good as if you called during a different time. "If you think about it, if you're going to shop on Black Friday, it's a different experience than if you shop on March 12," Goad said. "So maybe you do your research in the first and second quarter of the year and do your buying in the third quarter when you're fully prepared." If you decide to make your move during the busy season, strongly consider not calling during the busiest time of the day: the lunch hour. Whenever you choose to leap, it's worth repeating: always be courteous. That is foundational to having a good call. Try to be friendly, speak of your length of time with the provider, and highlight your excellent payment history. 5. If at first you don't succeed, try again Here's another tip from my wife: If she gets an agent who doesn't seem willing to work with her or share the same courteous approach, she'll politely end the conversation and try again. If you forget the first four steps, don't get what you need and the conversation goes south, you can try again with a new customer service rep. One colleague I spoke with echoed this advice and shared a story about her customer experience. She was so frustrated with her bill increases that she decided to get on the phone and threatened to cancel. Her hope was the provider would beg her to stay and offer a new promotion. Instead, the provider canceled her service. She sheepishly called back later and spoke with a different representative. Figuring honesty was the best policy, she shared her story and ended up with a new deal and the advice to call and just ask next time. Be prepared that it might not go your way the first time, but don't give up. You might need to call a few times to find an agent willing to work with you or find the right promotions to suit your goals. If it means a lower bill or a better plan, it's well worth the effort.
Forbes
16 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
How AI Transforms Conversation Preparation: A Complete Guide
Master artificial intelligence negotiation techniques to prepare for high-stakes conversations across real estate, legal practice, and business leadership In an era where artificial intelligence negotiation tools are transforming how professionals prepare for critical conversations, smart negotiators across industries are discovering that AI can be their most powerful preparation ally. Whether you're a real estate agent defending a listing price, a lawyer preparing for settlement talks, a corporate leader navigating workplace conflicts, or a project manager facilitating complex stakeholder negotiations, AI negotiation preparation offers Close-up of a person's hand holding a smartphone and using the Opus 4 model within the Claude app ... More from AI company Anthropic, Lafayette, California, May 22, 2025. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images) unprecedented tools for strategy development, bias mitigation, and scenario simulation. How Project Managers Use AI to Anticipate Negotiation Objections Chuck Scott, owner of Scott Q Consulting, in his interview on the Negotiate Anything podcast, demonstrates how AI transforms negotiation preparation for complex stakeholder meetings. When implementing loyalty programs for major retailers, Scott uses AI to anticipate objections before entering stakeholder meetings. He prompts: "I want to implement a loyalty program, what are some of the concerns that finance would have?" This AI-driven preparation allows him to enter negotiations with pre-developed responses to anticipated objections from marketing departments wanting customer growth, finance teams focused on ROI, and technology teams concerned about operational burden. By systematically analyzing each stakeholder's likely concerns, Scott transforms potentially contentious meetings into collaborative problem-solving sessions. AI Role-Playing: Practice Difficult Conversations Before They Happen Perhaps the most powerful AI negotiation technique is scenario simulation, addressing one of negotiation's biggest challenges: encountering unexpected aggression, blame, or hostility. Research demonstrates that AI-powered role-playing dramatically improves negotiation outcomes. A 2018 study in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that participants Business, presentation and man on a laptop in a corporate conference or office collaboration with a ... More woman at work. Businessman, manager or coach for marketing, strategy and sales working with CEO. who practiced scenarios with aggressive counterparts were significantly better at crafting integrative solutions and maintaining composure under pressure. A 2020 study in Negotiation Journal showed that role-playing reduces anxiety by familiarizing negotiators with high-pressure scenarios. Participants who role-played aggressive negotiations reported lower cortisol levels and greater confidence in real negotiations, as repeated exposure desensitized them to emotional triggers like anger or blame. For workplace negotiations, consider this prompt: "Simulate a budget meeting where you play a skeptical CFO who questions every expense request. Challenge my proposals aggressively and interrupt me frequently to help me practice staying calm and professional." Harvard's Program on Negotiation notes that practicing with AI simulators helps negotiators manage emotions by rehearsing calm, assertive responses before high-stakes conversations. Using AI to Identify Your Negotiation Biases At its core, negotiation is a decision-making process driving toward conclusions and agreements. What drives our decisions, however, are often unconscious biases that can derail even the most prepared negotiator. Research by Andrea Caputo identified 21 cognitive biases affecting decision-making quality. Since negotiation is fundamentally about making decisions under pressure, all these biases potentially impact negotiation outcomes. AI excels at helping identify your personal biases by analyzing your thought patterns and emotional reactions. Try this prompt: "I'm negotiating a contract renewal with a difficult client who's threatening to leave. I feel angry because they're being unreasonable about pricing, and I think they're trying to take advantage of our relationship. Based on this situation and my emotional response, what cognitive biases might be affecting my judgment? What questions should I ask myself to think more objectively?" This approach helps surface biases like anchoring (fixating on their initial demands), confirmation bias (seeking information that confirms they're unreasonable), or the fundamental attribution error (attributing their behavior to character flaws rather than situational pressures). AI Market Analysis for Real Estate Negotiations For real estate professionals, AI transforms market research from time-consuming analysis into strategic advantage. Rather than spending hours manually researching comparables, agents can prompt: "Analyze recent real estate market trends in [specific area] for 2025, including average sale prices, inventory levels, and buyer behavior in properties similar to [address]. Identify three data points that support a counteroffer of $X in this cooling market." AI can incorporate economic forecasts, demographic trends, and seasonal patterns to build compelling, data-driven arguments that position agents as market experts rather than simply sales professionals. Building Legal Arguments While Understanding Opposition Legal professionals face the complex challenge of building persuasive cases while anticipating opposing counsel's strategies. AI excels at this dual preparation approach. Consider this comprehensive prompt: "I'm preparing for settlement negotiations in a personal injury case. My client suffered injuries in a car accident with damages totaling $200,000. Generate three compelling arguments for this settlement amount, then anticipate the opposing counsel's three strongest objections. For each objection, provide counterarguments and suggest collaborative language that reframes opposition as shared problem-solving." Understanding legitimate reasons behind opposition is crucial for moving beyond adversarial positioning. The opposing counsel isn't simply being difficult—they may have genuine concerns about liability, case precedents, or their client's financial constraints. AI can help identify these underlying interests: "List five legitimate reasons why opposing counsel might resist my settlement demand, considering their client's perspective, insurance company constraints, and potential case weaknesses. For each reason, suggest how I can address their concern collaboratively." Getting Started with AI Negotiation Preparation Start with simple prompts and gradually increase complexity as you become comfortable with AI coaching. Choose platforms like ChatGPT or Claude, treating them as you would any professional coach—with specific scenarios and clear feedback requests. Remember that AI should supplement, not replace, human judgment and relationship skills. Information accuracy must be verified, and confidentiality considerations may limit sensitive information sharing. The Competitive Advantage of AI Preparation As AI becomes prevalent in business, professionals who ignore these preparation tools risk being outprepared by opponents who embrace them. Recent Harvard Business Review research analyzing over 60,000 negotiation interactions identified specific tactics leading to better outcomes—precisely the insights AI can help you develop and practice. The future of negotiation belongs to those who pair emotional intelligence with algorithmic precision. Begin your next negotiation with both at the table.
CTV News
18 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Trump terminating Canada-trade talks a ‘negotiating tactic': Eric Ham
Watch U.S. political analyst Eric Ham calls Trump's 'abrupt' ending to trade talks with Canada a 'negotiating tactic' as he feels he has the 'wind at his back.'
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
6 Questions You Should Never Ask at a Car Dealership
Going toe to toe with a car salesperson can feel like you're about to test-drive both your patience and your budgetary constraints. Car purchases should be a pretty straightforward process, but there is more nuance to the art of the deal with it comes to buying cars, trucks and SUVs. Up Next: For You: Walking into a car dealership can feel like entering a chess game where every move counts and a good salesperson will dangle preapproval for reasonable car loans or car payments before you can even see the full board. While it's important to ask questions that will help you make an informed decision, some questions could tip the scale out of your favor. Before you dive into these 'never asks' when car buying, first it's good to know what to never say to sales staff. Here are a few key takeaways: 'I don't know much about cars': This may tell the car dealer that you are a novice and could lead them to sell you a car they need to move rather than one that fits your needs. 'My car is on its last legs': Telling a car salesman this indicates you are in a situation where you have to make a purchase no matter if it's a good car for you or not. This could also drop any potential car deal that was on the table as they know you need to buy. 'I love this car': Even if it is a great car, indicating how interested you are in purchasing it could leave you less wiggle room to negotiate the price of the car. 'I don't know my credit score': When it comes to car sales, buyers with lower scores might get offered higher interest loan rates than buyers with good credit. Don't count on the dealer to give you the best rates and do your research beforehand. Now that you know what not to say, it's time to explore what you should never ask at a car dealership. Here's a look at the questions you should steer clear of to keep the power in your hands. It seems like a logical question to ask. Cut through all the sales tactics and get down to the nitty-gritty, right? Well, asking this right off the bat puts you in a position where the salesperson knows you're looking to haggle before you've even started. It can lead to a less flexible negotiation process because the dealer now knows your primary focus is on the price, not the value or the fit of the vehicle to your needs. See More: This question might sound like you're being financially responsible. However, in reality, you're in a car dealership, not your bank, so full disclosure isn't necessary. Discussing your financial situation or questioning your ability to afford a car could give your salesman too much insight into your financial health. It can lead to a scenario where the dealer might steer you toward financing options that are more beneficial to the dealership than to you. Always do your budgeting at home and know what you can afford before stepping into the dealership. Comparing options is great, but showing your cards by mentioning specific other cars you're considering gives the salesperson insight into your research and preferences. This information can be used to sway your decision-making process, emphasizing the positives of their cars while downplaying any advantages of the competition. It's better to keep your options close to your chest and independently research the pros and cons of each vehicle you're considering. You can play a chess match with your finances, but you don't need to add in another bias player. While understanding the down payment is important, asking this question too early in the discussion signals to the dealer that you might not be prepared to make a purchase or that you're overly concerned about upfront costs. This can affect the negotiation dynamics, as the dealer might focus on lowering the down payment in exchange for higher monthly payments or a longer loan term, which isn't always in your best interest. This is a tricky one. Of course, you want to know the value of your trade-in, but asking this directly can lead to lowball offers. Dealerships make a significant portion of their profits on used cars, so they have an incentive to acquire your trade-in for as little as possible. Instead of asking them for a value, research your car's worth ahead of time through trusted online sources and get quotes from multiple dealerships to have a strong negotiating position. Asking for freebies might seem like a good way to get added value, but it can actually weaken your negotiation stance. It signals to the salesperson that you're near a decision point, ready to buy if just sweetened a bit more. Instead of asking for free add-ons, focus on the total price of the vehicle and negotiate the best possible deal. Once you've settled on a price, then you can discuss any additional perks or accessories as part of the final agreement. Always remember that knowledge is power, especially at a car dealership. By avoiding these questions, you avoid showing your hand too early and maintain a strong position throughout the negotiation. That way, you'll drive off the lot not just with a new car, but with the satisfaction of a well-played game. More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Tells Americans To Stock Up on Consumables as Trump's Tariffs Hit -- Here's What To Buy This article originally appeared on 6 Questions You Should Never Ask at a Car Dealership
CNA
a day ago
- Business
- CNA
Thailand will hold trade talks with US next week, finance minister says
BANGKOK: Thai Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said on Friday (Jun 27) he will travel to the United States for trade talks next week. The negotiation date has been scheduled, he told reporters, without elaborating. Thailand faces a 36 per cent US tariff on its exports, a key driver of growth, if it fails to negotiate a reduction before a moratorium expires in July. A tariff of 10 per cent has been set for most nations while the moratorium is in place. Earlier this month, Thailand's commerce minister Pichai Naripthaphan said talks between the two countries could reach good terms on tariffs, and possibly settle on a rate as low as 10 per cent.
